A Candid Church Discussion

Recently, our congregation was blessed by a heartfelt and honest conversation involving Dr. GreGory, Deacon Scott, and Sister Valarie. What began as a call to deeper worship evolved into a multi-faceted dialogue about mental health, the flesh, unity, and the true meaning of giving God a gift.

Before the sit down discussion, Pastor urged us to enter worship without distractions or personal agendas—to come before the Lord with a sincere heart of praise. Rather than focusing on styles of music or personal preferences, he reminded us of the centrality of one truth: “Jesus is Lord.” When we strip away our opinions, we make room for a genuine encounter with God’s presence.

Here are some key points he taught before the discussion:

• Unity Over Competition - Dr. GreGory stressed the importance of removing any spirit of competition and aligning as one body in Christ.

• Peace Beyond Earthly Comforts - We often seek relief in temporary fixes—food, shopping, or social media—but these methods pale in comparison to the abiding peace God offers. Genuine peace requires transparency and humility before the Lord.

• Mental Health - Pastor confronted the stigma that sometimes surrounds mental health within the church. He acknowledged that chemical imbalances are real medical conditions and encouraged those who need help—through therapy, medication, or counseling—to pursue it without shame.

• Flesh Is Flawed - From lust to pornography, from judgmental attitudes to identity struggles, Pastor laid bare the reality that the flesh is flawed. Instead of condemning or shaming, the church should be a place where people can openly confess their battles and receive prayer and support.

A Candid Discussion

A pivotal moment as Dr. GreGory started the discussion was the question from his previouse sermon: “Have you ever given God a gift?” Not a tithe, not the usual offering, but a heartfelt gift that stretches beyond the expected.

Deacon Scott shared his vision for the next house he hopes to build. He intends this new home to be more than a physical structure; he views it as a place he will give and dedicate to God’s purposes, a sacrificial gift for the Lord.

Sister Valarie emphasized that a true gift to God in her view, are intangible—whether it’s time, service, compassion, or love expressed toward others. She touched on how God showers us with blessings we often do not deserve. Likewise—we should pour out acts of kindness or service that aren’t based on merit or reciprocity, but out of deep gratitude to the Lord.

Power of Perseverance & Choosing Worthwhile Battles

Closing the conversation, Dr. GreGory reminded us how Jesus called Judas ‘friend’ even as Judas betrayed Him. Sometimes, our gift to God is to love the unlovable, offering compassion to those who betray or wound us. The mark of true maturity is extending God’s grace beyond our comfort zone.

Sister Valarie spoke about showering her grandchild with gifts even when her grandchild was not “obedient.” She mentioned doing so “out of love” rather than merit. Although that scenario is not the same as loving an outright enemy or betrayer, it does showcase the principle of extending love beyond what someone deserves—a concept that echoes Jesus calling Judas “friend” despite betrayal.

Deacon Scott discussed mentoring young men and aligning his will with God’s. Though he did not frame this as “loving the unlovable,” mentorship often involves extending patience, empathy, and support to individuals who might be overlooked or misunderstood. He emphasized that faith must move beyond talk, especially when it’s tested in real-world situations with those who need guidance.

Final Thoughts

This candid discussion reminded us that transparency, unity, and sacrificial love are necessary components of a healthy spiritual community. As we continue to wrestle with our own minds and circumstances, may the Holy Spirit empower us to love deeply, give generously, and pursue peace wholeheartedly.