Biblical Equality

Christians for Biblical Equality  Founder: Dr. Catherine Clark Kroeger
http://www.cbeinternational.org

Free Articles:

http://www.cbeinternational.org/?q=content/free-articles

 

Christians for Biblical Equality (CBE) is a non-profit organization of Christian men and women who believe that the Bible, properly interpreted, teaches the fundamental equality of men and women of all ethnic groups, all economic classes, and all age groups, based on the teachings of Scriptures such as Galatians 3:28:

“There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, neither male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus” (TNIV).

Mission Statement:

 CBE affirms and promotes the biblical truth that all believers–without regard to gender, ethnicity or class–must exercise their God-given gifts with equal authority and equal responsibility in church, home and world.

Core Values:

We believe the Bible teaches: 

  1. Believers are called to mutual submission, love and service.
  2. God distributes spiritual gifts without regard to gender, ethnicity or class.
  3. Believers must develop and exercise their God-given gifts in church, home and world.
  4. Believers have equal authority and equal responsibility to exercise their gifts without regard to gender, ethnicity, or class and without the limits of culturally-defined roles.
  5. Restricting believers from exercising their gifts–on the basis of their gender, ethnicity, or class–resists the work of the Spirit of God and is unjust.
  6. Believers must promote righteousness and oppose injustice in all its forms.

Opposing Injustice:

CBE recognizes that injustice is an abuse of power, taking from others what God has given them:  their dignity, their freedom, their resources, and even their very lives.

CBE also recognizes that prohibiting individuals from exercising their God-given gifts to further his kingdom constitutes injustice in a form that impoverishes the body of Christ and its ministry in the world at large.

CBE accepts the call to be part of God’s mission in opposing injustice as required in Scriptures such as Micah 6:8. 

 

Quivering Daughters – Hillary McFarland
http://www.quiveringdaughters.com/2009/02/spiritual-abuse-in-family.html

Offering gentle encouragement for women while addressing emotional and spiritual abuse within authoritarian families.

Spiritual Abuse

Spiritual abuse, the misuse of spiritual authority to maltreat followers in the Christian Church, is a complex issue.  Spiritual abuse by clergy happens in churches. It shouldn’t, but it does.  There are a number of websites, blogs, and books that address spiritual abuse and recovery. Many people are trying to raise the awareness about spiritual abuse in the church today.

Spiritual Abuse Websites

The following websites and blogs are addressing spiritual abuse and recovery.  The term: ‘spiritual abuse’ was Googled.   Well over 130 sites with articles on this topic were checked, in order to see who was speaking out and what they were saying.  These sites are the best of the bunch.  I trust that this list is helpful.    

Most websites have a general approach to provide information and warning about spiritual abuse.  Some websites are quite personal and deal with issues related to their specific church or group.  These sites provide insights into people’s lives and experience of spiritual abuse.  You can decide which ones are your personal favorites.                                                                                    

Dr. Barb Orlowski

 

  1. Church Exiters – Dr. Barb Orlowski
    h
    ttp://www.churchexiters.com
  2. BGBC Survivors Blog – Julie Anne Smith
    http://bgbcsurvivors.blogspot.ca
  3. Healing Spiritual Abuse – Brandon Santan
    http://www.healingspiritualabuse.com
  4. Kingdom Grace – Linda
    http://kingdomgrace.wordpress.com/resource
    http://kingdomgrace.wordpress.com
  5. Battered Sheep – Paul Sue, Allan Mack
    http://www.Batteredsheep.com
  6. Spiritual Abuse Recovery Resources – Dr. Jeff VanVonderen
    http://www.spiritualabuse.com
  7. The National Assoc. of Christian Recovery – Dr. Dale Ryan
    http://nacronline.com
  8. Recovery from Abuse – Dr. Dale Ryan
    http://www.recoveryfromabuse.com/wordpress/?page_id=16
  9. What Really Matters – Anna
    http://www.setfree0408.blogspot.com
  10. Futurist Guy – Brad Sargent
    http://futuristguy.wordpress.com/2008/03/13/recovery-from-spiritualabuse-part-1-five-personal-lessons-from-my-surviving-toxic-leaders
  11. Setting the Captives Free – Aida Carter
    http://no-more-chains.blogspot.com
  12. VM Life Resources – Wendy and Doug Duncan
    http://www.dallascult.com/index.php?page_id=271
  13. Pure Provender – Donna
    http://pureprovender.blogspot.com
  14. Spiritual Abuse Awareness – Lisa Bertolini
    www.spiritualabuseawareness.com
  15. Soul Liberty Faith
    www.soullibertyfaith.com
  16. The Wartburg Watch – Darlene and Wanda
    http://thewartburgwatch.com/2010/07/27/spiritual-abuse-common characteristics
  17. SpiritualAbuse.org – Lois Gibson
  18. ChurchAbuse.com
  19. John Mark Ministries
    http://jmm.aaa.net.au/articles/2108.htm
  20. Apologetics Index
    http://www.apologeticsindex.org/a04.html#articles
  21. Spiritual Abuse in the Church – Aust. – Pat Zukeran, David Henke
    http://www.caic.org.au/zabusive.htm
  22. International Cultic Studies Association – Dr. Michael Langone
    http://www.icsahome.com
  23. Rick Ross Institute  Study of Cults, Controversial Groups, and Mvmts
    http://www.rickross.com
  24. Wittenberg Gate – Dory
  25. http://www.wittenberggate.com/2006/08/advice_when_fac.html
  26. The Barnabas Ministry – John Engler (Audio)
    http://www.barnabasministry.com
  27. Jamesfive19.com – We survived abuse
    http://jamesfive19.com/blog/?page_id=423#Other
  28. Ministry From Two Poles – Andy Little
    http://revandylittle.com/2009/07/03/scapegoating-spiritual-abuse-in-churches-part-1/
  29. Ruby’s Emporium – Ruby
    http://www.rubysemporium.org/spiritual_abuse.html
  30. Under Much Grace – Dr. Cindy Kunsman
    http://undermuchgrace.blogspot.com
  31. YouTube:  Spiritual Abuse – What is it?/Effects
  32. Mommy Life – Barbara Curtis
    http://mommylife.net/archives/spiritual_abuse/
  33. Association of Former Pentecostals
    http://ex-pentecostals.org/spiritualabuse.htm
  34. “Ten Signs of Spiritual Abuse” – Rod Smith
    http://rodesmith.com/2009/02/09/ten-signs-of-spiritual-abuse/ 
  35. Spiritual Abuse: 10 Ways To Spot It – Mary DeMuth
    http://www.marydemuth.com

