Helping Those Hurt by the Church Find Their Way Back to Jesus

Many of us know friends who used to be active Christians but now they’re … not.

There may be many reasons why people leave the church—pwede dahil sa misunderstandings, hypocrisy, bad leadership, or fights between believers. Pero tandaan natin, sabi sa Bible, everyone sins and falls short (Romans 3:23). Even the church is made up of imperfect people. So, pain and disappointment shouldn't be a surprise.

How can we help people find Jesus again when they’ve been deeply hurt by those who were supposed to show His love? And how can we help them fix their eyes on Jesus and follow His example by forgiving those who have hurt them? Reaching out to someone wounded by the church will take time, patience, and a lot of prayer.

Kaya importante na we come from a place of humility and care, and keep pointing them to Jesus—who alone can heal and restore. Here are some simple ways na pwede mong subukan:

1. Acknowledge Their Hurt

Start by bearing their burden with them. Sabi sa James 3:2, “We all stumble in many ways.” Kahit sa church, people fail—and sometimes that failure causes deep wounds. Validating their pain is not agreeing with sin—it’s walking with them through it. A simple, heartfelt statement like, "I’m sorry that the church made you feel that way, pero andito ako para samahan ka”, can really make a difference.

2. Build Trust by Saying Sorry

Even if you haven’t personally hurt them, saying sorry for the pain they went through can help rebuild their trust—not just in you, but in the whole church too. Sabi sa 2 Corinthians 5:18 reminds us that “God reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation.” As believers, we’re called to help restore relationships, lalo na kung ang church ang naging cause ng hurt. By apologizing on behalf of the church, we reflect Christ’s heart of restoration and help open the door to deeper healing and honest conversations about faith.

3. Be Honest About Your Own Experiences

Huwag ka rin matakot i-share yung mga hurts and disappointments mo sa church. It’s not a sign of weakness to admit that you’ve also been hurt by people in the church—it actually shows strength. By sharing how you’ve faced challenges but still chose to follow Jesus, you show that true hope and strength come from a real relationship with Him.

4. Change the Invitation

Instead of focusing on inviting them back to church, encourage them to open their hearts to Christ again. The gospel is about a personal relationship with Jesus, not about attending church services. This shift in focus helps them understand that faith is rooted in Christ, not in the failures of the church.

5. Bring It Back to Jesus

Instead of focusing on the church, always bring the conversation back to Christ. Share stories from Scripture where Jesus demonstrated His deep compassion for those wounded by religious people.

• John 8:1-11: The woman caught in adultery.
• Matthew 9:20-22: The woman with the issue of blood.
• <0>Matthew 12:9-13: The man with the shrivelled hand.

By building genuine relationships with those hurt by the church, we offer them a glimpse of the love and compassion Jesus has for them. Sharing the gospel with those wounded by the church demands patience, empathy, and a clear focus on Christ. Hindi para "ayusin" sila, pero ituro sila kay Jesus. Are we willing to show them the same love and grace Christ showed us, even when we were broken and rebellious?

Let’s be faithful to listen to their pain, offer a humble apology on behalf of the church, and share how Christ has worked in our own lives. In doing so, we reflect the heart of Jesus and help lead them back to the One who heals and restores.