Bo, First class piece. You adeptly hand the religious trauma system called churchianity. So many in “leadership” are as much victims of the system as those they absentmindedly victimize. The system is vicious.
Thanks for a clear explanation that isn’t whining or sour grapes.
I’m especially grateful you named that leaders are often victims too. That feels essential to say out loud if we’re going to be honest without becoming bitter. I don’t think most people set out to harm. I think the system quietly trains everyone inside it, and once you’re in motion, it’s hard to see where the damage is actually coming from.
And thank you for noticing the tone. I’ve tried hard, and it's taken time, to write from clarity rather than resentment. Sour grapes would be easy. I want this to be about naming reality so people can breathe again, not about settling scores. If that's needed, the judge of all the Earth will handle that. ;) Gen 18:25
Really appreciate you reading it that way and taking the time to say so.
It took me awhile, as I’m sure it was for you, to work through the offenses they provided; to see that they were also victims—though unknowing. It’s hard to see that someone can mean we’ll be injure others because of ancillary details. The church system is demonic, even though many in it are quite innocent in the conscious sense of cooperating to do the damage it does. That’s the insanity of it. But one can’t see it that way until they’ve spent a lot of time out of it, and having done a rigid inventory.
Yes. And when you try to tell someone still in it they look at you like you have snakes crawling out of your ears. I've had to learn that while still trying to be a prophetic voice from outside the system.
I have seen good "preachers" who are merely puppets of a board of elders that sets the agenda, tells what must be preached and what can't be touched in the pulpit. They expect the pastor to be a fundraiser professional, as well, to satisfy their grandiose visions of a larger church, family center, gym, welcome center, etc. The pastors follow through because they are paid. Money controls the strings of the Christian marionettes. When a pastor tries to act according to the Spirit's leading, he often finds himself packing up the office. America Christianity is a very odd institution! Thanks for in-depth look and a fresh look at the scriptures that dispel our ingrained expectations and standards. I think you sound more and more like a Quaker with each essay!
This is a heartbreaking experience to live through, and I would not wish it on anyone. I have personally walked the same ground you describe, after sensing a need to address these dynamics within my own church.
Over time, it became clear that the issue was not individual intent, but structure—how rule, authority, and hierarchy were organized around a form of professionalized spiritual authority that Scripture does not affirm.
In the end, the process formed me more than it altered the institution. I still address this topic because it helps give voice to a reality many struggle to name. Thank you for bringing clarity to this pattern.
Thank you for saying this. I’m really sorry you had to walk that road too, even as I’m grateful you named it so clearly.
What you said about intent versus structure resonates deeply. That slow realization—that the problem isn’t bad people but a form that keeps reproducing the same outcomes—can be disorienting and lonely. Especially when you enter the conversation hoping for change and discover instead how much the structure resists being seen.
I also appreciate your honesty about how the process formed you more than it altered the institution. I second that emotion. There’s a strange grief in that, but also a clarity that comes with it.
As a pastor, half of my life has been seeking to understand what is wrong with our system. The other half has been trying to find a better way, or trying to fix the system some. Trying to fix the system like you did, Bo, is what I have tried to do from angle of renewing pastor. I rationalized that slowly teaching the Bible would open up their eyes -- and it has some. But our system is so ingrained that it is near impossible for those who believe in it -- to see anything else. This is what you encountered in your courageous attempt. I admire your courage. I think this is what Jesus is teaching us about new wine in new wineskins.
One of my all time favorite quotes is from Buckminster Fuller: “You never change things by fighting the existing reality.
To change something, build a new model that makes the existing model obsolete.”
Thank you for this. It really means a lot, especially coming from someone who’s tried to love people and wrestle honestly from inside the system.
Your mention of new wine immediately took me back to Howard Snyder’s The Problem of Wineskins. That book was hugely formative for me early on — it gave language to a restlessness I didn’t yet know how to name. It helped me see that sometimes the issue isn’t effort or faithfulness, but the container itself.
