The right side of the brain plays a crucial role in how individuals experience and express their faith. So the right-brained church is key for the community. The right hemisphere of the brain is responsible for creativity, emotions, relationships, intuition, and holistic thinking, all of which are essential for a thriving and spiritually alive church.
Worship is One of the Benefits of a Right-Brained Church
As many know, the right part of the brain is responsible for music, art, and emotion, which is essential for worship. Sometimes, I wonder where I fit in, as Carmen and I both agree that the only thing we have to offer is a joyful noise!
Even if you are more LB (Left-Brained), worship is where you engage your right-brain to better connect with God – that emotional connection. It’s really quite easy (says the right-brained man). Here’s an example:
Commercial: The Coca-Cola distributor man gets out of his truck and unloads some crates of Coke onto his dolly. As he is rolling it down the sidewalk, he passes an older lady with gray hair and a walking cane. As he passes her, he smiles and says, “Good morning,g beautiful!”
The next scene shows her at home on the phone with a friend, and she says with a huge smile on her face, “And he called me beautiful!”
I love that commercial! I believe that is what God means when scripture tells us the following:
Psalm 4:6 AMP
Many are saying, “Oh, that we might see some good!”
Lift up (shine) the light of Your face upon us, O Lord.
Emotional/Relational Connection
When we connect, it takes things to the next level. When we engage in things such as communion, baptism, and other practices of Jesus and His followers, it allows believers to experience faith beyond just words. It makes an emotional impression on us that we don’t forget.
The right-brained activities help us strengthen relationships and the community. The facial expressions and body language, thus the emotional connections, bring people together. This develops a sense of belonging.
A Great Challenge
Carmen and I are extroverts, but only when within our own unique groups that we are already comfortable with. Otherwise, we are more introverts. So when Pastor Josh asked us if we would be Hosts of one of the Micro-Communities, it was stretching us. But we took on the challenge.
Our job as hosts of our Micro-Community? To connect with others. In doing so, as hard as it is for us, it’s been a blessing and benefit to us. Some people in our Micro-Community come and go, but we attempt to connect with them. A smile, an introduction – a quick connection that many never get when they walk into a church.
We’ve met snowbirds, vacationers, guests just visiting family, widows (a group of them who sit together), widowers, college students, retirees, boat captains, restaurant owners, professional divers, single moms, brand new followers of Jesus, seasoned followers, and more.
We’ve been able to pray for folks, encourage others, and even help a widow with moving arrangements. We even hosted our first Micro-Communithy get-together – a night of hanging together at the fire-pit. It was a great experience in connecting for all who attended. Yes, I think the blessing has been ours. And for all who are in our community, a sense of belonging through those emotional connections and shared experiences.
The Focus of the Right-Brain
While the left brain focuses on logic and doctrine, the right brain sees the bigger picture and engages with stories (parables), metaphors, and biblical narratives.
So this helps us to live out our lives as followers of Jesus by internalizing God’s word. I like to think of it as hiding the word of God in our hearts – learning and memorizing scripture (left-brain activity). Then in various situations throughout the day, God brings that to mind to walk in or live out in those situations to connect with people (right-brain activity).
Emotional & Spiritual Healing
The right brain is closely linked to emotional processing and helps believers experience God’s love, peace, and healing. When we connect with people, we are connecting them with God. I truly believe this is when we are not only reflecting Jesus to them but allowing the Holy Spirit to work through us. This is when God’s love, peace, and healing work through us.
I stepped out today. During worship, I went and stood next to someone I am getting to know. He uses a walker, doesn’t hear well though wearing hearing aids, and is on oxygen. I simply put my hand on his shoulder and quietly prayed over him (with his permission). My prayer was simple, but I believe the connection for “Bill” was deep. And not even deep with me, but with his God, with his Lord Jesus Christ.
I feel I am barely starting to learn and get it. My spiritual mentor told me the answer to the question that many ask,
“If God is love, and if there is a God, how could He allow so much suffering?”
His answer,
“The Church has not stepped up to do what a good apprentice should do – follow Jesus, become like Jesus, and do as Jesus did.”
Balancing the Left & Right Brain in the Church
While a left-brained Church (logic, theology, doctrine) is necessary for sound teaching and biblical knowledge. A right-brained church brings warmth, connection, creativity, and an experiential faith that strengthens community and discipleship.
A healthy church engages both sides of the brain…Just Like Heaven.
Challenge of the Week
If you are like me, you don’t want this “religious thing” to be a religious thing or just something in your head (left-brained). People don’t care how much you know – you know the next part – until they know how much you care (right-brained). Who will you emotionally connect with this week that needs a touch of heaven (a touch of Jesus) through you? That’s when the connection is made. That is where the healing is. So be it.
