You know, even with all these tough situations, I truly believe there's hope for the church. It's all about trusting in God's love that never fades and holding onto the possibility of healing and restoration, even when we're dealing with all these messy church dynamics.
Beautifully said, thank you for sharing this. If I may push back a little from the end--and I don't think you'll disagree with this--but there is a difference between being a part of a church and being a part of the people of God who have received mercy. As you've alluded to in several places, being a part of a church can feel like a business and, in fact, it IS a business a separate organisation that exists symbiotically with the people of God; sometimes helpful and yet most times sucking the soul out of the fellowship. I have read and listened to many accounts like your own who have echoed these same themes and have made it the soul of my writing to dig for deeper answers to these issues. I would be honoured if you would stop by and give your input--but the main reason for my commenting is that I want you to know that I have been where you are and God's people exist and thrive outside of these institutions.
Sherene, I resonate with so much you offered up here. We are in that unsettling place of in between churches. Having experienced what we did, we know what type of church culture we are seeking and types of questions to ask. I am in the journey of introspection you mentioned. As painful as leaving was, I am thankful for the way God meets me here and has brought awareness to past traumas and am now in process of healing. So many stories of church hurt have appeared in my spheres lately. Hopefully the number of voices will be a catalyst for effecting change within common unhealthy patterns within.
I appreciate your insights and this quote: "Malcolm Foley of Baylor University says, “as people who believe in the death and resurrection of Christ we do not have the luxury of being hopeless.”
There's a book by William D. Hendricks titled Exit Interviews, where he interviewed a number of people who have left their church and why they left. He cited a survey which showed that for those who left a church, not one person was ever contacted by their former church members. It's so disheartening! It is a painful experience, and it is very difficult to move on to another church. God bless you!
Thank you for being so honest in this piece, I appreciate you sharing about your experience and the wisdom you've gained through it. Bless you
You know, even with all these tough situations, I truly believe there's hope for the church. It's all about trusting in God's love that never fades and holding onto the possibility of healing and restoration, even when we're dealing with all these messy church dynamics.
Beautifully said, thank you for sharing this. If I may push back a little from the end--and I don't think you'll disagree with this--but there is a difference between being a part of a church and being a part of the people of God who have received mercy. As you've alluded to in several places, being a part of a church can feel like a business and, in fact, it IS a business a separate organisation that exists symbiotically with the people of God; sometimes helpful and yet most times sucking the soul out of the fellowship. I have read and listened to many accounts like your own who have echoed these same themes and have made it the soul of my writing to dig for deeper answers to these issues. I would be honoured if you would stop by and give your input--but the main reason for my commenting is that I want you to know that I have been where you are and God's people exist and thrive outside of these institutions.
Sherene, I resonate with so much you offered up here. We are in that unsettling place of in between churches. Having experienced what we did, we know what type of church culture we are seeking and types of questions to ask. I am in the journey of introspection you mentioned. As painful as leaving was, I am thankful for the way God meets me here and has brought awareness to past traumas and am now in process of healing. So many stories of church hurt have appeared in my spheres lately. Hopefully the number of voices will be a catalyst for effecting change within common unhealthy patterns within.
I'm sorry. This sounds super painful.
I appreciate your insights and this quote: "Malcolm Foley of Baylor University says, “as people who believe in the death and resurrection of Christ we do not have the luxury of being hopeless.”
There's a book by William D. Hendricks titled Exit Interviews, where he interviewed a number of people who have left their church and why they left. He cited a survey which showed that for those who left a church, not one person was ever contacted by their former church members. It's so disheartening! It is a painful experience, and it is very difficult to move on to another church. God bless you!
Thank you for sharing. This is my life right now. I am hopeful.