Milk or Meat?

Which is worse? A five year old who still drinks from a bottle, or a ten year old who doesn't know how to use a fork or knife, and makes his mother cut his food and feed him?

That is the image I see when I look around my church. Programs that continue to serve pre-cut meat to people unwilling to learn how to use tools to feed themselves. Sunday morning sermons that dig deep into Scripture for nourishing meat, ignoring the need for milk of younger Christians. Adult Sunday School classes that encourage a lifetime of discipleship training provided by church leaders. Wednesday evening prayer meetings that bring together God's people for intensive prayer sessions. Where's the milk? Where's the incentive to self-feed?

What would happen if the pastor decided to preach down? Not water down the truth of the gospel, but make it digestible for young Christians, or even (gasp!) non-Christians. Would the saints of the church leave because they were no longer being fed? Or would they get excited about a church that would welcome their unsaved friends and neighbors? What if Sunday mornings became a time for believers to stop worrying if they like the sermon, and start worrying if it is making an impact on the lost?

What would happen if we didn't expect every adult to be part of a Sunday School class? Would we have more people willing to lead a class for those who really need to encounter God's truth? Would mature Christians take on the responsibility for their own spiritual growth?

What would happen if we didn't have "church" three times a week? Would the Church be more effective at engaging with the larger community?

What would happen if we stopped "doing church" and started being the Church?