messy church=good

Johnson and Van Vonderen contend that:

Church is messy simply because of the fact that they are relationship systems made up of many different kinds of people. If you start to say things out loud in a system where the 'don't talk' rule has reigned, more of the mess will be evident And you will get the blame. But the truth never causes the mess, it just exposes it. In fact, messes aren't 'bad.' They serve a pretty important purpose.

In 1 Corinthians 11:18-1, Paul says to a very contentious Corinthian church:

'For, in the first place, when you come together as a church, I hear that divisions exist among you, and in fact, I believe it. For there must be factions among you.'

There must be factions and divisions? What about peace at all costs? What good thing could ever come from divisions in the church? Paul answers, 'In order that those who are approved may have become evident among you' (v. 19). Only in the midst of division will you be able to tell who genuinely cares about God and His ways from the heart. Don't leave just because there is a mess. Mess can be good.
-"The Subtle Power of Spiritual Abuse," Johnson/Van Vonderen, -p. 229
(summary)