Check out the featured post and read more here: https://www.ibelieve.com/christian-living/healing-church-hurt-without-walking-away-from-jesus.html
When Christians are unlike Jesus, how do we react?
That’s a question I’ve pondered for the last few years. And it’s an age-old one, right? Many of us wonder why those who say they love Jesus often appear and act least like Him. It’s a sad reality that eats us up inside if we think about it for far too long. But what’s even more unsettling is what this statistically looks like from within the Church.
According to a study conducted by Pew Research, there’s been a steady decline of Christianity in the U.S., until now. This decline may have slowed or leveled off even, but that doesn’t make the findings any less depressing. The question must be asked then: Why are Christians leaving the Church in the first place?
At the top of that list is what I like to call Church Hurt. Church Hurt is defined as “the painful experiences of being exploited in the context of a collective local church, where spiritual language or even Scripture may be leveraged to justify wrongdoing and protect offenders”. It can also extend to include when someone is “emotionally, mentally, spiritually, or physically hurt by someone or several people within the church.” Big or small, Church Hurt matters, and the pain it causes can last a lifetime.
While there are other reasons Christians are leaving the Church, such as bordem, forced beliefs, or irrelevance, we’re left with an important question: How do we heal the church without walking away from Jesus?
Over the last decade, I’ve been hurt by numerous Church leaders and members. I’ve been judged, misunderstood, and marginalized. And yet, the Lord has taught me three things that I would like to share with you. It’s my hope and prayer that they will encourage, equip, and inspire you to hold onto faith, even when your faith is beaten down, shaken, weary, fading, or questioning:
