How does one continue attending church and fellowshipping in a church when you now see all the abuse and hurt possible in churches? Do you take time off from attending church? Are you able to continue reading the Bible? What do you do if you can't read the Bible anymore?
I wanted to also add that I don't think you have to keep going to a church building if it's bringing you trauma. I know some that have taken time away or they have decided to go to a church that is very different from the one that brought them trauma.
That's a great question. For some, it's too triggering, depending on their situation, to open their Bible or to go inside a church building. It's heartbreaking. I don't have a perfect answer. I think, what I would do, would be to reach out to someone, like Ryan Ramsey, who was on the podcast on June 23rd. He's done some pastoring of people who have been really hurt. He may have some encouragement for you. I don't think there is any one right way to do this. As for feeling like you can't read the Bible anymore, I know some people that spend time just reading the gospels or the psalms for a while.
(For others in a similar place....) I have found The Holy Ghost Podcast to be amazing. Each podcast is a dramatic retelling of an Old Testament story as if you're sitting by a campfire listening to an amazing storyteller. https://www.holyghoststories.org/listen A pastor recommended this to me and I have found it an amazing resource to reconnect with OT stories in a way that isn't triggering - no "chapter & verse" no KJV language, just thrilling, gripping, keeps you on the edge of your seat storytelling. Episode 1: The Dismantler, the Secret Agents and the Woman on the Inside reveals that the storyteller is familiar with the many different ways a woman can end up in a place in life where others would judge her - but it was never her fault and she is simply doing the best that she can. So I consider it a safe resource for those that have found themselves in very difficult circumstances through no fault of their own.
Just discovered the podcast. "I Don't Like Bullies. I Don't Care Where They're From." - Steve Rogers
Thanks Ed!
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How does one continue attending church and fellowshipping in a church when you now see all the abuse and hurt possible in churches? Do you take time off from attending church? Are you able to continue reading the Bible? What do you do if you can't read the Bible anymore?
I wanted to also add that I don't think you have to keep going to a church building if it's bringing you trauma. I know some that have taken time away or they have decided to go to a church that is very different from the one that brought them trauma.
That's a great question. For some, it's too triggering, depending on their situation, to open their Bible or to go inside a church building. It's heartbreaking. I don't have a perfect answer. I think, what I would do, would be to reach out to someone, like Ryan Ramsey, who was on the podcast on June 23rd. He's done some pastoring of people who have been really hurt. He may have some encouragement for you. I don't think there is any one right way to do this. As for feeling like you can't read the Bible anymore, I know some people that spend time just reading the gospels or the psalms for a while.
(For others in a similar place....) I have found The Holy Ghost Podcast to be amazing. Each podcast is a dramatic retelling of an Old Testament story as if you're sitting by a campfire listening to an amazing storyteller. https://www.holyghoststories.org/listen A pastor recommended this to me and I have found it an amazing resource to reconnect with OT stories in a way that isn't triggering - no "chapter & verse" no KJV language, just thrilling, gripping, keeps you on the edge of your seat storytelling. Episode 1: The Dismantler, the Secret Agents and the Woman on the Inside reveals that the storyteller is familiar with the many different ways a woman can end up in a place in life where others would judge her - but it was never her fault and she is simply doing the best that she can. So I consider it a safe resource for those that have found themselves in very difficult circumstances through no fault of their own.
"Holy Ghost Stories" podcast - you know you have the right one when you see an image of a campfire. :)
I had no heard of that one. I'll check it out!
"Holy Ghost Stories" podcast - you know you have the right one when you see an image of a campfire. :)