And that Fuller quote… yes. That’s exactly it. At heart I’m not really a reformer. I don’t have much energy for fighting or fixing old models. I’m far more interested in quietly building something that makes people ask, “Why does that feel more alive?”
Really appreciate your honesty here, and the way you’ve named this without bitterness.
Another Great Article! Deep thoughtful personal. The New Testament 'church' system did not have professional pastors. You worked through this with such grace and truth. Being a pastor most of my life, this is a huge part of our problem today. I don't blame pastors -- I have been one most of life. It should not be a career path or profession. It burns our best out. So many great thoughts here. Thanks Bo!
Man, you had an experience I would never want. My de-churching was quiet, personal. Yours was public and unpleasant. It’s a testimony to your faith and the persistence of God‘s truth that you’re finding ways to continue proclaiming them.
I don’t often think about the Professional Class aspect of the institutional church, but I’m glad you went there because it’s really the foundation for what I believe is their number one goal: ensuring their own viability and welfare. Most have the best of intentions, but at the end of the day, if their viability, stability, or structure is threatened, the gloves will come off. They get away with it because people really are being saved, but for what? That’s the question we all have to answer.
I would never discourage anyone from attending a brick church if they believe it’s truly meeting their spiritual needs. But it would be irresponsible to not point out what 90% of them are up to, and that’s why I greatly appreciate this series of articles. Nicely done.
I don’t think most people inside these systems wake up trying to preserve power or protect turf. I think many start with sincere love for God and people. But once an institution exists, its survival quietly becomes a moral good of its own. And when that’s threatened, even well-intentioned people can and will end up doing things they’d never justify out loud.
Your line “people really are being saved, but for what?” keeps echoing for me. Saved into what kind of life? Into what kind of community? Into what kind of dependence or responsibility? That question feels unavoidable once you slow down long enough to ask it.
Bo, First class piece. You adeptly hand the religious trauma system called churchianity. So many in “leadership” are as much victims of the system as those they absentmindedly victimize. The system is vicious.
Thanks for a clear explanation that isn’t whining or sour grapes.
Thank you. That really means a lot to me.
I’m especially grateful you named that leaders are often victims too. That feels essential to say out loud if we’re going to be honest without becoming bitter. I don’t think most people set out to harm. I think the system quietly trains everyone inside it, and once you’re in motion, it’s hard to see where the damage is actually coming from.
And thank you for noticing the tone. I’ve tried hard, and it's taken time, to write from clarity rather than resentment. Sour grapes would be easy. I want this to be about naming reality so people can breathe again, not about settling scores. If that's needed, the judge of all the Earth will handle that. ;) Gen 18:25
Really appreciate you reading it that way and taking the time to say so.
It took me awhile, as I’m sure it was for you, to work through the offenses they provided; to see that they were also victims—though unknowing. It’s hard to see that someone can mean we’ll be injure others because of ancillary details. The church system is demonic, even though many in it are quite innocent in the conscious sense of cooperating to do the damage it does. That’s the insanity of it. But one can’t see it that way until they’ve spent a lot of time out of it, and having done a rigid inventory.
Yes. And when you try to tell someone still in it they look at you like you have snakes crawling out of your ears. I've had to learn that while still trying to be a prophetic voice from outside the system.
I have seen good "preachers" who are merely puppets of a board of elders that sets the agenda, tells what must be preached and what can't be touched in the pulpit. They expect the pastor to be a fundraiser professional, as well, to satisfy their grandiose visions of a larger church, family center, gym, welcome center, etc. The pastors follow through because they are paid. Money controls the strings of the Christian marionettes. When a pastor tries to act according to the Spirit's leading, he often finds himself packing up the office. America Christianity is a very odd institution! Thanks for in-depth look and a fresh look at the scriptures that dispel our ingrained expectations and standards. I think you sound more and more like a Quaker with each essay!
Well, I've always enjoyed their oatmeal ;)
This is a heartbreaking experience to live through, and I would not wish it on anyone. I have personally walked the same ground you describe, after sensing a need to address these dynamics within my own church.
Over time, it became clear that the issue was not individual intent, but structure—how rule, authority, and hierarchy were organized around a form of professionalized spiritual authority that Scripture does not affirm.
