*** Before we get into today's article, we've passed an important milestone here. Today, I noticed in my Facebook's "On This Day" feature, that it is the 4th year anniversary date of the judge's decision on the defamation lawsuit brought on by my former pastor, Chuck O'Neal of Beaverton Grace Bible Church (BGBC) vs.… Continue reading Would your church be able to help someone in the midst of a crisis? How equipped are they?
Category: ABUSE & VIOLENCE IN THE CHURCH
The Gift of Standing in the Trenches with a Survivor
https://youtu.be/UIt3dx4an9c *** “Being heard is so close to being loved that for the average person, they are almost indistinguishable.” ― David Augsburger The other day, a spiritual abuse survivor and friend I met last year in Moscow, Idaho, posted the following quote by Dr. Diane Langberg on her Facebook wall. Please read it… Continue reading The Gift of Standing in the Trenches with a Survivor
Seeking the Truth about the Saeed Abedini Story: Part 1
*** Administrative note: Michael Newnham has given me permission to cross-post his article from Phoenix Preacher blog. We have both spent countless hours investigating, talking with people, gathering source documentation, first separately, and then when we realized we were uncovering similar information, made the decision to work on this as a team. As a personal note, I… Continue reading Seeking the Truth about the Saeed Abedini Story: Part 1
Practical Guidelines for Teaching Complementarity
Ligon Duncan, CBMW, Complementarianism, Egalitarian, headship Practical Guidelines for Teaching Complementarity by Kathi Ligon Duncan stresses that if pastors do not regularly teach complementarity, then "we lose on this issue." In April, Ligon Duncan addressed pastors at the Council on Biblical Manhood and Womanhood (CBMW) pre-conference of the 2016 T4G… Continue reading Practical Guidelines for Teaching Complementarity
Wife Asks for Input Regarding Her Husband Who Paddles Her
Wife Spanking, Christian Domestic Discipline, Domestic Violence *** You husbands in the same way, live with your wives in an understanding way, as with someone weaker, since she is a woman; and show her honor as a fellow heir of the grace of life, so that your prayers will not be hindered. 1 Peter 3:7… Continue reading Wife Asks for Input Regarding Her Husband Who Paddles Her
Doug Phillips: The Sex Abuse Lawsuit Conclusion and Epilogue of His Vision Forum Shipwreck
*** Doug Phillips Lawsuit, Lourdes Torres, Sex Abuse, Vision Forum, Spiritual Abuse *** It's been a long while since there have been any updates on the Lourdes Torres vs Douglas Phillips lawsuit. Normally, I received updates from Attorney David C. Gibbs III, who represented Lourdes Torres. Either he would e-mail or text me, or… Continue reading Doug Phillips: The Sex Abuse Lawsuit Conclusion and Epilogue of His Vision Forum Shipwreck
The Challenge of Dealing with the Effects of Sexual Addiction, Pornography, Pedophilia by Family Members or Friends
Sexual addictions, pornography, pedophiles, family and friends of sexual addicts, S-Anon *** Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves… Continue reading The Challenge of Dealing with the Effects of Sexual Addiction, Pornography, Pedophilia by Family Members or Friends
Attorney Representing Victims of Bill Gothard Disqualified; Support for Survivors
David C. Gibbs III, Bill Gothard, Sex Abuse, IBLP, ATI, Lawsuit There have been very important developments in the sex abuse lawsuit against Institute for Basic Life Principles and Bill Gothard. David C. Gibbs III, the attorney representing the plaintiffs - the victims of alleged sex abuse by Bill Gothard - has been disqualified… Continue reading Attorney Representing Victims of Bill Gothard Disqualified; Support for Survivors
If Being Hurt by the Church Causes You to Lose Faith in God . . .
