016 – Why I Hate The church – Part 03

(Updated Show Notes - May 2025)

Episode 016 – Why I Hate the Church (Part 3)

Originally recorded: November 2006

In this third part of the Why I Hate the Church series, I respond to the first three chapters of George Barna’s book Revolution.

It’s raw. Honest. At times painful.

But also filled with clarity, confession, and spiritual defiance.

You’ll hear me:

• Wrestle with Barna’s fictional story of David and Michael
• Admit that I felt more like Michael… and push back on the label of “backsliding”
• Question whether revolutionaries have to be perfect to be real
• Reflect on spiritual disciplines, worship, and my rhythms with God
• Integrate Barna’s seven passions of a revolutionary with my own lived experience
• Confess that Sunday morning services are often the least nourishing part of my spiritual life
• Affirm that corporate worship sometimes happens best over lunch with friends

I close the episode with a prayer.

Not for answers.

But for the courage to stay in the questions.

✨ What I Believed Then

I believed I didn’t have to be perfect to be a revolutionary.

I believed podcasting, friendship, and presence were sacred ministry.

I believed we’d made Sunday services the standard, when they were only ever supposed to be the supplement.

And I believed that a life aligned with Christ didn’t need to look like performance.

🌱 What I Believe Now

I no longer need to fit anyone’s definition of a revolutionary.

I know who I am.

I still fall short.

Still forget.

Still let excitement drift.

But I never stop returning to love.

I never stop living from Presence.

And I no longer judge myself by anyone’s checklist.

I’ve traded discipline for devotion.

And devotion leads me home.

🔥 Why I’m Leaving This Episode in the Feed

Because this is the day I stopped trying to prove my faith.

Because this is the moment I let grace interrupt my guilt.

Because this is when I realized I didn’t need to be David or Michael.

I just needed to be honest.

And now, I am.

Cliff