“You Are Loved”: Carly Pearce Preaches Grace For Those Who Fall Short On Bold New Single, “Church Girl”

Luke Rogers

Today, Carly Pearce released an incredibly emotional and introspective new song called “Church Girl,” which finds her contending with the fire and brimstone kind of preaching that you sometimes hear in church. I think many of us who have grown up in a religious household and in the church, especially in the south, probably know exactly what she’s talking about here. And speaking for myself, as a Christian who grew up going to church multiple days a week, it’s not uncommon to see church folks get really wrapped up in this guilt-driven legalism… don’t drink, smoke, don’t cuss, don’t watch R-rated movies… or you’re going to Hell.

Of course, the opposite of that spectrum can be a slippery slope into license (everything is fine because God forgives), but this is why the context matters, and good, Biblical teaching is so important. Especially when the message is going out to be people who are new to Christianity, young in their faith. I am in no way saying that church is bad, or pastors and elders are bad, or even Christians… quite the opposite in most cases. But bad, fear-driven teaching can do a lot of harm, turn people away from the faith forever, and I’ve never heard a songwriter address the idea of religious judgement, for lack of a better term, in this way.

Carly explained in a post on Instagram that she grew up in church, and is still very much “led by [her] Christian faith today,” and her desire to release this song so others can feel a sense of acceptance, regardless of where they are in their walk with Jesus:

“I am someone who grew up in the church, in my Christian faith. I am very much led by my Christian faith today. I wanted to release this song because I feel that through a lot of different parts of my life, I have to come to the understanding that we’re all on a journey. Over the last several years, for any of you fans who have come to my shows, you have poured your heart into sharing your stories with me as I’ve shared mine with you, and I think we’re all trying to figure it out.

If you are on a journey with your spirituality, or you feel lost or confused or shameful or judged by something that has happened to you or is happening to you, what I hope this song does and what I hope this message does and what I hope that you carry with you this year is, the message that you are welcome at my shows, you are loved. I hope that this song meets you wherever you are and gives you a sense of love and acceptance, and not judgement.”

Here’s a little more from Carly:

The lyrics paint a very clear picture of a girl who likes to wear heels, maybe sometimes shows a little too much skin with a “Jezebel dress,” and enjoys a drink every now and then, but she still has faith and tries to follow Jesus’ teaching, no matter how much she falls short:

“Hey, church girl, doing everything wrong
Walking on eggshells with your high heels on
Hey, church girl, with the Jezebel dress
Better take it off, you’re making all the boys think sex
You got your questions, but you’re too scared to ask
I’m just a sinner who’s been where you’re at

So you like to get high when you talk to Jesus
So you love who you love and you go out on the weekend
So you drink and you think for yourself
That don’t mean you’ll go to Hell when you leave this world
Just ’cause you heard it in church, girl”

The song resonated very deeply for me in many ways, my favorite miracle is Jesus’ first at the Wedding at Cana where he turns water into wine if that gives you any context of where I’m at, and so I very much relate to the idea here where she shows grace in the areas where many of us fall short every day.

Of course any time you’re tackling religious topics, you’re gonna spark some differing opinions, so out of curiosity for my own research purposes, I also sent the song to a few of my friends who are very much believers, but maybe have different interpretations of the song… they all loved it:

“The ‘If God is who he says he is then I don’t think you’re cursed girl,’ I love it.”

Here’s another one:

“Oh I love that song! I can definitely see, like you said, debate will spark on what is ‘right’ but I think it speaks to a lot of girls and they will relate big time.”

Of course, Carly’s song is a message for everyone, but I think women, in particular young women, will find it incredibly helpful and I personally find it very comforting because sometimes you just need the reminder that God’s love is unconditional and there is plenty of grace and hope because of it. If the goal is to make disciples, and help to draw people into a deeper life with Christ, hellfire and damnation right out of the gate probably isn’t the best way to do it, right? The songwriters really did their thing with this one, so my compliments to Carter Faith, Seth Ennis and Cameron Bedell for penning such a beautiful and meaningful song. It’s well worth your time to check out, and I know we’re only about three weeks into January, but I foresee this being one of my favorite singles for this year already.