Thank you for revisiting this. If only people knew and yet even more horrific is that many do and yet still _______. I am both surprised that the place continues to exist and also not surprised given that the system is set up for victims to become victims and perpetrators to thrive and no one to question or speak out. Sadly I too was a student, member, etc. etc. it’s complicated and I wish I weren’t still connected at all but in some ways I am. Again it’s complicated. I likely knew your father and you likely would know mine. They would likely have known each other. I hope that the truth will one day be revealed and not just around what did occur but around all the covering up of what was occurring.
We're revealing that truth, so many people. I hope for a tipping point. But the frustration you express here is a big part of why I'm coming back to this. Even though, like you say here, I too wish I weren't still connected. And yet, here I go.
I’m just starting to read this, but have to comment on the cover photo of the 2016 edition. That in itself is deeply-jarring. And I hope all of those kids, or at least most, have come out on the other side somewhat alright.
That image comes from Life Magazine in 1956. It's an image of Trinity's youth prayer session for Elvis Presley. I'm glad it still resonates the way I'd hoped it would originally.
Commend you! Bought and read the first book in about 2 days. Husband and I both graduated in 92, was employed at TCA and were members till 2013. Life has been so much better since it’s in our past.
I’m so glad you’re doing this. When reporters were interviewing us for the Abuse of Faith series on the Southern Baptist Church abuse cover ups, I told the story of Bob Gray and sent some reporters your book. Because it was IFB and not SBC they didn’t include him, but it needs a bigger spotlight. I will amplify it as you tell it. I know some of the survivors and it grieves me, I also graduated from there in 1991 (as you know) so I felt the weirdness of cultish following that he created there. I also loved Coach Cassell and appreciate what he did.
Thank you for this, Tiffany! I am so very grateful for the feeling of solidarity here. It struck me as strange that most of the SBC coverage just skipped IFB, although the new docuseries "Let Us Prey" (not a very original title) is focused on IFB churches. I've only seen one episode thus far. Watching that one episode made it hard to sleep that night. I know Lester Roloff, of the Christian Alamo and Rebekah Home for Girls, is in a later episode. Maybe you've seen it?
I have watched Let us Prey and it was grievous. So much harm. Brave truth tellers. I know that the Houston Chronicle split the Baptist abuse coverage to SBC and IFB as there was just so much to cover. On the IFB side, Sarah Smith was covering that side. @Sarahesmith23 on Twitter you’ll find a lot of her work. The reporters who worked all sides of our church abuse stories shared that they all needed counseling from the dark and heavy load of all of our horror stories and walking it with all of us for those years. It’s just so awful.
If we don’t tell, no one will know and it will go on. The only small hope is that enough of us telling will eventually bring change. I’m amazed how many people don’t realize the abuses as problematic in the church, it becomes a brain washing and blinders on existence.
Good thoughts here, Tiffany. I'm also amazed at how many people don't realize the level of church abuse. & yet I also hope and think that enough people telling the story leads to tipping points.
Thanks so much for revisiting this. Is it any wonder the same evangelicals who would cling so hard to denial about Bob Gray are the ones throwing stones at dozens of women that accuse Trump?
You and I have the same background as I attended University Christian for several years which subscribed to the same theology/eschatology as Trinity. It wasn't until I went through rehab and substance abuse treatment that I was finally able to leave hellfire and the nagging fear of being 'left behind' in the past. Those people committed all kinds of abuse and brainwashing.
Hi, Charlie. Thank you so much for this response. If you ever want to grab coffee or lunch and talk about any of these things, I would love that. No sweat, if not. Either way, I'm really grateful for this note.
No worries. I am doing my best to keep her close without pushing her away. I went through battles with do I walk away like I would get so mad, but she is my firstborn child and I lost the right to raise her so I value our close relationship and I just do my best.
I’m so glad you’re doing this, Tim! It’s such an important story, and your decision to clarify your dad’s unwitting (but still allegiant) role is important.
I love the sentence about New York giving us Trump but it understanding why the country accepted it, as well as the comment from Killens. I hope the US is not as much or as little as “a southern country” in that sense. But the most problematic aspects of southern Christian conservatism and the cudgel of false morality are having a moment.
Thanks, Laura. I would hope not too. I think these things have been central, even if invisibly so to most people in the country's cultural centers, for a long time. I really appreciate your support in my doing this.
Thank you! I see us as post-modern Committees of Correspondence!
Now, take it to the next level: Identify as #CREATORS (Conspiracy Realist Educator Activist Truther Organizer Reader Socializers).
And Read #JamesWDouglass ‘s “JFK and the Unspeakable” (2006) to affirm support for the true ecumenical Faith that #GodIsLove, literally! (ref. 1 John 4:8). #FearNot #Peace #CeasefireNow
Thank you for revisiting this. If only people knew and yet even more horrific is that many do and yet still _______. I am both surprised that the place continues to exist and also not surprised given that the system is set up for victims to become victims and perpetrators to thrive and no one to question or speak out. Sadly I too was a student, member, etc. etc. it’s complicated and I wish I weren’t still connected at all but in some ways I am. Again it’s complicated. I likely knew your father and you likely would know mine. They would likely have known each other. I hope that the truth will one day be revealed and not just around what did occur but around all the covering up of what was occurring.
