In a review of
When Toxic People Fill Your Church, by author Cindi McMenamin, the author goes on to share ways of avoiding and/or lovingly confront those toxics in church.

pexels
First, she states to make sure your friends are building you up and not tearing you down. Well, I think that this is obvious.
Next, she states to limit being around the
gossiper, the
exploder (aka: hot-tempered), the
stuffer (aka: that person who never learned to express their feelings), the
cynic (aka: they know the downside of every situation) and the
needy (aka: they actually need more of God and less of you). Sure, I can see not wanting to be around the
gossiper and the
exploder, but the others are not so bad and just require a little love and attention. Maybe they will be able to show their feelings, see the positive and be able to provide to the
other needy besides themselves.
Furthermore, McMenamin states to not be an
enabler but do empower them to change. Let them see that you are there.
On the same hand,
take your heart to God first, in order to be the kind of person who can refresh others. Without God, we are nothing and can do nothing.
Finally,
find a mentor so you know how to handle a toxic person and not be one yourself. You need someone you can
really trust to talk to(
not a gossiper...). We all need to vent.
Why not bond over a church meeting or an after church coffee hour? Just my 2 cents...
#Toxicity
#Church