Table of Contents
Healing Church Hurt & Rebuilding Your Place in the Body
Wednesday 20th August 2025
Church hurt is real. Whether it came through betrayal, hypocrisy, spiritual manipulation, or simply being unseen in a place where you longed to belong—pain inflicted within the Church can cut the deepest.
When we experience this kind of hurt, the temptation is to withdraw, to protect ourselves, and to silently drift from the Body of Christ. And yet, deep in our hearts, we know isolation doesn’t heal us—it hardens us.
So, how do we bounce back from church hurt?
First, we must acknowledge the wound. Denying it delays healing. But we must also be willing to distinguish between the brokenness of people and the beauty of Christ. As Tim Keller once said,
“The church is a hospital for sinners, not a museum for saints.”
It’s a place full of imperfect people, just like us, learning to show grace.
Second, we return to the truth that God has equipped us. In 2 Peter 1:3–11, the apostle writes:
“His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life…”
God’s healing, His restoration, His ability to rebuild our trust and reawaken our calling—it’s available to us through Christ.
But notice: Peter does not call us to passive waiting. He says,
“Make every effort to add to your faith goodness… perseverance… mutual affection and love.”
Here’s the invitation: Healing and restoration are not spiritual gifts—they are spiritual practices. We actively grow through the pain. We do the work of forgiveness. We re-engage in community. We rediscover that loving again—yes, even loving the Church—is possible.
Research from the Barna Group shows that those who return to church after seasons of disillusionment often cite three key factors:
- A personal encounter with God’s love,
- A redefinition of church as a place of service, not just consumption,
- And a few safe, authentic relationships within the church.
This aligns perfectly with Peter’s teaching: character, perseverance, and love restore not only our soul, but our place in the Body.
“For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure… you will never stumble.”
(2 Peter 1:8,10)
Friend, if you’ve been hurt by the Church, God sees you. And He’s not done with you. In fact, the very grace that’s healing your wounds may one day flow through you to help someone else recover.
You’re not disqualified. You’re not forgotten. You’re not finished.
You have what it takes to grow again.
You have what it takes to love again.
You have what it takes to belong again.
Take one step.
Join a group.
Serve in a small way.
Open your heart again.
Because when you reconnect with the Body, your healing becomes part of someone else’s miracle.
And together, we reflect Christ more clearly.
Operation Christmas Child
Would you like to bring joy and Jesus to the lives of children? How about 200 children? How about 300 children? You have the opportunity to do this by taking part in Operation Christmas Child.
And you can do it in 6 easy steps!
- Purchase a box at the Desk for $1.00
- Fill the box with the gifts
- Label your box
- Bring the box back by Sunday, 19th October 2025
- Make a $12.50 donation for shipping and gospel materials
- Pray for the child who will receive your box
Bring joy and Jesus to the life of a child this Christmas by taking part in Operation Christmas Child.
Any questions? Come to the table set up in the foyer after the service, and the team will be happy to assist and respond to your queries.
Writers Group | Saturday 23rd August 2025 | 9:00am
Aspiring writers, published authors, and everyone in between—are you looking for a creative outlet to showcase your writing talents and connect with fellow literary enthusiasts? We are thrilled to invite you to join our Writers Group, where your words will come to life in a supportive community of like-minded individuals.
Whether you write poetry, short stories, essays, blog posts, or anything in between, we welcome all writing styles and genres. So come join us and, ignite your passion for writing! Together, we will inspire one another to reach new heights and unlock our full potential as storytellers.
Don’t miss this incredible opportunity to be part of something special. Whether you’re just starting out or already have a few publications under your belt, we’d love to have you with us.
Join us today and let your creativity soar!
Sunday Service | TEAM JESUS – Love that Labours | Sunday 24th August 2025 | 9:00am & 11:00am
TEAM JESUS – Presence & Participation. Discover your part. Live your purpose.
Winning by Living the Kingdom Life – ALL DAY… EVERYDAY… IN EVERY WAY.
You weren’t created to sit on the sidelines – you were created for impact. God has already placed within you everything you need to live a godly life and serve our city with purpose. Now it’s time to activate it.
In this transformational “Team Jesus” series, we’ll explore how living with Kingdom character (i.e. faith, goodness, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, kindness and love) unlocks a life of deep meaning and lasting influence. Together, we’ll learn how to grow and serve with joy, walking confidently in the calling God has placed on our lives.
