The evangelists are not to be fearful of bringing these people into the Church.  Like seedlings coming into the greenhouse, these people will thrive in the Church, because it will be a safe, warm, growing environment.  They are coming into the Church so that they can grow in their faith and develop root systems that will see them through, as and when they move on from the greenhouse.

I also felt that God wants to challenge those who are more mature in their faith.  (These people might not necessarily have been Christians a long time, as it’s about maturity in the faith rather than maturity in the Church.)  I felt that he wants them to make room for the new Christians.  Some will be called to move on; to venture out into the world beyond the greenhouse of the Church.  These people need to be willing for God to plant them out in the open.  He knows when they are mature enough and have deep enough root systems to cope.

At the same time, I felt God say that discipleship is important.  Within the greenhouse, there needs to be a nurturing environment so that the plants God puts in there can grow and develop whether they are vulnerable and weak or whether they are brand new and just starting out.  The overall atmosphere is key to this happening.  The church needs to cultivate an atmosphere that nurtures and disciples.

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