Abuse Systems and Transformation Tools, Bethlehem Baptist Church, Christian Media, Clergy Misconduct, Clergy Sex Abuse, Failure to Report Crimes, Leaving the Church, Spiritual Abuse, Spiritual Authority

Should I trust Christian media outlets to share my deeply painful church abuse story? Here’s a follow-up article based on my years of covering spiritual abuse testimonies, including quite a few high-profile cases.

The key takeaway is this: anytime an abuser is given a platform, that space will never feel safe for survivors.

ABUSE & VIOLENCE IN THE CHURCH, Abuse Systems and Transformation Tools, child abuse, Clergy Misconduct, Clergy Sex Abuse, It's All About the Image, Mandatory Reporting, Meetings with the Pastor, Sexual Abuse/Assault and Churches, Southern Baptist Convention, Spiritual Abuse, Statute of Limitations, Women and the Church

Is J.D. Greear just talking, or are we going to see action?

The SBC has been getting push back about selecting "designated survivors" to speak. Was he doing damage control by mentioning the names of the survivors/advocates they chose not to speak? Were the ones chosen to speak selected so that the SBC can control the narrative?

Clergy Sex Abuse, Sexual Abuse/Assault and Churches, Voddie Baucham, Well Done, Church Leaders!, Wives or (ex) of Pedophiles

Well Done, Church Leaders: Grace Family Baptist Church Pastors Handle Sex Abuse Case of Alleged Pedophile Pastor Stephen Bratton Appropriately

"The elders have called upon Stephen Bratton to accept the full responsibility for his actions and to place himself at the mercy of the criminal justice system."

9Marks, Addressing Abuse, C.J. Mahaney, child abuse, Clergy Misconduct, Clergy Sex Abuse, Dr. Albert Mohler, Failure to Report Crimes, Mandatory Reporting, Sexual Abuse/Assault and Churches, Southern Baptist Convention, Sovereign Grace Ministries, Sovereign Grace Ministries Lawsuit, Statute of Limitations, The Gospel Coalition, Together for the Gospel

SBTS President Albert Mohler Apologizes for Supporting C.J. Mahaney

"I want to believe that this is a genuine wake-up call for all church leaders to get their collective acts together and take sex abuse and cover-ups seriously. I just wish it came spontaneously from the hearts of leaders - you know, humble leaders who care about the souls in their flock."

ABUSE & VIOLENCE IN THE CHURCH, Abuse Systems and Transformation Tools, Calvinism, Clergy Misconduct, Clergy Sex Abuse, Complementarianism, Debi Pearl, Doctrine as Idol, Failure to Report Crimes, It's All About the Image, John MacArthur, Legalism, Mandatory Reporting, Mark Driscoll, Michael Pearl, Parenting, Phil Johnson, Sexual Abuse/Assault and Churches, Sovereign Grace Ministries, Sovereign Grace Ministries Lawsuit, Tom Chantry

Tedd Tripp and Tom Chantry: Shepherding a Child’s Heart … or Not

Tedd Tripp, Tom Chantry, Failure to Report, Mandatory Reporter, Spanking, Shepherding a Child's Heart *** *** In the late 1990s, I attended a parenting seminar by Tedd Tripp. It may or may not be significant to note that the seminar was held at a Sovereign Grace Ministries church in Chesapeake, Virginia. Shepherding a Child's Heart… Continue reading Tedd Tripp and Tom Chantry: Shepherding a Child’s Heart … or Not

ABUSE & VIOLENCE IN THE CHURCH, Domestic Violence, Domestic Violence and Churches, Paige Patterson, Sexual Abuse/Assault and Churches, Southern Baptist Convention

Paige Patterson called an abuse advocacy group “as reprehensible as sex criminals”

Paige Patterson, Sex Abuse, Southern Baptist Convention   Admin note:  This blog was written and submitted to Spiritual Sounding Board. The author wishes to remain anonymous. ~ja Paige Patterson called an abuse advocacy group "as reprehensible as sex criminals" Did you hear about the movie Spotlight? It won Best Picture in 2015. It’s a true… Continue reading Paige Patterson called an abuse advocacy group “as reprehensible as sex criminals”

ABUSE & VIOLENCE IN THE CHURCH, Julie Anne's Personal Stories, Parenting, Sexual Abuse/Assault and Churches