Whether your Christian walk has just begun or you’ve been running the race for a while, this journey is for you. Let’s be a team that reflects Jesus, not just on Sundays but ALL DAY… EVERYDAY… IN EVERY WAY.
Feel called to make a difference and volunteer?
Text TEAM JESUS to 0467 775 907
and take your first step toward a life of purpose and impact.
We can’t wait to connect with you!
Kids Church | Sunday 24th August 2025 | 9:00am & 11:00am
This week at Kids Church…
Day 5: God made animals and birds
2 to 4-year-olds | Day 5: God made animals and birds | Genesis 1: 20-23
5 to 12-year-olds | Jacob’s Dream| Genesis 28:10-22 (supporting: Genesis 25:19-34; 27)
Men's Prayer Group | Sunday 24th August | 5:45 pm
Calling all men! At our weekly gatherings, we come together to pray, support one another in our faith journey, and grow deeper in our relationship with God.
Whether you are a seasoned prayer warrior or new, we welcome you with open arms. Our group is a safe space where men can come together to share their hearts, struggles, and victories.
Join us as we seek God’s guidance, wisdom, and strength in our lives and for our families. Together, we can uplift each other, grow in faith, and make a real difference in our community.
“If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land”. (2 Chronicles 7:14).
Come and join our Men’s Prayer Group where together we seek the Lord for our families, community and nation.
Boys Brigade | Monday 25th August 2025 | 6:00pm
Be part of the action! For over 20 years the Boys’ Brigade has advanced Christ’s Kingdom among boys.
ANCHORS | Grades 1 & 2: 6pm – 7.15pm
JUNIORS | Grades 3 – 6: 7pm – 8.30pm
SENIORS | Grades 7 to 18 years old: 7pm – 9.30pm
Prayer & Fellowship Walk | Tuesday 26th August | 6:30am
Every Tuesday morning, there’s a Prayer & Fellowship Walk around the church property.
This is a powerful time of seeking the Lord together in prayer. We pray for our church, community and nation. So come and join us at 6:30 am in the Berwick Church of Christ Car Park for a time of great fellowship and connection.
This is a wonderful way to start the day and you are most welcome to join us.
Seniors Ministry | Wednesday 27th August 2025 | 1:30pm
Pastor Monya will share her story of life in South Africa, and how God led her to Australia. We will also be blessed by her vocal numbers.
Details:
- Time: 1.30pm – 4.00pm
- Where: 446 Centre Road, Berwick, Vic, 3806
- Bring: please bring a packet of food for everyone to share
Guest Speaker Mark Conner | Sunday 31st August 2025 | 9:00am & 11:00am
Improve your relationships, a special Sunday with Mark Conner.
Do you want to strengthen your relationships, connect more deeply with others and reduce conflict?
Join us for an insightful message by guest speaker Mark Conner as he unpacks timeless truth from James 1: 19-20.
“My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires”.
In his message, Mark will share three life-changing skills to help you thrive in your relationships:
- Better Listening: Learn how to hear and understand people around you.
- Controlled Speaking: Discover the power of being intentional with your words.
- Anger Management: Identify healthy ways to manage frustration.
Whether you’re navigating marriage, family, friendships or work relationships, this message is for you.
Seize this incredible chance to strengthen your relationships. Come ready to be encouraged and empowered!
Exploring Partnership | Sunday 14th September 2025 | 1:00pm
Exploring Partnership is an important step in co-ownership of our Church’s vision, mission, and purpose. This meeting is an opportunity to understand the role of partnership in the broader functioning of the Church. You will meet leadership, and we will discuss how you can partner with us to make our vision a reality.
If you regularly attend Berwick Church of Christ and are not yet a partner, we would like to invite you to attend our next meeting and enjoy lunch together.
Have a safety concern?
We are serious about keeping our faith community safe. We encourage all staff, volunteers, partners and congregation to report any concerns they have about safety and wellbeing. We are committed to handling all concerns seriously, legally and in a child-focused way (if concerning children).
If you have any concerns about safety at the Church, we strongly encourage you to share your concern with one of our Pastors or the Safety Contact Person, Karen Fletcher and fill in our Reporting Concerns Form.
Thank you for being His Presence in Every Place!
BRAAM BOTHA
Senior Pastor
