OF COURSE FAITHFUL PEOPLE FEEL ANXIOUS
Being anxious is
not wrong. There are plenty of reasons why people might have their anxiety
level raised. However, there are healthy and unhealthy ways to behave in light
of that anxiety. Consider the following five characteristics as a healthy
response of a church.
IMAGE OF HEALTHY CHURCH
Healthy churches believe that they are made worthy, not by what they do but by God’s grace.
1. Healthy churches have the courage to
be imperfect. They tell an honest story of a people who are willing to live
the question without having all the answers. Like Abraham and Sarah, they
are on a journey without knowing the final destination but trusting in the God
who leads them.
2. They are not defensive about their
faults but are willing to explore them honestly so that they might grow
from them towards maturity in Christ. They know the biblical story of how God
chooses to work through imperfect people–Abraham, David, the Disciples, Saul,
and the list continues throughout all of church history.
3. Their practices emphasize a blending
of gratitude and joy. They are grateful they have been invited on the
journey. Doubt and questions are simply the boundaries on the edge of growth.
4. They trust that being vulnerable to others and God is the birthplace of creativity, compassion, joy,
belonging, and love. Therefore, healthy churches are not afraid to fail.
They dare to let God use their offerings for great things for the world God
loves.
5. They believe in and practice connectivity. Faith well lived is lived in community among imperfect people who choose to exercise their hope in community. After all the doctrinal debates, they know that it boils down to relationships as Jesus declared in the Great Commandment.
HOW DOES MY CHURCH FIT IN
Discuss how it feels to be part of a church that reflected those characteristics.
With each of the five characteristics of a healthy church listed, try to give three examples of how a church might reflect that behavior. Begin with an abstract church. Later you can apply it to your particular church. For example, what might a person or church do to reflect the courage to be imperfect? Can you think of other biblical examples of people having the courage to be imperfect?
BEING CHURCH INCLUDES MANY CONGREGATIONS
As you discuss the image of a healthy church, consider the relationship of churches to each other. What are some specific ways that churches might relate to each other, in small groups and as a whole body that would offer a healthy witness? Identify some simple steps that the churches in your community might take that would strengthen their capacity to be a healthy witness to the world around them.
Risk participating in advocating for healthy clergy and healthy congregations.
Get a free book in the process.
http://bit.ly/HealthyClergyMakeHealthyCongregations
OVERCOMING ANXIETY BEGINS WITH SMALL SPECIFIC STEPS
