Aiming at Maturity: The Goal of the Christian Life

It seems that much of American Christianity has lost sight of the goal of growing to maturity in Christ. This loss of vision has had serious consequences for the quality of our witness and ministry. In Aiming at Maturity Steven W. Rankin seeks to bring back into focus key qualities of spiritual maturity and summarizes important biblical passages to show the scriptural foundations that call for spiritual maturity. Rankin also addresses certain tendencies in popular Christian culture to reduce doctrinal truths to sound bites with the laudable but counterproductive goal to make doctrine memorable therefore applicable. Thinking more expansively about certain key doctrines related to the work of Christ and the impact of grace contributes to growth toward maturity in a way that popular descriptions of these doctrines do not. Finally Rankin also challenges readers to consider the important role of emotions in developing Christlike dispositions which contribute toward producing the fruit of a mature Christian life. By looking at relevant modern research Aiming at Maturity shows the inherent connection between thoughts and feelings that draw us closer to the actual biblical description of the heart. Stephen Rankin has given Christians a strong call to grow up a challenge overdue in a culture that idolizes youth and stereotypes people over the age of thirty. Drawing from popular culture his work as chaplain and college professor and from theology Rankin offers a robust definition of Christian maturity and invites readers to step up. --Elaine Heath Perkins School of Theology Individual believers and local church leaders will find this book unique in laying the groundwork for discipleship growth plans. As a pastor I have been using Rankins trajectory of Christian maturity for years to identify the essence of a mature follower of Christ and to design ministries that will provide substantive fruit not simply more activities. Rankin calls the church to be serious in developing mature disciples. --Pastor Bruce E. Baxter Lead Pastor Wesley United Methodist Church Springfield Missouri Stephen W. Rankin is Chaplain and Minister to the University at Southern Methodist University in Dallas Texas. A contributor to academic and popular periodicals Aiming at Maturity is his first book.