How the Church Can Reflect God’s Heart
The Church has always been a symbol of God’s love. It represents justice and grace. The Church strives to share the message of the Gospel with a world that desperately needs hope. Over time, conservative beliefs within the Church are meant to honor tradition. They uphold teachings. Yet, they can sometimes create challenges in fully reflecting God’s goodness. This is especially true in areas like inclusion, mercy, and justice. Here’s a look at how the Church can reconcile its traditions with its mission to embody God’s love and truth.
Love That Includes Everyone
Christianity is centered on love—big, unconditional, welcoming love. But too often, conservative rules or exclusions send a message that some people aren’t welcome, such as LGBTQ+ individuals. Jesus himself showed love to everyone, even those society rejected. The Church must ask if it is truly inviting all people to experience God’s love. It should also consider if it’s unintentionally turning some away.
Faith Beyond Certainty
Faith is about trusting God and accepting that we won’t always have all the answers. But conservative theology can sometimes push for strict interpretations of Scripture, leaving little room for questions or doubts. Doubt isn’t a bad thing—it can help people grow closer to God through honest exploration and reflection.
Grace Over Rules
God’s grace is a gift; it’s not something anyone can earn. Yet, conservative practices can sometimes make people feel pressured. They think they must follow strict rules or be perfect to deserve it. This focus on perfection can overshadow the message of God’s love and forgiveness.
Mercy Instead of Judgment
The Church is called to show mercy and compassion, recognizing that no one is perfect. But conservative approaches sometimes favor judgment, especially when dealing with moral or societal issues. Instead, mercy invites the Church to walk alongside people with humility and understanding.
Goodness That Embraces Change
Conservative beliefs often aim to protect what’s sacred, but this can lead to resistance to change. While holding onto tradition is important, the Church must also respond to the needs of today’s world. God’s goodness is dynamic, and the Church should reflect that by adapting ways to share His love.
Justice for the Oppressed
Justice is a key part of Scripture, urging the Church to stand up for those who are marginalized. Conservative ideologies can sometimes align with societal structures that uphold inequality. To truly reflect the Gospel, the Church must act boldly for justice, just as the prophets did.
True Righteousness
Living in right relationship with God and others is what righteousness really means. But an emphasis on moral superiority can divide people into “us versus them.” True righteousness is humble and focused on bringing people together in love and reconciliation.
Reflecting God’s Goodness
The Church’s ultimate goal is to show the world God’s goodness. If conservative beliefs create barriers—like exclusion, judgment, or refusing to adapt—they can hinder people from experiencing God’s love. These barriers make it difficult for people to see God’s love. The Church must constantly ask itself: Are we drawing people closer to God or pushing them away?
Finding Balance
Conservative beliefs have their place—they bring structure and clarity to the Church’s mission. But there’s always a need to balance these with the Gospel’s call to love, include, and transform. The Church can be a brighter light in the world by staying humble. It can achieve this by remaining open to dialogue and committed to reflecting God’s character.
This journey isn’t always easy. Still, it’s what the Church is called to do. The Church must be a living example of love, truth, and grace. This example should reach everyone, everywhere.
Minister A Francine Green
afrancinegreen.com 