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Shame-full Churches
- Rooted in shame-based religionism:
keeping human-made rules in order to be "right.
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Grace-full Churches
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- God is experienced as a demanding
Shepherd who drives His sheep.
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- God is experienced as an understanding
Shepherd who leads His sheep.
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- I am expected to be totally (or
almost totally) transformed the moment I trust Christ
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- I am expected to keep on being
transformed by having my mind renewed as long as I live.
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- Since I should be totally transformed
(perfect) I am different-and-less-than Christian because I am not perfect
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- Since I am in the lifelong process
of being transformed to be like Jesus, my imperfections don't surprise me, church
members or God.
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- Members with obvious problems
are an embarrassment to the church.
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- Members with obvious
problems are expected since the past and present effects of sin in Christians' lives
can cause serious problems.
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- Since real Christians have no
serious problems, no provisions have been made to help.
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- There are programs in place to
provide appropriate help.
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- Small-group Bible studies are
dangerous places because someone might get close enough to see behind my mask of
perfection and know I have problems
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- Small-group Bible studies are
safe places to practice being maskless and be with others who do the same. It's
great to go where I don't have to hide my problems.
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- Emphasis is on looking religious
by wearing the right clothes and carrying the right translation of the Bible.
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- Emphasis is on developing a deeper
relationship of love and trusting obedience to Jesus Christ.
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- Emphasis is on performance.
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- Emphasis is on worshipping God.
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- Emphasis is on revealing and rebuking
sinners.
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- Emphasis is on restoring repentant
sinners.
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- Attendance at church activities
is used as the main indicator of a person's true spirituality.
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- Acknowledgement that true spirituality
is reflected in total lifestyle and known only to God.
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