the Empathy List #71: Churchy Lady

Why I haven't given up on church yet.

Hello friend, Liz here.

Lately, Christianity is in the news a lot... because we're making some poor life choices. Have you noticed? ;-)

Case in point: 

• One megachurch in Minnesota decided empathy was a sin and fired a pastor because he was too compassionate (I wish I were joking);

• My denomination is right now reckoning with multiple failures of leadership and ongoing failures in protecting victims of sexual assault within church settings;

• American evangelicals supported Trump overwhelmingly in both 2016 and 2020 (I’m still not over it!), and they might do it again in 2024;

• Gay conversion therapy existed too recently;

• Plus innumerable failed leaders and more failed leaders. Sigh. 

Every so often, I meet a new friend, one who hasn't heard the complicated story of my past church trauma, and I think, where to begin? Recently, at coffee with a new friend, I made an attempt. After hearing a tidbit of my story, my friend asked,

"So, how are you still going to church?" 

That is a logical question to w…