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Church Hurt: Holding the Church Accountable and Helping Hurt People Heal
Have you ever been deeply hurt by the church?
We all have the ability to cause church hurt, whether intentional or not.
This kind of hurt is a pain that distances sufferers from their communities and from God.
It’s a scheme of the enemy designed to divide and destroy the church when not handled with Scripture and addressed in love.
Once you know what it is, you can detect and determine the best way to move toward healing.
In this book all about hurt in the church, you’ll learn how
Understand the reason behind church hurt for members and pastorsIdentify the key aspects of church hurtRecognize and address spiritual abuseClarify the role of pastors and the role of church membersDetermine healthy expectations of yourself and othersPursue healing and forgiveness for yourself and in relevant relationshipsReconstruct faith after church hurt and deconstructionPlus, workbook sections will help you delve into your own areas of hurt—both received and inflicted—and will equip you to begin pursuing healing, forgiveness, and reconciliation.
With Jesus, we can redeem the hurt.
With author and pastor Jerome Gay’s book Church Hurt, you can take comfort in the promises of God and overcome the reality of hurt in the church. Grab a copy today and start learning how you can heal from hurt—and help others in the church heal, too.
We all have the ability to cause church hurt, whether intentional or not.
This kind of hurt is a pain that distances sufferers from their communities and from God.
It’s a scheme of the enemy designed to divide and destroy the church when not handled with Scripture and addressed in love.
Once you know what it is, you can detect and determine the best way to move toward healing.
In this book all about hurt in the church, you’ll learn how
Understand the reason behind church hurt for members and pastorsIdentify the key aspects of church hurtRecognize and address spiritual abuseClarify the role of pastors and the role of church membersDetermine healthy expectations of yourself and othersPursue healing and forgiveness for yourself and in relevant relationshipsReconstruct faith after church hurt and deconstructionPlus, workbook sections will help you delve into your own areas of hurt—both received and inflicted—and will equip you to begin pursuing healing, forgiveness, and reconciliation.
With Jesus, we can redeem the hurt.
With author and pastor Jerome Gay’s book Church Hurt, you can take comfort in the promises of God and overcome the reality of hurt in the church. Grab a copy today and start learning how you can heal from hurt—and help others in the church heal, too.
113 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 15, 2023
9 people are currently reading
58 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
February 15, 2023
An Important and Timely Read
The "Church Hurt" book piqued my interest because I am a person who, like many, have endured church hurt, spiritual abuse and spiritual trauma. I was interested to see the approach that the author would take because I believed he was coming from a genuine place.
I didn't necessarily have any expectations when I first opened the book, but I will say that once I read the introduction, I knew it was going to be good.
I think this book did a great job providing a robust understanding of church hurt from multiple angles. I don't believe any stone was left unturned. The reader can tell that the author put a lot of thought and care into making sure that this book fulfilled its ultimate purpose, which is healing and restoration.
I think my favorite quote overall from the book comes from Chapter 4: "... forgiveness isn't something we necessarily feel; rather, it's a decision we make."
That quote was a perfect representation of what I have gone through in terms of my own healing from spiritual abuse and trauma. It is a process and it often involves consciously choosing to forgive while retaining boundaries in cases where reconciliation is not possible.
I think this book would definitely be helpful for those who have experienced any form of church hurt, trauma, or abuse. It is a well rounded approach that uses scripture and practicality to explain its points. The thing I loved the most about it was that it didn't point fingers at those who were abused or suffered trauma. Instead it pointed toward healing and reconstruction of one's faith and understanding.
Great book, and I highly recommend!
The "Church Hurt" book piqued my interest because I am a person who, like many, have endured church hurt, spiritual abuse and spiritual trauma. I was interested to see the approach that the author would take because I believed he was coming from a genuine place.
I didn't necessarily have any expectations when I first opened the book, but I will say that once I read the introduction, I knew it was going to be good.
I think this book did a great job providing a robust understanding of church hurt from multiple angles. I don't believe any stone was left unturned. The reader can tell that the author put a lot of thought and care into making sure that this book fulfilled its ultimate purpose, which is healing and restoration.
I think my favorite quote overall from the book comes from Chapter 4: "... forgiveness isn't something we necessarily feel; rather, it's a decision we make."
