I Forgive You, Pastor

[Verse 1]
I remember sitting in the pew, heart pounding in my chest
Wondering if my silence was obedience or just fear dressed
In Sunday clothes, playing the role, smiling through the pain
While the shepherd used the flock to build his personal fame

You told me God required my total blind surrender
That questioning your word was questioning the sender
But somewhere deep inside I knew that love don't look like chains
And freedom doesn't feel like walking through an endless rain

[Chorus]
I forgive you, Pastor — not because you earned it
I forgive you, Pastor — though the bridge was burned and
Every word you spoke still echoes in my head
I forgive you, Pastor — I'm choosing life instead

[Verse 2]
The sleepless nights, the panic attacks, the shame I couldn't name
The way I second-guessed my every thought like I was going insane
You made me think that leaving was the same as leaving God
But I found Him on the outside — and He was never far

It took me years to untangle what you tied around my soul
To separate the sacred from the systems of control
I'm not writing this for sympathy or trying to expose
I'm writing this because forgiveness is the only door that goes

[Chorus]
I forgive you, Pastor — not because you earned it
I forgive you, Pastor — though the bridge was burned and
Every word you spoke still echoes in my head
I forgive you, Pastor — I'm choosing life instead

[Bridge]
I still believe in church
I still believe in God
I still believe in pastors
I just couldn't keep pretending it wasn't flawed

[Outro]
I forgive you... I forgive you...
Not for your sake — for mine
I forgive you... I forgive you...
I'm leaving the weight behind