Being hurt by religion is sometimes the first step toward learning to listen to and follow the risen Jesus. It helps us look beyond religious leaders to Christ.

The body of Christ should be an environment of radical humility, honesty, and healing–not of control and abuse! It should be so filled with love and light that abusers’ and users’ hearts are exposed and they either change or leave. Too often church services are conducted offline, disconnected from the risen Jesus.

Leaders with limited accountability will begin to abuse their power. Jesus calls all His followers to “walk in the light.”

If the priesthood and ministry produce abusive leaders, perhaps there’s a more biblical way to do church. See 1 Corinthians 14:26. If you falsely believe that you need someone to hear God for you, you won’t listen to God for yourself.

Without the innernet, a network of connected hearts, church is just a religious meeting. The first time I experienced a group of equals, hand-in-hand in heart-felt, Spirit-prompted prayer, it changed my life. True Christianity offers forgiveness for the past, power to live a pure, kind, and loving life in the present, and an amazing forever!

If religion doesn’t transport people into God’s presence, it’s like getting on a tour bus and hearing a talk without going anywhere. Sit still and listen church makes me feel like a natural spectator, not like a supernatural participant.