I just read this article on The Gospel Coalition: https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/lessons-church-recovery-boys/ The author writes:
“One of the great challenges in
ministry today is that ‘authenticity’ is more prized than holiness. Recurring
struggles and ‘mess’ are more compelling and animating than the prospect of
growth and the process of sanctification. Brokenness is simply a more credible
currency than righteousness in many churches today, to our shame. Suburban
youth pastors feel they must have tattoos and intense testimonies in order to
be relatable. But shouldn’t churches and ministers be in the business of making
growth, healing, maturity, and wholeness more compelling than sin and
brokenness? Can’t righteousness be authentic too? …Pictures of healing are
compelling. Growth should be celebrated more than brokenness.”
I understand what he’s saying, but I think he’s overstating
the case. Perhaps it’s a matter of perspective. I think most churches struggle to
embrace true authenticity. It’s far easier to hide our brokenness and fake our
growth. It is true that real growth and healing should be celebrated, but not
to the exclusion or shame of those who are still struggling. For most of us,
growth comes in small steps that may not really be measurable. It may take
years before we realize we’ve made significant change, so it can be hard to
celebrate slow growth.
Certainly we want to make “growth, healing, maturity, and
wholeness more compelling than sin and brokenness,” but we also need to communicate
that it’s okay to not be okay. We are all broken sinners in need of
supernatural help to change, and no one has yet arrived at perfection. We are
all in process. Some may be further along the path, and they can encourage
those of us who come behind them. Every believer is part of the “cloud of
witnesses” to what God is doing in our lives and in the lives of those around
us (Hebrews 12:1). We need to be authentic so that we can testify to where
we’ve come from but also how much further we need to go. While there can be
brokenness without sanctification, you can’t have sanctification without
acknowledging brokenness.
I’m sure there are some churches where authenticity is “more
prized than holiness,” just as there are some churches where sin is embraced rather
than crucified, but I think they are comparatively small in number. Any church
that values the whole council of God’s Word should be communicating: God loves you just as you are, and He loves
you too much to let you stay there. And we as His Body love you in your
brokenness, and we will do everything we can to help you grow in healing and
holiness, however long it takes.
We’re all in this together. Wherever we’ve started from we
should each be learning, growing, and changing by God’s grace and for His
glory. Let’s encourage one another and celebrate even the small victories!
“Therefore lift your
drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees, and make straight paths for your
feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint but rather be healed.
Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will
see the Lord” (Hebrews 12:12-14 ESV).
© 2018 Dawn
Rutan. Unless otherwise indicated all images are copyright free from
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