How Do We Heal Our Spiritual Hurt?
About This Event
If you have been hurt by church, theology, or by those who claimed to speak for God — you’re not alone. Explore the nature of spiritual hurt — how it happens, how it shapes us, and how we can move forward — at How Do We Heal Our Spiritual Hurt? a live online gathering July 11, 2025, from 10–11:30 a.m. PT. All who register by July 10 will get access to the recording for a year.
Drawing from contemplative psychology and ancient Christian contemplative traditions, discover what a path of inner repair could look like beyond certainty, punishment, or performance. Whether you join live or watch later, all emotions and experiences — anger, longing, pain, and doubt — are welcome.
“When your faith in God has been placed in people who betray you, you can feel that God has betrayed you. Do not lose heart. No matter what is happening and how painful it might be, God’s love permeates our suffering through and through.”
—JAMES FINLEy
Event Details
CAC faculty members Brian McLaren and James Finley, joined by guest teachers Carmen Acevedo Butcher and Hillary McBride, will guide attendees through a 90-minute experience designed to explore spiritual wounds from the exclusion, shame, betrayal, and pain that many of us witness and endure.
Participants will need a device with reliable Internet access, such as a smartphone, tablet, or computer to access Zoom.
Registration
Registration for this event is open from May 28, 2025, through July 10, 2025. This event will be recorded. All who register by July 10 will have access to the replay for one full year. Replay access will be emailed within one week of the event.
Cost
The standard cost for this event is $95. While this price reflects the true cost of creating and offering this event, we are committed to reducing financial barriers to participation. That’s why we’re offering additional price levels—$30, $10, and $5—so you can choose the one that best aligns with your current financial circumstances.
These reduced options are made possible by the generosity of our donor community who help ensure that seekers from all walks of life can engage the wisdom that calls us toward healing, wholeness, and deepening love.
“Spiritual trauma has been with us for as long as people have used power to dominate others in the name of God.”
—Hillary McBride, from “Holy Hurt”
Featured Teachers
Brian McLaren, Dean of CAC Faculty
Former evangelical pastor Brian McLaren is a champion for a more loving, inclusive and contemplative Christianity. A faculty member at the Center for Action and Contemplation, he teaches ways to reconnect with the message Jesus lived and died for — unconditional love. Brian is the author of “Faith After Doubt,” “Do I Stay Christian,” “Life After Doom,” and host of CAC’s acclaimed podcast “Learning How to See.”
James Finley, Core Faculty
Student of Thomas Merton and clinical psychologist, Dr. James Finley teaches how connecting to our Divine indwelling can transcend fear and shame and awaken to our True Self. A faculty member at the Center for Action and Contemplation, James is the author of “The Healing Path,” “Merton’s Palace of Nowhere” and the host of CAC’s popular podcast “Turning to the Mystics.”
Carmen Acevedo Butcher, Affiliate Faculty
Carmen Acevedo Butcher, PhD, is an award-winning author, poet, and translator of spiritual texts — she has translated the books, “The Cloud of Unknowing,” and “Practice of the Presence.” Carmen teaches at UC Berkeley, focusing on language evolution and inclusive communication. Her work highlights the power of words and the connection between personal and global healing.
Hillary McBride, Ph.D., Guest Teacher
Therapist, researcher, speaker and writer, Hillary McBride has a PhD in Counselling Psychology from the University of British Columbia, with advanced training in trauma, relationship therapy, EMDR, lifespan integration, mindfulness, and more. She is the author of several books including “Holy Hurt,” “Practices for Embodied Living,” and “Mothers, Daughter, and Body Image.”
For many, the language of God was once the language of comfort, identity, and belonging. Over time, however, that same language can become a source of confusion, fear, or pain. Join us live on July 11 — or watch anytime you want for an entire year — to redefine your faith and the wounds that we carry not just from life, but also from religion.
This event will be recorded. All who register by July 10 will have access to the replay for one full year.
CAC encourages authentic conversation in our various online experiences. We expect all participants to abide by our community and conversation guidelines. Event details are subject to change.
If you have any questions, please review our FAQs or contact our Community Support team.
Frequently Asked Questions
Participants will need a device with reliable Internet access, such as a smartphone, tablet, or computer to access Zoom.
Even if you are unable to join live, we recommend registering for the event, as all registrants will receive access to the online gathering recording for one full year.
Online gathering recordings will be sent to all registrants via email the week following the online gathering. Event recordings are available to view for one calendar from the event date.
To cancel your online gathering registration and request a refund, please send your request to our Community Support team.
If written notice of your cancellation is received by CAC on or before July 7, 2025 the amount of each cancelled online gathering registration will be fully refunded to the credit card used to register.
Unfortunately, we cannot refund online gathering registrations canceled after July 7, 2025.
Registrations for the online gatherings are individual registrations. We ask that you do not share event access outside of individual or household viewing.