How Do I Bear with Immature Christians? // Ask Pastor John

Desiring God | 2 months ago

Faithful pastors long to see their churches grow up in faith, hope, and love. So, how does a pastor bear with those who seem to be going backward?

How do I bear with immature Christians? The question is relevant to all maturing Christians, but today it comes from a listener named T.J. And I assume T.J. is a young pastor. He writes, “Hello, Pastor John. When you were a pastor, how did you deal with the grief or burden you felt about the members of your church that seemed to not live like Jesus? How did you handle disappointment in people who are active participants in the church, but always seem to lag far behind in personal growth and maturity?”

Read or listen to this interview at our website: https://www.desiringgod.org/interviews/how-do-i-bear-with-immature-christians

Find other recent and popular Ask Pastor John episodes: https://www.desiringgod.org/ask-pastor-john

How Do I Bear with Immature Christians? // Ask Pastor John

Globe and Anchor Ranch - An Interview with Bart Hansen

Finding the Confidence to Pray // Ask Pastor John

Ephesians 2:8–10 // Part 5 // Your Good Works Are His Good Works

I’m Likely Going to Prison — Now What? // Ask Pastor John

God is the Gospel Session 1

Ephesians 2:8–10 // Part 4 // We Are the Workmanship of God

Should I Ever Pursue My Dreams? // Ask Pastor John

Protected from False Teaching // Ask Pastor John

Ephesians 2:8–10 // Part 3 // Freed from Wrath for a Life of Goodness

Who Wrote the Bible? // Ask Pastor John

‘Hallowed Be Your Name’: The Greatest Prayer in All the World

Ephesians 2:8–10 // Part 2 // The Good News of Obliterated Boasting

What Is the Meaning of Life? // Ask Pastor John

Sustained Through the Hardest Suffering // Ask Pastor John

Ephesians 2:8–10 // Part 1 // Is Faith a Gift of God?

Why Is Baptism Important? // Ask Pastor John

Satan’s Devices: Standing Fast in the Digital Age

Ephesians 2:4–7 // Part 10 // What Is God’s Ultimate Goal Toward Us?

My Teen Is Sexually Active — What Can I Do? // Ask Pastor John

The Root of Beautiful Patience // Ask Pastor John

Ephesians 2:4–7 // Part 9 // Living the Miracle of New Life in Christ

Do My Sins Hinder My Prayers? // Ask Pastor John

‘Holy, Holy, Holy’: Blazing Hope for the Ruins Around Us

Ephesians 2:4–7 // Part 8 // Salvation Is the Decisive Work of God

Is My Happiness Moral or Not? // Ask Pastor John

Escaping the Fog of Triviality // Ask Pastor John

Ephesians 2:4–7 // Part 7 // Were Saved, Are Saved, Will Be Saved

Has Porn Already Broken My Future Marriage? // Ask Pastor John

Ephesians 2:4–7 // Part 6 // Grace Intrudes on the Undeserving

Before You Tweet Criticism: Six Considerations // Ask Pastor John

Doing the Right Thing Never Ruins Your Life: A Belief That Prevents Abortion

Everything Made Meaningful // Ask Pastor John

Ephesians 2:4–7 // Part 5 // What Is It Like to Be Made Alive?

Why Did God Create Us? // Ask Pastor John

Ephesians 2:4–7 // Part 4 // Does God Love Everyone in the Same Way?

Am I Too Hard on Myself? // Ask Pastor John

Trembling at Sin, Marveling at Grace // Ask Pastor John

Ephesians 2:4–7 // Part 3 // God Is Not Stingy with Mercy

Martin Luther King and His Partner in the Cause // Ask Pastor John

Faith That Satisfies — and Saves: What It Means to Come to Jesus

Ephesians 2:4–7 // Part 2 // Are You Amazed You Are a Christian?

Is an Audio Bible Sufficient for Devotions? // Ask Pastor John

Confronting Lukewarm Worship // Ask Pastor John

Ephesians 2:4–7 // Part 1 // Does God Save Us from God?

They Cannot Cancel Our Hope: How We Triumph in Cynical Times

Ephesians 2:1–3 // Part 10 // What (and When) Is the Wrath of God?

How Often Should I Question My Salvation? // Ask Pastor John

What Difference Does Providence Make? // Ask Pastor John

Ephesians 2:1–3 // Part 9 // Who Are the Sons of Disobedience?

Can I Take a Vaccine Made from Aborted Babies? // Ask Pastor John

Links

More