Our blog contains ACNAtoo statements and updates, community resources written by the ACNAtoo team, articles on abuse-related topics by outside experts, and more.
Survivor-Centered Approaches to Liability Insurance
Responding to misconduct claims with a posture of loving vulnerability will result in some surprisingly different courses of action. While admitting possible wrongs and centering the needs of those claiming harm may seem legally and socially dangerous, it is actually the most relationally healing approach. And it often saves time, money, reputations, and even souls.
Abuse in the Church & the Theologies of Glory & the Cross
All humans are theologians because we all speak about God. We speak not only with words, but with our deeds. How the church receives victims of sexual and spiritual abuse is theology; it is a public speaking about God, not only to the victims but to the watching world. How we respond to sexual and spiritual abuse in our communities testifies to the God in whom we believe.
A response to #BelieveUsToo from Cherin Marie
A response from Cherin Marie to the recent #BelieveUsToo statement.
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.
Leaving Well
In the stress, pain, confusion, and unspoken assumption that Christians don’t suffer abuse from churches, hurting Christians don’t often stop to ask themselves: Am I leaving well? That is, am I leaving in a state of wellness?
Abuse in the Church is Everyone's Problem
One of our team members spoke directly to her college community about her work with ACNAtoo and abuse in the church. It was originally published in The Wheaton Record, and republished on our site with permission.
FAQs about the UMD Investigation and GRACE
We recently learned that there is some confusion around ACNAtoo’s position regarding the investigative firm GRACE and the upcoming investigation into the mishandling of sexual abuse allegations in the ACNA Diocese of the Upper Midwest. The following FAQs are designed to answer some of the questions we’ve received.
Investigations 101: Public Contract & Scope
ACNAtoo has cited several major concerns with the Province's announcement of an investigation firm, which we will explore in this 3-part series. In Part Twp, we focus on the public contract and scope of an investigation.
Investigations 101: Waiving Attorney-Client Privilege
ACNAtoo has cited several major concerns with the Province's announcement of an investigation firm, which we will explore in this 3-part series. In Part One, we focus on the Province’s refusal to waive attorney-client privilege.
A Petition to the Province
Of the two firms chosen by the PRT, it is our opinion that neither one meets even the basic criteria for trauma-informed and survivor-centered investigations. Not only do these firms fail to meet minimum standards, but their own words stand in blatant disregard of survivors' carefully stated requests to the Upper Midwest Diocese and the Province to make the investigation safe for survivors to participate in.
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.
On Grieving the Loss of a Church
When we grieve the loss of a child, a spouse, a parent, we are afforded some understanding from people around us. They show up on our front doorstep with hugs and sympathy casseroles. When we grieve the loss of a church, it is difficult for the people around us to understand the depth of our mourning.
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.
Contact Form Error
We were made aware last week that the contact form on our website is not properly landing in our inbox. We’re so sorry if you have attempted to contact us using the form and haven’t received a response.
How can the Good be Bad? Discerning Fruit in Churches that Hurt Us
Many of us have experienced lovely and encouraging church communities. But what do we do when our church communities are revealed to contain unhealth? How do we hold together the good we know was good with the knowledge of the bad?
Fr. Keith and the Case of the Missing Correction
The Province alerted ACNAtoo that Fr. Keith Hartsell would issue a public correction on October 31 regarding his misleading comments from September 5. However, the audio of the 10/31/21 livestream goes silent for 5:54 during the announcements. If any correction was issued, it was masked by this silence.
Time for Action: Part 04, Other Disciplinary Actions
Part 4 of our Time for Action series, detailing and explaining the requests regarding additional disciplinary actions in our July 15 open letter to Archbishop Foley Beach.