Deprogramming Devotionals

In a normal/ healthy church there can be differences of opinion.  Suppose someone in the membership  wants a blue carpet and the leader wants a cranberry color:  In a normal church there can be a discussion.  There can be a difference of opinion .  Usually the leader cheerfully defers to the other person.  He has nothing to prove.  He is humble. Often the leader isn’t involved with the discussion at all.  He leaves it up to the ones who are gifted in a certain area to decide.

In an abusive/unhealthy church a certain person or a couple of people  make  all the decisions.   The whole church revolves around them, even though you might hear a lot of the right spiritual doctrines  week after week.  There is no room for disagreement or discussion. If a member criticizes that ones judgment or asks questions, he is labeled a troublemaker , and if he continues asking until the leadership considers him a threat , he is often threatened  in some way  , and  if they are not silent are then  then  quickly excommunicated.  If you have questions about your church ask yourself…   Have normally faithful Christians been quickly excommunicated and suddenly  become “emotionally ill” and “undesirable”  in some way according  to the leadership?  You have only known them to be loving and kind… Maybe you don’t hear anything about “shunning”, but no one speaks to a person week after week as if the person is invisible until they stop coming. 

If you have questions about the church you are attending:   Find out who and how many have been excommunicated.  Often that word  excommunicated is not used as the persons are simply not spoken to anymore.  There has not been a meeting with the elders , and a healthy biblical judgment made with the person who is accused being present and able to face his accusers. There is a quiet  secret decision made behind the persons back.

A normal and healthy church uses all the gifts God has placed in the Body of Christ.  You will see people being used of God in many capacities to care for all the aspects of Church life.  Not a couple of people secretly deciding between  themselves what is allowed… There is open communication…freedom of expression….above all there is unconditional love.  If there is a problem it is handled with love and care.  Ask questions .  You will recognize the healthy by the quality of the answers…

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