Diane Langberg: Understanding Abuse of Power in the Church

Abuse has become epidemic in the church-and so has cover-up. But what causes abuse in the church? And how can we stop it?
Author, psychologist, and trauma expert Dr. Diane Langberg answers these questions with uncommon insight and clarity in this opening session from Restore 2022.
Dr. Langberg explains how God gave people power so they could be living, breathing representations of Him. Yet too often, we misuse this power to exploit the vulnerable. Or, we excuse and cover up others’ abuse, believing we need to protect a church or leader for the sake of the kingdom.
It’s a horrific pattern that’s being repeated again and again in the church. And as Dr. Langberg explains, it all begins with deception.
This session was also released as an audio podcast and transcript on June 7, 2022:
julieroys.com/podcast/diane-l...
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[@mvaug69]

So pleased you've heard Diane Langberg Julie. She agreed to my sharing her videos. Abuse in the Church should and must be exposed and stopped. 😀❤🙏

[@lorisale7468]

Brilliantly written and humbly delivered, these are the most important words for the Body of Christ today. Thank you for your wisdom and godly character.

[@saltnlight8072]

We need to hear this in the church (an understatement of the millennia of church history). Thank you with all my heart, Julie, for featuring Dr. Langberg. And my heartfelt thanks to Dr. Langberg for exposing the lies and standing in the gap for truth. God bless you both. ❤

[@janeanderson5113]

I'm 74. My first experience (sad to say there have been more) of the abuse of power in the name of God (in the church) took place when I was 30. Twenty-eight years later I wrote a book about what happened to me and how I recovered. It took me that long to get past my fear of doing so. Then for the last 17 years I have been learning and seeking answers to the questions posed in the introduction for Diane L. I am so grateful for the light she has brought and continues to bring on this subject. I have come to believe that the church made a wrong turn a very long time ago when believers began to follow, look to, and lift up human beings as their leaders instead of learning to follow Jesus Himself, first and foremost. By the way, Jesus told us plainly not to call or be called leaders because He was our Leader. (That fact is obfuscated by translations.) He also warned us not to exercise power over one another as the Gentiles do in their authoritarian hierarchies. History shows that those in the church who began to be followed and regarded as God's authorities, perpetuated this wrong dynamic by teaching that it was of God. If anyone questioned church authorities, they would pay a price. My husband and I have just completed a book together about this fallen dynamic in the church, one that has damaged the body of Christ and opened a wide door for the devil. We wrote about how the most fundamental need today is for individual Christians to return and learn to follow the rightful King--Jesus. Teaching people to follow Him should be front and center in church messaging, but it isn't, at least not in my experience. I think that the idea of the common believer following the King directly is a threat to today's religious leaders--the same way it was a threat to the religious leaders in Jesus' day. They did not like it when they saw people begin to follow Jesus instead of them. The other thing we need is an army of prayer warriors praying for judgment to begin at the house of God, which is to be a house of prayer, not a den of abusers. The abusers are actually usurping the authority that belongs to Christ alone. The whole earth is languishing because of this. Like what happened at Ai, sin in the camp has resulted in God's people being run over by the enemy. I have joined the praying army, and I think a lot more are enlisting everyday. Sorry for the long comment. My blog is here: lemonstograpes.com/blog.

[@marycecilledivine]

"An army of prayer warriors praying for judgment to begin at the house of God, which is to be a house of prayer, not a den of abusers." I have been doing this for years. I praise the LORD for you and your husband, Dr. Diane Langberg, the Roy's Report by Julie that I subscribe. I am 69 and I cannot stand this so called "authority" of elders that want to force me to submit to the so called pontificating of local church authority. I cannot be in any organized church but I do follow the LORD Jesus and not any man. I hate cultic authority that you have to obey through elders or you are damned to outer darkness and gnashing of teeth. I am in the Scriptures daily and follow Jesus absolutely with all those who do the same just like you. I want to read your book. I will check out you blog.

[@marycecilledivine]

BTW, I am Mary Yeh.

[@janeanderson5113]

@@marycecilledivine And I thank God for you, too! He hears our cries and answers!

