What a treat. Family Church Southsea member Lorna shares nuggets of godly wisdom as part of our latest Church Value; Church Family. 'Growing Up' in the Lord, with Christ, is something Lorna has walked through and experienced over time - and is the first to admit she is still on that journey.

Christian maturity is not about becoming flawless—it is about becoming more like Christ through patience, humility, forgiveness, encouragement, and life together in Christian community.

Spiritual maturity is a lifelong process, not a state of perfection. God shapes each believer differently according to their personality, experiences, and stage of faith.

God grows each believer at His own pace, and the church should be a place where people are accepted, supported, and equipped rather than judged.

Drawing on her time living at Lee Abbey, Lorna describes how christian community life challenged her pride, impatience, and expectations, ultimately helping her grow spiritually. Rather than judge or compare one another, Jesus teaches us to show patience, grace, and encouragement, recognising that everyone is on their own journey with God.

We each have spiritual gifts to discover and we musn't be shy about that.

Empathy, humility, kindness, integrity, and accountability are essential for a healthy Christian community; quoting Dietrich Bonhoeffer's 'Life Together', a Christian community is centred on Christ and strengthened through mutual love and support.

Let's remain open to God's guidance, trust His timing in their spiritual growth, and support others as they grow.