*** 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
Category: ABUSE & VIOLENCE IN THE CHURCH
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”
Doug Phillips’ Vision Forum Revisionist (Art) History
*** Did Vision Forum revise ("photochopped," as opposed to Photoshopped) art history to promote their Patriarchal agenda? *** Note from Julie Anne: Cindy Kunsman and I were corresponding by e-mail about her upcoming series which will be hosted here at SSB and she sent me a link to an old post as a side comment. Check out… Continue reading Doug Phillips’ Vision Forum Revisionist (Art) History
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
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
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
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
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?
Attempting to Set the Doug Phillips Record Straight: Part 1 – The Puzzle of Control
* * * Attempting to Set the Doug Phillips Record Straight: The Puzzle, Types of Control by Church Leaders, Vision Forum, Boerne Christian Assembly, and a Characterization of Phillips * * * BEFORE WE BEGIN: In this series of articles on Doug Phillips and Vision Forum, I will… Continue reading Attempting to Set the Doug Phillips Record Straight: Part 1 – The Puzzle of Control
Is the Council for Biblical Manhood and Womanhood Drinking Mormon-Flavored Koolaid?
*** Will there be Complementarian or Egalitarian marriages in heaven? What about Biblical gender roles in heaven? What in the world is Council for Biblical Manhood and Womanhood (CBMW) talking about? *** A link to an article was posted in the comments today. I don't have time to flesh it out (trying to get another… Continue reading Is the Council for Biblical Manhood and Womanhood Drinking Mormon-Flavored Koolaid?
Attempting to Set the Doug Phillips Record Straight: Introduction
*** Attempting to Set the Doug Phillips Record Straight: Introduction *** My perspective on his life is different —appreciation, gratitude, disagreement, sadness. His life is a reminder that whether your name is Alexander the Great, Leonardo da Vinci, or Steve Jobs, in the end, your physical body becomes food for worms. More importantly, your eternal… Continue reading Attempting to Set the Doug Phillips Record Straight: Introduction
Spiritual Abuse: Interview with Doug Bursch
*** *** Yesterday I did an interview with Doug Bursch from Seattle's KGNW radio station. Doug describes himself in his bio as "a speaker, writer, pastor, teacher and evangelist." We spoke about spiritual abuse, healthy and unhealthy churches. I've done quite a few interviews since the lawsuit, but this one is my new favorite. If… Continue reading Spiritual Abuse: Interview with Doug Bursch
Spiritual Sounding Board 