Sexual Perpetrators and Magicians – How Both Trick People with Illusions

Sex Abuse, Jimmy Hinton, Pedophiles, Illusionists, Magicians, Dr. Larry Nassar *** *** April is sexual abuse awareness month. It is very important for parents to know that nearly 90% of perpetrators are known by their victims. It is also important to understand that a pedophile can abuse a child while you are in the same… Continue reading Sexual Perpetrators and Magicians – How Both Trick People with Illusions

ABUSE & VIOLENCE IN THE CHURCH, C.J. Mahaney, Failure to Report Crimes, Mandatory Reporting, Sexual Abuse/Assault and Churches, Sovereign Grace Ministries, Sovereign Grace Ministries Lawsuit, Statute of Limitations

Rachael Denhollander Challenges Sovereign Grace Churches to Respond Appropriately to Sex Abuse Cases

Rachael Denhollander, Sovereign Grace, Sex Abuse, Pedophiles *** Rachael Denhollendar (the Christian attorney and sex abuse survivor who brought down Dr. Larry Nassar) has been very busy since the recent case of convicted pedophile Dr. Larry Nassar. She is now taking on the task of drawing attention to how the church, specifically the leaders at… Continue reading Rachael Denhollander Challenges Sovereign Grace Churches to Respond Appropriately to Sex Abuse Cases

ABUSE & VIOLENCE IN THE CHURCH, Bill Gothard, Bill Gothard & IBLP Lawsuit, Clergy Misconduct, Clergy Sex Abuse, IBLP and ATI, Personal Stories, SURVIVOR STORIES

From a Bill Gothard Survivor to Other Survivors: Free Yourselves

Bill Gothard, IBLP, ATI, Institutes in Basic Life Principles, Spiritual Abuse, Sexual Abuse *** The following was written by David Shere, who has been reading here for some time. He wanted to share his thoughts and advice as a Bill Gothard survivor.  This was written after the news that the plaintiffs had dismissed the lawsuit… Continue reading From a Bill Gothard Survivor to Other Survivors: Free Yourselves

ABUSE & VIOLENCE IN THE CHURCH, Biblical Counseling, Bill Gothard, Bill Gothard & IBLP Lawsuit, Clergy Misconduct, Clergy Sex Abuse, Personal Stories, Recovery Process, Sexual Abuse/Assault and Churches, Spiritual Abuse, Spiritual Authority, Spiritual Bullies, Stories of Hope

Survivor Emily Jaeger Responds to Bill Gothard’s Reactions to Her Revealing She is “Jane Doe III”

Bill Gothard, sex abuse, cults, lawsuit, Emily Jaeger, freedom, IBLP *** A note of introduction from Julie Anne: Emily Jaeger is one of the sexual abuse survivors and plaintiffs in the Bill Gothard/IBLP sex abuse lawsuit. Her official statement about the lawsuit was posted on Spiritual Sounding Board a few days ago. Then someone close… Continue reading Survivor Emily Jaeger Responds to Bill Gothard’s Reactions to Her Revealing She is “Jane Doe III”

Bill Gothard, Bill Gothard & IBLP Lawsuit, IBLP and ATI, Modesty and Purity Teachings, Sexual Abuse/Assault and Churches, Spiritual Abuse, Spiritual Authority

BREAKING: Lawsuit against Bill Gothard and The Institute in Basic Life Principles Dismissed

Bill Gothard, IBLP, Sex Abuse, Lawsuit *** I have received the following statement from the plaintiffs in the lawsuit against Bill Gothard and The Institute in Basic Life Principles. *** *** The statement reads: Our Statement Due to the unique complexities of this case, including the statutes of limitation, we have made the difficult decision… Continue reading BREAKING: Lawsuit against Bill Gothard and The Institute in Basic Life Principles Dismissed

ABUSE & VIOLENCE IN THE CHURCH, Calvary Chapel Franchise, CHURCH GOVERNANCE & POLICIES, Church Governance or Policy Issues, Clergy Misconduct, Clergy Sex Abuse

Former Florida Megachurch Pastor Bob Coy Allegedly Sexually Abused 4-yr-old Child

Bob Coy, Calvary Chapel Fort Lauderdale, Pedophile, Sex Abuse *** Miami New Times investigative reporter, Tim Elfrink, did a stellar job investigating the shocking story of fallen Calvary Chapel megachurch pastor, Bob Coy. Some long-time readers may remember I posted about Bob Coy's moral failure in a blog post dated April 8, 2014: You may… Continue reading Former Florida Megachurch Pastor Bob Coy Allegedly Sexually Abused 4-yr-old Child

Calvinism, Compassion in Action, Crazy Things Church Leaders Say & Do, Grace Community Church, Misuse of Scripture, Personal Stories, Phil Johnson, Recovery Process, Sexual Abuse/Assault and Churches, Spiritual Abuse, Spiritual Bullies, SURVIVOR STORIES, Troubling Tweets, Women and the Church

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

It's All About the Image, Mandatory Reporting, Safe Churches, Sexual Abuse/Assault and Churches

How Safe is Your Church?

