This is a conversation that many in the body of Christ find difficult, yet it’s one that desperately needs to be had. Too often, the church—a place meant for healing and restoration—becomes a source of pain and neglect. While it’s essential to acknowledge that not all ministries are flawed and not all churches are harmful, we must confront some troubling realities. Over the years, I’ve observed common threads that contribute to what can only be described as witchcraft in the pulpit and sorcery in the pews. Let’s be honest: much of what we label as “church hurt” stems from feelings of being overlooked or unrecognized for our gifts and abilities. When our contributions go unacknowledged, we may be unfairly labeled as rebellious or divisive. On the flip side, many pastors find themselves restricted in their vision—not because they lack the desire to fulfill their calling, but because they are bound by outdated doctrines and previous moves of God. Some are stuck in a mindset that hinders their ability to move forward, failing to stay yoked with Christ. It’s only when we are truly connected to Him that we break free from the chains of man’s religion and the doctrines of men. One of the pivotal issues we face is the reliance on a Levitical model of ministry when we are called to operate under the order of Melchizedek. The Levitical system represents what man builds, focused on human purposes and plans, while the Melchizedek order is entirely led by the Spirit of God. In a Levitical framework, churches are often governed by a singular authority, where one high priest oversees subordinates. In contrast, the Melchizedek order recognizes that we are all called to be both kings and priests, each commissioned to our unique regions and communities. Looking back at the early church in the book of Acts, we see a community where no single individual lorded over the people. They shared everything in common, and while elders were present, they were not distanced from the lives of their community. Until we restore the ecclesia to its original intent—producing and preserving the king-priest order—we will continue to experience church hurt. Why? Because each of us is hungry to manifest the fullness of Christ in our lives.

Kingdom Studies Institute family — Tomorrow we begin our first course: Christ Culture. Over five weeks we’ll dive deep into the Word to understand the culture of God’s kingdom — how it works, how it changes us from the inside out, and how it becomes infectious in our lives so we can carry its power into the world. Bring your Bible, a notebook, and an open heart. Expect clear teaching, practical application, scripture-driven discussion, and tools to help you live out kingdom culture daily. Zoom details — join tomorrow: Join Zoom Meeting https://us05web.zoom.us/j/9476351300?omn=86323874015 Meeting ID: 947 635 1300 Passcode: Ekklesia25 Join instructions https://us05web.zoom.us/meetings/86323874015/invitations?signature=YA88bKEIkgNjCXtdWhuIJz6TYVffjgXdH0NWxOsnISs Eric T. Williams is inviting you to this scheduled Zoom meeting. I’m excited to see how God moves as we learn to live and spread Christ Culture together. See you there.