We're revealing that truth, so many people. I hope for a tipping point. But the frustration you express here is a big part of why I'm coming back to this. Even though, like you say here, I too wish I weren't still connected. And yet, here I go.
I’m just starting to read this, but have to comment on the cover photo of the 2016 edition. That in itself is deeply-jarring. And I hope all of those kids, or at least most, have come out on the other side somewhat alright.
That image comes from Life Magazine in 1956. It's an image of Trinity's youth prayer session for Elvis Presley. I'm glad it still resonates the way I'd hoped it would originally.
Commend you! Bought and read the first book in about 2 days. Husband and I both graduated in 92, was employed at TCA and were members till 2013. Life has been so much better since it’s in our past.
Wow! Until 2013, huh? I'd really love to speak to you guys.
I’m so glad you’re doing this. When reporters were interviewing us for the Abuse of Faith series on the Southern Baptist Church abuse cover ups, I told the story of Bob Gray and sent some reporters your book. Because it was IFB and not SBC they didn’t include him, but it needs a bigger spotlight. I will amplify it as you tell it. I know some of the survivors and it grieves me, I also graduated from there in 1991 (as you know) so I felt the weirdness of cultish following that he created there. I also loved Coach Cassell and appreciate what he did.
So much to tell.
Thank you for this, Tiffany! I am so very grateful for the feeling of solidarity here. It struck me as strange that most of the SBC coverage just skipped IFB, although the new docuseries "Let Us Prey" (not a very original title) is focused on IFB churches. I've only seen one episode thus far. Watching that one episode made it hard to sleep that night. I know Lester Roloff, of the Christian Alamo and Rebekah Home for Girls, is in a later episode. Maybe you've seen it?
I have watched Let us Prey and it was grievous. So much harm. Brave truth tellers. I know that the Houston Chronicle split the Baptist abuse coverage to SBC and IFB as there was just so much to cover. On the IFB side, Sarah Smith was covering that side. @Sarahesmith23 on Twitter you’ll find a lot of her work. The reporters who worked all sides of our church abuse stories shared that they all needed counseling from the dark and heavy load of all of our horror stories and walking it with all of us for those years. It’s just so awful.
If we don’t tell, no one will know and it will go on. The only small hope is that enough of us telling will eventually bring change. I’m amazed how many people don’t realize the abuses as problematic in the church, it becomes a brain washing and blinders on existence.
Solidarity always
Good thoughts here, Tiffany. I'm also amazed at how many people don't realize the level of church abuse. & yet I also hope and think that enough people telling the story leads to tipping points.
https://web.archive.org/web/20181211121343/https://www.star-telegram.com/living/religion/article222576310.html
Thanks so much for revisiting this. Is it any wonder the same evangelicals who would cling so hard to denial about Bob Gray are the ones throwing stones at dozens of women that accuse Trump?
You and I have the same background as I attended University Christian for several years which subscribed to the same theology/eschatology as Trinity. It wasn't until I went through rehab and substance abuse treatment that I was finally able to leave hellfire and the nagging fear of being 'left behind' in the past. Those people committed all kinds of abuse and brainwashing.
Hi, Charlie. Thank you so much for this response. If you ever want to grab coffee or lunch and talk about any of these things, I would love that. No sweat, if not. Either way, I'm really grateful for this note.
Thank you! My daughter teaches here and attends and I HATE IT. I am obsessed now with the whole pedo pastor shuffle. God bless you Tim!
I didn't know, Sarah. I can't imagine how hard that must be to deal with. I'm so sorry.
No worries. I am doing my best to keep her close without pushing her away. I went through battles with do I walk away like I would get so mad, but she is my firstborn child and I lost the right to raise her so I value our close relationship and I just do my best.
I totally get what you're saying. I'm a parent too. I wish you and your daughter all the very best in your relationship.
I’m so glad you’re doing this, Tim! It’s such an important story, and your decision to clarify your dad’s unwitting (but still allegiant) role is important.
I love the sentence about New York giving us Trump but it understanding why the country accepted it, as well as the comment from Killens. I hope the US is not as much or as little as “a southern country” in that sense. But the most problematic aspects of southern Christian conservatism and the cudgel of false morality are having a moment.
Thanks, Laura. I would hope not too. I think these things have been central, even if invisibly so to most people in the country's cultural centers, for a long time. I really appreciate your support in my doing this.
Thank you! I see us as post-modern Committees of Correspondence!
Now, take it to the next level: Identify as #CREATORS (Conspiracy Realist Educator Activist Truther Organizer Reader Socializers).
And Read #JamesWDouglass ‘s “JFK and the Unspeakable” (2006) to affirm support for the true ecumenical Faith that #GodIsLove, literally! (ref. 1 John 4:8). #FearNot #Peace #CeasefireNow