EP 165 This Was Supposed To Be The Place #6: We Dont Worship Idols, Just Everything About Church

This was supposed to be the place.
The place where I’d grow. Where I’d feel safe. Where God would feel close.
But somewhere along the way, the church became something else—something heavier.
In this episode, I reflect on how the desire for connection slowly got replaced by the pressure to conform… and how the church I was born into started to feel less like a community and more like something we worshipped.
Not God—but the church itself.
And the more I’ve looked around, the more I’ve realized: this isn’t just a “my church” thing. This kind of idolatry—where we elevate the system, the brand, the building, the leaders—shows up in churches everywhere.
This episode isn’t about throwing the whole thing away. It’s about telling the truth.
Because when we start worshiping the place instead of seeking the Presence…
We lose what the place was supposed to lead us toward in the first place.

If you are a member, were a member, or know someone who was a member of the ICOC or ICC and would like to share your story about life in and out of the church, I’d love to hear from you. Together, we can continue exploring the question, “We were in a cult? Or If this episode stirred something in you, if you’ve wrestled with what church has meant in your life, or if you just have a story you want to share, I’d love to hear from you.

Whether you want to process something, reflect, or even come on the podcast—feel free to reach out.

You can contact me via email at clemenzwithaz@gmail.com, or send a DM on Instagram at the Clemenz With a Z podcast page.

If you’re enjoying the show, please take a moment to rate and review—it really helps more people find these stories.

And remember:
I’m just a channel. I ain’t the source.

If you’d like to support the podcast financially, you can head over to clemenzwithaz.com and grab a sticker or something from the shop.

Or, you can follow this link: https://gofund.me/7ebb0524. Every little bit helps keep this going, and I’m so grateful for it.

Until next time—take care of yourself, stay grateful, and keep growing.

Peace.