Congregations seeking to transform understand the difference between what is true and what is perceived to be true. They understand that congregational participants possess a body of information called perceived truthful information. No one has all the facts. The perception of the truth is more powerful in a congregational culture than is the true.
The adage, “don’t confuse me with facts, my mind is already made up,” is as true in the church as it is in other parts of life. Much of the perception of truth comes from lifelong cultural or family understandings and not Christ-centered convictions.