Healing from Church Hurt

Are you or someone you know hesitant about attending church because of a past hurtful experience? You're not alone. In this episode of the Son Country Community Church Podcast, Dave, Dennis, and Bill discuss one of the biggest reasons people stop attending church—negative experiences and church hurt.

They break down the top five reasons why people don’t go to church and focus on how to navigate church-related wounds. With honest conversation, biblical wisdom, and practical steps, this episode aims to encourage healing, reconciliation, and a renewed perspective on faith and community.

Timestamps & Highlights:

⏱ 0:00:01 – Welcome! Meet your hosts, Dave, Dennis, and Bill, as they discuss the crazy Colorado weather and introduce today’s topic.

⏱ 0:00:34 – The top five reasons people don’t go to church:
1️⃣ Too busy
2️⃣ Lost interest or feel church is irrelevant
3️⃣ Hurt by the church (today’s focus)
4️⃣ Spiritual independence (next episode!)
5️⃣ Cultural shift away from God

⏱ 0:01:07 – Many people say they’re “too busy” or “not interested,” but deep down, past hurt might be the real reason they avoid church.

⏱ 0:01:37 – A prayer for those struggling with church hurt and for those who want to help others return to church.

⏱ 0:02:07 – Personal experiences: Have you ever invited someone to church, and they told you they’ve been hurt by the church?

⏱ 0:03:46 – Real stories: How a church’s rejection of a divorced man almost made him give up on faith.

⏱ 0:05:22 – "I didn’t feel welcomed"—how expectations shape experiences and why first impressions at church matter.

⏱ 0:07:37 – How unspoken wounds can fester and why open communication is key to healing.

⏱ 0:10:11 – Why do people forgive family but not their church? The spiritual battle behind church hurt.

⏱ 0:15:29 – The church is made up of imperfect people—don’t judge a perfect God by imperfect people.

⏱ 0:30:26 – When is it okay to leave a church? The difference between personal hurt and unbiblical teaching.

⏱ 0:33:22 – Final takeaways:
✔ Understand why you go to church—are you seeking people’s approval or God’s presence?
✔ Have you tried addressing the issue or reconciling?
✔ Don’t gossip or cause division—seek leadership and biblical counsel instead.

⏱ 0:35:24 – If you’re in Elizabeth, Colorado, visit Son Country Community Church (S-O-N, not S-U-N!). We’d love to meet you in person. Leave your questions and thoughts in the comments, and join us next time as we discuss Spiritual Independence—Why Some Say “I Don’t Need Church.”

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