An Epidemic of Spiritual Trauma & Abuse

Exposing the Crisis of Spiritual Abuse

The Church of North America has found itself in a crisis. Spiritual abuse is being reported and exposed at staggering levels. While the issue itself is not new, the way God has chosen to expose it in this hour is unprecedented. There is nowhere to run and nowhere to hide for the wolves who are guilty of harming God’s sheep.

The Courage to Confront

While I appreciate the courage of many faithful Christian leaders who have stepped forward to confront the issue of spiritual abuse and trauma in the church, I am also grieved by the immense harm and abuse that innocent people have had to endure because of spiritual predators and cowardly faith communities. Abuses within the church are not only sexual – they include financial, verbal, emotional, psychological, relational, and physical harm. In a nutshell – spiritual abuse is demonic.

As a clinical counselor, ministry leader, and person who has had my own experiences with spiritual abuse and trauma, I have spent more than two decades listening to the heartbreaking stories of trauma survivors. It has been my great privilege to train God's people - teaching them how to discern truth and righteousness according to God's Word.

A Call for Discernment and Responsibility

Over the years, I have also learned that sometimes sheep can be their own worst enemy. This happens whenever a naive or spiritually immature believers chooses to idolize a minister or ministry above their relationship with Jesus and their obedience to God’s Word. Far too often, the naive believers fails to heed the warnings, wisdom, and experiences of mature believers who are seasoned in their faith. How much pain might have been avoided if individual believers and the corporate Body of Christ had simply practiced the principles outlined in God's Word and heeded what the Spirit was saying to the churches (Revelation 2:7; 2:29; 3:22)?

No, this is not an attempt to victim-shame or blame. I would never do that. I continue to minister hope and healing to those who have been betrayed and abused by spiritual leaders and professing Christians. The effects of spiritual trauma are real and often long-lasting. The impact on the lives of individual believers and their family members has been horrific to hear and witness. However, the focus of this post is to address those Christians who feel blindsided and betrayed by the fall of their favorite ministries and ministry leaders right now.

Lasting healing and spiritual growth requires that each of us assess what, if any, personal responsibility we may bear in these situations (Psalm 139:23-24). How is it that believers were so easily manipulated? We are professing Christians not able to discern the predators in their midst? How is it that the Body of Christ does not know how to respond to injustice, abuse, and trauma according to God’s Word? Why is it that professing believers are so quick to judge and condemn those who speak truths that we don’t want to hear?

How can Christians promote emotional safety and spiritual healing for the lost and wounded when the church covers the predators in their midst? How do believers not recognize rotten fruit and doctrines of demons and men? The Bible is filled with warnings to guard against these threats within the household of faith. My first book, "Relational Wellness", was written to provide guidance to the Christian church as we grapple with these difficult and uncomfortable questions. My second book, "The Spiritual Trauma Survey", was written to illustrate the intense impact of spiritual abuse and trauma on the spiritual and emotional health of God's church and His people.

A Time for Reflection and Repentance

There are far too many innocent people who have been horrifically abused in the name of religion. For this there is no excuse. Many of God’s truth-tellers have lovingly tried to warn others – for decades. And they have paid a high price to do so. The sad fact is, there are many professing Christians who have staunchly refused – and continue to refuse – to acknowledge truth, choosing instead to denounce, dismiss, slander, and vilify the voices of the victims and those who tried to sound the alarm.

While some may be grieving the fall of their favorite minister and ministry, we would all do well to ask God to examine our hearts as we seek His healing and justice for the victims and survivors. God is cleaning house and revealing the idols of His people, the sin in the camp, and the imposters within the household of faith. Public rebuke of, and repentance by, the guilty parties (both individual and corporate) are necessary requirements according to Scripture.

Hebrews 10 has a strong warning for those who once walked in the things of the Spirit and the knowledge of the Lord, but lost their way due to sin. We would do well to listen to what our Lord is saying in this hour. The sifting and winnowing of the wheat and the chaff will continue to escalate and intensify in the coming days.

How many lives have been negatively impacted by our words and actions. How many people were seeking justice in our faith communities, but found only cowardice and silence. Scripture is clear - to him who knows what to do and does not do it, it is sin (James 4:17). Standing silently by in the presence of known sin makes a person complicit in the sin.

The good news? God is waiting to forgive, to be reconciled, and to be restored, to any guilty person who repents with their entire being. Humility, honesty, and vulnerability will be required. Shame and embarrassment will eventually pass and on the other side of God's redemptive process we discover freedom, mercy, and belonging. Please, don't wait.

Listening to the Spirit’s Call

“Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” (Psalm 139:23-24)