There is something I have noticed in my work as a pastor of a local church which I would like to share. Many of you will be familiar with the " Engel scale ". It is an attempt to quantify, in terms of a "timeline" the progress of someone from unbelief, to faith, to Christian maturity. Minus 10 (-10) on the Engel scale is a virulent atheist (think of a famous evolutionary scientist and author of many books denying the existence of God). Minus 2 or 3 is someone on their way to becoming a Christian, but who has not yet come to the faith. Zero is the moment of conversion/rebirth.* This is followed by four or more further stages, as the new/young believer progresses towards Christian maturity, which includes active involvement in the church and Christian service. What I want to focus on is the period after the "zero" moment of conversion. What I have observed in church life, particularly in the two churches where I have served as the "lead pastor",...