Clergy Sex Abuse, Divorce, It's All About the Image, Marriages Damaged-Destroyed by Sp. Ab., Mental Health and the Church, Narcissistic Pastors, Personal Stories, Recovery Process, Spiritual Abuse, SURVIVOR STORIES, Tullian Tchividjian, Women and the Church

Survivor of Tullian Tchividjian’s Alleged Clergy Sexual Abuse Goes Public with Her Story – Part 1

Tullian Tchividjian, Personal Survivor Story, Clergy Sex Abuse LINKS: My Story:  Part #1.  Part #2.  Part #3.  Part #4.  Part #5. *     *     *     *     *     *     * An Introduction, from Julie Anne Smith and Brad Sargent Several of those who have alleged victimization by Tullian Tchividjian have contacted me (Julie Anne) over the past… Continue reading Survivor of Tullian Tchividjian’s Alleged Clergy Sexual Abuse Goes Public with Her Story – Part 1

Clergy Sex Abuse, Divorce, It's All About the Image, Marriages Damaged-Destroyed by Sp. Ab., Mental Health and the Church, Narcissistic Pastors, Personal Stories, Recovery Process, Spiritual Abuse, SURVIVOR STORIES, Tullian Tchividjian, Women and the Church

Survivor of Tullian Tchividjian’s Alleged Clergy Sexual Abuse Goes Public with Her Story – Part 2

Tullian Tchividjian, Personal Survivor Story, Clergy Sex Abuse LINKS: My Story:  Part #1.  Part #2.  Part #3.  Part #4.  Part #5. Editors' note: This is Part 2, a continuation of Rachel's story which began here. The remaining parts of the series will be posted soon. Edited to add 11/30/16: This is Rachel's story, and she… Continue reading Survivor of Tullian Tchividjian’s Alleged Clergy Sexual Abuse Goes Public with Her Story – Part 2

Clergy Sex Abuse, Divorce, It's All About the Image, Marriages Damaged-Destroyed by Sp. Ab., Mental Health and the Church, Narcissistic Pastors, Personal Stories, Recovery Process, Spiritual Abuse, SURVIVOR STORIES, Tullian Tchividjian, Women and the Church

Survivor of Tullian Tchividjian’s Alleged Clergy Sexual Abuse Goes Public with Her Story – Part 3

Tullian Tchividjian, Personal Survivor Story, Clergy Sex Abuse LINKS: My Story:  Part #1.  Part #2.  Part #3.  Part #4.  Part #5. Editors' Note: This is Rachel’s story, and she is sharing what she recalls of her relationship with Tullian Tchividjian. She is sharing her facts, opinions, and what she believes to be true. Tullian is… Continue reading Survivor of Tullian Tchividjian’s Alleged Clergy Sexual Abuse Goes Public with Her Story – Part 3

Clergy Sex Abuse, Divorce, It's All About the Image, Marriages Damaged-Destroyed by Sp. Ab., Mental Health and the Church, Narcissistic Pastors, Personal Stories, Recovery Process, Spiritual Abuse, SURVIVOR STORIES, Tullian Tchividjian, Women and the Church

Survivor of Tullian Tchividjian’s Alleged Clergy Sexual Abuse Goes Public with Her Story – Part 4

Tullian Tchividjian, Personal Survivor Story, Clergy Sex Abuse LINKS: My Story: Part #1.  Part #2.  Part #3.  Part #4.  Part #5. Editors' Note: This is Rachel’s story, and she is sharing what she recalls of her relationship with Tullian Tchividjian. She is sharing her facts, opinions, and what she believes to be true. Tullian is… Continue reading Survivor of Tullian Tchividjian’s Alleged Clergy Sexual Abuse Goes Public with Her Story – Part 4

Authoritative Preaching, Emotional Responses, Leaving the Church, Personal Stories, Recovery Process, Spiritual Abuse, Spiritual Bullies, Stories of Hope

A Father Shares the Fallout His Family is Facing after Being in a High-Controlling Church

Spiritual abuse, children, mental health, high-controlling church, NAR, New Apostolic Reformation *** Special note:  I am in Chicago until 11/5 and would love to get together with survivors or those interested in helping survivors. If you would like to meet up, please contact me and let's see if we can arrange a gathering.  spiritualsb@gmail.com  … Continue reading A Father Shares the Fallout His Family is Facing after Being in a High-Controlling Church

Authoritative Preaching, Beaverton Grace Bible Church, C.J. Mahaney, Chuck O'Neal, Extra-Biblical Nonsense, Julie Anne's Personal Stories, Legalism, Misuse of Scripture, Spiritual Abuse, Spiritual Authority, Spiritual Bullies, Troubling Tweets

How our Pastor’s Biblical Interpretation Can Affect Our Understanding of Scripture and God

*** This is a very insightful statement from C.J. Mahaney.   https://twitter.com/CJMahaney/status/739414015546404864 When a pastor preaches,  he is leading his congregation in his interpretation of Scripture. It may or may not be correct. I know from reading many personal stories of those who were Mahaney's church that his teachings caused spiritual harm. I don't think… Continue reading How our Pastor’s Biblical Interpretation Can Affect Our Understanding of Scripture and God

Abuse Systems and Transformation Tools, Authoritative Preaching, Beaverton Grace Bible Church, Chuck O'Neal, Dictators, Doctrine as Idol, Doug Wilson, Grace Community Church, Harvest Bible Chapel, James MacDonald, John MacArthur, Julie Anne's Personal Stories, Leaving the Church, Legalism, Recovery Process, Shunning, Spiritual Abuse, Spiritual Authority, Spiritual Bullies

Help! My Family Member or Close Friend is Trapped in a High-Controlling Church or Cult. How Can I Encourage Them to Leave?

