Abuse of Power Through the Lens of the Christian Reformed Church

Book excerpt: Abusive power by the pastors and church leadership is real and comes to our church members in many ways. It can be about church leader's violating boundaries, betraying trust, breaching confidentiality, and lying about what a church leader said or did. This book challenges the appeal process (council, classis, synod) of the Christian Reformed Church. Although the appeal process was not designed for abuse allegations, it is what is used when victims come forward with abuse of power allegations. Read about weaknesses of the appeal process and how change in the appeal process could create a safer church for all.