This is the true story of a church in America's Bible Belt, the First Christian Church in Florissant, Missouri--a church with a meager beginning and record of steady growth for forty-nine years until the weight of sexual abuse charges against a youth minister left it, and its congregation, broken. This is a case history and analysis of those events.
This is for the victims.—Joy S. Taylor, Author
Come along with me through discussion of
characteristics of churches and pastors that tend to
operate this way under the threat of misconduct
exposure. Let’s look at common techniques of
leadership during the cover-up process.
Lord, help me be a good neighbor, a helpful neighbor, a praying neighbor, a loving neighbor, a hospitable neighbor and a generous neighbor. I humbly ask in your name and authority, according to the good and perfect will of the Father. Amen. “‘Which of these three, do you think, proved to be a neighbor to…
Today is a beautiful day, because Jesus taught the lawyer who questioned him, “‘Which of these three, do you think, proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell among the robbers?’ He [the lawyer] said, ‘The one who showed him mercy.’ And Jesus said to him, ‘You go, and do likewise.’” (Luke 10:…
Lord, please grant me wisdom to discern. Grant me love enough to give to others. Provide so that I may share. Help me walk as a child of the Most High, being kind to the ungrateful and the evil. Show me how to pray for those who come against me for the sake of their…
Today is a beautiful day, because “But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil. Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful.” ( Luke 6:…
Four hundred years of your silence is four generations, Father. That’s long enough to extinguish a narrative, but it didn’t. The words of the prophets and the promise of the covenant echoed through generations of the faithful. I just stop and thank You for the miracle of those who stood in the deafening silence, seeking…
Today is a beautiful day, because God mercifully ended 400 years of silence, “Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for he has visited and redeemed his people and has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David, as he spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets…
Today is a beautiful day, because Mary speaks of God’s mercy twice in her “Magnificat” song of praise, “And his mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation.” “He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy.” (Luke 1: 50,54 ESV) Mercy #joyinverse #blessedthisdayandeveryday
Father, I’m trying to wrap my brain around the commitment Mary made in becoming the mother of the Savior of the world. The immensity and impact of the love in her heart for You amazes me. She loved You because You first loved her. Her spirit rejoiced in You. She recognized the works You had…
Scripture Twisting is used often by abusers to establish their position over that of anyone questioning their behavior. They turn God’s Word into weapons to go against their perceived attacker. From the book: “Abusers use distortion of biblical passages to gain their desired response. I have personal experience with Scripture twisting both from within my…
Lord, let me be cognizant of opportunities to tell others how good You have been to me. I don’t want to miss a chance to speak up. Please, put people in my circle of influence who need to see You at work, then open my mouth to say what You want them to know. Soften…
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