In the end, the process formed me more than it altered the institution. I still address this topic because it helps give voice to a reality many struggle to name. Thank you for bringing clarity to this pattern.
Thank you for saying this. I’m really sorry you had to walk that road too, even as I’m grateful you named it so clearly.
What you said about intent versus structure resonates deeply. That slow realization—that the problem isn’t bad people but a form that keeps reproducing the same outcomes—can be disorienting and lonely. Especially when you enter the conversation hoping for change and discover instead how much the structure resists being seen.
I also appreciate your honesty about how the process formed you more than it altered the institution. I second that emotion. There’s a strange grief in that, but also a clarity that comes with it.
But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come.
— 2 Timothy 3:1
Without JESUS these day would be impossible to bear🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏❤️😘
As a pastor, half of my life has been seeking to understand what is wrong with our system. The other half has been trying to find a better way, or trying to fix the system some. Trying to fix the system like you did, Bo, is what I have tried to do from angle of renewing pastor. I rationalized that slowly teaching the Bible would open up their eyes -- and it has some. But our system is so ingrained that it is near impossible for those who believe in it -- to see anything else. This is what you encountered in your courageous attempt. I admire your courage. I think this is what Jesus is teaching us about new wine in new wineskins.
One of my all time favorite quotes is from Buckminster Fuller: “You never change things by fighting the existing reality.
To change something, build a new model that makes the existing model obsolete.”
― Buckminster Fuller
Thank you for this. It really means a lot, especially coming from someone who’s tried to love people and wrestle honestly from inside the system.
Your mention of new wine immediately took me back to Howard Snyder’s The Problem of Wineskins. That book was hugely formative for me early on — it gave language to a restlessness I didn’t yet know how to name. It helped me see that sometimes the issue isn’t effort or faithfulness, but the container itself.
And that Fuller quote… yes. That’s exactly it. At heart I’m not really a reformer. I don’t have much energy for fighting or fixing old models. I’m far more interested in quietly building something that makes people ask, “Why does that feel more alive?”
Really appreciate your honesty here, and the way you’ve named this without bitterness.
Another Great Article! Deep thoughtful personal. The New Testament 'church' system did not have professional pastors. You worked through this with such grace and truth. Being a pastor most of my life, this is a huge part of our problem today. I don't blame pastors -- I have been one most of life. It should not be a career path or profession. It burns our best out. So many great thoughts here. Thanks Bo!
So potent: so true. The structure is operating at bare bones. It was never meant to be. Well written with grace for all involved.
Man, you had an experience I would never want. My de-churching was quiet, personal. Yours was public and unpleasant. It’s a testimony to your faith and the persistence of God‘s truth that you’re finding ways to continue proclaiming them.
I don’t often think about the Professional Class aspect of the institutional church, but I’m glad you went there because it’s really the foundation for what I believe is their number one goal: ensuring their own viability and welfare. Most have the best of intentions, but at the end of the day, if their viability, stability, or structure is threatened, the gloves will come off. They get away with it because people really are being saved, but for what? That’s the question we all have to answer.
I would never discourage anyone from attending a brick church if they believe it’s truly meeting their spiritual needs. But it would be irresponsible to not point out what 90% of them are up to, and that’s why I greatly appreciate this series of articles. Nicely done.
I don’t think most people inside these systems wake up trying to preserve power or protect turf. I think many start with sincere love for God and people. But once an institution exists, its survival quietly becomes a moral good of its own. And when that’s threatened, even well-intentioned people can and will end up doing things they’d never justify out loud.
Your line “people really are being saved, but for what?” keeps echoing for me. Saved into what kind of life? Into what kind of community? Into what kind of dependence or responsibility? That question feels unavoidable once you slow down long enough to ask it.
You ever wonder what it would all look like if mammon and ministry hadn’t started dancing?
It has crossed my mind. :)
“The problem is rule.
The problem is authority.
The problem is structure.”
That sounds like a typical patriarchal system to me — chain of command. It is vicious and everyone is a victim.