Broken to Beloved Podcast 083: Megachurch Culture and Christian Nationalism with Scott Latta
Dec 2, 2025
Scott Latta, an award-winning journalist and author of "Gods of the Smoke Machine," dives deep into the troubling connections between megachurch culture, Christian nationalism, and spiritual abuse. He reveals how successful evangelical churches perpetuate systemic misconduct and explores the personal stories of survivors. Latta highlights patterns of power consolidation, accountability gaps, and the impact of mega-pastors on vulnerable congregants. He calls for a normalization of discussions around spiritual abuse and envisions healing for survivors amidst a shifting landscape.
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Power Concentration In Megachurches
- Megachurches concentrate power around a single leader, creating systems that protect those at the top.
- That concentration of authority increases risk of unchecked misconduct and systemic harm.
Repeating Patterns In Abuse Cases
- Distinct survivor stories from across the country show repeating patterns of isolation and grooming.
- Those repeating patterns reveal a consistent 'playbook' used to gain access and control.
Anonymity At Massive Churches
- Scott describes attending a megachurch where no one greets or knows regular attendees, creating anonymity.
- A woman told him, 'you could drop dead, and your pastor wouldn't even know' to emphasize isolation.