*** My friend, Pastor Jeff Crippen, who blogs about domestic violence at A Cry for Justice posted the following note on the A Cry for Justice Facebook page and I asked pretty please if I could share it with you. Yes, I really did say, "pretty please." LOL Sadly, at Spiritual Sounding Board, we do often… Continue reading Why Don’t Young People go to Church?
Category: Sexual Abuse/Assault and Churches
Bill Gothard’s New Program/Ministry: Total Success Power Teams
Bill Gothard launches new accountability ministry/program: Total Success Power Teams BACKGROUND A few weeks ago, I was given some information regarding a new "program" that Bill Gothard is promoting. I was shocked that he'd want to get back in the saddle of ministry work so soon after resigning from the Board of the Institute in Basic… Continue reading Bill Gothard’s New Program/Ministry: Total Success Power Teams
Soul Tied: Harmful Spiritual Conclusions about Sex Abuse, Purity Culture, and Sex Abuse Victims
*** Christian leaders put their spiritual spin on sexual abuse and premarital sex and devalue young women in the process. *** The church has sometimes done a poor job on handling sex abuse and premarital sex and I was reminded once again this week. But let me back up and give other examples of how… Continue reading Soul Tied: Harmful Spiritual Conclusions about Sex Abuse, Purity Culture, and Sex Abuse Victims
Hillsong Sex Abuse Scandal to be Investigated by Australian Officials
*** Investigators will look into sexual abuse allegations against Hillsong Pastor Brian Houston's late father and founder of the Pentecostal movement, Frank Houston, in Australia *** Sometimes I just want to scream and today is one of those days. This morning a reader alerted me to the breaking Hillsong sex abuse inquiry in Australia. The sex… Continue reading Hillsong Sex Abuse Scandal to be Investigated by Australian Officials
When Christian Fathers Own Their Daughters, A Personal Story: I was a Female Slave in Training
*** A personal story of a father who used Christianity and the Bible as a weapon as he controlled his daughter and allowed her to be abused. *** In my recent article, So, what does John MacArthur really think about young women going to college? "Guest" made a comment that is too important to be buried in the… Continue reading When Christian Fathers Own Their Daughters, A Personal Story: I was a Female Slave in Training
Insurance Company Files Legal Complaint against Doug Phillips, Vision Forum, and Lourdes Torres-Manteufel
*** Assurance Company of America files legal complaint against Doug Phillips, Vision Forum, Inc., Vision Forum Ministries, and Lourdes Torres-Manteufel *** On August 26, 2014, Assurance Company of America filed a legal complaint for "Declaratory Judgment" against The Vision Forum, Inc., Vision Forum Ministries, Doug Phillips, and Lourdes Torres-Manteufel. I have no legal background except… Continue reading Insurance Company Files Legal Complaint against Doug Phillips, Vision Forum, and Lourdes Torres-Manteufel
From Silence to Exposure: Why did Homeschool Leader Michael Farris Speak Out Now?
*** Michael Farris speaks out against teachings of two fallen Homeschool Movement leaders, Doug Phillips and Bill Gothard, but why now? *** ** Michael Farris, one of the pillars of the modern Homeschool Movement and founders of Homeschool Legal Defense Association (HSLDA) and founding president of Patrick Henry College, released an article addressing abuses within the… Continue reading From Silence to Exposure: Why did Homeschool Leader Michael Farris Speak Out Now?
Dr. Albert Mohler and Response to Sex Abuse in Churches
Albert Mohler and Church Leaders' Response to Sex Abuse in Christian Churches I ran across a blog post that made me shout, "YES!" Blog author, Laura Lowe at Connections and Conundrums, has graciously has allowed me to cross post it here. Thank you, Laura, for speaking out on such an important topic! ~Julie Anne … Continue reading Dr. Albert Mohler and Response to Sex Abuse in Churches
A Pastor is Challenged after Releasing a Disturbing and Potentially Dangerous Article Directed to Wives of “Difficult” Husbands
Article by Pastor D. Scott Meadows' article, A Christian Wife's Marriage Catechism, creates a stir among the survivor community. I've been watching an important sequence of events unfolding in the blogosphere. Pastor D. Scott Meadows of Calvary Baptist Church (Reformed) in New Hampshire wrote an article, A Christian Wife’s Marriage Catechism. The catechism is a list… Continue reading A Pastor is Challenged after Releasing a Disturbing and Potentially Dangerous Article Directed to Wives of “Difficult” Husbands
Open Letter to Editors of Christianity Today from Ex-Wife of Pedophile: “Predators in Our Midst”
Ex-wife of convicted pedophile writes open letter to Editors of Christianity Today after they published and then removed an article written by a former youth pastor and convicted pedophile. Sometimes when people go through a horrific experience, they become an expert in their "field" from what they learn and are able to benefit so many… Continue reading Open Letter to Editors of Christianity Today from Ex-Wife of Pedophile: “Predators in Our Midst”
