Emotional Health. Story: When we often greet one another, you get the perfunctory “I’m doing okay.” But are you really being honest?

CLC Dream Series; Dream of a church that strives for emotionally healthy spirituality, where "safe space" creates “brave space.”

Staff values: Healthy communication and reconciliation, transparent.

Story: At a church retreat, our speaker Pastor Les Yee opened his message with this quote. Rocked my world.

“You can’t be spiritually mature while remaining emotionally immature.” (Peter Scazzero)

1. ESV Luke 2:52, “And Jesus advanced in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.”

a. Wisdom (transformation of the mind, mental growth)

b. Stature (physical growth, reputation/character)

c. Favor with God and men (relationally whole, vertically and horizontally, emotional growth)

2. ESV Matthew 10:16, “Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves.”

wise = shrewd =cautious Harmless = gentle = innocent = pure

MLK sermon “Tough-minded, Tender-hearted”, prophetic for our times

Tough-minded = wise = test everything

Tender-hearted = grow in compassion

Both are necessary but are in tension. Important for safe space to lead to brave space (dialog and hard conversations can be had)