Life is about growth. To live life to the fullest, one must continue growing. Of course, I’m not referring to physical growth alone—although that is part of the human experience, up to a certain point. But we are to grow in every way if we are to enjoy the full benefit of what life can offer. Scripture tells us that “Jesus grew in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and all the people” (Luke 2.52 NLT). In the same way, as Christians “God wants us to grow up, to know the whole truth and tell it in love—like Christ in everything. We take our lead from Christ, who is the source of everything we do” (Ephesians 4.15 The Message).
Christian growth does not happen in isolation. It is always within the context of the faith community. The church being Christ’s body, with Christ as its head, “he makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love” (Ephesians 4.16 NLT). We need each other to grow toward Christlikeness.
In keeping with this truth, Vallejo International has identified the characteristic of nurturing as one of the values to define who we desire to be. Nurturing is all about “the process of caring for and encouraging the growth or development of someone or something.” True nurture does not seek only to make a person feel good, but to promote his or her total well-being. This process involves a variety of tasks, appropriate to what may be needed at a particular instance.
There is the task of teaching. The Great Commission calls for the teaching of disciples “to obey everything [Christ] have commanded [us]” (Matthew 28.20 TNIV). And we are to “let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives” (Colossians 3.16 NLT).
We also are to encourage one another. “And let us continue to consider how to motivate one another to love and good deeds, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another even more as you see the day of the Lord coming nearer” (Hebrews 10:24-25 ISV).
Not to be ignored is the task of rebuking and correcting one another. “Dear brothers and sisters, if another believer is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path” (Galatians 6.1 NLT-SE). In some situations we may need to “rebuke them sharply [but only] that they may be healthy in the faith” (Titus 1.13 NET).
All of these, and more, promote healthy growth. A healthy church is a nurturing church.
—Keith Y. Jainga