Diane Langberg: Understanding Abuse of Power in the Church

Guest Bios Show Transcript https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qk9yaABPCEs 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? In this special episode of The Roys Report, author, psychologist, and trauma expert, Dr. Diane Langberg, answers these questions with uncommon insight and clarity.  In the opening session of 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. We deceive ourselves, believing our sins aren't consequential and our complicity with sinful systems is excusable. And then we become blinded to the wolves in our midst.  “You will not see wolves clearly," Dr. Langberg states, "unless you tend to your own wolf-like character or tendencies. You will excuse them.” Dr. Langberg's message could not be more timely or more needed. This Week’s Guest Dr Diane Langberg Diane Langberg, Ph.D. is globally recognized for her 50 years of clinical work with trauma victims. She has trained caregivers and church leaders on six continents on how to recognize and respond to trauma and the abuse of power in a healing way. Her most recent book is Redeeming Power: Understanding Authority and Abuse in the Church. Show Transcript SPEAKERS JULIE ROYS, DR. DIANE LANGBERG JULIE ROYS 00:04 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? Welcome to The Roys Report, a podcast dedicated to reporting the truth and restoring the church. I’m Julie Roys. And if ever there was a time that the church needed restoring, it’s now. There has been scandal after scandal after scandal in the church, multiple high profile Christian leaders have fallen. And now there’s the Southern Baptist Convention’s report revealing sexual abuse and cover up on a massive scale throughout the nation’s largest Protestant denomination. How can abuse, the preying on the most vulnerable, happen within the church, the place where the sheep should be the most protected? Well, that was the focus of Dr. Diane Langberg’s powerful opening talk at the recent Restore Conference at Judson University. As Dr. Langberg explains, God gave people power to be living breathing representations of Him. Yet too often, those who profess Christ misuse this power to exploit the vulnerable and witnesses, believing they need to protect a leader or a church, cover up the abuse. It’s a horrific pattern that’s being repeated again and again and again in the church. And as Dr. Langberg explains, it all begins with deception. On this special edition of The Roys Report, we’ll hear Dr. Langberg’s powerful and insightful message. But first I’d like to thank the sponsors of this podcast, Judson University and Marquardt of Barrington Judson University is a top ranked Christian University providing a caring community and an excellent college experience. Plus, the school offers more than 60 majors great leadership opportunities and strong financial aid. Judson University is shaping lives that shaped the world. For more information just go to Judsonu.edu. Also, if you’re looking for a quality new or used car, I highly recommend my friends at Marquardt of Barrington. Marquardt is a Buick GMC dealership where you can expect honesty, integrity and transparency. That’s because the owners they are Dan and Curt Marquardt, are men of character. To check them out, just go to buyacar123.com. Well, again, what you’re about to hear is the opening message of the Restore 2022 Conference by Dr. Langberg. I think of Dr. Langberg as the matriarch of the church survivor community, and as