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.

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Find out more about Scot's work here:
- https://x.com/scotmcknight
- https://scotmcknight.substack.com/
- https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B001IQZDNO

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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

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