How to help a family member or friend leave a high-controlling church group or cult: spiritual abuse, trapped, thought reform, mind control, freedom   “Mind control is the process by which individual or collective freedom of choice and action is compromised by agents or agencies that modify or distort perception, motivation, affect, cognition and/or behavioral… Continue reading Help! My Family Member or Close Friend is Trapped in a High-Controlling Church or Cult. How Can I Encourage Them to Leave?

ABUSE RECOVERY PROCESS-PROBLEMS, Christian Love, Compassion in Action, Emotional Responses, Leaving the Church, Spiritual Abuse, Spiritual Bullies

The Gift of Standing in the Trenches with a Survivor

  https://youtu.be/UIt3dx4an9c   *** “Being heard is so close to being loved that for the average person, they are almost indistinguishable.” ― David Augsburger The other day, a spiritual abuse survivor and friend I met last year in Moscow, Idaho, posted the following quote by Dr. Diane Langberg on her Facebook wall. Please read it… Continue reading The Gift of Standing in the Trenches with a Survivor

Doug Phillips & Vision Forum, Family Integrated Churches, Full-Quiver, Homeschool Movement, Lourdes Torres vs Doug Phillips lawsuit, Marriages Damaged-Destroyed by Sp. Ab., Sexual Abuse/Assault and Churches, Spiritual Abuse, Vision Forum, Women and the Church

Doug Phillips: The Sex Abuse Lawsuit Conclusion and Epilogue of His Vision Forum Shipwreck

*** Doug Phillips Lawsuit, Lourdes Torres, Sex Abuse, Vision Forum, Spiritual Abuse   *** It's been a long while since there have been any updates on the Lourdes Torres vs Douglas Phillips lawsuit. Normally, I received updates from Attorney David C. Gibbs III, who represented Lourdes Torres. Either he would e-mail or text me, or… Continue reading Doug Phillips: The Sex Abuse Lawsuit Conclusion and Epilogue of His Vision Forum Shipwreck

Bill Gothard, Bill Gothard & IBLP Lawsuit, IBLP and ATI, Lourdes Torres vs Doug Phillips lawsuit, Sexual Abuse/Assault and Churches, Spiritual Abuse

Attorney Representing Victims of Bill Gothard Disqualified; Support for Survivors

David C. Gibbs III, Bill Gothard, Sex Abuse, IBLP, ATI, Lawsuit   There have been very important developments in the sex abuse lawsuit against Institute for Basic Life Principles and Bill Gothard. David C. Gibbs III, the attorney representing the plaintiffs  - the victims of alleged sex abuse by Bill Gothard - has been disqualified… Continue reading Attorney Representing Victims of Bill Gothard Disqualified; Support for Survivors

Leaving the Church, Recovery Process, Spiritual Abuse, SPIRITUAL ABUSE RECOVERY

If Being Hurt by the Church Causes You to Lose Faith in God . . .

  This meme was posted on Facebook. For those who have been harmed by church leaders/people, what does this message say to you?  I'd love to read your first impressions of this meme.   https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1030079060400810&set=a.657459694329417.1073741837.100001961781470&type=3    

Julie Anne's Personal Stories, Learn to Discern, Personal Stories, Recovery Process, Spiritual Abuse, SPIRITUAL ABUSE RECOVERY

The Bully: Familiar Feelings, Completely Different Environment

Spiritual abuse, bullies, connections, gaslighting *** A few weeks ago, I started Spring term at college. The professor has a PhD in her field, and told us she's been teaching from high school level to grad school since the 80s.  READ: she's no spring chicken and has a lot of classroom experience. As the days… Continue reading The Bully: Familiar Feelings, Completely Different Environment

Emotional Responses, Leaving the Church, Personal Stories, Spiritual Abuse, Spiritual Authority

Personal Story: Feeling Stuck after Spiritual Abuse

*** Mark is new to the blog and left a comment on another post yesterday and I have decided to make it into its own post so we can focus on these issues. Maybe some of you have experienced some of what he is going through and can share how you dealt with these issues.… Continue reading Personal Story: Feeling Stuck after Spiritual Abuse

ABUSE & VIOLENCE IN THE CHURCH, Biblical Counseling, Christian Marriage, Divorce, Domestic Violence, Domestic Violence and Churches, Marriage, Marriages Damaged-Destroyed by Sp. Ab., Misuse of Scripture, Spiritual Abuse, Women and the Church

