"Church" as a Stage of Development...

Some thoughts this afternoon ...

Wondering if "church" (both historically and personally speaking) isn't a necessary stage of development, in both our personal and collective maturity..?

It seems that children see themselves as one-with-all until the age of differentiation (~ 7 yo), and then they seem to need group-think -- to be aligned with the identity of "people like me." And, as I've observed, a great many people remain in that group-think mentality-ghetto ... needing to conform/comply with the group-think in order to feel a sense of safety and belongingness.

Then, there is meant to come, as a healthy development, a stage of becoming an independent being ... a time of "wilderness" ... of learning self-identity.

Then, it seems, that a truly marvelous thing can happen ... when the individual again sees itself as belonging to the Whole (outside of group-think) ... the beingness of "in Christ." Coming to see God as all in all ... when the illusions of separation and division fall away.

It seems to me that Christianity/Church represents group-think -- an important and purposeful stage of development -- but not a final destination.

It seems to me that despising our former stages (whether infancy, childhood, or young adulthood) is both unhealthy and detrimental ... I don't see God despising the very reality He set up for us ... perhaps that hate-energy that we can tend to put into who/where we once were is causing us harm, and halting our growth. I'm seeing a need to accept all stages as necessary and relevant -- and purposeful for the journey.

Perhaps all things really DO work together for our good, as we are transformed into that state of being called "in Christ"...?

Just my thoughts .. for what it's worth.

Shalom, Dena