Over the past 25 years, approximately 40 million Americans have left the church. Some departures were due to simple reasons like moving or schedule changes. Others left because of complex and painful experiences involving betrayed trust, broken relationships, spiritual abuse, or harmful teaching.
Whether actively deconstructing their faith or simply being too busy to prioritize it, many are questioning: Why church?
This question deserves serious examination. Before exploring the healing the church is meant to offer, we must first confront the hurt it has inflicted. “Church hurt” is epidemic. A poll of our congregation revealed that a significant number have experienced harm from church or church leaders.
Church hurt takes various forms:
While it's true the church is made up of imperfect people in a fallen world, this does not negate the pain caused when hurt comes from those meant to represent Christ.
Despite this reality, we must remember God's original intent was wholeness, not brokenness. Sin has infected humanity, making us spiritually sick. God's gracious remedy is healing through Jesus Christ and his Body, the church.
God desires to heal our spiritual and relational brokenness. Scripture repeatedly emphasizes God's role as healer:
God's plan for wholeness, or shalom, encompasses all dimensions of life:
Sin disrupted this intended wholeness, resulting in alienation from God, others, and self. We became disintegrated, pulled in conflicting directions.
But God's grace provides the cure. His remedy is healing through Christ and his Body, the church. We call this reconciliation.
Reconciliation with God begins with forgiveness. As King David wrote after confessing grave sins:
"Blessed is the one whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered" (Psalm 32:1).
Through Christ, we receive new life:
This reconciliation with God overflows into our other relationships. We begin to see others as God sees them—valuable and precious. Transparency and vulnerability become possible as we recognize our shared status as forgiven sinners, beloved by God.
Finally, we become reconciled to ourselves. In Christ, we can be comfortable in our own skin, knowing our true identity as children of God.
Here lies an irony: God offers healing through the church - often the source of deep hurts. While Jesus perfectly offered healing on earth, his Body now imperfectly offers healing from heaven.
It is this imperfect healing that our church aims to provide. As one counselor noted: "We heal not by moving away or running away, but by moving toward [relationships]."
Consider Amy's story: Hurt by the church as a teen, Amy later struggled with infertility and felt abandoned by God. She cautiously attended our church, keeping her distance. A chance invitation to a women's group led to acceptance, healing, and renewed faith. During a health crisis with her child, Amy experienced Christ's love through meals and prayers from group members. After seven years in the group, Amy now leads a support group for women facing infertility, miscarriage, and infant loss.
While hurt people often hurt people, healed people can heal people.
If you're open to God using the church for healing, consider our support groups:
Where else can you find people gathering in Jesus' name to gain strength together amid life's struggles? Nowhere but the church.
Despite our imperfections, God chooses to use his people as vehicles for healing. If you've experienced healing through this or any church, give thanks. If you're still struggling with church hurt, bring those memories to Jesus and ask him to make things right in his way.
Remember God's big story:
May we receive and extend that healing in all areas of our lives.
Whether actively deconstructing their faith or simply being too busy to prioritize it, many are questioning: Why church?
This question deserves serious examination. Before exploring the healing the church is meant to offer, we must first confront the hurt it has inflicted. “Church hurt” is epidemic. A poll of our congregation revealed that a significant number have experienced harm from church or church leaders.
Church hurt takes various forms:
- Feeling neglected, rejected, or invisible
- Encountering hypocrisy and judgmentalism
- Being sinned against through gossip or loveless treatment
- Suffering deception, manipulation, or abuse by leaders
While it's true the church is made up of imperfect people in a fallen world, this does not negate the pain caused when hurt comes from those meant to represent Christ.
Despite this reality, we must remember God's original intent was wholeness, not brokenness. Sin has infected humanity, making us spiritually sick. God's gracious remedy is healing through Jesus Christ and his Body, the church.
God desires to heal our spiritual and relational brokenness. Scripture repeatedly emphasizes God's role as healer:
"Heal me, Lord, and I will be healed; save me and I will be saved" (Jeremiah 17:14).
Jesus himself said: "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick" (Matthew 9:12).
God gives us responsibility in healing relationships through our words:
"The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing" (Proverbs 12:18).
"Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones" (Proverbs 16:24).
God's plan for wholeness, or shalom, encompasses all dimensions of life:
- Shalom with God - marked by friendship, intimacy, trust, and joyful worship
- Shalom with others - characterized by unity, wisdom, and harmonious relationships
- Shalom within self - manifesting as inner peace, purity of heart, clear thinking, and the fruit of the Spirit
Sin disrupted this intended wholeness, resulting in alienation from God, others, and self. We became disintegrated, pulled in conflicting directions.
But God's grace provides the cure. His remedy is healing through Christ and his Body, the church. We call this reconciliation.
Reconciliation with God begins with forgiveness. As King David wrote after confessing grave sins:
"Blessed is the one whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered" (Psalm 32:1).
Through Christ, we receive new life:
"Anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!" (2 Corinthians 5:17).
This reconciliation with God overflows into our other relationships. We begin to see others as God sees them—valuable and precious. Transparency and vulnerability become possible as we recognize our shared status as forgiven sinners, beloved by God.
Reconciliation transforms:
- Homes - couples work through issues with humility and forgiveness
- Workplaces - genuine partnership replaces self-promotion
- Churches - unity and acceptance overcome division and criticism
Finally, we become reconciled to ourselves. In Christ, we can be comfortable in our own skin, knowing our true identity as children of God.
Here lies an irony: God offers healing through the church - often the source of deep hurts. While Jesus perfectly offered healing on earth, his Body now imperfectly offers healing from heaven.
It is this imperfect healing that our church aims to provide. As one counselor noted: "We heal not by moving away or running away, but by moving toward [relationships]."
Consider Amy's story: Hurt by the church as a teen, Amy later struggled with infertility and felt abandoned by God. She cautiously attended our church, keeping her distance. A chance invitation to a women's group led to acceptance, healing, and renewed faith. During a health crisis with her child, Amy experienced Christ's love through meals and prayers from group members. After seven years in the group, Amy now leads a support group for women facing infertility, miscarriage, and infant loss.
While hurt people often hurt people, healed people can heal people.
If you're open to God using the church for healing, consider our support groups:
- Grief Share (loss of loved ones)
- Divorce Care
- Circle of Hope (infertility/pregnancy loss)
- Alcoholics Anonymous
- Parents of Addicted Loved Ones
- Building for Freedom (sexual integrity)
Where else can you find people gathering in Jesus' name to gain strength together amid life's struggles? Nowhere but the church.
Despite our imperfections, God chooses to use his people as vehicles for healing. If you've experienced healing through this or any church, give thanks. If you're still struggling with church hurt, bring those memories to Jesus and ask him to make things right in his way.
Remember God's big story:
- His desire for shalom (wholeness)
- Our sin disrupting that wholeness
- His gracious offer of healing through Christ and the church
May we receive and extend that healing in all areas of our lives.