Episode 10 · August 24, 2026 · 34 min
Spiritual Abuse vs Church Hurt: 6 Red Flags You Shouldn't Ignore
Was it church hurt… or something deeper? In this episode, Kristen and Abbi discuss what spiritual abuse can look like and why many Christians recognize pain in church but don't always have language for abuse, manipulation, control, and misuse of spiritual authority. Drawing from their lived experiences and observations over decades, they explain how spiritual abuse in church often hides behind religious language, ministry culture, and outward appearances of health. They break down 6 major red flags of spiritual abuse: deflection of responsibility instilling fear exaggerated spiritual authority or overbearing power self-serving motivations undefined or moving expectations twisting Scripture This episode is for anyone who has ever wondered: Was that really God? Why didn't something in church feel right? Was this just church hurt, or was it spiritual abuse? They also emphasize that spiritual abuse is not limited to churches or Christianity and can show up in families, leadership systems, and other religious settings as well. If this episode resonates with your story, know that Jesus is not the source of abuse, and healing is possible. You don't need to walk away from your faith to walk away from abusive dynamics. For support in your healing journey, connect with The Adi Project. Want to work together? Here's how we can help you reclaim your God-given identity and purpose! * Snag a free gift and find out more at https://www.adiproject.org * Coaching: Has the past silenced who you are? Do you want to get unstuck? Sign up for private coaching sessions with one of Adi Project's coaches: https://www.adiproject.org/christian-coaching * Courses: Do you wonder where God was in your trauma? Want to go deeper in your faith but aren't ready to commit to coaching? Purchase the 9 week Called By Name video course, book, and workbook. https://www.adiproject.org/adi-books-and-merch * Resources: Do you want to learn more about identity but don't want to read another self-help book? Are you drawn to fantasy fiction? We have you covered with the Redemption of Adi trilogy. https://www.adiproject.org/adi-books-and-merch * Community: You don't have to walk this journey alone. Join our Identity Building Facebook community and connect with others who are discovering their true identity and purpose. https://www.facebook.com/groups/1437640954240014 #ChurchHurt #SpiritualAbuse #ReligiousTrauma #TraumaHealing #IdentityInChrist #ChristianPodcast #SpiritualHealing #ChurchLeadership #ToxicChurchCulture #HealingFromTrauma #FaithHealing #BiblicalTruth #EmotionalHealing #ChristianCoaching #ReclaimingIdentity
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