Being hurt by church leadership is devastating and, for some, traumatic. It's excruciating to deal with church leaders that refuse to acknowledge how they've hurt their members. So what do you do when church hurt is inflicted by leadership?
You're Not Alone
It's crucial to know that you are not alone. Many others have gone through something similar. It can be helpful to read their stories and find comfort in knowing that you are not the only ones hurting. Learning about others' experiences can also provide solutions and ways to process your pain.
It Happened in the Bible Too
The Bible holds many examples of being hurt by church leadership and how to respond. One example is when the Apostle Peter decided to shun Christians outside of his race in the early church. Luckily, the Apostle Paul was a voice of reason and called for justice, saying:
'Peter, when he came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face... For before certain men came from James, he would eat with the Gentiles; but when they came, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing those who were of the circumcision.' - Galatians 2:11-12
Paul wasn't okay with Peter's behavior and made sure to put him in his place when he needed it. He encouraged Peter to repent when he had done wrong so that God could forgive him.
Another biblical example is when the Apostle John and others were rejected by a church leader named Diotrephes.
'I wrote something to the church, but Diotrephes, who loves to have the preeminence among them, does not receive us. Therefore, if I come, I will call to mind his deeds which he does, prating against us with malicious words.' - 3 John 1:9-10
In this example, when someone in leadership hurts those who love Jesus, they should confront them and hold them accountable for their actions as a warning to others. You can also learn from what happened when members didn't step up when it was needed most. Both examples allowed the problem to escalate when no one spoke up about being hurt or when those in leadership were not held accountable. Both the Apostle John and Paul shared how these situations caused more pain when left unresolved.
So What Should You Do When Your Pastor Hurts You?
- Don't let it go when no one else will speak up for you. Speak up! You must use your voice when others don't have the courage to do so. Make sure that injustices are addressed justly.
- Let them know that their actions, or lack of action, have hurt you. Be prepared for excuses or arguments about why they did what they did. Sometimes this is just an act of manipulation to keep control over those who question them. Still, it could be sincerity at other times - where the church leader believes their intentions were right when they were not.
- Pray for healing, guidance, and justice. Allow yourself to feel the emotions that come up when you've been hurt by church leadership. Anger, betrayal, sadness, and disappointment are all normal reactions. Give yourself time to mourn what was lost or what never even happened.
- Remember that God is with you through all of this. He sees your pain and will help you heal.
Church hurt can be incredibly traumatic and leave you feeling broken, alone, and abandoned by those you trusted the most. It's hard to know where to turn when you've been hurt in this way. But remember that you are not alone. Others have gone through something similar, and they can help guide you as you work through the healing process. God is also with you and will help you move forward.\
Processing the Pain
When people experience church hurt, it's natural to feel various emotions. You may feel embarrassed, confused, angry, or even betrayed. It's vital to feel all of these emotions and give ourselves time to heal.
There are many ways to process pain. Some people find writing helpful, while others prefer talking to friends or family. There are also many self-help books and articles available online, even Christian-based. It's essential to find what works best for you and be patient with the healing process.
Seek Out Support
Seek out support from people who understand what you're going through. This support could be friends, family members, or a therapist. Talking about what happened can help you process the hurt and start to move on.
You can't control the actions of your church leader, but you can choose how to respond. If you feel the need to confront your pastor and don't feel comfortable having that discussion alone, bring someone in your support circle.
When Things Get Worse
When facing someone in a place of power within the church, there is no way to know if they will respond with humility and love until you confront them. If your pastor responds in a way that makes things worse, don't confuse it with God.
Pastors can have significant influence over their congregation, which can be used in positive and negative ways. If your pastor chooses to use that influence to socially isolate you or attack your character instead of apologizing or reaching common ground, it might be time to find a new church home.
Subtle Signs of Abuse in Church Leadership
Church hurt doesn't always manifest itself in a dramatic, explosive way. Sometimes the abuse is more subtle. If you're experiencing any of these signs, it's essential to reach out for help and practice self-care:
- You feel like you can't speak up or disagree with your pastor
- You're always walking on eggshells around church leadership
- Your pastor frequently puts people down in front of others
- The church seems to be more focused on rules and regulations than relationships
If you're experiencing any of these signs, it's essential to reach out for help. You deserve to be free from the hurt caused by church leadership.
Church hurt is never easy to deal with in these cases, but you can begin to heal with time and patience. And sometimes, healing can mean a change of environment.
Help Others
If you or others you know have been hurt or abused by church leadership, you may be wondering how to help those who have been hurt by the church.
- First and foremost, listen to them; validate their feelings, and let them know that you care.
- Help them find resources, such as books, articles, or therapists who specialize in helping those who have been hurt by the church.
- Encourage them to write about their experiences or talk about them with someone they trust.
- Pray for them and with them.
Church hurt is never easy to deal with, but you can begin to heal when you reach out for help and support from others who understand what you're going through. With time and patience, you can start to rebuild your lives after your church leader has hurt you.
Moving Forward
Church hurt can leave you feeling confused and betrayed. It's often hard to move on when the people who are supposed to be a source of comfort have caused you pain. But you can move forward. You can find mental and emotional healing when you process what has happened and work through your feelings. And slowly but surely, you can rebuild your trust in those who have let you down.
0 Comments