52 Sundays: What If I've Been Hurt By A Church

This year we're challenging our members and regular attenders to attend a church service every week in 2014. You can read more about the 52 SUNDAYS challenge here. This article is part of a series of articles about 52 SUNDAYS.

What if I've been hurt?

Before I answer the question, let me just say that I care. One of the primary responsibilities of a pastor is that of caring for hurt and hurting people, especially if you've been hurt by a church or a church member. And more so if it was our church or even me, personally. I care deeply about this. Hurting people are a priority.

That said, I understand. It's hard to give yourself to the church when the church does something to hurt you. It's hard to trust. It's hard to forgive. It's difficult to even know why you should try.

We need hurt people.

The church is a body, not a club. It doesn't measure it's health by the well-being of individual members. It's a collective arrangement. We aren't complete unless you are with us, hurts and all.

In fact, the strong need the wounded as much as the wounded need the strong. Sundays are a time of repentance and reconciliation. Sundays are a time of healing and greeting and sharing and ministry. My hope is that Sovereign Grace is a safe place for hurting people to rediscover the wonderful world of the local church.

Hurt people need you.

I understand it's hard to grasp the purpose for which the church exists when it seems to have failed. My only consolation is that Jesus knows and cares. Through it all, His plan is still the church and I'm hoping this includes you.

There are more hurting people like you that need care.