038: The Power Dynamics Of Spiritual Abuse & How To Confront Abusive Christian Environments

In this episode of the Church Disrupted podcast, Jeff Cochran interviews Scott McKnight, a theologian and advocate for spiritual abuse victims. They discuss the complexities of spiritual abuse, the power dynamics involved, and the impact on individuals and communities. Scott shares his journey of advocating for spiritual abuse victims and teaching churches to build a Tove culture. They also explore the challenges of recognizing and responding to spiritual abuse within the church. The conversation covers various aspects of spiritual abuse, including realistic expectations, time limits, and the impact of church systems. It also delves into the evolution of pastoral roles, the impact of mega-churches, and the modern-day church playbook for addressing the scandal. Additionally, it explores the trauma experienced by pastors and the need for a trauma-informed approach in the church. Want to support Church Disrupted financially? https://www.disrupted.church/give Find out more about Scot's work here: - https://x.com/scotmcknight - https://scotmcknight.substack.com/ - https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B001IQZDNO THANK YOU to our podcast partner, the East TN Mentorship Association! Find out more information about what they do or connect with them at https://earnyoursanctuary.com/ . TELL THEM WE SENT YOU for a special rate that is ONLY for Church Disrupted Podcast listeners. Find out MORE about our podcast partners here: https://www.disrupted.church/sponsors. Find out more about the Church Disrupted Podcast at https://www.disrupted.church/. Please Subscribe and Share! Chapters 00:00 Understanding Spiritual Abuse: A Complex Journey 09:30 The Definition and Impact of Spiritual Abuse 24:00 Navigating Power Dynamics and Healing 27:43 Navigating Spiritual Abuse: Realistic Expectations and Time Limits 31:33 Evolution of Pastoral Roles and the Impact of Mega Churches 48:59 The Modern-Day Church Playbook for Addressing Scandal 52:19 Trauma-Informed Approach in the Church