Have you ever run into an old friend that you lost contact with years before and discovered that they hadn’t changed one bit? We’ve all been told that from time to time. But the truth is, none of us ever really stay the same. In fact, most of us would probably prefer it if others would recognize how much we have changed... if its for the better of course. I recently ran into an old friend and his family at camp. When I saw one of the kids I hadn’t seen in several years I said, “Wow, you haven’t changed at all!” The response I got was less than thrilling. That’s when I learned that particular line wasn’t really a compliment. She was hoping I’d have noticed how grown up and sophisticated she had become. Then I realized something... We all tend to remember people the way we knew them last. In other words, I probably wouldn’t recognize a single peer from my teenage years I have not kept in contact with if I crossed paths with them on the street, because I still picture them in my mind the way I remember them to be from back then. I wonder...how many people, if it ever crosses their minds, still think of me as the skinny nerdy little albino kid with the big mouth and little brain, that used to be. That doesn’t make me very excited for my 20th HS reunion coming up in 2012. Awkward!

If there’s anyone I can identify with in scripture also having this issue... its Peter. He’s the one guy that stands out to me when I think of this dilemma. Jesus said that only in his home town, a prophet would have no honor. Wouldn’t that be true of Peter too? It would, except for one thing. Peter really changed. From the time Jesus called him to follow, to the end of Peter’s life when he was crucified upside down, Peter had become a completely different person. In the beginning he was bold, brash, and loud mouthed. But Jesus loved him dearly anyway. And though he was confrontational and rough around the edges, Jesus allowed him to be closer than almost all others. Even when Peter denied Christ 3 times, Jesus forgave him and spurred him on to further greatness. As Jesus poured into Peter, Peter had to change. In short, Peter grew up. In fact, he changed in such a way, that anyone who would have known him before wouldhave probably been blown away by how much he had changed. (Acts 4:13)

1Peter chapter 2 has some to say about this process of maturing. Peter says, “Like new born babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it, you may grow up your salvation.” But what does it mean to grow up in spiritual terms? “You mean, there’s more to this Christianity thing than just accepting salvation?” you say. Well...yeah. What we’re talking about here, is the process of growing from Spiritual Infancy to Mature Completion in Christ. I would go so far as to say that, this is what the process of discipleship was meant to be about. Jesus instructed us to go make “Disciples” in all nations, not just decisions. And so we’re challenged with the task of leading people into a deeper and more intimate knowledge of Christ...not just attending church functions. What we’re talking about is something deeper, more genuine, and far more rewarding. But in order for the church to be able to lead others in this quest for real growth, we have to be on that same journey ourselves first...right? So where do we start? This summer, join us, as we take a look at the life of Peter. We’re going to take an in-depth look at the discipleship experience of the man that once was called Simon (the listener), but whose name was changed to Peter (the Rock) to fit and signify his new role in life. And on this journey, we’ll hope to discover just what it means to stop playing childish spiritual games....and to become the men and women of God we were all meant to be. We plan to discover just what it means to mature as believers and followers of Christ. So...welcome...to Peter’s Playhouse, coming to Thousand Pines, summer 2010

.- Steve Garcia, Program Director