The key takeaway is this: anytime an abuser is given a platform, that space will never feel safe for survivors.
Category: Clergy Misconduct
My Church Leaders Were Abusive: Should I share my story publicly with Christian media? Is there something I can do that will affect positive change?
. . we can't change the culture of an abusive church, because while an abusive leader is in power, there is a system of abuse involved. We cannot change an abusive system. But what we survivors can do is provide a safe place where personal stories are told, heard, believed.
Clergy Sexual Misconduct: Why Victims Should Not be Blamed
My blog broke the story on two high-profile cases of clergy sexual misconduct. These are very difficult stories to report on, especially as I get to know the survivors and the ongoing emotional and spiritual trauma they endured with these highly influential church leaders. One common misconception I see repeatedly debated in comments on news… Continue reading Clergy Sexual Misconduct: Why Victims Should Not be Blamed
Julie Anne Smith Interviewed on Almost Heretical Podcast: Spiritual and Sexual Abuse
Nate is the first person to interview me specifically about the Ravi Zacharias sex abuse scandal and ask me why I thought it took so long for the collective church to "get it."
The Vince and Jo Vitale Case Study in Pseudo-Confessions
"Am I the only one bothered by the use of “failure” language in the rush of mea culpas that we now see bursting from the bowels of evangelical Christianity as Ravi Zacharias’s empire goes the way of the Titanic?"
Ravi Zacharias: Reports of Sexual Predation and Sexual Abuse at Health Spas
And now, Steve Baughman has uncovered more of the same . . . Ravi has a history of seeking sexual gratification for himself, using his position of power and trust to obtain those "favors." This is clergy sexual misconduct and spiritual abuse!
Ravi Zacharias Dies; More Lies Uncovered
The two former Ravi-colleagues both clearly remember that Ravi did not preach at the graduation. That was a role reserved for the college president. So they checked the program from that day and then shared it with me.
Before Evangelicals Canonize Ravi Zacharias, will they learn from Jean Vanier and L’Arche?
The evidence against Ravi Zacharias is, after all, serious and compelling. If evangelicals ignore it they will show the world that they do not take their Holy Bible seriously (1 Timothy 5:20).
Christian Music Artist and Pastor Steve Camp Puts God to the Test with #COVID-19
But the people who went to the church may or may not have been infected with the virus. Why was this necessary? Oh yea, it wasn’t.
Bill Hybels’ Mentor, Dr. Gilbert Bilezikian, Accused of Clergy Sexual Misconduct: A Personal Story
I’m writing to tell the story of my victimization by Dr. Gilbert Bilezikian, who was Bill Hybels’ professor and mentor, and was very influential in the development of Willow Creek Community Church. This is a story I take no pleasure in telling.
Update on Dr. Wes Feltner of Berean Baptist and Clergy Sexual Misconduct
At the very least, we should have seen Feltner take responsibility for his clergy sexual misconduct. That never happened...
Dissecting Victim (oops) Pastor Wes Feltner’s Public Statement
God has instituted qualifications for elders regardless if someone feels a certain calling. Wes Feltner's supposed calling does not override God's guideline for elders.
Is J.D. Greear just talking, or are we going to see action?
The SBC has been getting push back about selecting "designated survivors" to speak. Was he doing damage control by mentioning the names of the survivors/advocates they chose not to speak? Were the ones chosen to speak selected so that the SBC can control the narrative?
Twitter Twaddles and Truths
Sometimes there are tweets that really need to be seen wider than the Twitterverse. I will be compiling tweets to highlight here.
Why is there an admission charge for people who want to attend ERLC’s Caring Well Conference?
SBC has failed miserably with sex abuse cover-ups. This a conference where YOU have to pay to attend hear people discuss issues in which THEY (SBC) have failed. This is messed up. It should be free. #SBC #churchtoo Quote Tweet
Cissie Graham Lynch – Publicly Criticizing Pastors or Ministries Destroys the Gospel
If we do not publicly call out abusive or neglectful church leaders or ministries then abuse thrives. Silence and privacy is not an option.
As a New Christian and Missionary Alliance Minister, Ravi Zacharias Pressured His Brother’s 16-yr old Girlfriend to Have Illegal Abortion
"Ramesh explained briefly the situation to Ravi. I remember Ravi was very angry. More at Ramesh than me it seemed. He was not speaking in kind terms. Only pointing out that this news would ‘kill our parents’ and ‘end your future as a doctor.'"
Book Review – “Christians in a Sex-Crazed Culture” by Bill Hybels – Part 2 – Bill’s Problem with Porn
[James] Dobson tells Hybels to "get educated firsthand" about pornography? Does Dobson actually mean to say, "Bill [Hybels], get yourself some porn?" There is the implication behind the instruction. So, what does Bill do?
Book Review – “Christians in A Sex-Crazed Culture” by Bill Hybels – Part 1 – Identifying the One Who is Sex Crazed
During a later anniversary celebration Bill and Lynne [Hybels] stayed in a hotel room described as: "Socially, it was positively scandalous; morally, it was absolutely decadent; theologically, it was totally depraved."
Estranged Adult Child of Disgraced Former Pastor R.C. Sproul, Jr., Urges People to NOT Purchase Father’s New Book; Foreword by Tullian Tchividjian
“Myself and RC Jr’s other adult children are estranged from him. We do not support this book or his return to public ministry.”
Spiritual Sounding Board 