Church Hurt

“Never tell God you’ll never do something because He’ll have you never nevering like you’ve nevered before,” Natalie joked when discussing her Raised to Stay journey.

Natalie Runion, guest speaker at the 2023 Women’s Leadership Gathering in Black Mountain, NC, is a wife, mother, pastor, and author of Raised to Stay: Persevering in Ministry When You Have a Million Reasons to Walk Away.

As the title of her debut book reveals, ministry is not easy. It is exhausting and overwhelming, while also being inspiring and encouraging. Those who attended the Women’s Leadership Gathering were honored to have her speak hope and wisdom into them.

Starting as a social media outlet, Raised to Stay has grown exponentially; one reason being that Natalie shares her story authentically and compassionately. While respectful, Natalie addresses the hardship of ministry: the hurt she and many others experience and the situations endured by leaders and laity alike while also encouraging the hope and holy purpose found in ministry, especially for women.

Topics ranged from church hurt and competition to Rahab and hope for the future.

Many have walked away from Jesus because of what people have done to them, because of what the church has done to them. Today's society does not always see that God and His Kingdom are not connected to a physical building. If a church member hurt them in some way or if they were not ‘good enough’, then they take it that God has hurt them too, but we know this is not true.

As women in ministry, it is so important to bridge that gap between flesh and spirit: to meet people where they are instead of taking offense if someone does not look, dress, or act the way they are expected to within a church building.

The other side of this is that women are often seen as a main reason for church hurt because of competition, reputation, gossip, and even fear. Current leaders should not be afraid of the new generation “replacing” them. Instead, women need to be authentic, vulnerable, and pour into everyone in their community, especially young women.

Revival cannot happen without repentance. “I’m sorry I hurt you” is needed if leaders want to bring people back to Christ and back to church. Love them where they are and as they are, and if this continues, the church will become as it was intended to be as seen in the Book of Acts.