Church Hurts

Gen Z is the loneliest generation.  The most connected but the most lonely.  Springtide Research Institute found that church attendance barely moves the needle on this number.  But there is a way the church can help this generation better.  Join Josh and his guest Dr. Josh Packard as they discuss ways the church is failing Gen Z and how we can do better.

You can find Springtide Research Institute and order their book Belonging at https://www.springtideresearch.org/

Join Josh and his guest Dr. Karen Swallow Prior as they talk about having to choose between a life of the mind and a life of faith.  Is it possible to have both or do we have to pick one?

Join Josh for a great conversation with a new friend about what happens when you get anxiety about not being at church. What happens when you love God and have faith but still find it hard to enter a church building because of things the church told you growing up

Growing up in the Southern Baptist Church Heather knew she was called to ministry.  But what happens when your call and your church don't line up?  Join Josh and his guest Heather Lea Kenison as they discuss some of the trials she faced as well as the stories of women she has worked with in her organization Women in Youth Ministry. https://womeninyouthministry.com/

Join Josh and his guest Steve Austin as they discuss Steve's battles with mental health and depression that culminated in Steve's attempted suicide.  We talk about why he felt like he couldn't be honest about his mental health in the church and how he thinks we can handle mental health better.  

Steve Austin is a writer, coach, podcaster, and former pastor whose work has been featured in USA Today, Huffington Post, Relevant, and other outlets. Austin nearly died by suicide after secretly suffering from depression, anxiety, and PTSD, and he has become a leading voice at the intersection of faith and mental health. Austin resides in Birmingham, Alabama, with his wife and two kids, and he loves all things peanut butter and chocolate.

If you want to help out the Know Your Worth Collaborative head over to worthmerch.com

What happens when the church expects everything from you but gives you no responsibility to make things happen.  This is the plight of many a youth minister.  Join Josh and his guest TJ McConahay as they discuss this along with TJ's own story of hurt in this week's Church Hurts Podcast!

After 16.5 years as the youth pastor at the same church, Keith thought he would stay forever, but God had other plans.  Join Josh and his guest Keith Parker as they discuss the hurt caused not only to him but to his spouse.

What is it like working and ministering in a culture of fear? How do we deal with the all too common way that staff are exited out quickly and quietly.  The church can do better in the way that they treat and care for their staff members.  There is pressure to grieve quickly and move on, but everyone’s grieving process is different.  Join Josh and his guest Blaine Christenson as they talk about these things and more in this episode of the Church Hurts podcast! 

Find Blaine HERE

Join Josh as he interviews Greg Gross - a self proclaimed "missional entrepreneur"  - as they discuss his stories of church hurt and how they affected him physically, mentally, and spiritually.  How can a healthy church turn Church Hurt into a healthy life for those of us who have been wounded?