Abuse Systems and Transformation Tools, BGBC Lawsuit, Sexual Abuse/Assault and Churches, Sovereign Grace Ministries

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

Abuse Systems and Transformation Tools, BGBC Lawsuit, Sexual Abuse/Assault and Churches, Sovereign Grace Ministries, Spiritual Abuse

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

BGBC Lawsuit, Sexual Abuse/Assault and Churches, Sovereign Grace Ministries

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

BGBC Lawsuit, Misuse of Scripture, Sexual Abuse/Assault and Churches, Sovereign Grace Ministries

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

BGBC Lawsuit, Calvary Chapel Franchise, Calvary Chapel Lawsuit, It's All About the Image

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?

BGBC Lawsuit, Failure to Report Crimes, Mandatory Reporting, Sexual Abuse/Assault and Churches, Sovereign Grace Ministries

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

BGBC Lawsuit, It's All About the Image, Sexual Abuse/Assault and Churches, Sovereign Grace Ministries

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

BGBC Google Reviews

The BGBC Google Review Soap Opera

Some readers have been watching the Google reviews on my former church and sometimes give me a "heads up" if they notice new or strange activity.  I guess it's like a form of warped entertainment?   haha   Pass the bon bons, I've got on my loungewear, let's go.  Anyway, I've had a few laughs… Continue reading The BGBC Google Review Soap Opera

BGBC Lawsuit, Sovereign Grace Ministries

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

BGBC Lawsuit, Calvary Chapel Franchise, Calvary Chapel Lawsuit

Is Calvary Chapel Visalia Pastor Bob Grenier Tweeting about Lawsuit?

Look at Pastor Bob Grenier's tweet he sent out yesterday -  the same day that the lawsuit was filed/public.   Do you suppose there is a hidden message to anyone or did that verse just "happen" to come to him?  

BGBC Lawsuit, Sovereign Grace Ministries

Attorney Susan Burke representing Plaintiffs in Sovereign Grace Ministries Lawsuit Gives Radio Interview

Susan Burke, the attorney representing the plaintiffs moms/victims in the Sovereign Grace Lawsuit gives a radio interview on Janet Mefferd Show.  It is about 20 minutes long.  The interview is excellent.Some of the topics you will hear:The church's focus on reconciliation:  3-yr old sex abuse victim is forced to reconcile with the abuser  The church… Continue reading Attorney Susan Burke representing Plaintiffs in Sovereign Grace Ministries Lawsuit Gives Radio Interview

BGBC Google Reviews

BGBC Church Members Still Leaving Reviews on Google

*** I know - this is a quick diversion.  I just could not help myself. Remember this guy?   The Energizer bunny?  The bumping down of reviews by current church members reminds me of that old Energizer Bunny commercial - - - who keeps going and going and going and going and going and going… Continue reading BGBC Church Members Still Leaving Reviews on Google

BGBC Lawsuit, Bloggers and Freedom of Speech, C.J. Mahaney, Calvary Chapel Lawsuit, Grace Community Church, John MacArthur, Resident Artist Drawings, Sexual Abuse/Assault and Churches, Sovereign Grace Ministries, Spiritual Abuse, Spiritual Bullies

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?

BGBC Lawsuit, Calvary Chapel Franchise, Calvary Chapel Lawsuit, Spiritual Abuse

Pastor Bob Grenier of Calvary Chapel to File Defamation Lawsuit Against Son and Blogger?

*          *         *          *          * Not too long ago, I followed quite a few referral hits on my blog and came upon the Calvary Chapel News blog run by Alex Grenier.    Alex had been following my lawsuit story and shared my… Continue reading Pastor Bob Grenier of Calvary Chapel to File Defamation Lawsuit Against Son and Blogger?

BGBC Lawsuit

Beauty from Ashes after the Lawsuit

John 15:12-15 “This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends. You are My friends if you do whatever I command you. No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know… Continue reading Beauty from Ashes after the Lawsuit

BGBC Lawsuit

Who Will Pay for the Defamation Lawsuit Against Former Members?

A man without self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls.(Proverbs 25:28 ESV)My attorney sent me a copy of the court documents submitted for fees.  I expected the fees to be a little higher, but they are still a big chunk of change.Here is the top portion of the document:Many people have… Continue reading Who Will Pay for the Defamation Lawsuit Against Former Members?

ABUSE & VIOLENCE IN THE CHURCH, ABUSIVE FAITH & PRACTICE, BGBC Google Reviews, BGBC Lawsuit, Bloggers and Freedom of Speech, Crazy Things Church Leaders Say & Do, Extra-Biblical Nonsense, Spiritual Abuse, Spiritual Bullies

Chuck O’Neal of Beaverton Grace Bible Church Issues Press Release

Sheep-Dog, a regular reader here, wanted to see the original press release from our former pastor.  The link to the original "press release" is no longer working at The Wartburg Watch and the document was apparently removed from the BGBC website.  A reader sent O'Neal an e-mail and this press release was included in O'Neal's… Continue reading Chuck O’Neal of Beaverton Grace Bible Church Issues Press Release

BGBC Lawsuit, Need a Good Laugh?, Reader's Prose

New Milestone and News Article

  Wow - a milestone - over 200,000 blog hits.  That's awesome and sad at the same time.  It's always sad that there is a need for this kind of blog, but it's great that people are reading and hopefully learning, praying, and spreading the word about this real issue happening in so many churches.… Continue reading New Milestone and News Article

BGBC Google Reviews, BGBC Lawsuit, CHRISTIAN LEADERS, Christian Love, Fred Butler, Spiritual Abuse, Spiritual Bullies

The World is Watching Us

*** One of the key signs of a healthy person and a healthy church is looking at the fruit they exhibit.  What kind of love do they show?  How do they model Christ to the world?  The world is watching and judging. I read some words yesterday that were shocking to me on many levels.… Continue reading The World is Watching Us

BGBC Google Reviews, BGBC Lawsuit, Courtship, Extra-Biblical Nonsense, Homeschool Movement, Julie Anne's Personal Stories, Leaving the Church, Legalism, Modesty and Purity Teachings, Parenting, Personal Stories, Shunning, Spiritual Abuse, Stay-At-Home Daughters Movement, SURVIVOR STORIES

Hannah’s Personal Story in Her Own Words

Readers:  I've had this post in my "draft posts" for quite some time, but the time to post it is now and I will explain more about that very soon.  You'll see why it is important to hear from her own words. I shared my perspective of Hannah's story in the most popular blog post,… Continue reading Hannah’s Personal Story in Her Own Words