Become New with John Ortberg 29. How Do I Walk Through the Door of Reconciliation?
Oct 6, 2025
Delve into the transformative journey of reconciliation, exploring a powerful metaphor of a cathedral door as a gateway to vulnerability. Discover how narratives of grievance can fuel anger and conflict, and learn reflective questions to identify these stories. Unpack the courage it takes to embrace love over pride, illustrated through a historical Irish feud. John emphasizes practical steps to foster harmony within communities, inviting listeners to embrace shared humanity for genuine reconciliation.
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Conflict Is Normal In Churches
- Conflict in churches (and life) is normal and often involves real, messy people rather than ideals.
- John Ortberg frames reconciliation as a needed, practical process rather than romanticized perfection.
Grievance Stories Fuel Anger
- Anger typically follows when we tell ourselves a biased 'grievance story' about an event or person.
- That story magnifies our innocence and the other's guilt, which entrenches conflict and sin.
Use A Grievance Checklist
- Test whether you are trapped in a grievance story by answering specific reflective questions about how often you replay and tell your version.
- If you score high, intentionally change your story because grievances can be reshaped into truer narratives.