This meme was posted on Facebook. For those who have been harmed by church leaders/people, what does this message say to you? I'd love to read your first impressions of this meme. https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1030079060400810&set=a.657459694329417.1073741837.100001961781470&type=3
Capturing the Minds of Daughters via Reconstructionism, Gary DeMar, The American Vision, and the Homeschool Movement
The American Vision, Gary DeMar, Rushdoony, Gary North, Reconstructionism, Dominionism, Homeschool Movement, Quiverfull, Patriarchy, Doug Phillips, Daughters With the demise of the ministry of Doug Phillips, and now the negative connotations of the word patriarchy, I've wondered what would be happening in Reconstructionist/Dominionist circles. It's been a while since I've written about Reconstructionism/Dominionism and how… Continue reading Capturing the Minds of Daughters via Reconstructionism, Gary DeMar, The American Vision, and the Homeschool Movement
The Bully: Familiar Feelings, Completely Different Environment
Spiritual abuse, bullies, connections, gaslighting *** A few weeks ago, I started Spring term at college. The professor has a PhD in her field, and told us she's been teaching from high school level to grad school since the 80s. READ: she's no spring chicken and has a lot of classroom experience. As the days… Continue reading The Bully: Familiar Feelings, Completely Different Environment
Personal Story: Feeling Stuck after Spiritual Abuse
*** Mark is new to the blog and left a comment on another post yesterday and I have decided to make it into its own post so we can focus on these issues. Maybe some of you have experienced some of what he is going through and can share how you dealt with these issues.… Continue reading Personal Story: Feeling Stuck after Spiritual Abuse
A Challenge to Abused Christian Women Regarding Teachings on Divorce
*** Divorce, domestic violence, church teachings on Biblical divorce, David Instone-Brewer, abuse, Patriarchy, submission *** For years and years, I was taught that the only reasons Christians could get divorced were for adultery, abandonment, and if an unbelieving spouse wanted a divorce. I believed this wholeheartedly. Sadly, I looked down on people who divorced outside of… Continue reading A Challenge to Abused Christian Women Regarding Teachings on Divorce
Council on Biblical Manhood and Womanhood 2016 Conference #CBMW16 Live Tweets and Complementarianism Cool-Aid
Complementarian CBMW Owen Strachan, John MacArthur, John Piper, Grant Castleberry, Albert Mohler, Gavin Peacock The Council on Biblical Manhood and Womanhood is holding their conference, "The Beauty of Complementarity" in Complementarity Capital of the World, Louisville. The nice thing about live tweeting is that I don't have to research, it's coming hot off the… Continue reading Council on Biblical Manhood and Womanhood 2016 Conference #CBMW16 Live Tweets and Complementarianism Cool-Aid
Learn to Discern: Pastor John Raymond, in His Own Words
Pastor John Raymond, New Horizon Calvary Chapel Church, Slidell, Louisiana, Steven Angle, Spiritual Abuse Yesterday on Facebook, journalist Ashley Rodrigue of WWLTV posted the following press release from the Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff in Louisiana (typed and screenshot below): by Ashley Rodrigue WWLTV (PRESS RELEASE) HAMMOND, LA - Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff Daniel Edwards is asking… Continue reading Learn to Discern: Pastor John Raymond, in His Own Words
Pastors Tullian Tchividjian + Bob Coy + Sexual Sin + Church Leaders Who Protect Immoral Pastors = A Broken Church
Tullian Tchividjian, Bob Coy, Church Leaders Response, Clergy Sex Abuse, Sexual Infidelity, Spiritual Abuse, Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church, Calvary Chapel Fort Lauderdale *** I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. He who is a hired hand and not a shepherd, who does not own the sheep,… Continue reading Pastors Tullian Tchividjian + Bob Coy + Sexual Sin + Church Leaders Who Protect Immoral Pastors = A Broken Church
Tullian Tchividjian and Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church Discussion: “He demanded that people be loyal to him.”
Pastor Tullian Tchividjian, Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church, Willow Creek, Liberate Network, Clergy Sex Abuse, Spiritual Abuse, Repentance, Grace Hey friends (and welcome to new readers), I am going to do something a little bit different. I suspect many are chomping at the bit to discuss the situation regarding Tullian Tchividjian, so I am… Continue reading Tullian Tchividjian and Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church Discussion: “He demanded that people be loyal to him.”
New commenter: having difficulty with religious “systems” and wants advice
*** A first-time commenter left a great comment that I'd like to open up for discussion: Hi everyone This is my first time posting on this site and I apologize in advance for its being off topic. I could use some help from some of you who have been through what I’m going through right… Continue reading New commenter: having difficulty with religious “systems” and wants advice
Pastor Saeed Abedini Unwilling to Seek Abuse Counseling
Naghmeh Abedini, statement, Pastor Saeed Abedini, Domestic Violence, Counseling A short while ago, Naghmeh released a public statement on her Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/NaghmehAbedini/posts/10153907080785767 IMPORTANT UPDATE: Dearest friends and prayer warriors, Many of you have been concerned about and have asked about updates on Saeed and our situation. At this point Saeed has not been… Continue reading Pastor Saeed Abedini Unwilling to Seek Abuse Counseling
Jordan “J.D.” Hall Grumps about Women Who Shouldn’t Attend Shepherds’ Conference
Shepherds' Conference, J.D. Hall, Women, Church #ShepCon #ShepCon2016, John Mac Arthur, Pulpit and Pen, Bunker *** This week quite a few pastors and men have been at the Shepherds' Conference at John Mac Arthur's digs in California. Traditionally, women are not allowed to attend, yet evidently, women did attend at least one day per Pastor J.D.… Continue reading Jordan “J.D.” Hall Grumps about Women Who Shouldn’t Attend Shepherds’ Conference
Spiritual Sounding Board 