[@janeanderson5113]

@@susandumbill8805 Thanks for what you wrote. It is very true. Sadly, we have experienced exactly what you describe numerous times. We're on a "church" break right now. Interestingly, the Lord has been leading us and blessing us with His presence and with meeting more of His people who are following Him outside the camp. We have seen him working in some amazing ways that are out-of-the-traditional-church-box. It is encouraging to hear that more and more of us are waking up and not willing to be silent anymore. My faith is increasing every day that the Lord is going to bring down the evil leadership stronghold in His church. He is able to do exceedingly, abundantly, above all that we "askers" are asking! So thankful for you!

[@saltnlight8072]

Thank you. ❤ I am currently outside the camp as it were, but believe on Jesus for the forgiveness of my sins and my hope of eternal life. I so deeply appreciate your thoughtful comment here and will be checking out your blog.

[@Ben31Son]

MY GOD! So clearly delivered - and profound

[@shelteredsparrow2736]

Thanks for posting this. I would have LOVED to have gone to the conference but couldn’t. As a person that has PTSD due to abuse, her book is one that helped me.

[@Iris-2023gh]

Thank you. Decades later, the impacts still come alive each time it is mentioned. Words, which are supposed to use to build a person up, are used to crush not to bless by many today be it in the secular world or the religious circle. God's words are used to set the foundation enable growth to take place, not to be misused to lie with the intention to strengthen one's position or for whatever reason that is vital to the abuser.

[@maaikekamstra7353]

This really give me the answer of my prayer, my doubt, my question, how to see the things clear. "As the deceptions become more frequent and the victims more vocal they the victims have to be tossed out discarded maligned and criticized because after all they're destroying god's work". Finally I could see it. Thank you so much for uploading this beautifull lesson.

[@edisontheologicalseminary0814]

wow, very insightful and profound. Time to recuprate godly character over charisma.

[@Sekte-kultovi]

Prophetic voice to the Body of Christ

[@gregoryrelationshipcoach9229]

15:30. We are more interested in "what is your call" rather than "how is your character".

[@mvaug69]

Diane Langberg came to my awareness a year or two ago. She's a very valuable teacher for the Church. Those of us who have been undermined, even rejected from a church community for completely unjust reasons, never openly discussed and resolved, is evidence that something is very wrong with a leadership that can't deal with these issues simply out of fear of being ostracized and put out of leadership. Christ requires us to deal openly and honestly with each other in all spiritual matters. Particularly for sexual abuse and/or violence, victims needs assurance and protection. We simply can't abandon our brothers and sisters in Christ when immoral and harmful acts are committed against them in the Church.. If we truly live for Christ we won't stand by and let it happen, more particularly knowing He rejects none who come to Him. Sexual abuse in the Church continues to increase at alarming levels. As a child abuse victim in recovery and previous battered wife myself, I see the need for strong voices in the Church to expose this problem as completely unacceptable. To love Christ is to stand with Him not hide. We can do huge harm to the Church ignoring these problems. ❤😂

[@Esther_is_my_name]

This! I so needed to hear a sound voice of REASON. Even though I am two years past this (as it is June of 2024), I have never heard of this Conference or Diane. There is so much to take in, I may watch this a few times and really try to fully grasp all she is stating here. WOW! I need to get her book as well. As someone who is tired of being re-victimized by the wolves....still gossiping and victim blaming "you have church hurt", I suppose that is "gaslighting"??? I am not even really sure...but abuse that was done to me, is always my fault or I am a liar, never the individual who actually did such things...the victims the problem and other peoples accountability and consequences are mine in other words, so tired of it! As Christians, we are, or should be convicted of what we actually are guilty of. And I now understand why God called me out of that place of hurt and nonsense, it's because it isn't coming from God! He certainly does DELIVER us from things that don't honour Him! I am grateful and thankful. And thank you for this video! God bless! Amen! EDIT IN...That closing, SO POWERFUL! Because the TRUTH IS! Amen! Thank You Jesus Yeshua for this message! WOW!

[@Window4503]

I could have used this video, like, a decade ago!