A Challenge to Abused Christian Women Regarding Teachings on Divorce

*** Divorce, domestic violence, church teachings on Biblical divorce, David Instone-Brewer, abuse, Patriarchy, submission ***   For years and years, I was taught that the only reasons Christians could get divorced were for adultery, abandonment, and if an unbelieving spouse wanted a divorce. I believed this wholeheartedly. Sadly, I looked down on people who divorced outside of… Continue reading A Challenge to Abused Christian Women Regarding Teachings on Divorce

Divorce, Domestic Violence, Domestic Violence and Churches, Going Back to Church Again, Learn to Discern, Spiritual Abuse, Spiritual Authority

Learn to Discern: Pastor John Raymond, in His Own Words

Pastor John Raymond, New Horizon Calvary Chapel Church, Slidell, Louisiana, Steven Angle, Spiritual Abuse   Yesterday on Facebook, journalist Ashley Rodrigue of WWLTV posted the following press release from the Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff in Louisiana (typed and screenshot below): by Ashley Rodrigue WWLTV  (PRESS RELEASE) HAMMOND, LA - Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff Daniel Edwards is asking… Continue reading Learn to Discern: Pastor John Raymond, in His Own Words

Calvary Chapel Franchise, Christian Marriage, Clergy Sex Abuse, Divorce, Going Back to Church Again, Marriage, Marriages Damaged-Destroyed by Sp. Ab., Spiritual Abuse, The Gospel Coalition, Tullian Tchividjian

Pastors Tullian Tchividjian + Bob Coy + Sexual Sin + Church Leaders Who Protect Immoral Pastors = A Broken Church

Tullian Tchividjian, Bob Coy, Church Leaders Response, Clergy Sex Abuse, Sexual Infidelity, Spiritual Abuse, Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church, Calvary Chapel Fort Lauderdale   *** I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. He who is a hired hand and not a shepherd, who does not own the sheep,… Continue reading Pastors Tullian Tchividjian + Bob Coy + Sexual Sin + Church Leaders Who Protect Immoral Pastors = A Broken Church

Clergy Sex Abuse, Divorce, It's All About the Image, Leaving the Church, Marriages Damaged-Destroyed by Sp. Ab., Narcissistic Pastors, Sexual Abuse/Assault and Churches, Spiritual Abuse, Spiritual Authority, Spiritual Bullies, Tullian Tchividjian

Tullian Tchividjian and Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church Discussion: “He demanded that people be loyal to him.”

Pastor Tullian Tchividjian, Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church, Willow Creek, Liberate Network, Clergy Sex Abuse, Spiritual Abuse, Repentance, Grace     Hey friends (and welcome to new readers), I am going to do something a little bit different. I suspect many are chomping at the bit to discuss the situation regarding Tullian Tchividjian, so I am… Continue reading Tullian Tchividjian and Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church Discussion: “He demanded that people be loyal to him.”

Doctrine as Idol, Leaving the Church, Spiritual Abuse

New commenter: having difficulty with religious “systems” and wants advice

*** A first-time commenter left a great comment that I'd like to open up for discussion: Hi everyone This is my first time posting on this site and I apologize in advance for its being off topic. I could use some help from some of you who have been through what I’m going through right… Continue reading New commenter: having difficulty with religious “systems” and wants advice

Christian Marriage, It's All About the Image, Marriages Damaged-Destroyed by Sp. Ab., Narcissistic Pastors, Sexual Abuse/Assault and Churches, Spiritual Abuse, Spiritual Authority, Tullian Tchividjian

Tullian Tchividjian is Back, Fully Endorsed by His Pastor, Kevin Labby

Tullian Tchividjian, Pastor Kevin Labby, Liberate Network, Repentance, Clergy Sex Abuse, Restoration *** The word of the Lord came to me: 2 “Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel; prophesy and say to them: ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Woe to you shepherds of Israel who only take care of yourselves! Should… Continue reading Tullian Tchividjian is Back, Fully Endorsed by His Pastor, Kevin Labby

ABUSE & VIOLENCE IN THE CHURCH, Christian Marriage, Divorce, Domestic Violence, Domestic Violence and Churches, Failure to Report Crimes, Feminist Agenda, It's All About the Image, Legalism, Marriage, Marriages Damaged-Destroyed by Sp. Ab., Sexual Abuse/Assault and Churches, Spiritual Abuse, Women and the Church

Domestic Violence is NOT a Marriage Issue, but an Abuse Issue

Domestic Violence, Naghmeh and Saeed Abedini, Divorce, Marriage, Abuse, Church Response to Abuse   Earlier today, I participated in a discussion at  SharperIron.org. The discussion is about Saeed and Naghmeh Abedini and domestic violence. A commenter, dmyers, is having trouble with Naghmeh's earlier statements, challenging her claims of abuse, etc. I have an assignment due in… Continue reading Domestic Violence is NOT a Marriage Issue, but an Abuse Issue