The Other Half of Church

1. Christianity needs both left and right brain engagement for true transformation

Half-brained Christianity emphasizes left-brained skills (truth, doctrine, teaching, evangelism skills, ministry strategies) and neglects right-brain relational and emotional skills.

Balanced approach needed. Traditional Christian practices often focus heavily on left-brain activities like studying doctrine, memorizing scripture, and developing ministry strategies. However, this approach neglects crucial right-brain functions that are essential for genuine character transformation and spiritual growth.

Right-brain importance. The right hemisphere of the brain is responsible for:

• Processing emotions
• Forming relational attachments
• Developing empathy and compassion
• Creating a sense of identity and belonging

By engaging both hemispheres, Christians can experience more holistic spiritual formation that impacts not just their knowledge, but their character, relationships, and emotional well-being.

2. Joy is the foundation for spiritual growth and character development

God designed our brains to run on joy like a car runs on fuel.

Neurological basis of joy. Research has shown that joy is a fundamental building block for healthy brain development and emotional regulation. In a spiritual context, joy is experienced as a sense of God's delight and pleasure in us, often described in Scripture as the "light of God's face shining upon us."

Practical applications:

• Cultivate gratitude practices
• Engage in face-to-face interactions that build joy
• Create opportunities for play and celebration in church communities
• Develop the ability to experience joy even in difficult emotions or circumstances

Joy provides the emotional fuel needed for resilience, character growth, and maintaining healthy relationships with God and others.

3. Hesed (covenant love) forms the relational glue of Christian community

Hesed is the glue that binds us together as members of Jesus' family.

Understanding hesed. This Hebrew word encompasses the idea of steadfast, covenant love that endures through all circumstances. It is the foundation for deep, lasting relationships within the Christian community.

Cultivating hesed:

• Prioritize relationships over tasks or achievements
• Practice vulnerability and sharing weaknesses
• Commit to walking alongside others through joy and suffering
• Create environments where people feel safe to be their authentic selves

Hesed-rich communities provide the relational context necessary for genuine spiritual transformation and character development.

4. Group identity shapes character and behavior in Christian life

Group identity has the power to change character because it operates in the fast-track on the right spot in the brain.

Power of shared identity. The Christian community plays a crucial role in shaping individual character by providing a clear picture of "who we are" and "how we act" as followers of Jesus.

Developing group identity:

• Regularly articulate and reinforce shared values and behaviors
• Tell stories that illustrate the community's identity in action
• Create opportunities for multi-generational interactions and mentoring
• Address and correct behaviors that don't align with the group's identity

A strong, Christ-centered group identity provides the framework for individual transformation and helps resist negative cultural influences.

5. Healthy correction is essential for spiritual maturity and growth

Whoever heeds life-giving correction will be at home among the wise.

Reframing correction. Many Christians have negative associations with correction due to past experiences with toxic shame or punishment. However, healthy correction is a vital component of spiritual growth and character formation.

Elements of healthy correction:

• Affirm the relationship and shared identity
• Address specific behaviors, not the person's worth
• Provide a clear path back to alignment with the community's values
• Create a culture where everyone gives and receives correction

Learning to give and receive correction in a loving, identity-affirming way is crucial for ongoing spiritual maturity.

6. Narcissism thrives in relationally depleted church environments

When we fail to build the character of Christ into the identity of our community, we easily forget who we are.

Understanding narcissism in the church. Narcissistic tendencies can develop when individuals are unable to process shame in healthy, relational ways. Church environments that lack joy, hesed, and strong group identity become breeding grounds for narcissistic leadership.

Signs of narcissism in church leadership:

• Elevation of the leader's personality or vision above Christ's
• Inability to receive correction or admit weakness
• Sacrificing relationships for the sake of ministry goals
• Creating narratives that always paint the leader in a positive light

Recognizing and addressing narcissistic patterns is crucial for maintaining healthy church communities.

7. Full-brained Christianity creates vibrant, transformational communities

A full-brained community is impressed by Jesus alone and sees any attempt to magnify another person as an opportunity to offer a gentle rebuke.

Characteristics of full-brained communities:

• High levels of joy and relational connection
• Strong, Christ-centered group identity
• Culture of gentle, loving correction
• Emphasis on character development over giftedness
• Distributed leadership and shared responsibility

Practical steps:

• Redesign worship and teaching to engage both hemispheres
• Implement training in emotional regulation and relational skills
• Create opportunities for multi-generational discipleship
• Develop clear paths for spiritual maturity and character growth

Full-brained Christian communities shine as beacons of transformational love in a world hungry for authentic relationship and purpose.

Last updated: July 25, 2024