All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation:
-2 Corinthians 5:18

Chances are, you know someone who has left the church after having been damaged by the Christians that comprise it. Maybe they left Christ completely. That person might even be you. Regardless of the circumstances surrounding the trespass, the negative effects on that person’s life can take years to recover from, if they recover at all.

Many of the wounded continue to attend and participate, but they are empty inside…simply going through the motions. Some of those that have been hurt may even make it their personal goal in life to bring down Christianity altogether. When the dust settles, it is never just about that one person. No, it is also about the many other people that God had purposed that person to minister to, be it friends, family, coworkers and so on.

It is tragic. Yet, we can do something about it.

What if you had just one chance to speak into that person’s life? What would you say? Would you apologize for the behavior of your brothers and sisters? Would you use scripture to appeal to them? Would you speak plainly? Perhaps you would just offer comfort or a good word.

You can make a difference.

The purpose of this project is to bring together a massive group of letters, from believers, making an appeal to those who have been hurt by the church or by other Christians to be reconciled to the greater body of Christ or even back to the foot of the cross.

You never know how your encouraging words might help another person.

Here’s how it works:

1. Click “Create Content” in the navigation menu on the left.
2. Click “Letter”
3. Type your letter.
4. Save your letter

Letters should be no more than 2,000 words. No particular format is preferred. All of the letters will be evaluated for content, flow and impact by a panel of Christian writers and then posted for people to read and comment on. In addition, the top three letters will be awarded a free, signed copy of my book, T.R.U.T.H. In Ministry. Submissions will be accepted starting now until March 31st.

I want to encourage you to pray about this and, if you feel led to participate, then do so with a sincere and tender heart for the reconciliation of your hurt brothers and sisters.

View user submissions below:

Project Reconcile: Open Letters To The Hurt And Spiritually Abused