* * * I got all worked up after reading the following article. Of course it was the initial outrage because of the story, but there was something more beneath that story. What was it? Well, of course, it was reminding me of how victims reach out for help from pastors… Continue reading What are the similarities between the SGM and Dubai Abuse Cases?
Category: BGBC Lawsuit
Spiritual Abuse: Who is to Blame? The Pastor or the Congregant?
* * * Wicked shepherds have been around for a long, long time. This passage is from the Old Testament: The word of the Lord came to me: “Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel; prophesy, and say to them, even to the shepherds, Thus says the Lord God: Ah, shepherds of Israel who have… Continue reading Spiritual Abuse: Who is to Blame? The Pastor or the Congregant?
Beware of False Prophets: By Their Fruits You Will Know Them
* * * * * “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. 16 You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles? 17 Even so,… Continue reading Beware of False Prophets: By Their Fruits You Will Know Them
BGBC Defamation Lawsuit Archive: How to Document Spiritual Abuse in Your Church
Every account like this makes a difference for those of us who've survived spiritually abusive situations. And hopefully, in the long run, courageous people like yourself and others who choose to do something will help turn the tide. ~Brad Sargent Stroll back with me to one year ago. A year ago, my life was… Continue reading BGBC Defamation Lawsuit Archive: How to Document Spiritual Abuse in Your Church
10 Most Popular Articles of the Year at BGBC Survivors Blog
It's always fun to watch which blog posts are popular, so I thought it would be interesting to recap the ten most popular blog posts since the inception of the blog late February of 2012. So, here ya go: 1. Buh-Bye Pastor Edwin Young This was a huge surprise to me. I took a… Continue reading 10 Most Popular Articles of the Year at BGBC Survivors Blog
Chuck O’Neal’s Minister’s License is Revoked and Warning to Readers!
Hey folks, we took a trip for a few days and have been chill-axin' a bit after a 10-hour-drive in adverse road conditions yesterday, but this needs to be addressed. During my time away, I became aware that Ken Silva of Apprising Ministries wrote an article announcing that my former pastor, Chuck O'Neal, had his… Continue reading Chuck O’Neal’s Minister’s License is Revoked and Warning to Readers!
John Piper and the Church on Domestic Violence
Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves; ensure justice for those being crushed. 9 Yes, speak up for the poor and helpless, and see that they get justice. Proverbs 31:8-9 In an earlier post, Domestic Violence: Do Pastors Know Best?, I posted a video of a question and answer… Continue reading John Piper and the Church on Domestic Violence
Music and Madness
'Tis the season and my kids and I have been playing a lot of this: and singing in Christmas programs. There are two final music events this week. Music is so wonderfully healing and was certainly a nice distraction from some heavier subjects. But hey, did you happen to read about Westboro Baptist Church's website getting hacked… Continue reading Music and Madness
SGM Flagship Church Covenant Life Church to Cut Ties with Sovereign Grace Ministries
Reports are just coming in from SGMSurvivors.com that members of Covenant Life Church under head pastor, Josh Harris, have voted to sever ties with their parent, Sovereign Grace Ministries (SGM). This is a very big decision. Joshua Harris was mentored by SGM's president, C.J. Mahaney for several years before C.J. turned the reigns over to Josh… Continue reading SGM Flagship Church Covenant Life Church to Cut Ties with Sovereign Grace Ministries
Impostor "True" BGBC Survivors Blog Site Created by Suing Pastor Chuck O’Neal
Just when I thought I had seen it all, there is a new twist in the Beaverton Grace Bible Church (BGBC) saga with Pastor Chuck O'Neal - you remember, the pastor who sued me and 4 others for $500K for defamation. Ya know, us moms always know when our kids are up to no good… Continue reading Impostor "True" BGBC Survivors Blog Site Created by Suing Pastor Chuck O’Neal
Judge Refuses to Drop Charges in Oklahoma Failure to Report Case
One of my big pet peeves is pastors or church leaders who fail to report cases of suspected abuse to civil authorities. I found an update on a case mentioned earlier in this post: Mandatory Reporting Laws for Clergy: Loopholes for AbuseHere is the new update:Okla. Judge Refuses to Drop Child Abuse Charges Against Victory… Continue reading Judge Refuses to Drop Charges in Oklahoma Failure to Report Case
C.J. Mahaney’s Philosophy on Friends: Don’t Bite the Hand that Feeds You
"For you yourselves know, brothers, that our coming to you was not in vain. But though we had already suffered and been shamefully treated at Philippi, as you know, we had boldness in our God to declare to you the gospel of God in the midst of much conflict. For our appeal does not spring… Continue reading C.J. Mahaney’s Philosophy on Friends: Don’t Bite the Hand that Feeds You
Detailing Events and Discerning the Times: Part Two
Detailing Events and Discerning the Times: Part Two © Brad Sargent (brad/futuristguy), November 2012 5. Individual and Crowd-Sourced Snapshots for a Viable Video In Part One, I explained why I felt it was worth spending a day analyzing a Covenant Life Church (CLC) Members Meeting, despite my being an outsider to… Continue reading Detailing Events and Discerning the Times: Part Two
Detailing Events and Discerning the Times: Part One
Detailing Events and Discerning the Times: Part One © Brad Sargent (brad/futuristguy), November 2012 After I wrote my analysis piece on Sovereign Grace Ministries in the previous post, I was asked two questions and invited to share more detail on: Why evaluating a Members Meeting that happened at Covenant Life Church (CLC) over a year… Continue reading Detailing Events and Discerning the Times: Part One
Sovereign Grace Ministries Updated Statement on Lawsuit – Nov. 14, 2012
Sovereign Grace Ministries released yet another new press release today, November 14, 2012, regarding the civil lawsuit filed against Sovereign Grace Ministries. This is their third response. When we dig below the surface of the words, we can see their heart of their agenda. What is the purpose of a press release? It is to… Continue reading Sovereign Grace Ministries Updated Statement on Lawsuit – Nov. 14, 2012
A Word of Encouragement to Abuse Victims Who Use Civil Litigation
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
Calvary Chapel Visalia Pastor Bob Grenier is Helping Which Victims?
"It's hard on your soul to see the pain and the destruction," said Pastor Bob Grenier of Calvary Chapel in Visalia. This is another one of those things that make you go "hmmmmm." Remember Pastor Bob Grenier of Calvary Chapel Visalia? Pastor Bob Grenier and his wife, Gayle, are suing their own son and a former… Continue reading Calvary Chapel Visalia Pastor Bob Grenier is Helping Which Victims?
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
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
Sovereign Grace Ministries Lawsuit: A Victim’s Mom Speaks
For over five months, I have been in personal contact with one of the moms involved in the recent Sovereign Grace lawsuit. I am going to call her SGMMom here. Going over my e-mails I was reminded that she had sent me an e-mail right about the time the media exposed my lawsuit. Here is… Continue reading Sovereign Grace Ministries Lawsuit: A Victim’s Mom Speaks
Spiritual Sounding Board 