[@ivanasimic2072]

So good. Listening over and over again. Thank you Dr. Diane Langberg

[@pstrwaka7901]

My mission for the last 30 + years here in NZ. Ezekiel 34 reveals this as the reason Jesus is "The Good shepherd" , the one Jesus in John10 knew they were waiting for because Ezekiel promised God would send his own shepherd to rescue the trampled and starved sheep from under the feet of the fat sheep ( self interested) and their hirelings that devour the flock rather than feed it.... Its his work, lets walk in step with him in it. Shalom

[@helenlowder3424]

Thank you for answering to the call

[@cyndiutzman-griffin5067]

Thank you

[@powdapuff77]

Very good lecture. Coming out three charismatic churches, I have seen some of the things mentioned on varying levels. Especially the disobedience of the Word around gifting. I am now in a reformed church and feel finally at home.

[@Medietos]

Thank you fine Mrs Diane L. The worst danger may not be the unwhole abusive priests, but our own harmed selves incapacitating us to be in touch with our own body and its own wonderful defense system, the s c gut feeling, the "no!" instinct and integrity. An elderly priestt, married with 5 children, tried to change my plea for religious and spiritual guidance in life-long trauma crisis and ill health into some physical contact. He pretended to like meand I felt so awful, disappointed, repelled, betrayed, earlier sexual abuses by others getting activated too. It has been a consolation and help though, hearing Eugen Drewermann, the priest psycho-analyst, explain how such priests are harmed, traumatized, and their things surfacing from the unhealed constraints of the chiurch and the work. Trauma therapist Franz Ruppert als explained (YT) that sore becomes vice, perpetrators were perpetrated. I get that, maybe becoming one myself after decades, a life of being abused without getting my chance to heal, grow and live. How would a healthy one react to sexual abuse? Can one apply that to heal as well, when lacking a therapist? Because they say healing is easy and simple, and I want to heal, with or without a therapist or other help, mediator. Might you reply? That would mean very much. All the best to you.

[@Ronpaulians]

You are correct. 2 days ago I I decided to start publically denouncing the predatory evangelical chain of pedophilia I was a victim of together with my brother and a neighbor. I am the only.survivor out of the three. An American pastor here in Bogotá then took advantage of my evident traumas to exploit me as a night guard for 2 years without any payment at all. And if that was not enough, he physically assaulted me and commited public humiliation and shaming. Only one missionary from Florida tried to defend me, but her Colombia husband reprimended her very angrily. I am devastated physically, mentally, socially, economically, but the day before yesterday when I decided to speak up, my spiritual restoration began and that is a releaf, no Matter how devastated everything else is. So, I agree with you. The Bible verdes that Ministry predators and their accomplices use to terrorize their victims and make us not to denounce out of fear of being struck by a thunder from Heaven, is the most devastating of all the chain of abuse. I have been in healing on my own for just 2 days, but maybe de could talk on WhatsApp or something. My email is [e-mail]. God blesa you.

[@mistybedwell5962]

THANK YOU!

[@5454randy]

"If integrity of character is not the measure of a leader, then we will be seduced by the gifts" - 16:12

[@Ben31Son]

This!

[@stevenlangley6606]

Absolutely truth.

[@toddkeating4073]

It’s interesting, our church is in the process of searching for a new pastor and in the survey they sent out I prioritized preaching the word as my most desirable quality of interest. Hmm, maybe I need to rethink this after hearing this.

[@Ben31Son]

Indeed, Todd! It has me thinking as well- not for the same purpose but for what I am looking for in good spiritual leaders.

[@johntobey1558]

How about living God's word (orthopraxy) and God's heart (orthopathy).

[@KJ-lb4tj]

It's great that you are taking notice, we all need to learn these things. Church is a community of loving relations...not a group of people that sit listening to a sermon.

[@SuperMichelleDJ]

It would be nice if people could become pastors instead of cult leaders. I also refuse to take up any activities where the Bible tells you to freely participate in whatever ministry, but you need permission to actually follow what the Bible says, from another person! No thank you!

