Mike Lawyer, Counseling, Abuse in Marriage, Abuse of Authority I have been in contact with a woman named Gen, who has agreed to let me post this letter she received from Mike Lawyer, "on behalf of Christ Church Session." Christ Church is Doug Wilson's church in Moscow, Idaho. If you would like to learn more… Continue reading BREAKING: Leaders at Doug Wilson’s Christ Church Put Woman in Abusive Marriage Under Church Discipline
Category: Personal Stories
Trite, Unhelpful, and Demoralizing Responses to Wives in Harmful Marriages
*** I am posting a comment that came in on yesterday's post Book Review Series – “The Power of a Transformed Wife” – Stuffing Feelings and Pretending to Be Joyful by someone who used the name, Auislucky. Auislucky mentioned at the bottom of her comment that she didn't want me to post her comment if it would hurt someone.… Continue reading Trite, Unhelpful, and Demoralizing Responses to Wives in Harmful Marriages
Bethlehem Baptist Church Excommunicates Victim of Domestic Violence
Bethlehem Baptist Church, Domestic Violence, Emotional Abuse, Excommunication, Spiritual Abuse *** Over a year ago (November 1, 2016), I posted the article, 1-1/2 years Later, Bethlehem Baptist Church Doesn’t Seem to get Domestic Violence: A Personal Story. I have a followup to that article. For those who have never read the story, I will repost most of the… Continue reading Bethlehem Baptist Church Excommunicates Victim of Domestic Violence
Single (Divorced) Woman Asks About Her Friendship with a Married Man from Church
Single Christians, Divorced Christians, Cross-Gender Relationships, Church Response *** A woman found SSB and sent me an e-mail about her situation. The e-mail is from a single/divorced woman and the friendship she has with the praise and worship leader at her church. She, too, is on the praise and worship team. This kind of situation… Continue reading Single (Divorced) Woman Asks About Her Friendship with a Married Man from Church
Spiritual Abuse, PTSD, and the Aftermath
Spiritual Abuse, PTSD, Recovery, Beaverton Grace Bible Church, Chuck O'Neal *** When someone deals with spiritual abuse, it can have lasting consequences. One popular response is making the decision to no longer go an institutional church. I get that. I'm pretty sure I relayed the story either in a post, or in comments, that one… Continue reading Spiritual Abuse, PTSD, and the Aftermath
Dr. Dan Allender: Trauma, Our Personal Stories, and Recovery through Music
Dr. Dan Allender, Trauma, Music, Spiritual Abuse Recovery, Personal Stories *** Those who have been reading here for a while know how important I believe it is for survivors to tell their abuse stories. It took a while for us to believe the lies our church leader(s) told us about who we are and who… Continue reading Dr. Dan Allender: Trauma, Our Personal Stories, and Recovery through Music
Kari Benton Shares: Spiritual Recovery after a Lawsuit and Spiritual Abuse
*** Some may recall the story of Titus and Kari Benton who were in a defamation lawsuit by their former pastor, Steve Wingfield, of First Christian Church of Florissant. The case was later dismissed, but when you are sued by your former employer and pastor, your long-term church home, and experience spiritual abuse, it takes… Continue reading Kari Benton Shares: Spiritual Recovery after a Lawsuit and Spiritual Abuse
Recovering from Spiritual Abuse and Discussion about The Shack
Spiritual Abuse, The Shack, Paul Young, Brenda Campbell, Spiritual Recovery I'm happy to share a post from my friend, Brenda Campbell. Brenda is also a long-time friend here at SSB, and she has a tremendous heart for those who have been harmed and also those who are stuck spiritually. She has gone on her own… Continue reading Recovering from Spiritual Abuse and Discussion about The Shack
Victim of Bill Gothard’s Teachings Shares Emotional Aftermath
Bill Gothard, IBLP, Child Abuse, Discipline *** For some, the ramifications of following the teachings of an influential spiritual leader (or cult leader) can be lifelong. As difficult as this next personal story is to read, it is the reality for some, and that is why I will continue to post stories like this. Part of… Continue reading Victim of Bill Gothard’s Teachings Shares Emotional Aftermath
Christian Blogger Invited to Speak at Free Thinkers’ Meeting about Abuse in Christian Churches
Free Thinker, Atheist, Christian Blogger, Thought Reform, Patriarchy, Spiritual Abuse, Cults Last Sunday, I had the privilege of speaking at a Free Thinkers group. Privilege, some might ask? You bet. I will take any opportunity afforded to share the truth, set the record straight, and especially let people know that I, as a Christian, am displeased by the… Continue reading Christian Blogger Invited to Speak at Free Thinkers’ Meeting about Abuse in Christian Churches
An Abuse Survivor’s Response to Pastor Phil Johnson’s Insensitive Tweet on Domestic Violence
Phil Johnson, Grace Community Church, Sex Abuse, Domestic Violence, Twitter *** Blog reader, Christina, left an important comment on yesterday's post regarding an insensitive and callous tweet Pastor Phil Johnson sent out regarding domestic violence. His tweet created quite an uproar on Twitter. Because Christina's comment is addressed to Phil Johnson, I didn't want it to get lost… Continue reading An Abuse Survivor’s Response to Pastor Phil Johnson’s Insensitive Tweet on Domestic Violence
A Young Woman’s Personal Story: The Residual Effects of the Teachings by Doug Philips, Bill Gothard, and Patriarchy
Doug Phillips, Patriarchy, Vision Forum, Stay-at-home daughters, Courtship, Quiverfull, Bill Gothard It's been a while since I've posted anything about Doug Phillips, Vision Forum, Bill Gothard, or Patriarchy teachings. A young woman who identified as "Done Running" posted her personal story and it deserves its own post. Done Running describes the residual effects of patriarchal… Continue reading A Young Woman’s Personal Story: The Residual Effects of the Teachings by Doug Philips, Bill Gothard, and Patriarchy
Personal Story: Wife of Pedophile Shares How Her Husband Manipulated Her from Seeing the Truth
Pedophile, Wife of Pedophile, Sex Abuse Today I am posting a personal story from a woman named Cindy who left a comment yesterday on the 3-1/2-year-old article, Being Married to a Pedophile: A Wife Speaks Out and Offers Hope to Other Wives of Pedophiles, which has continued to reach women who are searching for support. Her comment was… Continue reading Personal Story: Wife of Pedophile Shares How Her Husband Manipulated Her from Seeing the Truth
Survivor of Tullian Tchividjian’s Alleged Clergy Sexual Abuse Goes Public with Her Story – Part 5
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 5
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
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
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
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
1-1/2 years Later, Bethlehem Baptist Church Doesn’t Seem to get Domestic Violence: A Personal Story
Bethlehem Baptist Church, Pastor Jason Meyer, Domestic Violence, Emotional Abuse, Spiritual Abuse Almost 1-1/2 years ago, I wrote an article about John Piper's former church, Bethlehem Baptist Church (BBC) regarding domestic violence, Encouraging Shift from Bethlehem Baptist Church Regarding Domestic Abuse and Care for Abused Women. Around that time, BBC pastor, Jason Meyer, preached a sermon and… Continue reading 1-1/2 years Later, Bethlehem Baptist Church Doesn’t Seem to get Domestic Violence: A Personal Story
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
Spiritual Sounding Board 