*** What does freedom feel like for those who have left a high-controlling or spiritually abusive church? *** ** About a month ago, I was sent beautiful pictures by SSB's friend, BeenThereDoneThat (BTDT). At first I was drawn to them because cobalt blue is my favorite color. Cobalt blue exudes a soothing peace and tranquility for… Continue reading Spiritual Recovery and Leaving a High-Controlling Church: Free to Plant, Free to Bloom, Free to Be
Author: Julie Anne
*Must see*** New Online Christian Dating Site
Hey, have you checked out this new Christian online dating site, Christian Tingle? It truly is a must see! Here's their new promo video: ***
The Gospel Coalition’s Joe Carter, Publicly Attacks Sarah Palin for her Use of the Word, “Baptism”
*** Joe Carter of The Gospel Coalition publicly attacks Sarah Palin for her use of the word "baptism" in the context of a NRA political rally. *** *** "Well, if I were in charge, they would know that waterboarding is how we baptize terrorists." ~Sarah Palin ** Joe Carter, an editor at The Gospel Coalition seems… Continue reading The Gospel Coalition’s Joe Carter, Publicly Attacks Sarah Palin for her Use of the Word, “Baptism”
Crumbling Foundation: How Do We Move on after Doug Phillips and Bill Gothard, our Spiritual Leaders, Have Failed Us?
*** How do we move on spiritually when we have based our lives around the teachings of spiritual leaders like Doug Phillips or Bill Gothard who have fallen? *** With the recent scandals involving Doug Phillips and Bill Gothard, it is as if the spiritual rug has been pulled for some families. These men were so… Continue reading Crumbling Foundation: How Do We Move on after Doug Phillips and Bill Gothard, our Spiritual Leaders, Have Failed Us?
Queen Bees of Homeschooling Stacy McDonald and Kelly Crawford Don’t Like the “Victim” Word in the Lourdes Torres-Manteufel vs. Doug Phillips Lawsuit
*** Well-known homeschooling moms Kelly Crawford and Stacy McDonald comment regarding the "victim" word with regard to the Lourdes Torres-Manteufel vs. Doug Phillips lawsuit. *** Doug Wilson comments as follows regarding Doug Phillips's sexual sins against Lourdes Torres-Manteufel: (Trigger warning for survivors of victimization by sexual abuse or assault, and/or spiritual abuse.) There has been… Continue reading Queen Bees of Homeschooling Stacy McDonald and Kelly Crawford Don’t Like the “Victim” Word in the Lourdes Torres-Manteufel vs. Doug Phillips Lawsuit
Patriarchy: Doug Phillips, Bill Gothard, Doug Wilson and Damage Control
** Media and blogosphere are abuzz with sex abuse stories coming from Patriarchy proponents, Bill Gothard and Doug Phillips. Gothard releases a statement, other Christian leaders defend Patriarchy. ** I tell you what, my head is spinning this week with so many items of news regarding scandals by Christian leaders, especially within Christian Patriarchy. But… Continue reading Patriarchy: Doug Phillips, Bill Gothard, Doug Wilson and Damage Control
Lourdes Torres-Manteufel vs Doug Phillips Lawsuit Informational Resource Page
* * * * * * * This is an ongoing reference post following the Lourdes Torres-Manteufel vs. Douglas Phillips lawsuit. It includes key information on the case, court documents, background story, key individuals, links to news articles, etc. * * * * * * * * * * * * * *… Continue reading Lourdes Torres-Manteufel vs Doug Phillips Lawsuit Informational Resource Page
Lourdes Torres, Alleged Victim in the Doug Phillips (Vision Forum) Sex Abuse Scandals Files Lawsuit
*** Lourdes Torres, alleged victim in sex abuse scandal with Douglas Phillips of Vision Forum, has filed a lawsuit against Douglas Phillips *** The victim in the Doug Phillips sex abuse case has filed a lawsuit and in doing so, has chosen to publicly reveal her identity: Lourdes Torres. She is one brave woman.… Continue reading Lourdes Torres, Alleged Victim in the Doug Phillips (Vision Forum) Sex Abuse Scandals Files Lawsuit
Pastoral Confidentiality: Does it Still Apply after Church Member Resigns?
*** What is the responsibility of pastors for those they deem have "gone astray?" Do pastoral confidentiality rules apply even when someone resigns their church membership? *** *** The other day, I read an article, Stabbed in the Back by a Cult Leader and it left me feeling sad and angry. "Sheldon" is a… Continue reading Pastoral Confidentiality: Does it Still Apply after Church Member Resigns?
