* * * Today, Willamette Week, a Portland news outlet, published their third recent article on Pastor Chuck O'Neal, my former pastor who sued me and four others for $500,000. The first article dealt with his protesting at a local abortion clinic and how civic leaders were looking into whether any… Continue reading Beaverton Grace Bible Church’s Pastor Chuck O’Neal: Your Past Will Find You
Author: Julie Anne
BeenThereDoneThat and Flying Free: Spiritual Abuse, A Personal Story
* * * This story is a special one to me. Regular reader, "BeenThereDoneThat" (BTDT) has been commenting on this blog since the first weeks here. During that time, I have watched her in her commenting as she has been recovering through a very difficult spiritually abusive church experience. I had… Continue reading BeenThereDoneThat and Flying Free: Spiritual Abuse, A Personal Story
Guest Post: A Call for Reasoned Discernment Before Judgment Is Made Upon Others
* * * Ok, you really have to hear the background of this next post. The other day I was tweeting with a guy whose Twitter handle is @fivesolasguy, (Brian Thornton.) He responded to a couple of tweets of mine and I have to be honest with you, his words felt… Continue reading Guest Post: A Call for Reasoned Discernment Before Judgment Is Made Upon Others
As the Sovereign Grace Ministries World Turns
* * * Earlier this week, I mentioned a conversation I had at SharperIron.org regarding Albert Mohler and an article he wrote. The conversation diverted to C.J. Mahaney and his connection with Mark Dever (founder of 9Marks). Here is my comment challenging Dever's involvement with Mahaney when Mahaney took his leave of… Continue reading As the Sovereign Grace Ministries World Turns
Protests at Abortion Clinics: Does it work? Is there another alternative?
* * * Earlier, I shared with you the goings on of Chuck O'Neal, and his church Beaverton Grace Bible Church (BGBC) regarding his method of "evangelizing" at the abortion clinic, Lovejoy Surgicenter in Portland, Oregon (The Legal Rights of Christians vs Mercy and Love of Christ). I had a bit of… Continue reading Protests at Abortion Clinics: Does it work? Is there another alternative?
9Marks, Spiritual Abuse, and How Church Members Can Fall Through the Cracks
* * * Yesterday, I shared the a comment that I had posted on SharperIron.org forum. From my limited times there, I gather there are quite a few pastors. We were discussing 9Marks practices. Chip asked me to elaborate after reading my comment: I’ve read some of the 9Marks writings and some… Continue reading 9Marks, Spiritual Abuse, and How Church Members Can Fall Through the Cracks
9Marks: Church Authority over Church Members
* * * Over the weekend, I was reading at Sharperiron.org and commenting on a thread that went on a rabbit trail about 9Marks. My comment got long-winded and I thought it might be good to discuss it here as I've never brought up 9Marks before and my concerns with this… Continue reading 9Marks: Church Authority over Church Members
Learn to Discern: A Pastor’s Response to a Young Man’s Question about His Sexual Past
* * * One of the primary purposes of this blog is to discuss spiritual abuse and to learn and be aware of patterns that can lead to abuse. Some people who stop by here are at various stages of discovery and recovery. I recently read this article from the Gospel… Continue reading Learn to Discern: A Pastor’s Response to a Young Man’s Question about His Sexual Past
The Legal Rights of Christians vs Mercy and Love of Christ
* * * Personal disclaimer: I was alerted to two local news articles this morning and struggled with whether or not I should share them with you because of the personal connections as you will soon see. After conferring with others and checking my heart, I am going to share them.… Continue reading The Legal Rights of Christians vs Mercy and Love of Christ
Where’s the Integrity? Mohler, Burk on Abuse
* * * When the facts became known, the firings of both Paterno and Spanier were inevitable and necessary. Both men had credible knowledge that young boys were being sexually abused, and neither did anything effective to stop it. Most crucially, neither man did what they should have done within… Continue reading Where’s the Integrity? Mohler, Burk on Abuse
Smashing Patriarchy and Their Twisted Translations of the Bible
* * * This blog post is going to require some active participation. The other day, some blogger friends and I were e-mailing back and forth on the topic of Patriarchy. I jokingly said I wondered if there was a Patriarchal version of the Bible that we weren't aware of.… Continue reading Smashing Patriarchy and Their Twisted Translations of the Bible
Beaverton Grace Bible Church and Pastor Chuck O’Neal – A Year after They Lost the Defamation Lawsuit
* * * But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blpasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a… Continue reading Beaverton Grace Bible Church and Pastor Chuck O’Neal – A Year after They Lost the Defamation Lawsuit
Complementarianism, Egalitarianism, or Mystery
* * * The other day when we were discussing the terms Complementarianism, Egalitarianism, and Patriarchy to describe how Christian couples view their gender roles within the marriage (What is Difference Between Complementarianism and Patriarchy?), Pastor Ken Garrett must have gotten a bee in his bonnet and wanted to dig a… Continue reading Complementarianism, Egalitarianism, or Mystery
Should We Speak out about Our Spiritually Abusive Church?
* * * This comment came in on an earlier thread and there are so many answers. Because I spoke out against my former church, one of the most common questions in e-mails I get is: "should I speak out about our abuse to current members?" Here it is again:… Continue reading Should We Speak out about Our Spiritually Abusive Church?
Divorce Dilemmas in the Church
* * * I read this excerpt by Dr. Russell Moore recently. He was asked what to do if someone is in a miserable marriage: Does God want you to be miserable? Long-term, no. And that’s why God has designed marriage as a life-long covenant signaling the gospel of Jesus Christ.… Continue reading Divorce Dilemmas in the Church
Why Do People Get Involved in Unhealthy Churches or Cults?
Stephen Smith from Liberty for Captives blog quoted comments from some of you and added more of his own insight. It's excellent. Let's keep talking! This is good stuff!! ~ja
What are the similarities between the SGM and Dubai Abuse Cases?
* * * I got all worked up after reading the following article. Of course it was the initial outrage because of the story, but there was something more beneath that story. What was it? Well, of course, it was reminding me of how victims reach out for help from pastors… Continue reading What are the similarities between the SGM and Dubai Abuse Cases?
Spiritual Abuse: Who is to Blame? The Pastor or the Congregant?
* * * Wicked shepherds have been around for a long, long time. This passage is from the Old Testament: The word of the Lord came to me: “Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel; prophesy, and say to them, even to the shepherds, Thus says the Lord God: Ah, shepherds of Israel who have… Continue reading Spiritual Abuse: Who is to Blame? The Pastor or the Congregant?
Christian Parenting: Training Your Child’s Gender Identity
* * * Twenty-four years ago, when I was pregnant with our second baby, we found out we were having a boy. When my mom heard the news, she found a doll to purchase for our first child, Hannah. She thought it would be good for Hannah to have her own… Continue reading Christian Parenting: Training Your Child’s Gender Identity
A Public Statement Concerning Sexual Abuse in the Church of Jesus Christ
* * * GRACE (Godly Response to Abuse in the Christian Environment) has released a statement regarding the ongoing problem of sexual abuse in the church and is collecting signatures. This is a powerful statement. Below is an excerpt: We must face the truths of our own teachings: To be a… Continue reading A Public Statement Concerning Sexual Abuse in the Church of Jesus Christ
Spiritual Sounding Board 