Physical Abuse/Domestic Violence

Peace and Safety in the Christian Home (PASCH)
Founder:  Dr. Catherine Clark Kroeger
http://www.peaceandsafety.com/home

Peace and Safety in the Christian Home (PASCH) is a loose coalition of academics, professionals, clergy and lay people who are alarmed by domestic violence in the Christian home and are interested in solving the problem of abuse in the Christian home. Our goal is to increase peace and safety in the Christian home, and in the world it serves, by addressing and decreasing all forms of abuse.

In the words of PASCH Founder, Dr. Catherine Clark Kroeger: “Evangelicalism has been effective in proclaiming the redemptive and reconciling love of God to a world in desperate need. In the last half-century, it has gained in both numbers and influence throughout the globe. Believers can point to many accomplishments and ministries through which they have sought to bring glory to God and healing balm to those in need. There has been a recognition that we must be doers of the word and not hearers only. In at least one area, however, evangelicals have lagged far behind others involved in humanitarian endeavors. We have failed to address the issue of domestic abuse in any significant way. In actuality, our leaders have been caught in a dilemma that leaves them with a high degree of discomfort even to acknowledge the problem.”

In response to this dilemma, Peace and Safety in the Christian Home emerged. PASCH has grown into an international network providing biblically based, practical resources to all who address issues of domestic abuse. We offer theological insights, research, training, and safety information for health care providers, rescue teams, shelter personnel, social workers, clergy, therapists, counselors and anyone else concerned about overcoming domestic abuse in Christian communities. We believe that God promises to breathe new life to those who suffer the injustice of domestic abuse. “I will lie down and sleep in peace, for You alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.” (Psalms 4:8)

The RAVE Project
Dr. Nancy Nason-Clark
http://www.theraveproject.com/index.php

The RAVE Mission Statement:

“There is no place like home; when abuse strikes, there is no home.”

RAVE seeks to enable religious leaders to respond to domestic violence in ways that are compassionate, practical, and informed by the latest research and best practices for professionals;

RAVE seeks to enable religious leaders to respond to domestic violence in ways that are compassionate, practical, and informed by the latest research and best practices for professionals;

RAVE seeks to walk alongside victims and survivors on their journeys toward healing and wholeness;

RAVE seeks to forge pathways between the Steeple and the Shelter;

RAVE seeks to hold abusers accountable for their actions, while offering hope for a transformed life.”

Sexual Abuse by Clergy

The Hope of Survivors
Clergy Sexual Abuse
http://www.thehopeofsurvivors.com

Sexual Abuse—Pastoral
Power Point by Diane Langberg PhD
http://wisecounsel.wordpress.com/articles-slides-etc/

Pastoral Sexual Abuse with Diane Langberg, PhD

Quote from Resources Articles at Wise Counsel

“If your primary allegiance is to your church, to the institution’s preservation, then you will sin to preserve it. If your allegiance is to Christ, you will relinquish the church, the institution, rather than sin.”

The Anglican Communion   Safe Church Consultation

The Consultation is a growing international group of people committed to the physical, emotional, and spiritual welfare and safety of all people involved in churches throughout the Anglican Communion.

Its members have been providing resources to educate about the issue of abuse and misconduct in the churches, and have equipped and supported people working to make their churches safe.
http://safechurch.anglicancommunion.org/index.cfm

Partnering for Prevention: A Conference on Abuse in our Communion and our Communities held June 23 – 26, 2011, Victoria, B.C., Canada.

See:  Resources    http://safechurch.anglicancommunion.org/resources/index.cfm

Sexual Abuse of Adults

  1. Abuse Response and Prevention, Mennonite Central Committee
    www.abuse.mcc.org
  2. Clergy Sexual Misconduct Study and Resources, Baylor University
    www.baylor.edu/clergysexualmisconduct
  3. Dove’s Nest Collaborative
    www.dovesnest.net
  4. FaithTrust Institute
    www.faithtrustinstitute.org
  5. Interfaith Sexual Trauma Institute
    www.csbsju.edu/isti
  6.  Quebec Government’s Website on Sexual Assault
    www.sexualassaults.gov.qc.ca
  7.  United Methodist Website on Sexual Ethics
    www.umsexualethics.org