Kenny Pittman's Blog

Church – a place of sanctity and solace – a safe haven – a place where you can find rest for your “weary soul” -a shelter from the storms of life. I have heard it referred to as a “hospital” — a place where the wounded can find a “balm in Gilead”; where the broken hearted can be mended; where the lame can “take up their beds and walk”; where blinded eyes can be opened, and deaf ears can be unstopped.

Church – a refugee camp – a place for the outcast – the derelict – a “home for the homeless”, “life for the lifeless”, “hope for the hopeless”, you know those who are rejected, neglected, and ejected by the world and its pandemonium.

Church – a holistic place-a place of restoration and wholeness– where those who are hemorrhaging; who have had an “issue of blood” for many years-unbearable pain and suffering–going from doctor-to-doctor and psychiatry-to-psychiatry; who have exhausted all resources-penniless–broke–in despair–searching for just one touch– seeking to be made whole again!

But what happens when the very place that you turn to when you are hurting…hurts you? What happens when those who have been commissioned and ordained to “put Humpty-Dumpty back together again” are the ones who caused Humpty to “have a great fall”?

This pasted weekend I was officiating a wedding for two people I humbly serve as a pastor and teacher. At the wedding was a family which I also consider friends of mine there. They also belonged to the same IC (Institutionalized Church) I once served in. I am always attracted to people who are willing to give up their life style to search for truth in God. I watch this couple as babes in Christ as they begin to grow and have a zeal for Christ, especially the young lady.

However, because of the relationship Institutionalized Church leaders has with each other and the laity it grows its members as long as they are needed or they can control them. I sit idly by and watched the abortion being performed of these in Christ, which also made me part of the problem and not the situation. As I sat at the reception and looked around the room just praying everyone my eyes came in contact with. As my eyes rotated around the room, my heart dropped as I came in contact with this young lady. I could see the hurt behind the smile and could feel the pain that has allow her to become anesthetized with Church.

I wept, on the inside trying to hold my composure. I prayed to God to forgive me for any participation I may have provided unaware and my unwillingness to intercede. Now, I must pray and fast and ask God to reverse the affects of the abortion. To my friends I am trusting God will show you for what you once searched out. I am Believing God for your healing.

Nevertheless, “Church Hurt”-hurts like no other hurt; it is more intense. The thing about “Church Hurt”, you never know when it is coming or who it is coming from-it could be a choir member, an auxiliary leader, an usher, the church mother, the pastor’s wife, or even the pastor. Now, you talk about hurt-when your pastor hurt you-that is some severe hurt. It is a gut-wrenching blow that knocks all of the wind out of your sail. Nevertheless, it is a reality; it happens! Stephanie Mills sung a song a few years ago entitled, “I Never Knew Love Like This Before!” I could do a remake entitled, “I Never Knew Pain Like This Before!” But she also states in the song, “Open My Eyes” “Church Hurt” does just that “Open Your Eyes!” You will realize that the only thing in this world that you can depend on is the unadulterated (pure) Word of God! People will fail you, but the Word of God NEVER fails. Before I move on to my next point, I must leave a warning to the shepherds who impose “Church Hurt” found in Ezekiel 34:4 and 34:10:

4) The diseased have ye not strengthened, neither have ye healed that which was sick, neither have ye bound up that which was broken, neither have ye brought again that which was driven away, neither have ye sought that which was lost; but with force and with cruelty have ye ruled them.

10) This is what the Sovereign LORD says: I am against the shepherds and will hold them accountable for my flock. I will remove them from tending the flock so that the shepherds can no longer feed themselves. I will rescue my flock from their mouths, and it will no longer be food for them.

In conclusion, I have certainly had my share of “Church Hurt” but it has only strengthened me; for my trials have only made me stronger, wiser, and better. “Church Hurt” has made me re-focus my priorities and place my trust in the Lord (Proverbs 3). It has taught me that I do not have to be a “clone” of someone else; that I can uniquely and individually be “me”.

www.kennypittman.org