church
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Where do you go to church?
I live in a Bible Belt in Western Canada and get this question from time to time. However, it’s the wrong question because it misses the point. You cannot ‘go’ to something you ‘are.’ We who are in Christ, ARE the church, the body of Christ. He is the head, not the pastor or priest.…
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Kelly Shares What Happened…
It was a delight to interview Kelly Young from Teen Challenge on what happened for her recently in learning to encounter Jesus in a whole new way. We discussed compassion fatigue and church and pastoral ministry and what has shifted. May you be encouraged too… Learn more about the 5 week FOUNDATIONAL course here: https://www.merriellen.com/intro-course…
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Pastoring in a Pandemic
I shared this video back in April 2020 on how pastors are being forced to pivot and throw all their methods out the window. This video continues to be VERY relevant. If you are a pastor, here is the current shift happening I see as I coach pastors, missionaries, and congregants. Pastors, you can do…
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My story out of Church Bondage and Into Freedom in Jesus!
This casual conversation recorded on a rainy day in November, may challenge you, offend you, or resonate deeply with you. I remember once judging others for ‘leaving the church’. Sadly, I didn’t get it at the time. These days, I walk multiple people a day through healing from ‘church’ and religious abuse and showing them…
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The New (Old) Wineskin of The Church
If you’ve been following this blog or my story, you will know that since 2016 the Lord called me out of the institutional church (I see now he had been warning me of this since 2010) and told me to ‘circle the wagons’ and unlearn a few things before stepping forward. After some healing and…
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Are you suffering on the inside?
There are 4 traditional approaches to discipleship that actually lead to bondage: Osmosis: Get people to attend church and serve faithfully. Academics: Teach information about the faith. Behaviour: Establish performance expectations for church members. Church: Train people to invite others, serve, and join a small group. These 4 things above may have good elements but without…
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A Pastor’s Confession
This is my confession. I’m sorry… To all the people who I once pastored in an institutional church… I am sorry that I didn’t know then what I know now. My church and Bible school experience did not adequately prepare me to walk you to complete freedom in Jesus’ name. Nor did I disciple you how…
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The Fastest Growing Church
This will challenge your every thought on: “WHAT and WHO is a church..?” Interestingly, I learned about this film on September 11 (2019)… “The fastest growing church in the world has taken root in one of the most unexpected and radicalized nations on earth,” according to “Sheep Among Wolves,” the outstanding two-hour documentary about the…
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How do you know if you’re in a false ‘church’?
How do you know if you’re in a false ‘church’ ? Today’s lent devotional (below) was extremely timely as I walk several clients through ‘church’ abuse in multiple churches in my area. When churches practice witchcraft – control and manipulation, there is even trauma around reading God’s Word. Breaks my heart. Thankfully, Jesus loves to…
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What Are We Trying to Revive in the Church?
What are we trying to revive when it comes to the Church? “I was at a prayer meeting for revival in England. For three hours, people prayed for God to do something. Then suddenly, a young teenage boy stood up and gave a prophecy. I shall never forget it. In a penetrating voice, this shy…