Sexual abuse is a deeply troubling event found across human societies. Stories of child abuse are especially impactful because children are inherently vulnerable, and we naturally respond compassionately to those who have suffered. When such incidents occur, as recently reported by NBC regarding allegations against a Pentecostal organization, they unsettle our sense of safety, morality, and security.
Our reactions are shaped by cultural values that prioritize caring for and nurturing young people, and by the understanding that the trauma from child sexual abuse often lasts into adulthood, affecting relationships and well-being long-term.
In the context of Christian ministry, sexual abuse is one form of spiritual abuse. Although the focus of concern is often on the abuse of children, adults have also been abused in seminaries, churches, and other locations by ordained clergy and church leaders.
Clergy-congregant sex cannot be consensual because clergy are in a position of authority.
NBC News interview link:
Christian Ministries: Key Expectations
• Sacred spaces must be free from abuse or harassment.
• Church staff should nurture everyone, with special care for children.
• Workers must be trustworthy and exemplify denominational values.
What have we learned over the years?
• Many Christian denominations have concealed clergy abuse.
• News outlets in open societies can support victims.
• Victims may need legal help and therapy to recover.
• Organizational investigations and reforms often require significant time and effort.
What’s in the recent news report?
The most recent story was from NBC news. The report refers to allegations against ministers and churches associated with the Assemblies of God (AG) based in Springfield, Missouri. It is part of a series on abuse. NBC news story: https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/assembly-god-church-shield-predators-child-sex-abuse-allegations-rcna240213
Has the AG responded?
Yes. They confirm policies and procedures for child safety, including mandatory reporting, background checks, screenings, testing, and credentialing. They maintain zero tolerance for sexual abuse.
AG response
AG Policy and Psychologist Grant Jones
On October 6, 2025, psychologist Grant Jones shared an extensive post about AG’s “Disciplinary Guidelines for Misuse of Spiritual Authority.” He has concentrated on spiritual abuse cases reported by AG missionaries and has actively collaborated with AG leadership on this issue. Additionally, he started a Facebook group where members can share their experiences and find support.
Link: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1YfVYMGQNV/
What is the cultural context?
There are many ways to think about the cultural context of religious and spiritual abuse. When it comes to sexual abuse, a few major stories were widely read in the United States:
Catholic: Church allowed abuse by priest for years Jan 6, 2002, Boston Globe https://www.bostonglobe.com/news/special-reports/2002/01/06/church-allowed-abuse-priest-for-years/cSHfGkTIrAT25qKGvBuDNM/story.html
Southern Baptist: Abuse of Faith Houston Chronicle. 2019 https://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/investigations/abuse-of-faith/
US Anglican Church and Sexual Misconduct report
Washington Post link. https://wapo.st/3JR5ixL
What helps prevent clergy sexual abuse?
Following are some thoughts based on my experience with survivors, research studies, and reading what others have written.
Attitude
The reality is that sexual abuse can occur in any organization including churches therefore, an organization’s leadership must be focused on the wellbeing of the people they serve, which includes protecting them from all kinds of abuse.
Awareness of Abuse
All religious leaders must recognize the types of abuse they must guard against. Sexual abuse is one type of spiritual abuse with multiple deleterious effects.
Policies must clarify expected conduct of all clergy, church leaders, and volunteers (e.g., teachers and carers). This includes an understanding of major forms of spiritual harassment, spiritual abuse, and spiritual neglect.
Preventative Measures & Policies
Robust Screening and Background Checks: Thorough criminal background checks and reference checks (including from previous congregations) are essential for anyone in a leadership position or working with vulnerable populations (children, youth, or adults seeking counseling).
Clear Boundaries and Codes of Conduct:
Establish and enforce a formal, written code of conduct that clearly defines appropriate and inappropriate interactions (e.g., no private one-on-one meetings with minors, guidelines for electronic communication, supervision protocols for all activities).
Education and Awareness Training:
Provide mandatory, ongoing training for all staff, volunteers, and leaders on recognizing signs of abuse, grooming behaviors, maintaining appropriate boundaries, and proper reporting procedures.
Power Sharing and Accountability:
Create a shared power structure within the church governance to prevent any single individual from having unchecked authority. Normalizing dissent and encouraging congregants to voice concerns without fear of retribution helps with accountability.
