Episode 46: When the Church Hurts
“A bruised reed He will not break.” - Isaiah 42:3
Summary:
In this episode, Elizabeth Leon, Kelly Breaux, and Jewell Bayhi discuss the painful experiences of grief within the Church, acknowledging the imperfections of human interactions and the need for compassion and understanding. They explore the role of clergy in providing support, the importance of acknowledging grief, and the necessity of building a culture of life after loss. The conversation emphasizes the need for healing, reconciliation, and the Church's responsibility to care for grieving families. They also want grieving families to know that they are seen, known, and loved and did not deserve for their grief to be harmed by the ones who should care for them as the hands and feet of Christ.
Takeaways:
The Church is made up of flawed human beings.
Acknowledging wounds is the first step to healing.
Grief is often met with silence or unkind words.
Clergy may lack training in grief ministry.
Compassion and understanding are essential in grief support.
Every child's life has inherent dignity.
Language used in grief can be harmful.
Healing is a communal journey, not just personal.
Spiritual direction can aid in the healing process.
The church must advocate for grieving families.
Jesus, the head of the Church, longs for you to come home.
Discussion Questions:
Have you experienced hurt from within the Church in your grief? How are you able to be honest about those wounds and bring them to Jesus?
What would it be like for you to share kindly but honestly with the person who hurt you?
How has the Church showed up for you well in your grief?
