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Church Hurts

Church Hurts

By Joshua McLemore

People hurt us. It happens—like all the time. But we often don’t expect it to happen in the church..but it does—like all the time. How do we move on and heal from Church Hurt and still love the church? Join Josh as he discusses this idea with his guests as they share their own stories of hurt and healing.
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The Church Is Handling Mental Health Wrong - Steve Austin

Church HurtsMar 13, 2020

00:00
01:04:19
Are We More American Than Christian? - Drew Anderson
Sep 11, 202001:09:20
Two Reasons Your Church Job Might End Poorly - Mark Oestreicher

Two Reasons Your Church Job Might End Poorly - Mark Oestreicher

So many of us have found ourselves in situations where we are either fired or leave our churches.  What is the reason that this is so common in church work.  Could there be some way to avoid being blindsided with a church job going south?  Join Josh and his guest Marko as they discuss some practical ways that negative church work experiences might be avoided even from the interview process.  

Mark Oestreicher has been involved in church ministry his whole life, particularly with teenagers and youth workers. Marko has had a broad experience working in churches in roles ranging from Junior High Pastor to Executive Pastor. For 11 years, Marko was at Youth Specialties in San Diego, an organization that trains and equips church youth workers – the last 8 of those years as president. Concurrently, Marko was also a part of the leadership team of Zondervan (Grand Rapids, MI).

Marko has authored or contributed to more than 70 books, including the much-talked-about Youth Ministry 3.0. Marko is a partner in The Youth Cartel, providing resources, training and coaching for church youth workers.


Jul 24, 202051:52
Naming Spiritual Abuse - KJ Ramsey
Jul 17, 202001:06:12
You Don't Know What You Don't Know - Michael Otto

You Don't Know What You Don't Know - Michael Otto

Hired as a young youth pastor, Mike Otto quickly found himself wondering what he was doing.  His mentor was gone and the attitude of a less experienced church worker collided with expectations he was not aware of.  His story is pretty common in church work.  What did he learn through this? What would he have done differently?  Join us this week for this conversation on being a young church worker.

Jun 26, 202001:00:03
Creating Space for Doubt - Ryan Schaible

Creating Space for Doubt - Ryan Schaible

What if you woke up one morning doubting everything?  Would your church allow that?  Can you even serve when you are having doubts?  This week Join Josh and guest Ryan Schaible as they talk about what it looks like to experience doubt while working in a church and how churches can help and minister to a staffer who is experiencing a reconstruction of faith.

Jun 12, 202059:49
Racism and the Church: Now That We See It What Will We Do? - Ade Oni

Racism and the Church: Now That We See It What Will We Do? - Ade Oni

The nation is reeling from the killings of black and brown faces that we see all too often. Our country has unearthed a long abandoned conversation around our original sin of racism. What can the church say and why hasn't it said it already? Join us this week as Josh and his guest Ade Oni talk about what it's like to be a black man in ministry and how the church can respond to the hurt of the black community in America.
Jun 05, 202001:08:01
When You Realize Your "Church" is a Cult - Elizabeth Halford

When You Realize Your "Church" is a Cult - Elizabeth Halford

As our guest this week said: are you ready for "the most culty sh*t you've ever heard"?  This week we talk about what happens when your church is a little less church and a little more cult.  Elizabeth Halford also talks about what it's like to leave a church situation like that and what its like to see some of those same bad practices enter your own ministry.

May 29, 202001:10:39
Love, Respect, and Sex (What the Church Gets Wrong) - Sheila Gregoire
May 22, 202001:07:51
When God Calls and Your Church Doesn't Listen - Jennifer Dawn Watts

When God Calls and Your Church Doesn't Listen - Jennifer Dawn Watts

When Jennifer felt called to plant a church she could not have known the way her existing faith community would treat that call.  How do you move forward in your call when your church is holding you back?  Is there room for questioning the status quo?  Join Josh and his guest Jennifer Dawn Watts as they discuss these ideas and many others in this weeks episode of Church Hurts.

