We have come to acknowledge the most brutal truth no one ever wanted to admit; the church isn't always the safest place.

It is even harder for me to think of how many people have been scared away from the church as a whole with the belief that the church can be an unsafe or toxic environment. Though this podcast is not a "how to" get those people back, it is a podcast on how we should approach hard realities. Our goal is always to train people more effectively to help heal not hurt already hurt people.

Here is my breakdown of how a Church should respond when such things occur in its own church.

If you are reading this and you have been hurt within a church, I want to encourage you that

1. Humans will always fail humans

2. There is a higher accountability for those in leadership and God will never let something not come to light that was done in the dark (I Cor 4:5)

3. I encourage you to search for healing. Christ has never abandoned you, just people (Matt 7:7)

You can visit my episode on Sexual Abuse, you can click on "share your story" to help us learn more about how we can learn from your experience, or you can engage in a consultation for advice on the next steps you may need to take through your time of crisis. You can find it all right here at madetowalk.org

Churches: I beg of you to watch, adapt and adopt. Please do everything in your power to restrain the want to resist, deflect and defend. Only good things can come from hearing new ways to keep others safe through tough trials. You are not alone and we would love to help you put those efforts in place. Feel free to visit "consultation" for an analysis of your current church crisis management plan. Learn more about Strategy, Emergency, and Tactical options at madetowalk.org