My wife used this description to discuss how our church is pretty big and really young at the same time, and to explain why we have severe growing pains from time to time.
(She actually said fat third grader, but you know me, Mr. P.C. I would never want to offend anybody on this blog.)

The first thought I had was:
Dang my wife is funny.

The second thought was:
I think I’m insulted.

And my final thought was:
She’s right, and that explains a lot.

In some ways this is very frustrating for me to admit.
In other ways, it’s very freeing.

I often want the systems at Elevation to be more precise, more predictable, and more prestigious (I know that word doesn’t fit, but I needed a third P to satisfy the Baptist in me) than they are.

I think to myself (and sometimes say out loud):
“A church our size should be able to _____.”

And that desire for excellence and progress is good. I will never stop pushing our church beyond our self imposed limits. And I will never accept lame excuses from my staff or myself.
Further, I fully believe that structuring systems that are at least 1 phase ahead of where you currently are is wise and critical.

But when our church starts acting its age (only 14 months old) and our systems seem to be behind, it’s healthy for me to realize that the reason church growth feels awkward is because it is awkward.
All growth involves stages of intense awkwardness.
(Awkwardness is an awkward word huh?)

Ask the 10 year old boy who has a cracking voice and his first 3 armpit hairs.

If you can realize that the clumsiness you feel as a leader during these growth spurts is normal and necessary, and resist the urge to stunt the growth by returning to what is familiar and comfortable, the maturity you gain will be worth the pain you experience.

If you’re a church planter whose church is just starting to grow some peach fuzz, don’t panic. And don’t try to grow a goatee yet.
Just learn to shave.

If you’re a new Christian who is just learning how to read the Bible, don’t let the book of Revelation trip you up. Just take it slow and make it simple.
The complicated stuff will make more sense later.
(Revelation will never make total sense until we meet Jesus. Sorry Tim and Jerry.)

If you’re a newly married couple and relating to each other at this level of intimacy seems goofy, and learning to complement each other is an uphill battle, hang in there.
Once the initial shock of how different you really are from one another wears off, you’ll learn to exploit each other’s strengths and cover each other’s weaknesses.

Growth spurts don’t last forever.
The acne clears up.

And you’ll be a few inches taller when it’s all said and done.