why do churches hurt people close to them?

You know, I can think of a few instances in my sphere of influence where a local church has really hurt someone recently.

And I wonder to myself, “How can we do this? Why can’t we treat people with more respect and love? Why are the people who give so much hurt so often?”

Then I am reminded that I am a Calvinist. We hurt because we are predisposed to hurt. To self-protect. To… we just do it because it is in our nature.

Dear Lord, fill our churches with joy and love that comes from you. Ours isn’t working.