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: Sexual Abuse/Assault and Churches
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
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?
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
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
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
Polish-a-Shaft Pastor Signs Plea Deal for Sex with Minor
Remember the former "polish-a-shaft" pastor, Jack Schaap of 15,000-member mega-church Hammond First Baptist Church in Indiana I discussed here: Too Crazy for Words? Just in case you missed the video the first time around, I dare you to watch it. Do you suppose anyone in the church could have imagined that this dude had some… Continue reading Polish-a-Shaft Pastor Signs Plea Deal for Sex with Minor
Buh-Bye Pastor Edwin Young
Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall. Proverbs 16:18 I think there was a reason why our Wednesday evening services were not taped. The truth would have been undeniably exposed. Instead, we are left to deal with people like FB who say our problem is that we have an issue of… Continue reading Buh-Bye Pastor Edwin Young
Do I have an unforgiving heart?
David, a blog reader, has been having dialogue with me and others in the comments section on previous posts and I wanted to highlight some of his comments and address them publicly. We were discussing his thoughts that focusing on my personal stories shows a lack of forgiveness. I asked David what forgiveness looks like… Continue reading Do I have an unforgiving heart?
Julie Anne’s Musings
Countdown: 4 more days until court hearing, drawn by 9-yr old Resident Artist I have been inundated with requests to set up a Legal Defense fund. That blesses my socks off. Thank you for your support in this practical way. * * * * * * * * * * * * * *… Continue reading Julie Anne’s Musings
Spiritual Sounding Board 