Learning from the Tinder Swindler and other scam artists
The Tinder Swindler persuaded vulnerable women to hand over thousands of dollars. Unfortunately, similar schemes appear across Facebook and even within church communities. Here are important lessons to help prevent others from being exploited.
Church Abuse Recovery... a basic roadmap for overcoming loss
When you’ve experienced church abuse, or any significant loss, it’s easy to get stuck in a form of exile where you feel lost and disoriented. This post offers a brief roadmap to help people find the path to recovery.
Is Your Pastor "The Voice of God" to You?
The recent upheaval in Daystar Ministries has caused people to question how we hear the voice of God and the role of spiritual authority. In this post I offer an alternative view to what is often too quickly accepted as God’s truth.
Why "Matthew 18" May Not Apply to Confronting Pastors
Abusive church leaders misuse Matthew 18 to silence their victims. Learn why it may not apply to pastors and what you can do instead.
Ten Reasons Why People Fail to Leave a Toxic Church
Many people suffer from spiritual abuse in toxic churches. But they often struggle to leave. Why is that? Here are ten reasons why people fail to leave a toxic church.
When GOSSIP Becomes A Spiritually Weaponized Accusation
Spiritually toxic leaders often weaponize the accusation of gossip to shut down complaints. But what does the Bible say about gossip? Accusing someone of gossip is often a tactic of spiritual abuse.
Abusive Pastors, Understanding Why They Do What They
It seems to be a mystery why a pastor would ever abuse a member of their congregation. But abusive pastors exist throughout the church. This post discusses the reason why some pastors might be abusive and what you can do about it.
Toxic Pastors and Why They Are Not Confronted
If toxic pastors are so harmful, why are they so rarely confronted? Here are ten common reasons people avoid confronting an abusive pastor — read through them and see which ones resonate with your experience.
I Left My Toxic Church...Now What?
After experiencing spiritual abuse, some people decide to give up on church altogether, while others quickly throw themselves into searching for a new congregation. Before you step back into church life, there are a few important things to consider to protect your healing and ensure a healthier, safer spiritual environment.
How Did I Get Here? - Day One
There are many reasons for winding up in exile: divorce, betrayal, financial loss, etc. In this post I mention five ways I ended up in exile, mostly due to bad church experiences.