When Church Feels Like Family…Until It Doesn’t
Finding Peace and Unity in a World of Conflict (Philemon 1-7) By Bart Denny Imagine walking into church for the first time. You’re new to faith. A friend kept talking about Jesus, and eventually, the message pierced your heart. You realized your need for forgiveness, and for the first time, you felt right with God. That same friend invites you to church, and you nervously show up—unsure of what to expect. But then—you’re greeted with warmth, someone offers you coffee, people smile, shake your hand, invite you to sit with them. The sermon speaks to your heart. You think, “I never knew church could feel like this. This feels like home.” That’s a beautiful moment. But somewhere in the back row, an old-timer mutters under their breath, “Just wait. Give it a year. Two. You’ll see.” Because here’s the hard truth: churches are full of people—and people, even forgiven ones, are still very much in progress. What Happens When Church Hurts? Eventually, the shine wears off. Someone ...