I have many friends who have experienced hurt and trauma from inside the church wall. Even I have been on my own healing journey and learning to create space to open up about the hurts that I have gone through. It has been necessary for my growth process to address them because if I don’t, they can continue to happen to me and to others.
And as a pastor, I want to work at creating a safer environment. For years after I had experienced hurt and damage, showing up was just the best I could do. Showing up for a church service. Showing up to a small group. That was a part of my healing because I needed to get past the trauma of betrayal and confusion. I needed to start building new memories of health. But stepping out and showing up can be so freaking hard, but it is so important.
I have encountered many times a sense of peace and hope for what I believe God originally intended for his people in church. I walked with a confidence that the heart of God was something that could be experienced through the people that followed him.
I had been damaged and hurt and had been wronged. The feeling that Church could be called a home and that the people I had thought were safe and the years of dedication that I had invested growing in a church family, I was devastated within a short period of time.
I know that the churches are filled with imperfect people, and that is not being used as an excuse. And I’m not naïve to think that I can go through life without experiencing pain and disappointment and hurt from people. But when I can’t recognize the trauma or damage, and grieve it, it is difficult to than recover from it. When it goes ignored, we stopped the process of healing that God is wanting to do in us.
I also believe that good things can continue to grow. I think it’s very real and possible for you to be hurt at the Bridge Church. I also believe for many it could be a place of healing. You’re feelings are valid and good things can still grow inside of you. Good things are still growing inside of you.
I believe that showing up matters. Even when you know you may cry. Showing up for your relationship with God is how good things will continue to grow. Acknowledging others as they simply show up matters. Because sometimes that’s the best thing we can do to help others work to their pain. God still sees you. He still loves you. His heart is grieved and broken for the pain that you have experienced in your life. And even though the followers of Jesus are supposed to be reflections of him, they never will be fully. Our hope is not in the church. It is in Jesus. Keep showing up. I’m showing up with you and God will still grow good things in us.
