* * * "Pulpit", from the eyes of my 9-yr old son * * * According to Wikipedia.org, a bully pulpit is: "An older term within the U.S. Government, a bully pulpit is a public office or other position of authority of sufficiently high rank that provides… Continue reading The Bully Pulpit
Category: ABUSE & VIOLENCE IN THE CHURCH
Is Your Pastor Acting as Your Holy Spirit?
*** ** Someone referred to an article in the comment's section of this post: You Just Can't Make This Stuff Up, Part 2. As I read the original article, this paragraph struck me. From the article, 'Authoritarianism in The Church" by Steve Martin Sadly, in too many congregations today, sheep are driven by a man… Continue reading Is Your Pastor Acting as Your Holy Spirit?
Pastors as Rulers? What Does the Bible Say?
Not long ago, I posted a series on Hebrews 13:17 (Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you.) and how this verse is often… Continue reading Pastors as Rulers? What Does the Bible Say?
Youth Groups? Not at Our Church!
* * * We learned very quickly that there was no youth group at Beaverton Grace Bible Church, and it was a fact that was broadcast from the pulpit. Our church was unique. Most churches had youth groups, and the impression was that having an established youth group was for entertainment… Continue reading Youth Groups? Not at Our Church!
Children’s Church at Beaverton Grace Bible Church
* * * My children regularly attended children's church. Regretfully, my husband and I did not take note of what was being taught in children's church. We trusted everything was fine because we trusted the leadership. It was shocking to me when I discovered after 2 years and two months that… Continue reading Children’s Church at Beaverton Grace Bible Church
The No-Talk Rule is Not Allowed Here!
*** This mom's comment breaks my heart. I can relate with it so well. We as moms try to make sure our children are safe, are raised in a loving and nurturing environment. Having to acknowledge that we failed when we were doing our best is a tough pill to swallow. AnonymousApr 3, 2012 10:46… Continue reading The No-Talk Rule is Not Allowed Here!
Disobedient Children and Meetings with the Pastor
I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth. 3 John 1:4 On our very first Sunday at the church, I recall being in the nursery with my baby. A sweet teenager was helping with childcare and she told me in a matter-of-fact way that she… Continue reading Disobedient Children and Meetings with the Pastor
Chuck O’Neal Secretly Recorded Private Conversations
* * * Pastor Chuck O'Neal sometimes recorded private conversations without getting permission from involved parties. The elders were aware of this practice as you will read below. This was not a rare practice for him according to some people who personally saw this taking place. I'm wondering how many churches… Continue reading Chuck O’Neal Secretly Recorded Private Conversations
White Hanky Award: "Hypocricy" by Anonymous Commenter
** I've visited a couple of "African-American" churches - of course they would welcome anybody, but they were primarily filled with African-Americans. They were so warm and loving. The services were exciting and the joy of the Lord was acknowledged loudly and from the heart. I love to see how other churches praise God. … Continue reading White Hanky Award: "Hypocricy" by Anonymous Commenter
Comparing the Two, Part 3
This is the final post of a 3-part series comparing the characteristics of dictators with people who spiritually abuse. The other two parts can be found here: Comparing the Two, Part 1 Comparing the Two, Part 2 "Anonymous" posted this comment on Part 1: The last sentence really made my head spin. I had been thinking of… Continue reading Comparing the Two, Part 3
Comparing the Two, Part 2
This post is continued from Comparing the Two, Part 1. Some might ask how one can begin to compare the atrocities of physical starvation and beatings at the hands of a dictator to the emotional/spiritual abuse by pastor/elders of a church. They seem worlds different. I understand that question. The physical abuse mentioned in the… Continue reading Comparing the Two, Part 2
Comparing the Two, Part 1
I read a heart-wrenching story on CNN.com yesterday (In North Korea, a brutal choice) about North Korean defectors and what they have to go through to survive and get to freedom. It was very difficult to read. Some of the paragraphs grabbed my attention because of the similarities in leadership tactics between dictators and authoritarian… Continue reading Comparing the Two, Part 1
One Month and I Feel Good
** It's been one month since this blog was created. After noticing my Google reviews on Beaverton Grace Bible Church were being removed from the Google review website without any explanation, I began this blog to share my story because I felt my voice was being taken from me. I don't get this idea of… Continue reading One Month and I Feel Good
Obey Those Who Rule Over You, and Be Submissive, Part 1
* * * One of the last Sundays at the church, I arrived only to discover that our long-time personal friend who was also on staff at the church was fired. We were shocked and deeply saddened. I had arrived early for praise and worship practice as normal, but was obviously… Continue reading Obey Those Who Rule Over You, and Be Submissive, Part 1
Yesterday’s Comment
Last night "Anonymous" left the following comment and I felt it was worthy of a whole blog post. The snippets of paragraphs come from the article entitled, "When Should a Christian Leave a Church" at the Battered Sheep website (also noted in this blog's sidebar). The entire comment is indented and italicized; my comments will… Continue reading Yesterday’s Comment
Does This Sound Familiar?
I ran across this post a while back from SGMSurvivors Blog and bookmarked it because a lot of it rang true to my experience. I wonder if anyone else can identify with it:1. A person has a difference of opinion, a question, or a problem.2. As he’s been trained to do, he approaches leadership with… Continue reading Does This Sound Familiar?
Rest, Little Kitty
This kitty found us not too long ago. She was an abandoned kitten and her life existed in in the cold and bitter winter, constantly searching for food and shelter. The kids placed some food and milk outside and she hung around a bit, coming and going. Gradually, she let them pet her. To the… Continue reading Rest, Little Kitty
List of Cultic Tendencies
Charles Lester wrote a list of cultic tendencies (originally posted Oct. 1991 in Spiritual Counterfeits Project newsletter) which can be viewed in full online at the Battered Sheep website. The entire list can be found here. Below are the items that hit a nerve with me. Is your pastor fully accountable to a board of… Continue reading List of Cultic Tendencies
Authoritarianism in the Church
Candidacy for Spiritual Abuse: Don’t Develop Your Independent Thinking Skills In my family's personal story at BGBC, after the abrupt firing of a staff employee, the pastor had a church meeting and mentioned that if anyone had questions, he and the elders would be available to answer questions. My husband and I set an… Continue reading Authoritarianism in the Church
You Won’t Find a Better Church
** Proverbs 27:2 Let another man praise you, and not your own mouth; A stranger, and not your own lips. Isaiah 5:21 Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes and clever in their own sight. Throughout our time at BGBC, we came across this message on a consistent basis: you won't find… Continue reading You Won’t Find a Better Church
Spiritual Sounding Board 