Feel Good Church

It’s good to feel good, but churches that are all about feeling good about oneself can neglect the challenge that our faith should be in our lives– the challenge to examine our lives, to do good in the world, to Love the stranger and the other.  To feel challenged can’t mean that we are beaten down all the time, either.  There needs to be a balance that satisfies our need for safety and happiness, but also helps us grow.  A hymn might be really nice and personally rewarding, but if our church is only personally rewarding, it’s more of a book club than a church.  In dealing with issues of justice, the hope element is so important.  It is the hope that can make justice celebratory and can make us feel safe in our challenges.