Comments on: I Hate Church

By: Mike

Mike — Fri, 12 Aug 2011 04:34:50 +0000

I am a pastor with many years experience. I am to the point that I hate church. I want to get on my motorcycle and ride into the sunset. I hate the liars, the gossips, the mean and hateful people, and most of all…the politics. I will never retire as a pastor. I love Jesus, but I can’t take this crap much longer. This can’t be Christianity.

By: Elizabeth

Elizabeth — Sun, 07 Aug 2011 15:20:59 +0000

I hate it too, for the same reasons Red states. I’ve been a pastor’s wife for over 30 years. People are all for wanting us to be a ministry “team” when it is convenient for them, but criticize that the pastor’s wife is “too involved” when they are unhappy with the pastor. I’m supposed to know everything that is going on but I’m supposed to be ignorant of the jabs at my husband. If I show I genuinely hurt, then it is used as evidence against my husband that maybe he is burned out and should leave the ministry. When he was a young pastor, he heard “You don’t know as much as we do. We’d make you into a good minister if you’d let us.” Now that he is 60, some make it clear that they think it is perfectly fine to practice age discrimination toward pastors. “You’re a has-been. When are you going to retire? We want young blood in the pulpit” People only want Matthew 18 observed in regard to themselves. For some reason, they think treating the pastor according to Matthew 18 is not required. I’m tired of “concerned letters”, secret meetings, and betrayal. I hate it. I wish my husband had taken a safer job, such as defusing mines in Afghanistan. I hate it.

By: Red

Red — Fri, 07 Jan 2011 17:46:43 +0000

As a pastor’s wife, I too “hate” church . . . not what it is intended to be, but what it feels like. I hate the looks I get when I don’t live up to someone’s expectation. I hate the gossip because someone doesn’t understand the deeper reason for a decision. I hate that people can say what they want to, but I must be silent, appearing like I always “have it together.” I hate that people think I don’t have any feelings. I hate that people are just mean. I hate that people in church don’t act like Jesus. Thank you for letting me vent here.

By: Yolanda

Yolanda — Sun, 30 May 2010 19:23:58 +0000

Feel exactly like this! Well… really don’t hate church, but hate people who think they’re “the church”. I need church, and care for all other people who is in even more need of Jesus, love and mercy. Isn’t church the place where we should find other believers who are willing to share, love and care about their brother’s needs?

By: Ann

Ann — Sat, 03 Apr 2010 23:25:25 +0000

My heart is right in this dark spot. Thanks for saying it so well and for the prayer to have love, mercy and compassion for all people.