My heart really goes out to victims and their families in abuse cases (domestic violence, child abuse, and sex abuse) and I have a huge amount of respect for those who, when realizing that the problem is much bigger than their own personal situation, risk so much by taking it to a new level by… Continue reading A Word of Encouragement to Abuse Victims Who Use Civil Litigation
Category: ABUSE & VIOLENCE IN THE CHURCH
Sovereign Grace Ministries: Analysis of CLC Members Meeting
Analysis of CLC Members Meeting of August 17, 2011INTRODUCTIONThe following analysis was produced by Brad Sargent. He is more known by his online handle of “brad/futuristguy,” and he often writes about recovery from spiritual abuse and how to prevent toxic organizations. For this article, Brad used a transcript of the Covenant Life Church (CLC) members’ meeting of August… Continue reading Sovereign Grace Ministries: Analysis of CLC Members Meeting
Post-Election Rant and Sanctity of Marriage
I have more follow-up on patriarchal lifestyle and fathers who own their daughter's heart, but need to take a quick diversion because my brain won't let go of this.I'm in a foul mood - and maybe a fowl mood, too - as I'm looking at my kitty toss up a dead bird and play with… Continue reading Post-Election Rant and Sanctity of Marriage
Pastors Who Fail to Report Abuse: Conspiracy of Silence
“This was not a mistake, this was not an oversight,” Kelly said at a press conference Thursday afternoon. “This was a conspiracy of silence by top officials.” As much as the Penn State grieves my heart because of so many victims and the pain that they endured, I believe this case is going to be… Continue reading Pastors Who Fail to Report Abuse: Conspiracy of Silence
Rant: When Do Church Pastors/Leaders Call Civil Authorities?
*** Blogger Alex Grenier of Calvary Chapel Abuse published an article about former NBA player and Calvary Chapel member, Nick VanderLaan. I have highlighted important points below. Take a look at the whole article here. *** http://ephesians511blog.blogspot.com/2012/10/calvary-chapel-arrested-member-warning.html *** Former NBA player Nick VanderLaan, a recent money-giving member of Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa, tells his… Continue reading Rant: When Do Church Pastors/Leaders Call Civil Authorities?
Are Christian Leaders Condoning Islam’s Rules for Wife Beating??
** A reader sent this to me and I found it very shocking that some of our modern-day celebrity pastors seem to condone behavior that Mohammed endorsed - the beating of wives. Here is what my reader had to say: Pastor Ken Garrett is absolutely right when he says: "Our churches will never be safe places… Continue reading Are Christian Leaders Condoning Islam’s Rules for Wife Beating??
Let’s Discuss the Sovereign Grace Ministries’ Press Release
I am posting the newest press release by Sovereign Grace Ministries about their lawsuit below, but first is a personal note to the SGM survivors and their families: After reading the SGM press release, I was angry. I feel really bad for you to have to read this press release. Please do NOT take those words… Continue reading Let’s Discuss the Sovereign Grace Ministries’ Press Release
Domestic Violence: Do Pastors Know Best?
The issue of domestic violence in the church is disturbing. How are churches handling these cases? In this post, we discussed domestic violence within some Sovereign Grace Ministries (SGM) churches. As most of you are probably aware, SGM is in the midst of a lawsuit filed by 3 families whose children were sexually abused and… Continue reading Domestic Violence: Do Pastors Know Best?
Spousal Abuse in Sovereign Grace Ministries Churches?
“Never be content with your current grasp of the gospel. The gospel is the life-permeating, world-altering, universe-changing truth. It has more facets than a diamond. It's depths man will never exhaust.” CJ MahaneyCJ Mahaney quoted above is the head of Sovereign Grace Ministries (SGM) and was recently named in a lawsuit along with several others by… Continue reading Spousal Abuse in Sovereign Grace Ministries Churches?
