This term "church hurt" is an interesting tool of deflection used by elite, egotistic, influential, institutionalized, powerful religious leaders to demonize those who tell the truth about the religious and spiritual deception, corruption, cronyism, oppression, extortion, greed, and suppression that is going on in the religious institution we call "The Church." It is, in essence, a phrase most often used to blacklist, delegitimize, demoralize, demonize, and kill the reputation of those who tell the truth but have less influence and power than these religious Frankenstein monsters known as the religious/spiritual leaders and their institutions who benefit from lies, deception, and moral corruption of that institution. The question seems to be, is one "church hurt," or is one being hurt by the Church? Is it used as an opportunity to fix something that is wrong or those who have been wronged, or is it used as a shield to protect the wrongs of something or someone? Now let me be clear before I go on: This post does not suggest that one won’t be hurt by someone in the Church; whether in church or outside of the church, hurt happens. And in either space it shouldn’t be justified or used as a weapon against the victim of hurt. Nor used to protect an institution over protecting individuals. Now let's move on.
I wonder if today's religious institution we call "the church" would view Jesus as being "Church hurt" when he gave the religious leaders a scathing rebuke, exposing them for who they were in front of the disciples and the community in Matthew 23. Would they consider Jesus being "church hurt" for his actions and comments he did and made in Matthew 21:12-13, or maybe because of what he said in Matthew 24:2 to his disciples who were enthralled with the maga-nificence of the Temple? For which one would they seek to destroy him? For which one will they accuse him of being "church hurt"? Church hurt is not a phrase of victimization. It is a phrase of accusation used by elite, powerful, influential, passive, and assertive egotistic, power-hungry, greedy church leaders, cronies, and their disciples. This is evident when they try to victimize the victim but allow the victimizer to escape judgment or just give them a "slap on the wrist." They excommunicate the victim but give the victimizer sanctuary. Telling the truth is a heavy burden; it is laboring and exhausting, but Jesus offers sanctuary for those oppressed and those who come under religious persecution for speaking the truth (Matthew 11:28-29). A church that demeans, demonizes, or demoralizes victims of "church hurt" is not only a hurtful church but a hurt church.
Peter had this to say:
Rid yourselves, therefore, of all malice, deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander. Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good. As you come to Him, the living stone, rejected by men but chosen and precious in God’s sight, you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. For it stands in Scripture:
“See, I lay in Zion a stone, a chosen and precious cornerstone; and the one who believes in Him will never be put to shame.”
To you who believe, then, this stone is precious. But to those who do not believe,
“The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone,” and, “A stone of stumbling and a rock of offense.”
They stumble because they disobey the word—and to this they were appointed. But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, to proclaim the virtues of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.~ 1 Peter 2:1-9
With that being said, there is nothing honorable, nor should it be Church-like to have people who have been hurt by the Church have no other recourse but to leave what should have been a sanctuary for them to return to the place where they were before they entered the Church. And then, to victimize those who tell the truth behind this phrase we call "church hurt" is even more telling. As the saying goes, people who are hurt hurt people, and unfortunately, hurtful institutions hurt those who tell the truth. Neither should be what the Church is known for.
Freddrick Douglass had this to say about the Church:
"I love the pure, peaceable, and impartial Christianity of Christ: I therefore hate the corrupt, slaveholding, women-whipping, cradle-plundering, partial and hypocritical Christianity of this land. Indeed, I can see no reason, but the most deceitful one, for calling the religion of this land Christianity. I look upon it as the climax of all misnomers, the boldest of all frauds, and the grossest of all libels…"
Jesus said:
"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid."
And while truth may hurt, it is the most liberating and peaceable thing.
So let us contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints, and not fight for this variant of the Church that uses "church hurt" in all its forms as a tool for manipulation and degradation.
Now to him who is able to keep you from falling and present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, to the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever.
Be well, and stay blessed.
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