  * * * Have you met Boz Tchividjian of GRACE - Godly Response to Abuse in the Christian Environment? This would be a good video to post on Facebook or send to church leaders. Until churches have safe policies in place and survivors feel safe to share their trauma to others in the church,… Continue reading How Safe is Your Church?

Personal Stories, Spiritual Encouragement, Stories of Hope, SURVIVOR STORIES, Wives or (ex) of Pedophiles

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

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

ABUSE & VIOLENCE IN THE CHURCH, Bill Gothard & IBLP Lawsuit, Failure to Report Crimes, Homeschool Movement, IBLP and ATI, Mandatory Reporting, Modesty and Purity Teachings, Sexual Abuse/Assault and Churches, Spiritual Authority, Statute of Limitations

Second Amended Complaint Filed in Bill Gothard & IBLP Sex Abuse Lawsuit: 18 Victims in Lawsuit

Bill Gothard, Lawsuit, IBLP, Institute in Basic Life Principles, David C. Gibbs III, Sex Abuse, Sexual Grooming, ALERT     Yesterday, I received the following summary from the office of Attorney David Gibbs III. While it would have been easy to pull only specific highlights, the reality is that for each individual named, either by… Continue reading Second Amended Complaint Filed in Bill Gothard & IBLP Sex Abuse Lawsuit: 18 Victims in Lawsuit

ABUSE & VIOLENCE IN THE CHURCH, ABUSIVE FAITH & PRACTICE, C.J. Mahaney, Failure to Report Crimes, Mandatory Reporting, Narcissistic Pastors, Patriarchal-Complementarian Movement, Sexual Abuse/Assault and Churches, Sovereign Grace Ministries, Sovereign Grace Ministries Lawsuit, Together for the Gospel

Attorney Plans to File Another Sex Abuse Lawsuit against CJ Mahaney and Sovereign Grace Ministries

C.J. Mahaney, Sex Abuse, Failure to Report, Statute of Limitations, Sovereign Grace Ministries, Lawsuit, Pedophiles, T4G       The Washingtonian released a new article after spending many months investigating Sovereign Grace Ministries, CJ Mahaney, and the many cases of alleged sex abuse named in the lawsuit brought on by victims (named and anonymous). The… Continue reading Attorney Plans to File Another Sex Abuse Lawsuit against CJ Mahaney and Sovereign Grace Ministries

Bill Gothard & IBLP Lawsuit, Failure to Report Crimes, IBLP and ATI, LAWSUITS, Mandatory Reporting, Sexual Abuse/Assault and Churches, Spiritual Abuse, Women and the Church

Bill Gothard & IBLP Sex Abuse Lawsuit Update

    Today, I received a note from David C. Gibbs III giving an update on the lawsuit. Gibbs is representing 14 survivors who claim Bill Gothard sexually groomed and/or abused them, and the Board of Institutes in Basic Life Principles (IBLP) failed to respond appropriately to the claims. Today in DuPage County, Illinois, Attorney… Continue reading Bill Gothard & IBLP Sex Abuse Lawsuit Update

ABUSE & VIOLENCE IN THE CHURCH, Abuse Systems and Transformation Tools, Calvary Chapel Lawsuit, Doug Wilson, Failure to Report Crimes, Mandatory Reporting, Mental Health and the Church, Misuse of Scripture, Modesty and Purity Teachings, Narcissistic Pastors, Reconstructionist-Dominion Movement, Recovery Process, Sexual Abuse/Assault and Churches, Shunning, Spiritual Abuse, SPIRITUAL ABUSE RECOVERY, Spiritual Bullies, Statute of Limitations, Word of Faith Movement

A Spotlight on Abuse and Death of VCY America Founder Vic Eliason

  *** Here are some interesting articles that have been making the rounds: If you have not seen Spotlight, I urge you to see it. It is about "Spotlight" a specific group of investigative reporters from the Boston Globe who uncovered the systemic sex abuse and cover-up in the Catholic Church. This movie is very… Continue reading A Spotlight on Abuse and Death of VCY America Founder Vic Eliason