Navigating the Complex Terrain of Church Hurt, with Michelle Nezat

Key Takeaways:
*Understanding Church Hurt: Church hurt can arise from personal issues, sins committed by others, and failed leadership. It's important to recognize that while people and communities can fail, Christ remains a steadfast focus.
*Navigating Church Hurt: Michelle emphasizes the importance of surrounding oneself with a supportive, biblical community and seeking guidance from scripture during times of hurt.
*The Role of Leadership: Leaders should model confession, repentance, and humility, acknowledging their imperfections and striving for restoration within the church community.
*Forgiveness and Healing: Forgiveness is a command and does not always mean restored relationships. It requires personal work, often without acknowledgment or change from the other party.
*Moving Forward: It's crucial to maintain faith and commitment to God's word, even when church experiences are painful. The journey involves seeking a church community that aligns with biblical truth and provides a place for spiritual growth.
*Personal Reflections: Michelle shares her journey of having lost a sense of purpose within her church community and her ongoing pursuit of finding a new church home, highlighting the complexity and emotional layers involved in such transitions.

Intro/Blog Post:
I’m so appreciative for my guest Michelle Nezat and her courage to talk about what is often termed as church hurt. In the intricate tapestry of human relationships, church communities hold a unique place, often serving as a haven of support, spiritual growth, and community. However, church communities including the leadership are not immune to the imperfections of human nature, and at times, they can become a source of profound hurt. 

To Michelle’s heartbreak she and her husband are in between churches. She shared her very transparent, humble journey and what it’s like in their current waiting period of leaning into the Lord to direct and confirm a new church family they can be folded into. Her willingness to look at both sides of the equation was refreshing. Whether it was through the lens of church responsibilities or the responsibilities of the believer she had a fair, biblically informed perspective.

As I listened to Michelle, I became aware of the various ways church hurt affects so many aspects of one’s spiritual grounding. We looked at what are some of the causes of church hurt such as personal sensitivities, past traumas, and individual mistakes. As human beings, we bring our own emotional baggage into every relationship, including those within a church community.

Additionally, failed leadership or sins committed against members can definitely be the most significant contributors to church hurt. Even well-intentioned leaders can fall short in their responsibilities. When they do it can lead to a deep sense of betrayal and hurt because as Michelle states, the leadership is not just someone you like or hope likes you, they are someone you have put your trust in, whom you look up to for examples and modeling of God and His word.

The conversation also touched upon the options available to individuals experiencing church hurt. While leaving the church may seem like the immediate solution, Michelle emphasized that leaving might not always lead to healing. Instead, she advocated for seeking greater holiness and aligning one's actions with God's will. This could involve choosing to stay and work through the issues or leaving with a heart open to finding a new community where spiritual growth can continue. The decision ultimately rests on discerning what leads to greater holiness in one's life and seeking the Lord's guidance in the process.

Finally, our discussion highlighted the role of forgiveness and the importance of maintaining a focus on Christ. Forgiveness is essential for healing, but it does not always mean restoring broken relationships. It involves letting go of bitterness and entrusting the situation to God. By fixing our eyes on Jesus and embracing how He modeled forgiveness, we can navigate the complexities of church hurt and find peace and purpose.

Michelle helps us keep our focus on the fact that the church is the bride of Christ, and where man fails, God himself will reveal His truth. In whatever context we pursue Him in, He will reveal Himself to those who earnestly seek Him.

If you’re navigating church hurt today, this episode is a must. Michelle will encourage your heart, help you stay on the right path and give you hope for your breakthrough in Christ!

Live Loved and Thrive! @alifeofthrive.com
Sherrie Pilk

Other Resources - Podcasts/Blogs:
After Abortion Care and Healing, with Serena Dyksen: https://alifeofthrive.com/2024/06/05/after-abortion-care-and-healing-with-serena-dyksen/
Investing in Relationship (Blog): https://alifeofthrive.com/2020/11/03/investing-in-relationship/
Micro Moments with God To Grow Relationship Intimacy, with Sherrie Pilkington: https://alifeofthrive.com/2024/08/14/micro-moments-with-god-to-grow-relationship-intimacy/

Connect with Michelle:
Website: https://www.michellenezat.com/about/
Podcast: https://www.michellenezat.com/podcast-3/
FB: https://www.facebook.com/MichelleLNezat/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@michellenezattv
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michellenezat/

Bio:
Michelle Nezat writes Christian fiction with a purpose. The themes in her novels mirror the themes in the Bible and serve as a jumping-off point to study Scripture and theology in a new way. She's a Cajun girl born in Idaho and living in Louisiana, and she has the best gumbo and sweet tea in the neighborhood (according to her husband and two daughters). Her passion is God's Word and inspiring others to discover and interact with Scripture for themselves. Drawing from over a decade of Bible teaching through her podcast More Than a Song, she's turned to stories to inspire readers to explore deep theological truths.