IMAGE OF AN UNHEALTHY CHURCH
We live in an anxious age, and the church is tempted to reflect that anxiety as drawn from the society around us. In order to numb the fears generated by a sense of vulnerability, unhealthy churches tend to:
1. Demand certainty in the face of uncertainty. We don’t want ambiguous answers to our questions but clear proclamation of definite answers. Give me the three ways to heaven, the four habits that will provide a perfect marriage, or the seven steps to prosperity.
2. We want perfection in the face of our anxious world. Churches should be perfect, clergy should be perfect, denominations should be perfect. If something goes wrong, it is clearly because someone is incompetent. Get rid of them, and everything will be all right again.
3. We pretend that what we do as a church is our own business and doesn’t impact others. We don’t determine doctrine according to its impact on those it excludes. We don’t design our buildings according to how it affects the neighborhood. We don’t consider the impact of our budget decisions as a testimony to the larger world.
Let’s Talk About Signs of Unhealthiness in Our Church
First, make at least three statements that describe symptoms of anxiety in our larger society. Think of the behavior and fears that reflect feelings of anxiety.
Second, if people brought their feelings of anxiety into a church community, how might the three behaviors described in the image of an unhealthy church reflect an attempt to address those feelings of anxiety? At this point, think of any church. Make at least four statements in response.
Now, rate your church in terms of the behavior of individuals or groups in their effort to address the anxiety of their community. Taking each of the three descriptions of behavior, use #1 to suggest that never happens and #10 to indicate that this always reflects behavior in your church. The behavior may be that of an individual, a small interest group, the governing body, or the whole church.
REFLECT ON YOUR CHURCH
Suggest some examples that illustrate the various ratings.
Excerpt from Being Pastor in an Anxious Society
Risk participating in advocating for healthy clergy and healthy congregations.
Get a free book in the process.
Steve McCutchan www.smccutchan.com
