Thank you, Peter! I’m hopeful and thankful that God is raising up more pastors and church leaders such as yourself who care for the oppressed and desire to understand this issue. I will certainly be posting more. Please let me know if you have any specific questions or topics you’d like me to address. Thank you for your service to God’s kingdom.

Thank you Sharon! Yes, the response has been overwhelming and so encouraging!

Thank you, Linda! I’m so sorry for your suffering, but grateful for your efforts and voice on behalf of victims and survivors of abuse. May God bless you as well <3

Janelle, my hope and prayer for this letter was that God would work through it to alert loving pastors to this danger in our midst, and give a voice to victims and survivors who may be too heartbroken or afraid to come forward. Thank you for being an answer to my prayer. But more than that, thank you for your loving kindness, encouragement, and ministry to me. You are right, we – you…Read More

Michelle, I’m am terribly sorry to hear about your suffering and the backwards reaction of the chapel director. I completely understand the decision to remain silent. It’s horrible that such silence is a necessary consideration in some circles, where you know you won’t be believed, and may even be further abused by those who’d bully and falsely accuse. I hope you were able to find another…Read More

Travis, this is extremely wise. Thank you. I may cite your comment in a future article. I agree, any time we become more interested in protecting “the church” as a brand, rather than as individual people in need of reflecting and receiving Jesus Christ, things go sideways very quickly.

For Anyone Reading: I know Joe from church. We knew each other for … IDK, 6 years? … while he and his beautiful family attended Cornerstone, and we had since interacted over Facebook without incident. However, Joe has now demonstrated in real time the reason why I wrote my Open Letter, and he has validated every concern and fear I outlined in it.

Thank you, Joe.

Grace, I’m so sorry to hear what you’ve been through, and sorry to hear how unprepared your church was to handle things. I will pray for your family member who paid dearly for that. Thank you for bringing up the issue of suicide and how it can be weaponized by abusers. On the one hand, I’ve been suicidal before, and I know the devastating pain of being in that place. On the other hand,…Read More

Thank you, Richard. It is indeed far more common than anyone knows, which is extremely disturbing and depressing, but we cannot allow it to discourage us. I am encouraged to hear of your extensive ministry to victims and survivors. What a gift to the church! May God continue to bless his children through you. Thank you for your service and prayers.

Hi Vince and Sara. I have contacts in the SoCal presbytery who may be able to help you, both in regards to reporting abuse (Sara, I am so sorry!), and also in understanding better how we can protect our kids and measures that are being taken. I have heard encouraging things out of SoCal, so, please do not lose hope. I’d be happy to put you in touch with some pastors, if you’re interested.…Read More

Cathy, you agree with Sarah that I should have called law enforcement on your husband? That is interesting.

Sarah, this is a very odd and inappropriate assumption on your part. My first memories of abuse are from when I was 2 years old. An adult was aware something had happened, but did nothing. The first time I tried to tell an adult about my abuse, I was only 5, and I was told “Be quiet. We don’t talk about those things. Don’t ever talk about that again.” Since then, I have reported my abuse…Read More

I’m so sorry Ashley. Praying for you, friend <3

Ginni, I’m heartbroken to read your initial post, and hear about what you’ve gone through over and over for so long, but I’m also rejoicing with you that your concerns have been addressed. That is wonderful news! I know though that even with closure, the past is still the past. I’ll pray for your continued healing and comfort <3

Thank you, Bruce. I am praying you are wrong, and I am very hopeful things are changing, but I certainly hear and understand your fear.

Vince, I’m so sorry to hear how you guys were wronged. I agree with you that the Federal Vision and several other theological movements are either enabling, or being used to justify, abuses, neglect, and failure to involve civil authorities. I sincerely appreciate your generous offer, and will certainly be in touch. Please feel free to reach out any time as well. God bless you and your ministry!

Thank you, Elisa <3