[@anthonycostello6055]

I was emotionally and verbally abused (often through the silent treatment, and gaslighting) by my ex-wife. I was also lied about repeatedly (and they were not "little white lies"), and even mocked within the marriage, on a few occasions even for my faith. Unfortunately, I am a man, and if you are a man who gets abused or manipulated or gaslighted in this society (and in our contemporary Church) you are pretty much on your own. There won't be any conferences for you, no matter how badly you were hurt or abused or how much collateral damage was heaped upon your children. It was only once I was outside the marriage that I even began to see how badly I had been manipulated. However, one thing I did learn is that judges, lawyers and social workers are actually quite aware of the abusive power of women as well as men. They are often far more astute at the manipulative power of both sexes. So they often see through what pastors, elders and Christian leaders willfully ignore. I found more fairness and careful judgment, call it "worldly wisdom," in the legal system than in the Church, which is simply naive and, to be honest, intimidated by the culture in which we now reside. It was notable that once my situation got to the court, where truth and falsehood are still considered the basis for the validity of accusations, I won on every single issue. I am grateful at least that Diane refrained from using gendered language here, and referred primarily to "leaders," "speakers," "pastors," "spouses" etc., which could mean both men and women. However, I imagine everyone in the audience is thinking these types of abuse can ONLY be attributed to men. That said, if you are a man who has been abused, lied about and manipulated, I would strongly suggest going directly to a lawyer, and not to waste too much time looking for help in the Church. Most likely you will not find any spiritual or emotional solace among most churches today, especially Evangelical ones. I know at least four other men in my area who have experienced pretty much the same thing; some whose wives even cheated on them, and their elders could care less. As to grand deceivers like Ravi Zacharias, they make it hard, nearly impossible, for ordinary men to get a fair shake when it comes to more mundane problems within the Church and especially in the home.

[@johntobey1558]

Ravi Zacharias is not the only player in this larger drama.

[@Star-dj1kw]

✅ very good video

[@claudiabannister6414]

💜💜💜....thank you

[@jayjohnston2412]

Amen! 🙏🏻🙌❤️

[@ellasmith6291]

Please let me now more about this lady.

[@KISTOVI]

Thank you. You darling , kind women , women by Lords heart.

[@ruebdogg]

What do you think about churches that don’t allow psychology into their counseling? Or one with a leader that says PTSD or ADHD is not real?

[@godschild5824]

When you hear what I say you will not understand. When you see what I do, you will not comprehend. For the hearts of these people are hardened, and their ears can not hear, and they have closed their eyes so their eyes can not see, their ears can not hear and their hearts can not understand. And hey can not turn to me and let me heal them Father- open the eyes of the blind, open the ears of those who can not hear. Father let them see you In Jesus Christ s name I pray Amen

[@Evajiv]

What Bible verses are that?

[@jsptoa]

30:40 mind blowing.

[@1952monkey]

The elder to the elect lady and her children, whom I love in truth, and not only I, but also all who know the truth, because of the truth that abides in us and will be with us forever: Grace, mercy, and peace will be with us, from God the Father and from Jesus Christ the Father's Son, in truth and love. I rejoiced greatly to find some of your children walking in the truth, just as we were commanded by the Father. 2 John

[@petery6432]

Hey Julie, recently I was listening to a channel called Inspiring Philosophy. He had the ex-wives of a preacher named Kent Hovind on to talk about some of the awful things he was doing. I was wondering if you had heard about this and were looking into it as well, given that it falls under abuse within the church.

[@donnag.3611]

Peter, I watched videos as well...I made some comments on there as well. The more we dig, the more we see...that is NOT from Jesus Christ but from the Wolves!!!

[@chrisgemmell102]

Give this woman a job at ihop

[@janefoley7539]

Does Julie Roy’s have a tip line or a place to send information for investigation?

[@lizh1988]

Check the description for her website and other info. Also look around at the channel if you don't find what you want.

[@aljonco1]

It seems to me that all sin is simply abuse of power in one form or another.

[@cyndiutzman-griffin5067]

Matthew 4:4

[@Elrae77]

Sounds like Mike Bickle to the T.

[@truthpluslove]

Wow...a body that doesn't follow is head is a sick body. 😢😢

[@JonathanGrandt]

The powA dynammik

[@ivadedeva7005]

My father is a destructive cult leader!

[@chanteynk7324]

Sorry to hear that dear. Is he a narcissist?

[@ivadedeva7005]

I guess so. He is master player!

[@Johannesburg777]

Who is your father?

[@alastairhopkins245]

The perfect church on Earth does not exist and you cannot make the perfect church. If you can prove me wrong and find this church DO NOT JOIN IT!!! If you do you will spoil it.

[@EPHESIANS_5..11__Lady]

🎯

[@warrenmoon7709]

Thank you