Learn to Discern: Let’s Explore “A Time of Transition,” the Newly Released Statement from IBLP Regarding Bill Gothard
*** The Board at Institute in Basic Life Principles (IBLP) has released a statement following an "investigation" of allegations against Bill Gothard. *** We can learn a lot by observing how leaders of Christian groups respond to sexual abuse allegations. Let's go through the statement together with a discerning eye and discuss any issues that you see… Continue reading Learn to Discern: Let’s Explore “A Time of Transition,” the Newly Released Statement from IBLP Regarding Bill Gothard
Sexual Abuse Advocates Are Making a Real Difference and Giving Victims a Voice through Social Media
*** Taking a closer look at two recent cases: The Christian Post and Leadership Journal (published by Christianity Today) made bad judgment calls in their articles, but later retracted and made amends because of powerful voices defending victims. *** by Julie Anne Sometimes it seems like we are not getting anywhere when it comes to defending… Continue reading Sexual Abuse Advocates Are Making a Real Difference and Giving Victims a Voice through Social Media
Standing Together for Victims of Abuse in the SBC and SGM
*** Standing together for victims of abuse in the SBC and SGM Clergy abuse victims to leaflet outside the Southern Baptist Convention meeting in Baltimore Statement from Pam Palmer of the SGM Civil Lawsuit On Monday, June 9, the Maryland Court of Special Appeals heard our Appeal. We are hopeful but must now await the… Continue reading Standing Together for Victims of Abuse in the SBC and SGM
Sovereign Grace Ministries Sex Abuse Lawsuit and Tullian Tchividjian
Update on the Sovereign Grace Ministries sex abuse court case and Tullian Tchividjian's clarification of his related statements concerning his “breakup” with The Gospel Coalition. After recently posting this article in which I expressed concern that Tullian Tchividjian failed to make any mention of the SGM sex abuse survivors in his apology, An Open Letter… Continue reading Sovereign Grace Ministries Sex Abuse Lawsuit and Tullian Tchividjian
An Open Letter to Tullian Tchividjian, Including a Personal Note from a Sex Abuse Survivor
*** An Open Letter to Tullian Tchividjian, Including a Personal Note from a Sex Abuse Survivor *** Pastor Tchividjian, As a blogger who deals with abuse in church and connects with survivors of spiritual and sexual abuse, I wanted to share with you some of the feedback I have received regarding your recent Christian Post article, Tullian Tchividjian… Continue reading An Open Letter to Tullian Tchividjian, Including a Personal Note from a Sex Abuse Survivor
Which “Attorney David Gibbs” Leads the Lawsuit of Lourdes Torres-Manteufel vs Douglas Phillips – the Father, or the Son?
* * * * * * * There are two Christian lawyers named David C. Gibbs - Jr. is the father and III is the son. This post seeks to halt the ongoing confusion about which Gibbs serves as lead attorney for Lourdes Torres-Manteufel in her civil suit against Doug Phillips and Vision Forum.… Continue reading Which “Attorney David Gibbs” Leads the Lawsuit of Lourdes Torres-Manteufel vs Douglas Phillips – the Father, or the Son?
Why The Gospel Coalition – or at least Al Mohler and Company – Must Apologize
** Taylor Joy Responds to the recent developments at The Gospel Coalition involving Joe Carter, Tullian Tchividjian, C.J. Mahaney ** Many people are responding to the recent developments with Tullian Tchividjian being booted from The Gospel Coalition (TGC), ridiculous comments and vitriol by Joe Carter, public spokesman of The Gospel Coalition, TGC's support of and… Continue reading Why The Gospel Coalition – or at least Al Mohler and Company – Must Apologize
The Gospel Coalition Shake-Up – Tullian Tchividjian and Too Much Grace for The Gospel Coalition?
*** Tullian Tchividjian is booted from The Gospel Coalition (TGC) website while C.J. Mahaney and Josh Harris quietly leave TGC council amidst ongoing sex abuse lawsuits in which a former Sovereign Grace Ministries volunteer is found guilty of sex abuse charges. *** Confirmation bias regarding one's friends can become a powerful weapon against the… Continue reading The Gospel Coalition Shake-Up – Tullian Tchividjian and Too Much Grace for The Gospel Coalition?
BREAKING NEWS: Verdict in Nathaniel Morales Sex Abuse Case – Guilty on All Five Counts
*** Nathaniel Morales found guilty on all counts of sex abuse. Pastor said under oath he failed to report sex abuse to authorities. Not looking good for Sovereign Grace Ministries and C.J. Mahaney. ** Brent Detwiler just reported this on his Facebook page. He was there. Will try to update later. … Continue reading BREAKING NEWS: Verdict in Nathaniel Morales Sex Abuse Case – Guilty on All Five Counts
Six Homeschool Brothers Arrested for Alleged Sex Abuse against Younger Sister
*** Six brothers from a large homeschool family were arrested for allegedly sexually violating their younger sister for 10 years. Parents, John and Nita Jackson, were also charged for failing to report. Two of the brothers were members of Scott Brown's (NCFIC) Hope Bible Church. *** Six North Carolina brothers were arrested last week… Continue reading Six Homeschool Brothers Arrested for Alleged Sex Abuse against Younger Sister