Physical Environment Safeguards:
Implement physical measures such as windows in office doors, adequate lighting in hallways, and the use of check-in and check-out systems for children’s areas to ensure visibility and accountability.
Professional Counseling Referrals:
Ministers should know their limits and refer congregants with extensive or complex mental health needs to trained, licensed, and external professionals, avoiding dual relationships that create vulnerability.
Response and Accountability
Mandatory Reporting to Authorities:
All suspected or disclosed abuse of minors must be reported immediately to local law enforcement and child protective services, regardless of internal church policies or “clergy-penitent privilege” loopholes that may exist in some states for confessions.
Clear, Safe Reporting Channels:
Establish confidential and accessible channels for reporting abuse or concerns (e.g., an independent third party or advocate not directly linked to church leadership) and ensure protection against retaliation for those who come forward.
Prioritize the Victim:
When abuse is disclosed, the victim’s well-being and safety must be the top priority. This includes immediate support, access to professional counseling paid for by the institution, and a commitment to believe and affirm their experience using trauma-sensitive language.
Independent, Trauma-Informed Investigation:
A thorough, unbiased investigation should be conducted by an external, trauma-informed organization, with results shared transparently with the congregation.
Zero-Tolerance Policy:
Enforce a zero-tolerance policy that results in the immediate removal of the offender from any leadership role or access to the church community, with no possibility of regaining their position.
Transparency and Public Apology:
Church leadership should take responsibility for institutional failures, issue a direct and public apology, and communicate openly with the congregation about actions taken to prevent future occurrences.
Links to related information
NBC series “Pastors and Prey. https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/pastors-prey
Spiritual or Religious Neglect. https://suttonpsychology.blogspot.com/2021/09/spiritual-or-religious-neglect.html
Spiritual or religious Abuse. https://suttonpsychology.blogspot.com/2021/09/spiritual-or-religious-abuse.html
Spiritual or religious harassment. https://suttonpsychology.blogspot.com/2021/09/spiritual-and-religious-harassment.html
Notes
The AG was founded in 1914 in Hot Springs, Arkansas
US Members + Adherents = about 3 million
There are about 13,000 churches
AG source : https://ag.org/about/about-the-AG
Related Books and Articles
Poloma, M.M. & Green, J.C. (2010). The Assemblies of God: Godly love and the revitalization of American Pentecostalism. AMAZON: https://amzn.to/4nFUqAy
Pop, J. L., Sutton, G.W., & Jones, E.G. (2009). Restoring pastors following a moral failure: The effects of self-interest and group influence, Pastoral Psychology, 57, 275-284. [Includes AG sample] See Academia.edu ResearchGate.net
Sutton, G. W. Counseling and Psychotherapy with Pentecostal and Charismatic Christians: Culture & Research | Assessment & Practice [Includes research on clergy abuse.] AMAZON BOOKS. https://amzn.to/3Lq645u ISBN 979-8681036524
Sutton, G. W. & Jordan, K. (2013). Evaluating attitudes toward clergy restoration: The psychometric properties of two scales. Pastoral Psychology. doi 10.1007/s11089-013-0527-7 Published online 16 March 2013. See on Academia.edu ResearchGate.net
Sutton, G. W., McLeland, K. C., Weaks, K. Cogswell, P. E., & Miphouvieng, R. N. (2007). Does gender matter? An exploration of gender, spirituality, forgiveness and restoration following pastor transgressions. Pastoral Psychology, 55, 645-663. doi 10.1007/s11089-007-0072-3 Online Link http://www.springerlink.com/content/ n11144j1655536l2/ Academia.edu ResearchGate.net
Sutton, G.W., & Thomas, E. K. (2005). Can derailed pastors be restored? Effects of offense and age on restoration. Pastoral Psychology, 53, 583-599. Academia.edu ResearchGate.net
Thomas, E. K., & Sutton, G.W. (2008). Religious leadership failure: Forgiveness, apology, and restitution. Journal of Spirituality in Mental Health, 10, 308-327. Academia.edu ResearchGate.net
Thomas, E. K., White, K., & Sutton, G.W. (2008). Religious leadership failure: Apology, responsibility-taking, gender, forgiveness, and restoration. Journal of Psychology and Christianity, 27, 16-29. Academia.edu ResearchGate.net
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