236 | A church called TOV: Identify Power abuse NOW and Create healthy Church Cultures instead w/Scot McKnight

https://open.spotify.com/episode/6b78wo9AOvHbv2oNmyEoda?si=t5asIsycT8uTr3CTLUps8g

HEALTHY CHURCH EXPERIENCES ARE POSSIBLE, BUT WE MUST BUILD THEM!

Church should be a place of healing, not harm. Yet, many have experienced toxic church culture—manipulation, power struggles, and even spiritual abuse. If you've ever wrestled with these issues, you're not alone. Perhaps it felt like something was "off" but you couldn't put your finger on it

In my latest podcast episode, I spoke with theologian and author Scot McKnight about his book A Church Called Tov. This powerful conversation sheds light on how toxic church culture forms and, more importantly, how we can foster a healthier, life-giving community instead.

What Is a Toxic Church Culture? Scot explains that toxicity often stems from narcissistic leadership, power imbalances, and the prioritization of reputation over truth. In toxic churches, people are often discouraged from questioning leadership, and fear becomes a tool of control.

Signs of a toxic church include: ❌ Leaders who resist accountability ❌ An emphasis on image over integrity ❌ A culture of fear, secrecy, or favoritism ❌ The misuse of Scripture to silence concerns

What Does a Healthy, “Tov” Church Look Like? The opposite of toxicity is Tov—the Hebrew word for goodness. Scot outlines how churches can cultivate a Tov culture by prioritizing truth-telling, empathy, grace, and accountability.

Signs of a Tov church include: ✔️ Leaders who are humble and transparent ✔️ A culture that values people over platforms ✔️ Encouragement of questions and healthy critique ✔️ A commitment to healing and wholeness

How to Heal from a Toxic Church Experience If you’ve been hurt by church leadership, healing is possible. Scot advises: ✅ Prioritize your emotional, spiritual, and psychological well-being ✅ Seek support from a therapist, mentor, or wise friend ✅ Find a community that embodies Tov values ✅ Don’t feel pressured to “fix” a broken system—sometimes leaving is necessary

Final Thoughts: If you’ve struggled with church hurt, I want you to know—you are not alone. And more importantly, God’s heart for His church is good. There is hope, healing, and a better way forward.

📖 Listen to my full conversation with Scot McKnight here:

Have you experienced toxic church culture? What helped you heal? Let’s continue the conversation in the comments!

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