Ep. 244 Diane Langberg - When the Church Harms God's People
Nov 22, 2024
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Diane Langberg, an internationally recognized psychologist with over 50 years of experience working with abuse victims, shares her insights on the devastating impact of abuse within the church. She emphasizes the importance of prioritizing love, truth, and obedience over institutional reputation. Langberg recounts poignant stories of victims and advocates for the church to confront harsh realities. With a vision of hope, she calls for genuine transformation, urging Christians to embody Christ-like character and support those who have suffered.
Diane Langberg emphasizes that the church must prioritize Christ-likeness and genuine care for the marginalized over institutional reputation.
Addressing systemic abuse requires transparency and accountability, ensuring that leaders are held to a high standard of integrity and growth.
Deep dives
The Impact of Abuse on Identity
Abuse often leads victims to internalize feelings of guilt and shame, questioning what they did wrong in the situation. This misconception is similar to the theological notion of Jesus at the cross, where the focus is misplaced on his perceived failings rather than those of the abusers. It's emphasized that victims are affected not because of any inherent flaw in themselves, but rather because of the actions of others that violate their humanity. Recognizing this fundamental truth is essential for healing and supporting those who have experienced abuse.
The Church's Responsibility to the Vulnerable
The church should embody the principles of Christlikeness, prioritizing love, truth, and obedience over institutional reputation. Historically, there have been significant abuses and cover-ups within church institutions, often justified in the name of protecting its image. True transformation occurs when the church confronts painful truths and listens to the voices of the marginalized and abused. By understanding God's heart for the vulnerable, the church can realign itself with its mission to care for the least of these.
Recognizing and Addressing Abuse Within the Church
It is crucial for church leaders and congregants to stay vigilant in identifying predatory behaviors and systemic issues that allow abuse to proliferate. The responsibility lies in fostering environments that prioritize transparency and accountability, which includes implementing checks and balances, such as background checks, to ensure safety. Recognizing that evil can infiltrate any organization, regardless of its outward appearance, is vital for maintaining the integrity of the church. Educating members about the nature of abuse and encouraging honest discussions can empower communities to confront and prevent such behaviors.
Forgiveness, Repentance, and Restoration
The process of forgiveness and repentance within the context of church leadership must be approached with a deep understanding of the consequences of abuse. Genuine transformation is not achieved by superficial apologies or returning individuals to power without thorough accountability and demonstrated change. There needs to be an emphasis on Christlikeness, requiring a long-term commitment to personal growth and deep reflection on how one's actions have affected others. The church should focus on nurturing an environment where leaders pursue holiness and accountability, thereby fostering a healthier community for all.
It’s a privilege to be in conversation with Diane Langberg today, a psychologist who has spent over 50 years working with victims of abuse, particularly within the church. Langberg has seen firsthand the devastating impact when the very institutions meant to protect and nurture God's people end up harming them instead. Diane believes that the solution lies not in better policies or procedures, but in a deeper reorientation towards Christ-likeness - a radical commitment to love, truth, and obedience that must permeate every corner of the church. She argues that too often, we've made the institution, the building, the reputation the priority, rather than faithfully following our true head, Jesus. She pulls no punches, recounting harrowing stories of abuse covered up in the name of protecting the church's image. But she also offers a vision of hope - that by facing these painful truths head-on, by listening to the 'least of these,' the church can be transformed to truly reflect the heart of the Savior it claims to follow. This is a challenging, sobering, and ultimately hopeful conversation that I believe every Christian leader needs to engage with. Langberg's wisdom and experience offer a clarion call for the church to get back to its biblical foundations - not as an institution to defend, but as the living, breathing body of Christ.
Diane Langberg (PhD, Temple University) is an internationally recognized psychologist with more than 50 years of experience. She chaired the advisory board of the American Association of Christian Counselors until 2021 and cofounded the Global Trauma Recovery Institute, which trains therapists to assist trauma victims across the world. She is the founder of Langberg, Monroe & Associates, which provides counseling services in Jenkintown, Pennsylvania, and consults with Christian organizations around the world. Langberg is the author of seven books, including Redeeming Power. Her books have been translated into 11 languages.