Can We Quit Saying "Church Hurt"

Isn't it odd how some phrases are unknown one day, burst onto the scene, then suddenly appear everywhere? Often, whether spiritually or politically, something is going on behind the scenes.

Currently, topping that list of ubiquitous terms is "church hurt". Aside from the sudden prominence of the term, there are other red flags. Do people say, "work hurt", "school hurt", "friend hurt" or even "family hurt"? Abusive bosses exist. Children do get bullied at school. "Frenemies" are a thing. Trauma at the hands of relatives does take place. But, those institutions themselves aren't labeled as the object causing harm. No one would argue families, friendships, or jobs are too dangerous to be beneficial. Individual negative encounters are not cast as a disparagement of the whole when we evaluate other cultural fixtures. In contrast, "church hurt" typically seems aimed at a global entity called to offer hope and healing. Yes, people have experienced very real pain at the hands of others inside the church, but the houses of God everywhere are not responsible for each of those scars.

Aside from the bias, "church hurt" ignores scripture. Matthew 13:24-30 describes a sower (Jesus) who planted good seed. The enemy(Satan) came in the night and planted bad seed. The harvest Jesus planted was not responsible of for the thorns that sprung up or the pain they inflicted. Abandoning the Savior's garden was not the solution Jesus offered. The solution was to watch, wait, and let weeds expose themselves. The Lord will deal with them in His time. Meanwhile, we can quit saying "church hurt". Instead, we must acknowledge wrong wherever it is by declaring, "That's not Jesus." I'm Julie West and that's Worth Remembering.