That quote was a perfect representation of what I have gone through in terms of my own healing from spiritual abuse and trauma. It is a process and it often involves consciously choosing to forgive while retaining boundaries in cases where reconciliation is not possible.
I think this book would definitely be helpful for those who have experienced any form of church hurt, trauma, or abuse. It is a well rounded approach that uses scripture and practicality to explain its points. The thing I loved the most about it was that it didn't point fingers at those who were abused or suffered trauma. Instead it pointed toward healing and reconstruction of one's faith and understanding.
Great book, and I highly recommend!
February 16, 2023
HEALING FOR THE SOUL
I was immediately drawn to the book by its title as I’ve experienced church hurt personally and walked with and counseled others who have as well. Social media is inundated with discussion on church hurt and spiritual abuse with much of the extreme positions (rejecting Christ or minimizing and denying the abuse) having the loudest platforms. Needless to say, I was elated to see a book written that would take a balanced approach to the subject by admitting that abuse and hurt certainly exists in the church but there is hope and healing that can be experienced without rejecting Christ and his bride!
Familiar with the author’s previous works (The Whitewashing of Christianity, his contribution to Urban Apologetics: Restoring Black Dignity with the Gospel, and Renewal: Grace and Redemption in the Story of Ruth) my expectations were high and I was eager to see how he would approach and navigate through this sensitive topic and he did not disappoint. In a balanced, honest, and thoughtful way, the author defines church hurt, addressed hurt experienced by lay members AND leaders, warns against the poison of bitterness, lays out biblical forgiveness and then carefully outlines how we can journey from hurt to healing and what an imperfect, healthy, unified community of believers looks like.
After reading this book, I am inspired to press in all the more in my church and be even more intentional and committed to helping us grow as an imperfectly, healthy, loving, unified community. I am all the more inspired to encourage and pray for those who lead, extend grace and hold others accountable, stand up for those who have been hurt, and fight against bitterness and indifference.
Whether you’ve been a victim of spiritual abuse and trauma, a perpetrator, a witness, or a counselor, this book is a necessary read. It should be added as a mandatory read for seminaries and used in Bible studies and discipleship programs in all churches. If you or someone you know has experienced spiritual abuse, then this book is a must have for you!
I was immediately drawn to the book by its title as I’ve experienced church hurt personally and walked with and counseled others who have as well. Social media is inundated with discussion on church hurt and spiritual abuse with much of the extreme positions (rejecting Christ or minimizing and denying the abuse) having the loudest platforms. Needless to say, I was elated to see a book written that would take a balanced approach to the subject by admitting that abuse and hurt certainly exists in the church but there is hope and healing that can be experienced without rejecting Christ and his bride!
Familiar with the author’s previous works (The Whitewashing of Christianity, his contribution to Urban Apologetics: Restoring Black Dignity with the Gospel, and Renewal: Grace and Redemption in the Story of Ruth) my expectations were high and I was eager to see how he would approach and navigate through this sensitive topic and he did not disappoint. In a balanced, honest, and thoughtful way, the author defines church hurt, addressed hurt experienced by lay members AND leaders, warns against the poison of bitterness, lays out biblical forgiveness and then carefully outlines how we can journey from hurt to healing and what an imperfect, healthy, unified community of believers looks like.
After reading this book, I am inspired to press in all the more in my church and be even more intentional and committed to helping us grow as an imperfectly, healthy, loving, unified community. I am all the more inspired to encourage and pray for those who lead, extend grace and hold others accountable, stand up for those who have been hurt, and fight against bitterness and indifference.
Whether you’ve been a victim of spiritual abuse and trauma, a perpetrator, a witness, or a counselor, this book is a necessary read. It should be added as a mandatory read for seminaries and used in Bible studies and discipleship programs in all churches. If you or someone you know has experienced spiritual abuse, then this book is a must have for you!
October 28, 2024
This is a short but impactful read that can aid in your healing journey no matter what side of the hurt you find yourself on. #HealWell
November 15, 2025
I love a ton of what he said! I wish more churches would hold people accountable for their actions, including those in leadership!!! I think their leadership needs it the most!
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews