back to articles THE MATURITY CONTINUUM: HOUSE CHURCH INTERDEPENDANCE Jerry Steingard, June, 2003 Steven R. Covey, in his exceptional book, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, describes growth and development into maturity as “the maturity continuum“ (pp48-51). He describes three stages or phases of development. Each of us begins life as an infant, totally dependent on others for nurture, sustenance, and survival. Then gradually, over the coming months and years, we become more and more independent - physically, emotionally, mentally, relationally, and financially. Eventually we can take care of ourselves, becoming self-reliant. Many assume there are only these two stages in maturity development. But as we continue to grow and mature, we may become increasingly conscious that nature all around us is interdependent as is human life and interpersonal relationships. Independence is much more mature than dependence. Independence is what many individuals as well as social groupings seek to aspire to. Much of our self-improvement material and our crusading for freedom and “doing your own thing” in our western culture appears to idolize and worship this lofty goal of independence. In large measure it seems to be a reaction to dependence, to having others control and define us. Independence, going from childhood dependence to independent adulthood is indeed quite an accomplishment in and of itself. But independence is certainly not the ultimate. There is something even higher to full and effective living as we were created to live. “Life is, by nature, highly interdependent. To try to achieve maximum effectiveness through independence is like trying to play tennis with a golf club - the tool is not suited to the reality. Interdependence is a far more mature, more advanced concept” (p51). As an interdependent person grows in maturity to think and act interdependently, he will become a good team player and have the necessary tools to succeed in marriage, family, and in social and work settings. This level of maturity recognizes that in working together one can accomplish far more, learn far more, and receive far more deeply and meaningfully, than they could alone. A dependent person cannot choose to become interdependent. But an independent person can choose to become interdependent. On the maturity continuum, dependence is the paradigm (the lens in which you see reality) of “You“. It demands that You take care of me; you come through for me. Independence is the paradigm of “I”. I can do it. I am self-sufficient. I am free to choose. Interdependence is the paradigm of “we”. We can do it. We can join our resources together to accomplish something greater (p49). Since the days of Constantine in the 4th century, church life catered to both the person’s dependence as well as independence. God is moving his church these days, however, to models of church life that require deeper commitment and participation in interdependent community life and mission. This matches the cultural change that is presently taking place from modernism to post-modernism. Modernism emphasizes the individual. Postmodernism emphasizes the individual in community. The Cell based church and the house church model provide the potential for Christianity to move from being a mere spectator sport to a more active participation of every member of the Body of Christ . The day of the superstar is coming to an end. Here comes the Day of Saints!