The Genesis Of Church Related Abuse

Reflecting on the statements of Bishop Talbert Swan in THIS POST as he addressed a particular Elder that had a sharp critique of his message, brought my mind back 180 to the issue of church related abuse and advocacy for survivors of such abuse.

The Anatomy Of Abuse 

Abuse has a plot, or pathway that must be undertaken. That plot exists regardless of the type of abuse. Both sexual or nonsexual abuse follow similar paths...The perpetrator  seeks to exalt themselves, while simultaneously demeaning his victim and others that could be positioned to assist. Abuse is often interpreted initially as bullying, and certainly may have elements of bullying, but goes a step further into consistent derision of character and downgrading the character, intellect and personal ability of the subject. 

Then...there is the theme of abuse which is delivered on the basis of multiple lies...the lie is that the perpetrator has great power, insight and authority, and that authority is inescapable and is the final word on the issue. The lie that, as the Borg say, "resistance is futile"..."no one will believe you"...then the lie of lack of self sufficiency, that the victim can not make it on their own and their efforts are not enough to create self sustainability.

Then, within the structure of abuse, the abuser must capture and diminish the psychological strength of the victim. The abuser wishes to live rent free in the mind of their victim. The goal is to create a false sense of connection that the abuser then uses to deprive the victim of any sense of value or self sustainability. Most individuals that have suffered abuse and abusive behavior struggle with feelings of adequacy(self esteem), anxiety and trust. This is by design of the abuser, because the abuser wants his victims to "trust" him above everyone else and feel as if they can't make it on their own or at the very least without the approval of the victimizer.   

Church Related Abuse?

Yes, this type of abuse is solidly within the church. The problem is that most individuals abused can't discern their abuse, nor decipher the actions of their abuser in many cases. Many tend to write abusive behavior off to "personal preference". What makes this even more pervasive, is that many abusers within the church are persons of otherwise good behavior and personability, but have learned abusive behaviors from others and have come to emulate the abusive behavior to which they were exposed. They implement the abusive behavior that they were taught, which in most cases was affirmed to them as the "right way" to do things.

According to current studies, 95% of all abusers use psychological tactics to perpetrate their abuse and their victims are 3.5 times more likely to abuse others in a similar manner. ~ NIH 2019

Read more!

New COGIC Rule...Are Bishops Beyond Critique?

I want to be the first to say that within the Church Of God In Christ, there are various and varying opinions on politics and political, social and even moral issues. It seems that within the church there are even varying interpretations on what holiness is, what the Bible says and even how it should be interpreted to a varying degrees. 

While the church's Statement of Faith seeks to unify her basic tenets of doctrine and belief, there is little that unifies the church politically and socially, or even morally other than what the General Assembly, the only policy making authority within the church, seeks to affirm. 

Quite naturally, since COGIC is built on a "Faith Mission" concept and is "Episcopal" as opposed to congregational in its leadership structure, the door appears to be open to allowing some to state various  kinds of positions and when they are in some sort of position, or office, they can be being given credibility as a "spokesperson" of the church on particular subjects. 

The Leadership Of The Church

To be clear, in absence of the General Assembly, the ONLY individual entrusted with the ability to make and act with full and indiscriminate authority on behalf of the church is her Presiding Bishop. Bishop J Drew Sheard. He is the only one who affirms the official position of the church, and may appoint members of the General Board either in lieu of himself or in addition to himself to perform certain tasks. However, even in all of that, his authority is ultimately subject to the General Assembly when it is in session. So, in an ultimate sense, not even the Presiding Bishop of our church has unencumbered or unchecked power and authority. 

Unchecked Power???

Evidently Bishop Talbert Swan, who has been given authority to act as the church's leader of "Social Justice Ministry" feels that, not only has he been authorized by the church to speak on and even make official statements on Church policy and positions of social justice but that he is also above everyone, irreproachable and that all individual, ministers, elders and other clergy, who are not in the Bishopric class, are "beneath" him. 

In a statement to one, Elder Chris Turner, who was critical of Bishop Swan's statements in a recent message called "Who Are You Calling Garbage?" regarding President Trumps recent statements regarding Somali residents of MN, specifically them who had taken part in the recent and ongoing public fraud scandal that has cost tax paying citizens of MN and the United States over 2 Billion dollars and counting.

In response to Elder Turner's commentary or disagreement, on December 11th,2025 the alleged Bishop Swan said this on Facebook:

"CLAPBACK: “STAY IN A CHILD’S PLACE” EDITION 

Chris Turner has now elevated his desperation to calling a Bishop in his denomination a “fraud” who “doesn’t know the truth of God’s word.”

Read more!