Responses to Lawsuit Filed against Sovereign Grace Ministries
Earlier I discussed the impact of the internet and bloggers on churches with regard to how they handle abuse issues and ended with this paragraph:I will be highlighting one of the above church groups in the next post because there's a whole lot of shakin' going on and it is important to keep tabs on this… Continue reading Responses to Lawsuit Filed against Sovereign Grace Ministries
Lawsuit Against Sovereign Grace Ministries: Failure to Report Sex Abuse
Ok, here we go again. As discussed in this post, it's very important to watch the trends in church. People are not willing to tolerate the fact that church leaders overlook sex abuse anymore. Pastors and church leaders are failing to properly notify authorities and we have discussed this issue as well. Something must be done and… Continue reading Lawsuit Against Sovereign Grace Ministries: Failure to Report Sex Abuse
Are Bloggers & the Internet Having a Direct Effect on Churches and Their Policies?
Before I get to the subject of this article, I wanted to give a brief update on my court case: I've had a few people asking me on the blog and privately if my former pastor has paid the attorney's fees. He and/or the church did pay the attorney fees for the two defendants who… Continue reading Are Bloggers & the Internet Having a Direct Effect on Churches and Their Policies?
Mandatory Reporting Laws for Clergy: Loopholes for Abuse
* * * Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death. See what this godly sorrow has produced in you: what earnestness, what eagerness to clear yourselves, what indignation, what alarm, what longing, what concern, what readiness to see justice done. At every… Continue reading Mandatory Reporting Laws for Clergy: Loopholes for Abuse
Instrumental Voices in Leaving an Abusive Church Environment
Over the weekend, there was great discussion on how we can best help friends who still remain in an abusive church. It is so frustrating to be on the outside knowing they are seemingly stuck in that spiritually abusive environment. I thought of Pastor Ken Garrett and his experience in an abusive church/cult and wondered if… Continue reading Instrumental Voices in Leaving an Abusive Church Environment
Spiritual Abuse: Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing
Raymond has been a regular blog reader and his very sad personal story is posted here: Can Spiritual Abuse Destroy a Marriage? Paul's Story. At that time, he was going by the pseudonym, "Paul". Raymond is trying to move on with his life after his heart-wrenching church experience. It has now been around 9 months… Continue reading Spiritual Abuse: Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing
Pastor Edwin Young, Faith Tabernacle, Jordan Young Information
A few weeks ago, I took a detour on the blog and posted a few articles on the Faith Tabernacle fiasco in Junction City, Kansas. I continue to get a lot of search hits from people looking for: Faith Tabernacle, Edwin Young, Jordan Young, Oneness Pentecostal, UPC, etc. The articles highlighted sexual abuse,… Continue reading Pastor Edwin Young, Faith Tabernacle, Jordan Young Information
How can we best help friends who remain in an abusive church?
A horrible and shocking thing has happened in this land— the prophets give false prophecies, and the priests rule with an iron hand.Worse yet, my people like it that way! But what will you do when the end comes? Jeremiah 5:30-31Reader Rebecca Kvenvolden asks a great question and suggested it as a topic for a post. I think… Continue reading How can we best help friends who remain in an abusive church?
A Sign of Hope Among the Mayhem in Church Abuse
Why do bloggers expose church leaders who abuse? Because there is a PROBLEM. The problem leaves lasting effects - sometimes eternally. We will never know the full outcome of destruction caused by pastors who abuse - whether they abuse spiritually, sexually, emotionally, etc. And church leaders will not be motivated to fix anything until they… Continue reading A Sign of Hope Among the Mayhem in Church Abuse
Blogger Faces Possible Excommunication
There appears to be an ongoing problem with churches and spiritual abuse bloggers. I've been sued for blogging about my former church, attorneys for Calvary Chapel Visalia are apparently working on a defamation lawsuit against blogger Alex Grenier, YouTube blogger, Kevin Oliver had his YouTube account deactivated after posting this video: Kevin sued YouTube and later… Continue reading Blogger Faces Possible Excommunication
Pastor Bob Grenier of Calvary Chapel to File Defamation Lawsuit Against Son and Blogger?
* * * * * Not too long ago, I followed quite a few referral hits on my blog and came upon the Calvary Chapel News blog run by Alex Grenier. Alex had been following my lawsuit story and shared my… Continue reading Pastor Bob Grenier of Calvary Chapel to File Defamation Lawsuit Against Son and Blogger?
Spiritual Sounding Board 