The Photo Promotion of C.J. Mahaney at Together for the Gospel
*** C.J. Mahaney is pictured in front-row seats at the Together for the Gospel conference after publicly saying he would not participate due to the distraction of the Sovereign Grace Ministries lawsuit. *** Note: Brent Detwiler graciously allowed me to cross-post the following article which was originally found at his site. SSB has covered… Continue reading The Photo Promotion of C.J. Mahaney at Together for the Gospel
Calvary Chapel Pastor Bob Coy’s Story of Moral Corruption Leads Calvary Chapel Members to Share Their Personal Stories
*** The moral scandal of mega-church pastor Bob Coy leads others to come forward to tell their personal stories of corruption and abuse among the Calvary Chapel franchise of churches. *** *** You may have heard of the recent scandal by Calvary Chapel Ft. Lauderdale Pastor Bob Coy. The church elders called a special church meeting… Continue reading Calvary Chapel Pastor Bob Coy’s Story of Moral Corruption Leads Calvary Chapel Members to Share Their Personal Stories
List of Christian Expressions or Phrases that Are Churchy or Christianese that can Trigger Negative Church Experiences
*** Popular phrases or expressions heard in Christian churches or groups that now identify as "churchy" or Christianese and now sometimes annoy the heck out of those of us who have been hurt in church. *** This is Sunday and some of you/us may have difficulty going to church for a number of reasons.… Continue reading List of Christian Expressions or Phrases that Are Churchy or Christianese that can Trigger Negative Church Experiences
Tony Miano: A Case Study in Spiritual Abuse and Bully Behavior
*** Digging a little deeper, analyzing the public words and behavior of Tony Miano. Does his behavior reflect a spiritual abuser and bully? Is this a man who should be in public ministry open air preaching and evangelizing? *** A reader sent me a link to Tony Miano's Facebook page cover photo (larger photo). Miano describes it:… Continue reading Tony Miano: A Case Study in Spiritual Abuse and Bully Behavior
Tony Miano’s Ministry of Honor, Genuine Love, and Righteousness by Truthful Speech? Or Not?
*** Does Tony Miano's ministry show kindness, genuine love, truthful speech and honor, or is he heralding slander instead of God's Holy Word? *** We put no obstacle in anyone's way, so that no fault may be found with our ministry, but as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: by great endurance, in afflictions, hardships, calamities, beatings, imprisonments, riots,… Continue reading Tony Miano’s Ministry of Honor, Genuine Love, and Righteousness by Truthful Speech? Or Not?
Attempting to Set the Doug Phillips Record Straight: Part 3 – The Timeline
*** This is an account of the Douglas Phillips' sex abuse scandal as told by sources close to Phillips' former business and ministry, Vision Forum, and church, Boerne Christian Assembly. It chronicles when people discovered the depth of his adulterous relationship and describes actions they took. *** Note: This article is Part 3 in a series: Attempting… Continue reading Attempting to Set the Doug Phillips Record Straight: Part 3 – The Timeline
Homeschool Mom Responds to the Doug Phillips Scandal and His Influence in Patriarchy, Christian Homeschool Movement and Conferences
*** A homeschool mother responds to the influence of Doug Phillips in Patriarchy, in the Homeschool Movement, in Christian Homeschool Conferences, and how it has affected her family and her faith. *** A comment came in a bit ago from "devaneyjoy" on the article, Attempting to Set the Doug Phillips Record Straight: Part 2 - The… Continue reading Homeschool Mom Responds to the Doug Phillips Scandal and His Influence in Patriarchy, Christian Homeschool Movement and Conferences
Attempting to Set the Doug Phillips Record Straight: Part 2 – The Victim
*** The Account of Doug Phillips and the Victim *** All forms of sexual behavior or harassment with clients are unethical, even when a client invites or consents to such behavior or involvement. ~American Association of Pastoral Counselors *** Note: This article is Part 2 in a series. The first part is Attempting to Set the… Continue reading Attempting to Set the Doug Phillips Record Straight: Part 2 – The Victim
BREAKING: Doug Phillips Threatens Lawsuit Against Former Vision Forum Associates Who Had Earlier Confronted Him about His Sexual Sins
*** Months after issuing public apologies, Doug Phillips threatens legal action against three former Vision Forum associates, Jordan Muela, Peter Bradrick, and Bob Renaud. *** This is an important development in the Doug Phillips scandal. Previously, Doug Phillips issued two statements of repentance for all to see, now World Magazine is reporting that Doug Phillips… Continue reading BREAKING: Doug Phillips Threatens Lawsuit Against Former Vision Forum Associates Who Had Earlier Confronted Him about His Sexual Sins
Owen Strachan of CBMW Misses the Point Entirely – It’s Not about the Missing Article, but the False Teaching
*** Council of Biblical Manhood and Womanhood's Executive Director Owen Strachan Corrects the Record with Associated Baptist Press Regarding the Missing Article on Biblical Gender Roles in the New Creation *** Last week I posted about an article, Is the Council for Biblical Manhood and Womanhood Drinking Mormon-Flavored Koolaid?. My post was about an article which… Continue reading Owen Strachan of CBMW Misses the Point Entirely – It’s Not about the Missing Article, but the False Teaching
Learn to Discern: Can Women Read Scripture Aloud to Men?
*** Open Air Preacher Street Evangelist Tony Miano Gives Rules and Guidelines for Women Open Air Preaching and Reading Scripture to Men *** We've discussed open air preacher, Tony Miano before. He used to work at Living Waters with Ray Comfort. In the video below, he claims that he taught approximately 200 women how to… Continue reading Learn to Discern: Can Women Read Scripture Aloud to Men?
Spiritual Sounding Board 