A Healthy Church

[Gregory Matthews]

One issue that divides the SDA denomination today is the issue as to whether the individual congregation should be a hospital for people who are on a spiritual journey, or a sanctuary for sinners.  The following is a brief abstraction from a larger article that commented on this--GM.

NOTE:  The specific wording below, to some extent (not totally) will be mine--GM.

*  A healthy congregation will attract sinners who are spiritually sick.

*  That healthy congregation will:

1)  Love people more than doctrine, and it will be a safe place for people who are spiritually ill to come and experience the love of God.

2) Strive to create an atmosphere of grace and acceptance.  It will be a place where the spiritually ill can see that God loves them with no strings attached.

3)  It takes time to develop love.   People grow in truth, understanding and love for God.  It does not happen all at once.  Elements of sin may remain for some time before being removed.

The above has been abstracted from:

Lee Dart, "Church Museum or Hospital?"  Outlook March 2019, pages 6 & 7

[Lone Ranger]

4 minutes ago, The Wanderer said:

why oh why do we like our lists so much? Anyone outside the list is usually anathema.

I'm not sure the making of a list was the main intent of the post.  Do you have a comment on the nature of a healthy church?

IMO, the church is a hospital for sinners, since we are all sinners whether LGBT+++ or control freaks or bullies or liars or pimps or whores or whatever. At the same time it should ALSO be a safe refuge FOR the sinner.

[Gail]

It should be a safe refuge for everyone. That complicates the picture as that will involve setting healthy boundaries 

[JoeMo]

4 hours ago, Gail said:

It should be a safe refuge for everyone. That complicates the picture as that will involve setting healthy boundaries 

... and that boundary line may get a little blurry at times.  It is certainly messy. But just like a messy barn is a sign of an active farm, maybe a messy church is a sign of a busy church.  Just an analogy, not a personal doctrine.

[dgrimm60]

GREGORY

well  a   true  healthy  church    as  well  as  a  true  healthy  Christian  must  have  the  HOLY  SPIRIT  leading  ===

with  out  this influence  we  cah  discuss  what  should we   do  and  what the  goal of the  church  is===

there  is  a  statement  that when the  members  of this church  truly represent  CHSIT  character  then the 

HOLY  SPIRIT  will lead many  people  in to the  truth and  church

dgrimm60

[debbym]

9 hours ago, Gregory Matthews said:

One issue that divides the SDA denomination today is the issue as to whether the individual congregation should be a hospital for people who are on a spiritual journey, or a sanctuary for sinners.  The following is a brief abstraction from a larger article that commented on this--GM.

 

Why does a healthy church have to be one or the other... these should not be mutually exclusive.     What is a sanctuary for sinners safe from?  Is it not a safe place where a spiritual journey can take place?  What is a spiritual journey but an experience where one can move through changes that could not have happened outside a spiritually safe place?

A church should not be a place where people can endlessly study and learn and learn and not ever grow, nor should it be a place where sinners can come and be comfortable in endlessly continuing in sin and not experience changes in their life.

i admit i have not read the article.

[Lone Ranger]

9 hours ago, The Wanderer said:

Who actually says that "church" has to be like this? Where did that come from? Is it even humanly possible to attain unto? HOW does scripture define "Church?"

I said that and I stand by my statement.  Did you miss the "IMO?" It means "In My OPIONION."

Maybe dial back the aggression a bit.

[phkrause]

19 hours ago, debbym said:

Why does a healthy church have to be one or the other... these should not be mutually exclusive.     What is a sanctuary for sinners safe from?  Is it not a safe place where a spiritual journey can take place?  What is a spiritual journey but an experience where one can move through changes that could not have happened outside a spiritually safe place?

A church should not be a place where people can endlessly study and learn and learn and not ever grow, nor should it be a place where sinners can come and be comfortable in endlessly continuing in sin and not experience changes in their life.

i admit i have not read the article.

Excellent points debbym!!

[Lone Ranger]

11 minutes ago, The Wanderer said:

so the labelers and dissers can go find their lunch somewhere else.

As you wish. I shall do just that.