Pastor Ponderings #183: Hurt in God's House

Hurt in the Lord’s house is as common as hurt almost anywhere else. The reason for this is that God’s house is still filled with imperfect people. These people, such as I, are still being perfected. Yet we find that our expectations for the church are higher than just anywhere else. Should one not expect more from the redeemed of the Lord? Shouldn’t those indwelt by the Spirit of the Lord be more sensitive to the needs of others? How is it that if one Christian should be a “better” citizen, hundreds together in one room doesn’t produce an unassailable force for love? Should we abandon such a disappointing institution?

Pastor Stacey Shiflett says getting completely out of church because you got hurt by a preacher or a church or a church member makes about as much sense as:

 1.⁠ ⁠Never getting your vehicle repaired again because a mechanic ripped you off.

 2.⁠ ⁠Never eating out again because you found a hair in your food.

 3.⁠ ⁠Never going to the doctor again because one misdiagnosed you.

 4.⁠ ⁠Never going to the store again because the cashier was rude to you.

 5.⁠ ⁠Never going on vacation again because you got stuck in a bad Airbnb.

 6.⁠ ⁠Never going to the dentist again because it hurts too bad.

 7.⁠ ⁠Never buying another vehicle because the last one was a lemon.

 8.⁠ ⁠Never going back to work because you had a boss or a co-worker that hated you.

 9.⁠ ⁠Never going to the bank again because they messed up your deposit or short-changed you.

10.⁠ ⁠Never flying again because you had a rude stewardess, had a flight canceled or turbulence.

Everyone has experienced being let down or disappointed by their church. The pastor is insensitive or the elders miss the point, or the cleaner missed the spot on my chair, or the Sunday school teacher let class out too late. The ushers didn’t ush and the deacons failed to deac. The congregation stares too much or didn’t notice me at all. Given time, some form of these play out in every single church you will participate in.

I think it is fair that we have higher expectations of the church. Though it is possible to set the bar too high as well. Please don’t misunderstand me, most disappointment comes from a failure to jump a rather low bar, yet at times we can be unfair in what we expect. As a pastor, I know in advance that I will disappoint people. That doesn’t make me careless, but rather, easily overwhelmed by the potential needs I’m missing. This is a burden unfit for any individual or leadership structure to bear. Collective care is essential for a healthy functioning body. But even where this is in place, people will fall through the cracks. And let’s be real, some of the cracks are gaping.

Philippians 3:13 Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, 14 I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

There are numerous types of hurt from church which justify leaving your post. These are not the circumstances I’m referring to. The church doesn’t claim perfection, only to be moving in that direction. Admittedly, slower than desired, but committed to the goal. Don’t measure Jesus or His house by His low achieving siblings. He is their only hope after all. Don’t dismiss a church still in its adolescence. Allow a forgiving heart and a sturdy hope to hold you when dealing with hurt in God’s house.