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1. Brad Sargent
   Tuesday, May 12 1:50 pm

   Rather than give a full definition based on theoretical concepts, how about a partial description based on presence or absence of some key practices? Among some clear and key scriptural qualitative milestones for “spiritual maturity” that are often missing or minimized, I’d suggest (1) from 1 John 2:14 that we are not spiritually mature if we do not understand and apply practical skills of spiritual warfare and “overcoming the Evil One.”

   (2) Meanwhile, from Hebrews 5:14, if our sense of discernment between good and evil is not exercised diligently, it signifies we are not spiritually mature.

   (3) And just in general, I’d say that a mature faith includes a strong ability to hold polarities together in a dynamic tension as paradox, and have a comprehensive and holistic (interconnective) theology.

   Perhaps the missional perspective offers one of the best opportunities for developing these aspects of spiritual maturity, becauseL

   (1) It encourages engagement in our communities where we must face up to personal, social, and structural issues of brokenness, sin, and the presence of evil. Intentional missional engagement also requires us to practice more complex cultural discernment.

   2) In this, we listen carefully and contextualize with what cultural aspects are relevant and, at the very least, pro-biblical; while resisting cultural aspects that negate the gospel and where accommodating them would be syncretism.

   (3) Also, my current sense of missional is that it is drawing together those who are done with the un-dealt-with deficiencies of our home-base theological perspectives, and this may lead to a reintegrated theology that is more holistic. It draws constructive elements from post-charismatic, post-evangelical, post-conservative, post-liberal, post-fundamentalist, etc., where the strengths of each fill in the gaps of the others with “spiritual spackle.”

   Finally, my intuitive sense is that those who identify with being missional also place more emphasis than any other movement does on addressing issues of spiritual abuse and toxic systems in churches and ministries, and attempting to prevent them through developing more healthy forms of collaborative leadership.

   Missional practices aim toward a large description of “spiritual maturity.” And it seems to me that I cannot find a theology, denomination, or movement that really offers parallel opportunities in their gatherings long-term for the same kind of holistic development.

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