How do we confront people when they sin against us? Biblically, the benefit of the doubt is not always a true application of the Gospel.
#MeToo
Forgiveness: Mimicking Jesus
How do we forgive those who have abused us in the marketplace or home?
Complicity: Going Along to Get Along
What keeps abuse of authority in the workplace and home alive? Going along to get along. It is man's penchant for crowd-mongering. It is my penchant for pleasing others. While reading the beginning of the book of Proverbs in the Bible, I was struck by the applicability of the very first chapter to the experience … Continue reading Complicity: Going Along to Get Along
Not As Things Ought to Be: Grieving Our Loss
Olivia had been abused emotionally by her husband for more than 30 years. She finally got free. She was living in her new-found freedom when he showed up once again, having been gone for over a year. He was getting more and more aggressive as he sought to gain entrance to her life once again. … Continue reading Not As Things Ought to Be: Grieving Our Loss
Chapman: Bitter Justice
How do we seek accountability for evil leaders and remain bitter-free? While serving in another country as missionaries, my family became quite delighted with a drink called a "Chapman." It was made of Sobo orange drink, bitters, and 7Up. We enjoyed sipping on them like Southerners sip their sweet tea. Bitters, for those who do not know, … Continue reading Chapman: Bitter Justice
Trauma: Get Out While the Getting’s Good
Abuse Trauma creates significant neurological disorder. The Church needs to be a place of safety and healing.
Outing a Swine: What the Pope, Hybels, & Driscoll Truly Need
Offering grace does not necessarily mean overlooking toxicity. Accountability is a pearl to be offered.
Bancroft: The Myths of Abuse
For those who have read or are reading "Willow Creek: Loyalty and the Oppressed," this is intended to help you understand some of the common mistakes in interpreting abuse. Lundy Bancroft in his seminal work on abuse begins his book, "Why Does He Do That?" with, "I have been working with angry and controlling men for … Continue reading Bancroft: The Myths of Abuse
Willow Creek: Loyalty & the Oppressed
Mark Galli, Editor in Chief of Christianity Today, wrote a piece entitled "The Healing of Willow Creek: Misguided loyalty harmed this historic congregation. True loyalty can redeem it." I appreciate his work to present God's grace and a middle-ground step forward. However, I would make two suggestions: Evil needs to be called Evil and Abuse needs to be … Continue reading Willow Creek: Loyalty & the Oppressed
Bill Hybels and the Future of the Church After #ChurchToo: by Chuck DeGroat
The thread has been pulled, and we are all beginning to see the toxicity of narcissistic systems. Our systemic disease is no longer a story for Christianity Today, it’s a story for the New York Times and the Chicago Tribune. Our illness has been exposed and the watching world has taken notice. The icon of … Continue reading Bill Hybels and the Future of the Church After #ChurchToo: by Chuck DeGroat
