Why More Teaching Isn’t Producing Mature Christians

https://activatedteams.org/courage - Dive Deeper, Connect With Us, and Get Resources! Why do so many Christians spend years in church without becoming mature disciples of Jesus? COVID didn’t create the discipleship problem in the North American church—it exposed it. Many churches responded by trying to recover the same programs, practices, and methods they had used before. But more of the same will not change the trajectory. In this conversation, we explore a frequently overlooked factor that may accelerate Christian maturity: **hesed**—a relational environment characterized by belonging, joy, trust, and the experience of being genuinely enjoyed. For centuries, much of Western Christianity has emphasized information, logic, doctrine, and other left-brain functions. Those things matter, but they may not be enough. Mature disciples are also formed through relationships where they feel safe, connected, accepted, and deeply known. In this episode, we discuss: • What COVID revealed about the maturity of Christians • Why information alone does not produce transformation • The difference between left-brain and whole-brain Christianity • Jim Wilder’s concept of a high-hesed community • Why being enjoyed can accelerate spiritual growth • How to help people belong before expecting them to perform • Practical rhythms that create trust and genuine connection • The difference between love bonds and fear bonds • Why healthy teams refuse to triangulate • How churches can protect relationships when conflict occurs What might happen if our churches became communities where people were not only taught the truth, but also experienced deep belonging, joy, and love? Could that change the pace at which Christians mature? ——— CHAPTERS 00:00 The Missing Key to Christian Maturity 00:44 What COVID Revealed About Discipleship 05:55 How Christianity Became Left-Brain Dominant 08:36 The Missing Ingredient: High Hesed 11:14 A Whole-Brain Approach to Christianity 12:59 What It Feels Like to Be Enjoyed 15:10 Does This Actually Accelerate Growth? 17:53 Building a Culture of Genuine Belonging 19:28 Belong Before You Perform 22:16 Practical Rhythms That Create Hesed 26:36 Love Bonds vs. Fear Bonds 28:57 Why We Don’t Triangulate 32:32 Choosing Affection Over Fear ——— RESOURCES MENTIONED Rare Leadership by Marcus Warner and Jim Wilder: https://rareleadership.net/rare-leade... The Other Half of Church by Jim Wilder and Michel Hendricks: https://www.moodypublishers.com/the-o... Learn more about Activated Teams and our work with pastors and Christian leaders: https://activatedteams.org #CourageousConversations #Discipleship #SpiritualFormation #ChurchLeadership #ChristianLeadership #ChurchCulture