Troubled families are not hard to find. The inner causes of the trouble are sometimes difficult to determine, but the outward signs are easy to spot—disorganisation, turmoil, verbal or other abuse, disrespect, communication breakdown, lack of caring, and unhappiness.

The last of these signs is the most telling. A troubled home is a joyless home, a home with few smiles and little laughter, a home that has been well described as a place “where the shadows are never lifted”.

Just as there are troubled families, at times there are troubled churches. The signs may not be as obvious in a church, because the trouble is diffused by the larger number and greater diversity of people. And there is more incentive for camouflage—sunny Sabbath smiles can hide hurt, division, anger, and dysfunction.

Ideally, troubled people should be able to come to church and find with God’s people a degree of refuge, release and healing. Praise God, this is often the case! We have all seen healthy congregations rally around troubled people and guide them toward solutions.

But what happens when the church itself is unhealthy and troubled? What can we do when our own congregation is characterised by destructive attitudes, poor relationships, discouragement, criticism, lack of caring, division, an absence of vision, and a scarcity of joy?

First, let it be known that Jesus loves such a church! No, he does not love the trouble, but he loves the troubled people. He weeps, and holds his arms wide open, calling, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28.

There is no trouble—in any church—for which Jesus did not die and rise again. “Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her . . . to present her to himself as a radiant church” Ephesians 5:25–27. A radiant church! It’s the opposite of a troubled church. As depicted in Debussy’s musical masterpiece entitled “The Submerged Cathedral”, even a church sunken in selfishness and sin can—by God’s grace—rise up through the waves and be bathed in glorious sunlight.

Second, the troubled congregation must clothe itself with “the full armour of God”. Ephesians 6:13. A troubled congregation is a congregation under attack from the enemy. “Our struggle is against the spiritual forces of evil.” Ephesians 6:12. One of the first steps toward victory is for church members and leaders to recognise and acknowledge that they are under attack.

In the struggle we have our weapons—righteousness, the gospel, faith. And the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God. All these weapons must be activated; none should be neglected. The entire arsenal is undergirded by prayer. Paul concludes his list of weapons by saying, “Pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. . . . Be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.” Ephesians 6:18.

What if it seems hardly anyone wants to pray? Then let the two, three or four who do want to pray come together and pray up a storm! Renewal often begins when just a few people come together and pour out their hearts to God.

Third, look for help from a godly leader. This might be a member of the congregation, or the pastor, or an outside helper. We are not necessarily thinking of an expert in conflict resolution. We are thinking of an expert in the Word of God and the love of the Spirit. A troubled church usually needs a wise leader, at least for a time, to inspire members toward healing. No matter who is appointed, surround that person with prayer. Psalm 107 is a song for the troubled church. This psalm describes a church that was wandering in a desert, hungry and thirsty, sitting in gloom, tossed by storms, and bound by chains of rebellion and neglect.

At last, when the people were “at their wits’ end”, they found renewal in the enduring love of the Lord. Four times in this psalm, we read, “Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and he saved them from their distress.” Look at how God responded! He redeemed them, gathered them, led them, satisfied them, brought them out of darkness, broke their chains, healed them, stilled their storms, guided them to safe haven, fed them, settled them, lifted them up, and made them fruitful.

“Whoever is wise,” the psalm concludes, “let him heed these things, and consider the great love of the Lord.”

This article first appeared in modified form in Mid-America Outlook, July 2004. Copyright © 2009 by Ed Gallagher (South Pacific edition). / Scripture quotations taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission.