When church becomes a place to pretend, everyone loses.

In Part Three of our Church Hurt series, we dive into one of the biggest reasons people walk away from church: hypocrisy. Jesus didn’t come for those who have it all together—He came for those honest enough to admit they don’t. This message explores the pressure to perform, the harm of image management, and the freedom to embrace your imperfections. You don’t have to fake it. You can bring your hurt to church.

⏱️ Timestamps:

0:00 – A Place for the Hurting or the Performing?

5:51 – Jesus Calls Out the Fakes

10:02 – Red Flags in Church Culture

17:05 – The Crushing Weight of Image Management

25:30 – You Can Be Flawed, Just Don’t Be Fake

📌 Resources & Next Steps:

→ Series Resources: https://communitychurch.net/series-resources

→ Connect With Us: https://communitychurch.net/connect

What do you do when the place meant to bring hope ends up causing pain?

In this message, Lou walks through four levels of church hurt—from tough love to deep wounds—and offers a path toward healing. Whether you’ve experienced shame, betrayal, manipulation, or even abuse within the church, you’re not alone. And it was never supposed to be this way.

This message isn’t about pointing fingers—it’s about finding clarity, healing, and the kind of honesty that creates healthier communities.

⏱️ Timestamps:

00:00 – Intro & Jesus’ vision for the Church

06:00 – Four types of church hurt

07:15 – Tough love (why it stings but helps)

12:00 – Frustration (the cost of community)

18:00 – Pain (when trust is broken)

24:44 – Abuse (when authority is misused)

35:00 – Real steps for healing

📱 Need someone to talk to?

Text HURT to 631-600-7880 for support from a trained listener or a counselor.

Prefer to stay anonymous? Visit communitychurch.net/resources

We all wrestle with shame — but what happens when shame finds a home in the very place that’s supposed to heal it? This message kicks off a new series on Church Hurt and explores one of the deepest dysfunctions that can quietly take root: shame. Pulling from the Genesis origin story, modern research, and real life experiences, this message uncovers why shame thrives where performance matters more than progress — and why the Gospel offers a radically different story. If you've ever felt "not enough," doubted your worth, or wondered if you truly belong, this is for you. You are deeply loved, even at your lowest, and the church should be the safest place for you to bring your whole self.

Timestamps:

3:50 - How Dysfunction Hurts the Church

7:00 - Humanity’s Origin Story & Shame's Entrance

13:00 - How Shame Speaks into Our Identity

20:00 - When Churches Reinforce Shame Instead of Healing It

29:00 - Why Your Worst Moment Doesn’t Define You

Resources & Next Steps:

• Dive deeper with resources at communitychurch.net/series-resources

• Find your next step at communitychurch.net/connect

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Jesus told his followers that they’d respond to his resurrection with joy… but initially, none of them did.

This Easter, we’re talking about the way the people closest to Jesus responded to the resurrection—and more importantly—how he responded to their responses.

Whether you're disappointed, skeptical, or just unsure about the whole thing, this message reminds us of one powerful truth: when we show up, he shows up.

If you’ve ever felt like you owe God, this is for you.

In Part Two of Table Manners, we explore the meaning behind Jesus’ words at His final meal. Communion isn’t about earning grace or paying God back. It’s a moment to reflect on what has already been accomplished. This isn’t a transaction—it’s an invitation to rest in grace.

What would you do if you had all the power in the world? Jesus' answer flips everything upside down.

In this kickoff to our series “Table Manners,” we take a closer look at one of the most unexpected, awkward, and countercultural moments in Jesus’ life—the moment he washed his disciples’ feet. He wasn’t just being nice. He was making a point, and the message still hits today: if you want to follow Jesus, it starts with humility, sacrifice, and serving even those who least deserve it.

Rob Morris, founder of Love146, takes us deep into the heartbreaking reality of child trafficking—and the hope of what happens when people of faith show up in the mess. This isn’t just about awareness—it’s a call to action. The world doesn’t change with comfort or convenience. It changes when we choose to care—and act.

What if following Jesus isn't just about what you believe or where you go on Sunday... but about who you're becoming and what you're doing?

In the final part of our series The Way, we explore the third and final goal of following Jesus—doing what He did. This message connects the dots between being with Jesus, becoming like Him, and carrying His work forward in our everyday lives. This isn’t about pressure—it’s about purpose. Jesus invites us into a story that’s bigger than ourselves—and better than we imagined.

Whether faith is new to you or you’ve been around church for a while, this message will help you see why your everyday life matters more than you think.