BGBC Google Reviews, BGBC Lawsuit, BGBCSurvivors Imposter Blog, Christian Love, Crazy Things Church Leaders Say & Do, Disturbing Trends, Doctrine as Idol, Fred Butler, It's All About the Image, JULIE ANNE'S CASE, Leaving the Church, Legalism, Misuse of Scripture, Narcissistic Pastors, Shunning, Spiritual Abuse, Spiritual Bullies, Street Evangelism, Voddie Baucham, WhoWouldJesusSue?

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

Crazy Things Church Leaders Say & Do, It's All About the Image, Leaving the Church, Meetings with the Pastor, No-Talk Rule, Shunning, Spiritual Abuse, Spiritual Bullies

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, Domestic Violence and Churches, John Piper, Russell Moore, Voddie Baucham

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

Going Back to Church Again, Recovery Process, Safe Churches, Spiritual Abuse, SPIRITUAL ABUSE RECOVERY

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

ABUSE & VIOLENCE IN THE CHURCH, BGBC Lawsuit, Failure to Report Crimes, Mandatory Reporting, Sovereign Grace Ministries, Sovereign Grace Ministries Lawsuit

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?

ABUSE & VIOLENCE IN THE CHURCH, BGBC Lawsuit, Domestic Violence and Churches, Leaving the Church, Spiritual Abuse

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?

ABUSE & VIOLENCE IN THE CHURCH, Failure to Report Crimes, Sexual Abuse/Assault and Churches

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

Christian Marriage, Extra-Biblical Nonsense, Women and the Church

Is it Proper for Christian Wives to Initiate Sex?

*     *     * Enjoy life with the wife whom you love, all the days of your vain life that he has given you under the sun, because that is your portion in life and in your toil at which you toil under the sun. Ecc 9:9 *    *    … Continue reading Is it Proper for Christian Wives to Initiate Sex?

ABUSE & VIOLENCE IN THE CHURCH, ABUSE RECOVERY PROCESS-PROBLEMS, Stories of Hope

Church Abuse, Spiritual Triage, and Victim’s Advocacy Ministries

*     *     * You may have noticed a brief blog break.  Thursday I went out of town to a meeting and Friday I drove back home and later had a 3-hour interview regarding the bad side of Christian homeschooling and so I was tied up a bit. I'd like to share… Continue reading Church Abuse, Spiritual Triage, and Victim’s Advocacy Ministries

C.J. Mahaney, Dr. Wayne Grudem, Failure to Report Crimes, Sexual Abuse/Assault and Churches, Sovereign Grace Ministries, Sovereign Grace Ministries Lawsuit

Dr. Wayne Grudem to Speak at C.J. Mahaney’s Church “to Signal Support in the Face of Unjust Accusations”

*     *     * I came across an interesting comment at SGMSurvivor blog and thought it was important enough to give it a wider audience so as not to get lost in the comments.  SGMSurvivors.com reader Todd Wilhelm commented that he had sent an e-mail to Dr. Wayne Grudem, urging him to… Continue reading Dr. Wayne Grudem to Speak at C.J. Mahaney’s Church “to Signal Support in the Face of Unjust Accusations”

Failure to Report Crimes, It's All About the Image, Sexual Abuse/Assault and Churches, Sovereign Grace Ministries, Sovereign Grace Ministries Lawsuit, Spiritual Abuse, Troubling Tweets

The Clanging Cymbal Tweet of Pastor Jared Mellinger

*     *     *  *     *     * I saw a disturbing tweet come through my Twitter feed by Jared Mellinger, senior pastor at Covenant Fellowship Church.  Please note that I typed "senior pastor."  Covenant Fellowship Church is part of Sovereign Grace Ministries, the same family of churches in… Continue reading The Clanging Cymbal Tweet of Pastor Jared Mellinger

Sexual Abuse/Assault and Churches, Sovereign Grace Ministries Lawsuit, Together for the Gospel

C.J. Mahaney withdraws Himself from T4G Conference

*    *    * At the T4G website, a note was posted that C.J. Mahaney will not be speaking at the 2014 Together for the Gospel conference.  The conference is in Mahaney's hometown of Louisville and speakers include Ligon Duncan, Albert Mohler, Mark Dever, David Platt, John Piper, Kevin DeYoung, Thabiti Anyabwile, and Matt… Continue reading C.J. Mahaney withdraws Himself from T4G Conference

