New Members at St. Timothy's
Welcome to St. Timothy's! Your presence and participation are a gift for all of us. We're delighted that you're interested in being a member and want to let know you what that means to us.
Commit Yourself to Growing in Faith
It should be an obvious statement, but people often find it surprising: spiritual growth is a lifelong process. Perhaps because of our focus on Christian education for children and youth, it's easy to assume that adults have already been equipped for faithful living.
Investing in young people during their formative years is critical, but adults face more complex expectations and responsibilities. We regularly discover new bumps in the road, which challenge the coping mechanisms developed earlier in our lives. Sooner or later we need help, but we may not know how to look or ask for it.
We all know people who've "hit the wall" in their lives and grown cynical about their faith. The problem may be that their spiritual growth didn't keep pace with the challenges they face. The good news is that it's never too late to continue growing in faith, and that small steps definitely add up over time.
The Bible is our primary spiritual resource, but it's more often appreciated in the abstract than actually used. Rather than resolving to study it some day, just start reading! Take home the Sunday bulletin and look up the Scripture passages. Read a chapter from the Gospels every night, or a psalm, or the stories in Exodus or the Acts of the Apostles. Just begin somewhere and keep at it.
The earliest Christian communities emphasized experiential learning. Like the original disciples, they found that engaging in ministry was a catalyst for the growth of their faith. Serving people in need is a great way to gain perspective on our own problems, and making a difference for others builds our sense of worth and purpose. St. Timothy's offers many opportunities to join together in service, strengthening the bonds of community as we help others and build the foundations of our faith.
Reading the Bible and getting involved in ministry may raise questions which invite study and conversation. Taking part in one of our adult education groups can be very rewarding during a period of spiritual growth. Consider attending the weekly Adult Forum, or a men's or women's group, or the Wednesday Study Brunch, or a Quiet Day, or the Lent Series. Your questions will always be welcome, and it may be surprising how much you have to contribute.