May 15, 202001:06:05
How Do We Minister to People Even As They Walk Away? - Heather Thompson Day

How Do We Minister to People Even As They Walk Away? - Heather Thompson Day

Gen Z is leaving the Church in droves.  But what are their reasons for doing so?  How can we minister to people even as they walk away from the Church.  In what ways can we still be a blessing and a source of hope and love.  Join Josh and his guest Heather Thompson day as they discuss the things she is hearing from her students in her university classroom and the future of the Church post Covid-19.

Apr 24, 202001:09:04
Is the Church Failing the Loneliest Generation - Dr. Josh Packard
Apr 17, 202001:05:24
When The Church Holds You Back - Katie Ruth

When The Church Holds You Back - Katie Ruth

Join Josh and his guest Katie Ruth for a frank discussion of what it's like to realize your church may not be the healthiest or even the safest space.  How do you find your way out of a church that you need to leave for your safety and sanity?  Once you do that, how do you stay connected to the Church outside of the one you grew up wounded in?

Apr 10, 202001:07:44
Do We Have To Pick Between Intellect or Faith? - Dr. Karen Swallow Prior

Do We Have To Pick Between Intellect or Faith? - Dr. Karen Swallow Prior

Join Josh and his guest Dr. Karen Swallow Prior as they talk about having to choose between a life of the mind and a life of faith. Is it possible to have both or do we have to pick one?
Apr 03, 202001:00:52
When Church Attendance Causes Anxiety - Hannah Keefer

When Church Attendance Causes Anxiety - Hannah Keefer

Join Josh for a great conversation with a new friend about what happens when you get anxiety about not being at church. What happens when you love God and have faith but still find it hard to enter a church building because of things the church told you growing up
Mar 27, 202001:01:27
When the Church Says No But God Says Yes - Heather Lea Kenison
Mar 20, 202001:01:18
The Church Is Handling Mental Health Wrong - Steve Austin
Mar 13, 202001:04:19
The Youth Pastor as the Church's Mistress - TJ McConahay

The Youth Pastor as the Church's Mistress - TJ McConahay

What happens when the church expects everything from you but gives you no responsibility to make things happen. This is the plight of many a youth minister. Join Josh and his guest TJ McConahay as they discuss this along with TJ's own story of hurt in this week's Church Hurts Podcast!
Mar 06, 202001:00:00
When the Church Goes After Your Spouse - Keith Parker

When the Church Goes After Your Spouse - Keith Parker

After 16.5 years as the youth pastor at the same church, Keith thought he would stay forever, but God had other plans. Join Josh and his guest Keith Parker as they discuss the hurt caused not only to him but to his spouse.
Feb 28, 202001:05:24
Wounds Caused From A Culture of Fear - Blaine Christenson

Wounds Caused From A Culture of Fear - Blaine Christenson

What is it like working and ministering in a culture of fear? How do we deal with the all too common way that staff are exited out quickly and quietly. The church can do better in the way that they treat and care for their staff members. There is pressure to grieve quickly and move on, but everyone’s grieving process is different. Join Josh and his guest Blaine Christenson as they talk about these things and more in this episode of the Church Hurts podcast!
Find Blaine HERE
Feb 21, 202001:20:15
When Spiritual Hurt Causes Physical Harm - Greg Gross

When Spiritual Hurt Causes Physical Harm - Greg Gross

Join Josh as he interviews Greg Gross - a self proclaimed "missional entrepreneur" - as they discuss his stories of church hurt and how they affected him physically, mentally, and spiritually. How can a healthy church turn Church Hurt into a healthy life for those of us who have been wounded?
Feb 14, 202001:04:48
Patriarchy, Sexism, and Operating Like We Are Still In The Fall - April Diaz
Feb 07, 202055:20
Churches Don't Know What to do With Single People - Andy Unger

Churches Don't Know What to do With Single People - Andy Unger

Are you single in the church and are tired of hearing about "finding your other half" or "when are you going to settle down"? This week's guest understands how you feel. Join Josh and Andy for a discussion on the way churches handle (or don't) their ministry to single people.
Jan 22, 202053:40
When the Church Lies to Women In Ministry - Tash McGill
Jan 17, 202056:22
When Leadership Abandons its Responsibility - Drew Anderson
Jan 10, 202050:41
January 9, 2020

January 9, 2020

Jan 09, 202000:39