I don’t go to church anymore. I’ve been hurt too many times. Is church necessary?<\/b><\/p>\n
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Yes, it is \u2014 and not just for the many reasons explored in this issue. It\u2019s also necessary <\/span>because<\/span><\/i> church hurts. Many people suffer in church from judgment, hypocrisy, and abuse. People experience physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, and relational damage. I\u2019ve heard the stories and witnessed \u2014 even caused \u2014 some of the pain.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Why does church hurt so much? Three main reasons come to mind. First, church hurts because it challenges our faulty thinking, convicts us of our comfortable sins, and requires us to die to self \u2014 and that hurt can be good for us. People do suffer unnecessary pain in church, but sometimes we suffer pain because our flesh is dying. We cannot learn to love and be loved in isolation from Christ\u2019s body. Second, church is made up of humans, subject to sin and death. Christians, while redeemed and growing, are still imperfect and prone to hurt one another. Third, church is intimate. It would be one thing if church were just a social club or a business. But it\u2019s not; it\u2019s relational. Our church becomes family, and we become vulnerable. We risk ourselves, and sometimes we get burned.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Thankfully, the church\u2019s capacity to hurt is directly related to its capacity to heal. The church hurts and heals because it is a place of real-life ministry, recovery from sin, and deep relationships. First, as we minister among others in real life, we find our flesh getting hurt. That\u2019s one big reason church is necessary: We were made to mature within Christ\u2019s community, not alone.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Second, experiencing pain from others\u2019 sins is inevitable in life. But church is where we find healing and hope in the midst of that pain, even the very pain we experience from others at church. You can\u2019t escape sin and death, but you can find God\u2019s remedy for it in Christ\u2019s body. Third, intimacy is both high risk and high reward. Those who are closest to us are most able to hurt us, but they are also most able to heal. The vulnerability we show within the church will open us to not only great pain but also great health.<\/span><\/p>\n How can church be a place of great healing? First, believe that God is redeeming all that was damaged by sin and death, bringing restoration and peace. Trust Him as you await Christ\u2019s return when everything will be made right. Second, press in rather than pull away \u2014 the natural inclination when we\u2019re hurt. By pressing into God and the church, we find what is needed to heal. Pain experienced in church is multiplied when we leave and isolate ourselves from God and His people. Third, be willing to make difficult changes. Sometimes this means thinking new thoughts about God, yourself, and others. In other situations it means creating new boundaries in life and relationships. Other times it means building stronger relationships with those at church rather than settling for superficial friendships.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n In all of this we find healing for others and ourselves. Church can be a place of great pain, but it can also be a place of great healing. It certainly has been for me. As I\u2019ve faced the pain of a traumatic childhood and dysfunctional home, the church has become my home and family. In financial hardship and desperation, the church has supported me. When I\u2019ve dealt with health problems, the church has provided compassionate care. The church introduced me to Christ and gave me the opportunity to minister. It has walked alongside me as I\u2019ve grown in my relationship with Christ, helping me to overcome sin and live righteously.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n As much as I\u2019m disturbed at times by the church\u2019s capacity to hurt, I\u2019m continually overwhelmed by the church\u2019s capacity to bring help, healing, and hope. My deepest relationships are in the church, my highest hopes are tied to its success, and my identity is found in its fellowship. Thank You, Jesus, for Your church!<\/span><\/p>\n \u2014 Elder Israel Steinmetz<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n Have a question you’d like answered? Submit it here:<\/strong><\/p>\n [contact-form-7 id=”23927″ title=”Submit a Question”]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" I don’t go to church anymore. I’ve been hurt too many times. Is church necessary? Yes, it is \u2014 and not just for the many reasons explored in this issue. It\u2019s also necessary because church hurts. Many people suffer in church from judgment, hypocrisy, and abuse. 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