Finding Freedom in Christ: Why I Am Speaking Out Against the Institutional Church

I used to feel frustrated with people who left the institutional church and spoke out against it. My first thought was, “Good for you, but leave us alone. We still love Jesus too.” Sometimes, I believed their bitterness toward the church showed they had been deceived and had fallen away from Jesus and the truth. I clung tightly to my faith as a way to fight the same fate.

Now that I am on the other side of that experience, I understand that those who watch me and remain in the church have similar thoughts. I never want to forget that. It may look like I am fighting or trying to tear down something I once found strength in, but that is not the case. Today, I feel more sure, more at peace, and more full of truth than ever before. I have fewer friends, less money, less leadership, and less from an outside perspective. But I have been given true freedom in Jesus.

The Bible says in John 8, “You shall know the truth, and the truth shall set you free.” That is what I have now—a complete and utter love for the truth. I not only know the truth (Jesus), but I love the truth (Jesus), and can no longer support institutions built by human hands that are destroying His sheep and slowing down the great commission.

Why I Speak Out

When I left the institutional church, I wanted to fade away quietly. I did not want to become the person I used to despise. But then God showed me a vision: a huge sinking ship. He said, “I need more life boats.” I believe with all my heart that God is exposing and tearing down the institution we call church.

In recent years, every major movement, denomination, or organization has had significant sins exposed. There is so much fighting among believers and so much focus on man-made righteousness under the name of God that it is clear something must change.

A lifeboat near a sinking ship, symbolizing the need for rescue and freedom in Christ

The Reality of Institutional Church

The institutional church often becomes more about rules, traditions, and power than about Jesus. People get hurt, voices are silenced, and the focus shifts away from the gospel. The organization becomes the most important thing and the sheep because a means to uphold that system rather than the reason the organization even exists. This is not a new problem, but it has become more visible.

Many who leave the church do so because they want to follow Jesus without the baggage of human systems. They want freedom to worship, serve, and live out their faith authentically. This freedom is not about rejecting community or faith but about rejecting the broken systems that often cause pain and division.

What True Freedom in Jesus Looks Like

True freedom in Jesus means:

• Loving Jesus above all else, not institutions or traditions

• Seeking truth even when it challenges long-held beliefs

• Being willing to stand alone if necessary for the sake of faithfulness

• Embracing peace that comes from knowing God’s love, not from human approval

• Living with integrity and honesty, even when it costs us something

  
  

I have experienced this freedom personally. It has cost me friendships, financial security, and leadership roles. But it has given me peace and clarity that I never had before.

The Call for More Life Boats

The vision of the sinking ship and the need for more life boats is a call to action. It means we must create safe spaces for those who are leaving the institutional church. It means offering support, love, and truth without judgment.

We need to build communities that focus on Jesus, not on human systems. These communities should be places where people can grow, heal, and find freedom. The communities become unstoppable because they are not controlled by any system but by the Kingdom of God!

Moving Forward with Love and Truth

Speaking out against the institutional church isn’t about tearing something down for the sake of destruction. It’s about speaking truth in love. It’s about helping others find the same freedom I’ve found in Jesus.

It’s also about recognizing that repentance is more than saying “I’m sorry.” True repentance means turning back. It means showing people that I regret fighting harder for a system than I did for them—and choosing to never make that mistake again.

If you are struggling with your faith because of the church, know that you are not alone. There is hope beyond the broken systems. There is freedom in Jesus.