There is the tendency in church life to let people eat what they want, or not at all, and not get concerned about it. But what if their diet reflects poor choices that result in an unhealthy relationship with Christ? What responsibility does the pastor and teacher have to warn them of the consequences? You can't force people to take the nourishment they need in order to grow into spiritual maturity. You can't control what they do. No do I want to. Each person is responsible for her own growth in Christ. Yet, I also have a responsibility, in the words of my ordination charge: "to be Messengers, Watchmen, and Stewards of the Lord; to teach, and to premonish (forewarn, e.g. premonition), to feed and to provide for the Lord's family.....see that you never cease your labor, your care and diligence, until you have done all that lieth in you, according to your bounden duty, to bring all such as are or shall be committed to your charge, unto that agreement in the faith and knowledge of God, and to that ripeness and perfectness of age in Christ, that there be no place left among you, either for error in religion, or for viciousness in life."

That is why the writer to the Hebrews pauses in his teaching to share his concern about his readers' spiritual immaturity. "We have much to say about this, but it is hard to explain because you are slow to learn. In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God's word all over again. You need milk, not solid food. Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. But solid food is for the mature, who have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil. Therefore let us leave the elementary teachings about Christ and go on to maturity...." (Hebrews 5:11-6:1)

There are many people in the church who are 'slow to learn' or 'sluggish' or 'dull of hearing' (ESV). They have not been weaned from an infantile faith. They won't eat what they need to grow. Instead they eat baby food. Mature Christians eat solid food because they want to be able to distinguish good from evil. Mature Christians appreciate a healthy diet and take advantage of every opportunity to learn more of the truths of God, and apply it to their lives.

Sometimes I feel like I am running a restaurant for spiritual consumers by offering a menu that, I hope, will appeal to all needs. There are appetizers, desserts, and entrees, with a few side dishes. Some people eat only the appetizers, others only the desserts, and others, the entrees and side dishes. Some eat a balanced diet and others pick at their food. No one is forced to eat a healthy meal. The menu of programs is offered on a take it or leave it basis. There is no urgency or necessity involved. Everyone's choice is honored. Should I be concerned if people refuse to eat what is provided? Should I feel some urgency about their spiritual eating habits?

Some people eat only when it is convenient for their schedule. Since we all live busy lives we often have conflicts when it is not possible to eat with the rest of the family. It is hard to fit everything in, or to respond to every opportunity the church provides for our spiritual nourishment. It becomes a question of our priorities. How much a priority is worship, or a bible study, or a Winter Conference?

When few people make it their priority to participate is it because we are offering too much on the menu? Is lack of participation a vote of no confidence in the offering? Or is it the result of spiritual immaturity? How do we decide whether to participate? How urgent should we feel the need to go on to maturity?

Mark Shaw, in his creative little book Doing Theology with Huck and Jim: Parables for Understanding Doctrine, begins with the two title characters climbing aboard their raft, embarking on a life free of restraint. Having listed all the aspects of their lives they would not miss, the dialogue continues:

After a time Huck spoke up. "What'd you bring for food? I'm hungry." Jim unwrapped his bedroll. His worldly wealth was contained in it. Immediately it was all laid out in full view. There was a hat and some fruit, a pair of socks, a rabbit's foot and a book. Jim tossed Huck a piece of fruit. "What'd you bring a book for?" asked Huck with a note of irritation. "T'read," said Jim rolling up his blanket again. "What else a book good for?" "Didn't think you could read," Huck said and then wished he hadn't. "I can read," Jim responded with intense seriousness, gazing into the night. "What kinda book is it?" Huck asked. "Book about theology," Jim said, his voice trailing away. "Theology. I hate theology almost as much as I hate schools and rules." Huck said, and emphasized the point by spitting into the river. "What good is a theology book on a trip like this?" Jim was silent for along time before he answered. "Trip like this is long. Lotta things gonna happen. Might come in handy." (quoted by George H. Guthrie, The NIV Application Commentary: Hebrews, 214 from Mark Shaw, op. cit. 9-10)

What we have to offer might come in handy on the long road of life. Yet so many are slow to learn, and don't want what is provided. I am aware that many in the church do not make participation in our learning opportunities a priority in their lives. Either that is because they feel that they don't need it, that their spiritual lives are healthy enough, or that they are just not interested in growing in Christ. Should I be concerned for the health of their souls as their pastor?

How committed are we to spiritual maturity? We may be for it in general, but when it comes to making a specific commitment to doing something about it for ourselves we may procrastinate, and do nothing. We have to be dissatisfied enough with our present level of spirituality to do something about it. "Dissatisfaction with the way things are is probably the single most powerful motivator for commitment to change....John Kotter in Leading Change, writes that the number one reason why change doesn't happen is the lack of a sense of urgency. To be both hearers and doers of the Word, we must feel a sense of urgency about what God is calling us to do. That urgency flows out of a dissatisfaction with what is in light of what could be." (Coaching 101, Robert Logan & Sherilyn Carlton with Tara Miller, 49)

After warning his flock of the dangers of spiritual immaturity the writer to the Hebrews goes on to say. "Even though we speak like this, dear friends, we are confident of better things in your case...God doesn't miss anything. He knows perfectly well all the love you've shown him by helping needy Christians, and that you keep at it. And now I want each of you to extend that same intensity towards a full-bodied hope, and keep at it till the finish. Don't drag your feet. Be like those who stay the course with committed faith and then get everything promised to them." (Hebrews 6:9-12, The Message)

God knows your heart. He knows where you are and what you are doing. We are called to go on to maturity in Christ by eating the solid food he provides for us. How is your spiritual diet? Are you growing in the Lord? Are you slow to learn? Let me urge you to take advantage of the opportunities provided for you. Don't drag your feet. Stay the course with committed faith if you want to inherit what Christ has promised. Then you will be able to affirm: "My soul will be satisfied with the richest of foods." (Psalm 63:5)

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