The Four Emotional Reactions to Church–Church is Perfect
After a person has been delivered from the “domain of darkness, and transferred to the kingdom of His beloved Son,” there is a radical shift in the perspective on the church (Col. 1:13). After disregarding the church, now the person is overly impressed with the tremendous beauty of the bride of Christ. The first reaction to the church is one of awe. People are incredibly more loving, kind, and selfless than the new Christian’s experiences in the world. The new Christian is leaving a land selfishness, jealousy, and insecurity into a world of compassion, grace, and mercy. People seem happier, friendlier, and perfect in the congregational setting. As the new Christian is introduced to the church culture it seems that everyone has life together. People are smiling and happy on Sunday, people seem to have fewer problems than those in the world, and there is a sheltering from the evil in the world. To the new convert, the church seems too good to be true. All of these new experiences seem overwhelming to the new believer. He feels out of place, not good enough, and “too dirty” for the sanctified church world. He realizes that he has real problems and unbecoming addictions that seem to be non-existent in the church. This sense of unworthiness can drive the new Christian away from the community because he or she does not feel “good enough” to belong to such a perfect group. The church must counter this reaction with a sense of venerability within the membership and a focus on grace for all Christians who struggle with the addictions in life. As the new Christian realizes that the church is not for the perfect but for the saved, he or she will feel more comfortable in the community of Christ.
Related posts:
- Four Emotional Reactions to Church-Church is Purposeful
- The Four Emotional Reactions to Church–Church is Pointless
- Four Emotional Reactions to Church-Church is Problematic
- Emotional Cut Off and Churches
- Individuality in Christ
About The Author
Do you feel that this is in line so far with a person’s experience with the church?
I believe there is a point where a new or newer Christian thinks the church is perfect. Finding out otherwise can become a fatal blow to one’s faith for some of these Christians.
For churches to grow, mature, and progress in the mission of God, they must confront the problems that hinger this process and find a healthy way of changing these problems. This falls to the task of both the ministry staff and elders. How they handle this process is crucial? If they go about the process like a mad-butcher on a rampage, the result if disaster. However, if they go about the process in a loving and prudent manner, the result could be very proporous. Yet to be effective in the process, it seems we must be intentional and candid in our effort. What does such intentionality look like in a loving manner? Specifically, when to leaders say “This is what God has called us to be and this is where we are going. Feel free to join us but we are moving on now, so if you want to be a part of what God has called us to be then you need to get on board.”?
Grace and peace,
Rex
The next part of the series is on when the church perfection mindset is destroyed.
And what to do about it.
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