Our blog contains ACNAtoo statements and updates, community resources written by the ACNAtoo team, articles on abuse-related topics by outside experts, and more.
Understanding Trauma
Dr. Karisa Smith is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist specializing in Complex Trauma, Child Welfare and Trauma-Informed Care, and she was kind enough to respond to our questions about trauma and trauma-informed care.
Dear Jane: Why We Do What We Do
A number of weeks ago our team received a thoughtful, charitable, yet concerned email from an ACNA member who, while deeply committed to supporting victims of abuse in the church, expressed concern about the methods our team has utilized in our advocacy work. This piece is an adaptation of our response and we hope it can be helpful and illuminating to any who share the letter writer’s concerns.
Judy Dabler, Matthew 18, and the Silencing of Survivors in the Church
Recently, Christianity Today examined the allegations of silencing, manipulation and abuse perpetrated by Judy Dabler and a ministry using “Matthew 18” as a model for conciliation. Contributor John Perrine explores why Jesus’s teaching in Matthew 18 is so often taken out of context and what Jesus is really saying for victims who suffered abuse.
The connections between sexual abuse and spiritual abuse in the Upper Midwest Diocese
Recently ACNAtoo has sought to bring to light the stories of sexual abuse survivors under the care of the Upper Midwest Diocese (UMD). This article seeks to make important connections between sexual abuse and the recent decision to investigate canonical abuse of power (spiritual abuse) by the PRT.
Diocese of the Upper Midwest Survivor’s Guide
This resource has been created in collaboration with survivors and grassroots organizers from the Upper Midwest Diocese and broader ACNA. The goal of this guide is to provide education around and highlight clear pathways to participate in the current investigation the ACNA has launched regarding ‘Canonical Abuse of Power’ or spiritual abuse in the UMD. We hope you find it clear and helpful in discerning your next steps if applicable.
VIA Survivor’s Guide
This resource has been created in collaboration with survivors and grassroots organizers from VIA Apostolica, a missionary diocese domiciled within the ACNA Diocese of the Upper Midwest. The goal of this guide is to provide education around and highlight clear pathways to participate in the current investigation the ACNA has launched regarding VIA Apostolica and Bp. Todd Atkinson. We hope you find it clear and helpful in discerning your next steps if applicable.
Spiritual Abuse Syllabus
Spiritual abuse is a form of emotional and psychological abuse that is characterized by a systematic pattern of coercive and controlling behavior in a religious context. ACNAtoo has put together this guide designed to provide books, articles, podcasts, and other resources to help navigate the complexities of identifying, naming, and healing from spiritual abuse.
What is Spiritual Abuse?
You’ve probably been hearing the term “spiritual abuse,” but what does that term mean, and how do you identify whether it’s happened to you? Pastor John Perrine surveys recent literature to reflect on how to spot it and why it matters to ongoing investigations of abuse.