What I Learned When I Stopped Hoping Christians Would Come Around, Part Eleven
A Pastor’s Testimony of Faith Beyond the Christian Brand
When I was a young pastor, age 28, I set out on this journey, but I didn’t truly grasp what I was searching for—nor did I understand the depth of wisdom held by those who didn’t fit the familiar Christian mold. Looking back, I see how much I missed, not because the teachings or voices weren’t meaningful, but because I lived in a place where such perspectives were few and far between. Today, I find myself holding great respect for the people who tried to reach me, even if their voices were drowned out by geography and culture. What I once struggled to understand, I now value in ways my younger self could never have imagined.
The Shaping Power of Faith and Culture
For much of my life, I thought faith meant belonging to a group and following all the rules passed down through generations. Christianity was everywhere; it shaped my language, my family traditions, and even my understanding of what was right and wrong. The message was clear—if you weren’t good, you were bad, and there wasn’t much room for anything in between. Everything seemed to come down to a choice between light and darkness.
Walls That Divide
It wasn’t until I took a step back from hoping others would change that I began to see how this way of thinking created walls—between generations, between friends, and, most importantly, within myself. I witnessed families divided not by genuine disagreements about faith, but by pressure to fit into a cultural mold. Parents worried when their children wandered, but the constant push for conformity only drove them further away. The children, meanwhile, yearned for care and encouragement, not pressure or judgment. We were all living with expectations that didn’t reflect the actual heart of faith.
Rare Voices and Quiet Wisdom
My journey led me to recognize the wisdom in the rare voices—those individuals whose faith operated quietly, beyond the bounds of the Christian brand. They taught me that faith is more than right answers or belonging to the right group; it’s about living with compassion and authenticity. I saw that many people who didn’t fit the common Christian mold still embodied the deepest truths of faith. Their impact was powerful, even if their presence was rare in my community.
Beyond Pressure, Toward Encouragement
Now, I see the value in giving space for genuine questions, doubt, and growth. I’ve come to understand the importance of encouraging people, especially young people, to forge their own path—without fear of rejection or the pressure to fit in. Faith, I learned, doesn’t have to be loud or branded; it can be humble, steady, and quietly transformative.
Today, I’m grateful for those who held onto a broader, deeper vision of faith, even when their words seemed out of place in my environment. I honor their patience and their willingness to reach for me, knowing that sometimes understanding only comes after the journey has begun. I hope this testimony helps others see that faith, at its best, welcomes us all—wherever we are, and whoever we may become.
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Rev Dr Moore, I’m extremely grateful for your shared wisdom that is contained in each segment of your faith journey as you honestly reflect and reassess your past. May these writings reach many who are on their respective journeys.