Does the church still have a place in our modern world? What is its role? What do people mean when they say, “I am spiritual, but not religious”? How can we as Christians deal with people who have been hurt by the church, or those who want nothing to do with ‘organized religion’? Christian believers are called to be ‘salt and light’ in the world. How do we do that?
It’s my experience that people who have been hurt by the church fall into two categories: people who still want to be a part of a church and those who want nothing to do with the church. But BOTH deserve to be healed of their hurts. Hard as it is to accept, the church has injured people and perpetuated spiritual abuse for a couple thousand years. We are a part of it if we aren’t part of the healing. People of color, women, lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgendered people are some of the most recent victims of spiritual abuse in our country. You might even add Muslims and people of middle eastern descent. Unfortunately, Christians often use our faith to, well, i can’t think of a better word than to abuse people.
But the church can be part of the healing process. Whether people stay in the church or not is not the issue; we don’t just heal the people who are going to stay with us. We offer repentence and ask for forgiveness of those we have limited, restricted, harassed or even killed. I believe this is a difficult, but fulfilling job for the church…it is what we are called to do as followers of Christ. Would Christ do any less?
Well said, Sherrill.
I have been hurt, most certainly disappointed, confused and healed by the church. Over the years it has been helpful to become exposed to several congregations as well the global church and to a lesser extent, interfaith dialogue and interaction for shalom or the common wealth of community. Healing has come through regular worship, service, and the Eucharist. I especially prefer the Communion format process we experience at the (rail) the table this past Sunday. Come to the table. Thank you Messiah Community Church for inviting the community to the Lord’s table weekly!