Part 2: Dealing With Church Hurt

Bottom Line

If you stick around long enough, the church will hurt you, but God’s grace can heal you, and help the church become better.

Opening Line

Every year, about over 2 million church members drop from church membership because the church hurt them.

Some form of abuse, disillusionment, or from feelings of abandonment and neglect.

Introduction: My Story

Grew up in and out of church

How my mom claims she was treated (not married, with a kid; celibacy)

I sought community; mom grew bitter

Main Point

If you don’t forgive, you will become bitter and walk away from community.

Why Does It Matter?

Bitterness perpetuates the problem you are frustrated about; your problematic faith community will stay the same.

Power In The Text

Acts 6:1-7

(Verse 1) “The Hellenistic Jews  among them complained against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food.”

Greek names in verse 5 - the hurt people group was part of the solution.

Moving Toward Application

If something bothers you, that may indicate that you should be part of the solution to the problem. God may be giving you unique insights into how your local church could improve.

Application

Rather than complaining about how a place could be better, humbly consider how you could make it better, and do it!

Why Does This Matter?

This matter because you are either going to let bitterness turn you into what you hate, or you will let God’s love grow compassion in you for the people that hurt you.

The old saying is true: “Hurt people hurt other people.” Hurt is never personal. It comes out of a deficit in one’s own soul. This is why Jesus tells us to love our enemies. Our enemies are broken people that need healing and restoring. If we can love our enemies, we can at least show some patience to our fellow Christian brothers and sisters who hurt us.

Closing

If you stick around long enough, the church will hurt you, but God’s grace can heal you, and help the church become better.