Title: Pastor Dean get's kicked out of church: 

One crisp Sunday morning, Pastor Dean walked into the church with a renewed sense of curiosity and determination. The church was an impressive building, towering stone walls and stained glass windows reflecting colorful beams of light that made it look grander than it was. Dean had heard of this place, a well-attended institution that many in the community flocked to every weekend. It was known for its charismatic preacher, Pastor Samuel, whose booming voice could be heard down the street when the doors were open during sermons.

Dean, with his simple suit and worn Bible in hand, entered the sanctuary. The air was filled with the hum of the congregation, chatting and laughing, but Dean felt something was off. There was an odd, almost mechanical feeling to the place, as if everything ran on a well-oiled schedule. He nodded politely to a few of the church members and sat near the back, observing.

As the service began, Pastor Samuel took the stage. His voice was rich and deep, and he delivered his sermon with a kind of practiced precision. It was as though every word was carefully chosen to appeal to the masses—never too controversial, never too challenging. Dean listened attentively, but his heart began to stir with discomfort. Something in the message seemed shallow, more about pleasing the ears than touching the soul.

After the sermon, Pastor Dean felt the need to engage in a conversation. The message had been about obedience, but it left Dean with questions, particularly about who we should ultimately be obedient to—God or the institutions claiming to represent Him. Dean waited until after the closing hymn and approached Pastor Samuel at the front of the church, where a line of congregants had formed, waiting to shake hands.

When it was finally Dean’s turn, he extended his hand, his Bible resting under his arm. “Pastor Samuel, I’d like to ask you a few questions if you have the time.”

Samuel smiled, but there was a flicker of impatience in his eyes. “Of course, brother. What’s on your mind?”

Dean nodded and opened his Bible, pointing to Matthew 23:8-10, where Jesus tells his followers not to call anyone on earth ‘Father’ because they have one Father in heaven. “I was wondering, Pastor, how do we reconcile this teaching with the church’s structure? So many religious leaders take titles of authority, yet Jesus seemed to discourage that.”

Samuel's smile faltered, but he quickly regained his composure. “Ah, brother, it’s important to understand the context. Jesus was speaking to the Pharisees, and it was more about their attitude than the titles themselves. The church needs structure; it’s how we maintain order.”

Dean nodded thoughtfully, but he wasn't satisfied. “I understand, but doesn’t the Holy Spirit guide each believer individually? Shouldn’t our focus be more on following Christ’s teachings directly, rather than adhering strictly to a human-made organization?”

The line behind them began to grow restless as the conversation deepened. Samuel’s patience visibly thinned. “Brother Dean, the church is the body of Christ, and as a body, we need leadership. It’s how we stay unified.”

“But if the leadership isn’t leading us toward Christ, but toward traditions and structures, are we still following Jesus?” Dean pressed, his tone respectful but firm. “I’ve noticed that many of your sermons focus more on behavior, on conformity to the church’s standards, but what about teaching directly from Scripture? Shouldn’t the Word of God be our ultimate guide, rather than any earthly institution?”

Samuel’s expression darkened, and he glanced at the line behind Dean, now shifting impatiently. “I think you misunderstand the purpose of the church, Pastor Dean. We offer guidance, structure, and support to help people live out their faith. If you’re looking for something else, maybe this isn’t the place for you.”

Dean stood still for a moment, the weight of Samuel’s words sinking in. He realized then that this church, for all its grandeur, wasn’t truly a place where people were encouraged to ask questions, to challenge, or to seek a deeper understanding of God. It was an institution, carefully managed and maintained, more concerned with keeping order than seeking the truth.

“I see,” Dean said quietly, but with conviction. “It seems that your focus is on the organization, not on following Christ. Jesus Himself encouraged questions, even rebuked those in authority who were more concerned with their positions than with serving God. Isn’t that what the Pharisees did?”

Pastor Samuel’s face tightened, his forced smile now gone. “I think it’s best if you leave, Pastor Dean. You’re causing a disturbance.”

Dean wasn’t surprised by the response, though it saddened him deeply. He had hoped that the church might welcome genuine inquiry, but instead, he was met with the cold reality that many churches had become businesses, organizations more concerned with self-preservation than with the gospel. He looked around the sanctuary one last time, seeing the polished pews and the people now whispering and staring at him. They were comfortable here, in the predictability of the service, in the safety of the routine.

He turned and walked toward the door, his footsteps echoing in the silent church as the congregation watched. No one stopped him. No one called out to him. As he stepped outside, the fresh air hit him like a wave of freedom.

Dean stood on the steps of the church, looking up at the building. It was beautiful, but empty. He knew that the true church wasn’t inside those walls. It wasn’t about the sermons or the songs or the rituals. The real church was in the hearts of those who genuinely sought Jesus, who weren’t afraid to ask questions, who were willing to be uncomfortable in their pursuit of the truth.

He realized then that Pastor Samuel wasn’t truly serving God—he was serving the institution. And that institution, like so many others, had lost its way.

Dean walked away, his heart heavy but his spirit light. He knew he didn’t need the approval of men to follow Jesus. He would continue his journey, seeking out those who truly wanted to know God, who weren’t afraid to question and to grow.

And in that moment, he felt closer to Jesus than he had in a long time.