Wounded Servants and Saints: When injury comes from within the church

I have always loved the church as it has played a significant role in my life and my family's life. I am what I am today because the church poured into me, opportunities, spiritual advisement, and amazing experiences. I will always be thankful for those pastors and church leaders who helped to grow and to nurture my spiritual formation. The church was a major centerpiece for our small community wherein enduring relationships were formed, young minds were edified, and were shaped into loving, caring, and morally upright Christians. Unfortunately, however, there are those whose narrative reads differently. Sadly, there are too many narratives of pastors, church leaders, and laity alike who have been exposed to devastating experiences within the body of Christ, creating painful hurt and disappointment. Church hurt is one of the most painful hurts that a person can experience. I urgently say that the pendulum swings in both directions when it comes to church hurt. It flows upwardly toward church leaders as well as flows downwardly to church parishioners. Neither is beneficial to the body of Christ. Church hurt is an issue that must never be swept under the rug, expecting it to go away. The health of the body of Christ is at stake, therefore, those who are in leadership and followership positions must take a stand against this awful sin. Healing must be sought for those who have been injured by and or through the very institution that represents our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Happily, healing can take place and people's faith can be renewed. Will you be one of the ones who will help them through the healing process? May God speak to your heart to be a healer and not one to contribute to this terrible, and sinful act. Who will help them to Heal?