Safeguarding

As a teen, my decision to explore a different Christian denomination was met with unexpected opposition. This is part of my story, including my Savior's ability to heal spiritual wounds. I write from lived experience, more than twenty years of serving as a church youth leader, and ongoing learning about evidence-based safeguarding that names harm without undermining faith. A Positive Foundation Growing up, church played a huge (and positive) role in my life. It was central to

After decades of trying to understand my experiences with faith-based coercion—and later, the term spiritual abuse—I found a faith-affirming path to clarity and healing. Art by Sabrina Paredes I write from lived experience, more than twenty years of serving as a church youth leader, and ongoing learning about evidence-based safeguarding that names harm without undermining faith. I know I'm not the only one who has wrestled with this question: If church hurt and spiritual abus

No matter how an event resurfaces, our Savior understands. He was there before. He is with us now. He overcame all things. "Hide" by Elisabeth Handelsby I write from lived experience, more than twenty years of serving as a church youth leader, and ongoing learning about evidence-based safeguarding that names harm without undermining faith. Uncomfortable at Church Camp It’s late on the last night of church camp, and I’ve forgotten where I’ve parked my car (which means I can’t

It can be easy to see an unhappy camper as a problem to fix rather than a person to love. But what would Jesus do? Church-camp goers come in all forms—some youth count down the days to go, while others count down the hours until they can go home. Emotional stress at camp can come from changing friendships, shifting hormones, a faith crisis, or simply physical and social exhaustion (especially for introverts!). Whatever the reason, here are a few practical ways to anticipate a