I believe we’re living in the early days of something significant. Historians may look back at our time and say, “That’s when the Church got its heart back.”
For the last 400 years, we’ve been doing the equivalent of going to the gym but only working our chest and biceps—never leg day. We’ve developed what you might call an “elephantiasis of the left brain,” focusing almost entirely on logic, linear thinking, and explicit knowledge while neglecting the experiential, emotional, and relational side of being human.
The effects run deeper than we realize. Three out of four people—including pastors—experience God as angry, distant, or critical in their day-to-day emotional lives. We know theologically that God loves us, but we don’t often feel his delight or experience his nearness.
Here’s what I think we need for a new reformation:
A different theory of change. For centuries, we’ve operated under the assumption that if we just get the right information—correct doctrine, biblical knowledge, moral imperatives—then we’ll change. But transformation requires more than information transfer. The truth isn’t just propositions to learn; the truth is a person to know. You don’t study a person—you relate to them.
A different source of power. So much of our Christian lives are lived out of sheer willpower: “I know what’s right, so I’ll make myself do it.” But this is moralism, not Christianity. Real change comes when we learn to live from our need rather than our strength. The Eden Prayer captures this: “I don’t know. I can’t do. Please help.”
A reformed God image. There’s a difference between your God concept—what you think about God—and your God image—how you emotionally relate to him. Most of us need deep healing in how we experience God, not just how we understand him. This happens in safe relational environments where the Spirit can reform the implicit, emotional ways we connect with our Father.
A bigger story. We need to read Scripture through the lens of God’s relational love, not fear. When God wanted to reveal himself most clearly, he didn’t show up as a cosmic force to be feared. He came as a baby you’d want to hold. He became the one who was struck down rather than the one striking others down.
A sustainable pace. We live in a culture of hurry and distraction that forms us into something less than human. But when you know you’re beloved of God—not just intellectually but experientially—you have capacity to love yourself for the sake of others. That’s mature love.
This reformation isn’t just about individual spiritual growth. Imagine a world where three out of four people wake up each day knowing they’re loved by God and live from that reality. Where followers of Jesus consistently live lives that can only be explained by a power not of this world. Where hurry becomes rare and presence becomes normal.
This kind of life is available through Jesus and the power of his Spirit. It’s called the kingdom of God. Based on what we’ve seen through Eden Lead and The Journey Home Retreat, this transformation is not only possible but measurable because it’s actually happening. Through our retreats and the power of the holy spirit people are experiencing dramatic shifts in how they relate to God—moving from malformed images of an angry or distant God to experiencing him as benevolent and present. We want this for you as well.
With you on the journey,
The Eden Project Team
To dive deeper into this topic check out this week’s YouTube video titled:
The Next Reformation: Recovering the Heart of Christianity
Stories of Transformation:
Michele came to Eden Project’s second cohort during one of the most difficult seasons of her life—the loss of her father. Through the experience, she discovered something she hadn’t expected.
“Eden has changed me and allowed God to meet me in one of the most difficult times in my life with the loss of my dad this year. I was able to experience God just sitting with me and loving me. He is even better than I thought he was.”
This is what we long for: not just more knowledge about God, but the experience of his love meeting us exactly where we are, especially in our deepest seasons of need.
Help Us Help Others.
Because of partners like you, Michele experienced God sitting with her and loving her during the hardest season of her life.
She came to Eden Lead while grieving the loss of her father. Through the cohort, she discovered that God is “even better than I thought he was”—present and loving even in the depths of loss.
You can help create more stories like this.
The Eden Project runs on the faithful generosity of people who believe in this work—people like you. If this mission has impacted you or someone you love, please consider making a tax-deductible gift to sustain our ministry and help others discover they can live at home in his love.
