A former church member sent me a note about this song and expressed how much it meant: "I was thinking how much this song really mirrors our story. It made me cry when I watched the video on YouTube. We are happy and blessed to be free from lofty people and lofty judgments. May we… Continue reading Lessons on How to Truly Love
Author: Julie Anne
Chuck O’Neal of Beaverton Grace Bible Church Issues Press Release
Sheep-Dog, a regular reader here, wanted to see the original press release from our former pastor. Â The link to the original "press release" is no longer working at The Wartburg Watch and the document was apparently removed from the BGBC website. Â A reader sent O'Neal an e-mail and this press release was included in O'Neal's… Continue reading Chuck O’Neal of Beaverton Grace Bible Church Issues Press Release
Personal Story of Spiritual Abuse by Eric
"Spiritual abuse is not God’s will for your life!"  "We thought we were the problem, for so long. We cowered in fear, shame and confusion, for so long. YOU ARE NOT ALONE." A public note to Eric from Julie Anne:  Eric, A lot of people won't like what they are reading from you.  They… Continue reading Personal Story of Spiritual Abuse by Eric
Buh-Bye Pastor Edwin Young
Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall. Proverbs 16:18 I think there was a reason why our Wednesday evening services were not taped. The truth would have been undeniably exposed. Instead, we are left to deal with people like FB who say our problem is that we have an issue of… Continue reading Buh-Bye Pastor Edwin Young
The Pressure to Serve in a Controlling Church
* Â Â * Â Â * A common trait of a controlling church is that you may be kept so busy, there is little time for anything outside of church. Â I'm going to use SQ's comment below to springboard two posts. Â This first post will discuss the pressure to serve. Â The second will… Continue reading The Pressure to Serve in a Controlling Church
Need Help with New Blog Name
You may have noticed that I changed the name of the blog to BGBC Survivors. Previously, I spelled out the name of my former church and added Survivors with it. You also may have noticed that I write "former church" and "former pastor" an awful lot. I am purposefully not naming names. I'm ready… Continue reading Need Help with New Blog Name
Bloggers Who Expose Spiritual Darkness and Wickedness
For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Ephesians 6:12 On the 24th, this blog will be six months old. Typically what you read is what I've had stewing in my head for perhaps days.… Continue reading Bloggers Who Expose Spiritual Darkness and Wickedness
New Milestone and News Article
 Wow - a milestone - over 200,000 blog hits.  That's awesome and sad at the same time.  It's always sad that there is a need for this kind of blog, but it's great that people are reading and hopefully learning, praying, and spreading the word about this real issue happening in so many churches.… Continue reading New Milestone and News Article
You Will Never Listen to This Song the Same Way Again – New Official Pastor Stalking Song
I lifted this idea from the Church Folk Revolution radio show, Every Breath You Take - STALKING PASTORS. I am now hereby making this song the official song on the blog for stalking pastors. Oh yea. It completely fits. I will never listen to the song the same way again.Oh can't you see . . .… Continue reading You Will Never Listen to This Song the Same Way Again – New Official Pastor Stalking Song
Too Crazy for Words
Ok, Monax's "interesting" comment today reminded me of this video I saw earlier this week that about sent me through the roof.This may be old news for some, but just in case. . . . Jack Schaap, former pastor of mega-church First Baptist Church in Hammond, Indiana was recently fired for "committing a sin". Some… Continue reading Too Crazy for Words
How Can Spiritual Abuse or a Controlling Pastor Destroy a Marriage?
I've been having discussions about how spiritual abuse affects marriages. The abuse can occur in a somewhat direct fashion (such as Paul's story) or indirectly. When I did a quick Google search on spiritual abuse and divorce, there was very little on the topic. Yet since publishing Paul's story, I've had more people send their… Continue reading How Can Spiritual Abuse or a Controlling Pastor Destroy a Marriage?
Here’s the church, here’s the steeple . . .
One of my readers sent me a couple pictures of her former church she labeled as abusive. Here is the church as it used to be.View from frontStrong winds recently came through the area, knocking the steeple over. A number of former members have been discussing this "act of God": God may be trying… Continue reading Here’s the church, here’s the steeple . . .
Can Spiritual Abuse Destroy a Marriage? Paul’s Story
* Â Â * Â Â * From time to time, I will be posting select personal spiritual abuse stories here. Â There are a number of reasons to post stories of abuse. Â We can learn from them to try to prevent it from happening again. Â We can offer support. Â Looking at someone's story might identify… Continue reading Can Spiritual Abuse Destroy a Marriage? Paul’s Story
Response to Apology – Trolls and Spiritual Abuse
Last week, Fred Butler issued a public apology to the Smith Family on his own blog per my husband's request. Comments on the post were closed, so I have copied Steve's words here (and sent Fred an e-mail):Fred, Concerning what you wrote about Hannah - your apology is accepted and I forgive you. Thank you for… Continue reading Response to Apology – Trolls and Spiritual Abuse
Wolf Alert!!
It's been a bit heavy here. We need a diversion. Yes, let's talk about wolves - the animal kind. Thanks you, monax, for posting this story in the comments:For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. Acts 20:29 Swiss sheep to be outfitted to cry… Continue reading Wolf Alert!!
A Personal Note From Hannah’s Father to Fred
Thank you Fred for the apology - here. However the error has not yet been run to ground.Now would you kindly follow through with that same stream of humility and post a sincere retraction apology on your own Hip and Thigh blog where the error took root? It grieves the church to perceive GCC leaders… Continue reading A Personal Note From Hannah’s Father to Fred
The World is Watching Us
*** One of the key signs of a healthy person and a healthy church is looking at the fruit they exhibit. Â What kind of love do they show? Â How do they model Christ to the world? Â The world is watching and judging. I read some words yesterday that were shocking to me on many levels.… Continue reading The World is Watching Us
Hannah’s Personal Story in Her Own Words
Readers: Â I've had this post in my "draft posts" for quite some time, but the time to post it is now and I will explain more about that very soon. Â You'll see why it is important to hear from her own words. I shared my perspective of Hannah's story in the most popular blog post,… Continue reading Hannah’s Personal Story in Her Own Words
More Monkey Business and New Review by Former Member
I was reading an online article which gave the link to the Google reviews and clicked on the link. Seems Ed Chapman has gotten a taste of what it is like to leave a review for the church. Current church member, Lori Nodurft obviously revised her positive review to keep it at the top of… Continue reading More Monkey Business and New Review by Former Member
Discovery Process – The Jigsaw Puzzle
Our brains are fascinating. Without fail, every single time I listen to this song below, I am taken back to a specific time in my life. It was 1987 and my husband was at Officer Candidate School with the Navy in Newport, Rhode Island. We were separated for four months while he went to this… Continue reading Discovery Process – The Jigsaw Puzzle
Spiritual Sounding Board 