"Trying to Help" cartoon by nakedpastor David Hayward
One of the most uncomfortable moments in my life is when Lisa wants to talk with me about an issue in our relationship. I hate it because it means I probably have to go through a period of
- intense self-reflection,
- brutal honesty,
- humble repentance, and
- determined restoration.
It is
painful but
necessary if we want to grow in healthy ways and make our relationship better.
There are a lot of people who
would rather not go through this process. So they don't. Their relationships either stagnate into a vacuous wasteland or they break up.
It's the very same with the church!
What some people interpret as
impertinent questions leading to
unnecessary discomfort and
unfortunate disunity is actually an attempt to improve our
individual lives and the
community we desire to share.
Those remarks inside the church... I've heard them all. Often. Frequently.
The truth is I care about the spiritual health of people. I also care about the spiritual health of communities.
My observation is that people are concluding that in order to take care of their own spiritual lives it is necessary for them to leave the spiritual communities because they are at enmity with one another.
It shouldn't be this way, but for many, it is.
I would like to do my part to repair this.
Join my community
The Lasting Supper where we try to do this as best we can online.
Read the
story of Sophia who made the choice to escape in order to thrive!