ABUSE & VIOLENCE IN THE CHURCH, CHURCH GOVERNANCE & POLICIES, Extra-Biblical Nonsense, Homeschool Legal Defense Association, Homeschool Movement, Learn to Discern, Sexual Abuse/Assault and Churches, Sovereign Grace Ministries, Sovereign Grace Ministries Lawsuit, Spiritual Abuse, Spiritual Bullies

Learn and Discern: Government is Evil

*     *     * Yesterday, GRACE published an excellent article by Victor Vieth and linked to the Paul Washer video that I posted in yesterday's article (video is posted below in this article). GRACE  is a non-profit organization made up of highly trained and experienced multi-disciplinary professionals who seek to educate and… Continue reading Learn and Discern: Government is Evil

Open Blogging, Spiritual Abuse, SURVIVOR STORIES

Spiritual Sounding Board: Sound Off

*     *     * He made my feet like the feet of a deer  and set me secure on the heights. Psalm 18:33 *     *     * *     *     * I just watched this and experienced mixed emotions throughout this short video.  I don't want… Continue reading Spiritual Sounding Board: Sound Off

Church Lingo, Disturbing Trends, Grace Community Church

Church Job Description: Vision Casting?

*     *     * Thus says the Lord of hosts: “Do not listen to the words of the prophets who prophesy to you, filling you with vain hopes. They speak visions of their own minds, not from the mouth of the Lord. Jeremiah 23:16 *     *     * Covenant Life Church (CLC) in… Continue reading Church Job Description: Vision Casting?

CHURCH GOVERNANCE & POLICIES, Failure to Report Crimes, Sexual Abuse/Assault and Churches, Southern Baptist Convention, Sovereign Grace Ministries, Sovereign Grace Ministries Lawsuit

SBC Developments: Brave Action, Not Vague Resolutions, Stops Crimes against Kids

*     *     * There has been positive development with regard to the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) and a sex abuse resolution proposed by pastor and blogger, Peter Lumpkins.  The following video shows Peter Lumpkins presenting the resolution to SBC President Fred Luter. *     *     * Peter Lumpkins… Continue reading SBC Developments: Brave Action, Not Vague Resolutions, Stops Crimes against Kids

Sexual Abuse/Assault and Churches, Spiritual Abuse, Spiritual Bullies

How can God be real when Christians are more evil than the world?

*     *     * *     *     *   I found a profound comment on this blog article, First Baptist Church Houston – “I saw your blog”  The article was similar to my previous article discussing the failure of church leaders to deal appropriately with sex abuse cases.  This has… Continue reading How can God be real when Christians are more evil than the world?

Prestonwood Baptist Church, Sexual Abuse/Assault and Churches, Southern Baptist Convention

The Southern Baptist Convention and Sex Abuse of Children Within

*   *   * Amy Smith, Houston SNAP (Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests) director, who blogs at Watch Keep released a very important article today regarding the cover-up of abuse in the Southern Baptist Churches.  The article follows in its entirety between the sets of asterisks. Additional information follows below the article. *… Continue reading The Southern Baptist Convention and Sex Abuse of Children Within

No-Talk Rule, Sexual Abuse/Assault and Churches, Sovereign Grace Ministries, Sovereign Grace Ministries Lawsuit, Together for the Gospel

Statement from T4G: Mohler, Dever, Duncan in Support of C.J. Mahaney Was Altered!

*     *     * Today I was disappointed to discover that the public statement released by  highly respected Christian leaders, Albert Mohler, Mark Dever, and Ligon Duncan in support of their friend, C.J. Mahaney, was altered.  The original statement which was posted on Facebook is not the same statement currently posted on… Continue reading Statement from T4G: Mohler, Dever, Duncan in Support of C.J. Mahaney Was Altered!

Crazy Things Church Leaders Say & Do, It's All About the Image, LAWSUITS, Sexual Abuse/Assault and Churches, Sovereign Grace Ministries Lawsuit

Mark Dever and CJ Mahaney Lovefest Continues: Shocking on So Many Levels

*     *     * Mark Dever Praises Embattled CJ Mahaney - YouTube Mark Dever and other leaders came to Louisville, Kentucky last weekend to preach at C.J. Mahaney's church.  Mark Dever roasted the man who wrote the book on humility, C.J. Mahaney.  I transcribed a few sentences here: "What a joy this… Continue reading Mark Dever and CJ Mahaney Lovefest Continues: Shocking on So Many Levels