This has been a busy year with new books revolving around spiritual abuse and sexual abuse, as well as a three memoirs from former United Pentecostal Church members. This is not an exhaustive list of new books. I previously shared about Ronna Russell’s UPC related memoir that came out in April, The Uncomfortable Confessions of a Preacher’s Kid, so let’s start with the next memoir that was just released this month. I have provided links that will take you directly to Amazon so that you may read more about these books, as well as place any orders. Some may also wish to check out the more extensive book and DVD lists that we have had available on our website for years.
Free: From Legalism to Grace Breaking Out of the United Pentecostal Church by Jennifer Brewer is available in Kindle and paperback. Like Ronna Russell, it is her first book. Here is a quote: “So, here it is; my journey out of the United Pentecostal Church organization. The church that claims they have the ‘whole gospel’ and unique revelations given to them from God himself. The organization that has had its hold on way too many of my loved ones for far too long. . . Here is how I overcame the fear of leaving, the fear of hell and the severe oppression I felt as a girl growing into a woman living out this religion’s strict standards. This is my story of overcoming the feelings of inadequacy, and ugliness.”
Let’s Go to California: The Story of the Singing Holley Family by Margaret Toedy Duke came out in May and is another memoir that deals in part with the United Pentecostal Church. Available only in paperback and just over 100 pages, this book is in dire need of an editor. Still, for those who want little bits of UPC related commentary, the price is under $4.00. Here is an excerpt that mentions the UPC: “We were picked on and criticized for the way we looked by some church members. On one occasion back east a preacher cancelled our revival two days before we were to start because one of his members told him that he saw us looking worldly. Marble had a scarf around her neck tied in a pretty flower bow. The man said it was a choker and that was frowned upon in the UPC church. …Another minister cancelled us because my hair ‘looked cut.’ My hair had never been even trimmed. Another church cancelled us because Jerry’s hair was real curly. It seemed everywhere we turned, we were giving our all for something that was giving us nothing in return.”
Traumatized by Religious Abuse: Courage, Hope and Freedom for Survivors by Connie A. Baker was released in June in both formats. The author “covers in depth how religious ideas are often used to manipulate followers and how fear, shame, guilt, and superstition can be leveraged for control. She points out that spiritual and religious abuse is not confined to any one type of religion or cult. This dynamic of abusive behavior can be found in many types of spiritual communities. She writes from the perspective of a professional therapist who teaches and counsels survivors, and from her own perspective from being a survivor of religious abuse.”
Becoming a Church that Cares Well for the Abused edited by Brad Hambrick, was also released in June and has several contributors, such as Rachael Denhollander and Diane Langberg. This offering is unique in that the book is available for free in PDF as well as ebook formats and there are twelve accompanying videos available for free. The paperback is only $4.99. “Is your church prepared to care for individuals who have experienced various forms of abuse? As we continue to learn of more individuals experiencing sexual abuse, domestic violence, and other forms of abuse, it’s clear that resources are needed to help ministries and leaders care for these individuals with love, support, and in cooperation with civil authorities. This handbook seeks to help the church take a significant step forward in its care for those who have been abused.”
Escaping the Maze of Spiritual Abuse: Creating Healthy Christian Cultures by Lisa Oakley and Justin Humphreys was released August 12 after being released in the U.K. earlier this year. It is available in both paperback and Kindle formats. A lengthy preview of this book is available on Google. “Drawing on a combination of extensive research, individual testimonies, and years of hands-on experience, Lisa Oakley and Justin Humphreys describe clearly the nature of spiritual abuse, and the best ways of countering it. Recovery is possible. But – how do we prevent spiritual abuse in the first place? What can leaders do to create safer places? Is there a link between theological ideas and harmful behaviors? How can leaders create opportunities for spiritual and emotional flourishing?”
We Too: How the Church Can Respond Redemptively to the Sexual Abuse Crisis by Mary DeMuth was released August 13 in paperback and Kindle. “In the throes of the #MeToo movement, our response as Christians is vital. God beckons us to be good Samaritans to those facing trauma and brokenness in the aftermath of abuse and provide safe spaces to heal. DeMuth advocates for a culture of honesty and listening and calls on the church to enter the places where people are hurting. In the circle of that kind of empathetic #WeToo community, the church must become what it’s meant to be—a place of justice and healing for everyone.”
There are two books due to be released September 10th and both are authored by Rachael Denhollander.
What Is a Girl Worth?: My Story of Breaking the Silence and Exposing the Truth about Larry Nassar and USA Gymnastics will be available in both hardcover and Kindle formats and may be pre-ordered. It “is the inspiring true story of Rachael’s journey from an idealistic young gymnast to a strong and determined woman who found the courage to raise her voice against evil, even when she thought the world might not listen. This deeply personal and compelling narrative shines a spotlight on the physical and emotional impact of abuse, why so many survivors are reluctant to speak out, what it means to be believed, the extraordinary power of faith and forgiveness, and how we can learn to do what’s right in the moments that matter most.” #WhatIsAGirlWorth
How Much Is a Little Girl Worth? will be available in hardcover. This children’s book “is Rachael Denhollander’s tender-hearted anthem to little girls everywhere, teaching them that they have immeasurable worth because they are made in the image of God. Armed with this understanding, girls will develop confidence in their own value and blossom into women who can face any challenge life puts in their path.” Below are my thoughts on it, looking at it through the eyes of what many United Pentecostal churches instill in children.
For me, the book is worth obtaining simply for the author’s letter to readers. Be sure to not pass that by when reading it. Here is a partial quote: “There are many voices competing to tell our daughters what they are worth, and most of them would teach our girls to define their value by something outside of themselves. By what they can do or what they wear or how they look or who their friends are.”
I was once part of an unhealthy abusive church. They had numerous rules for females. Forbidden to wear make-up and jewelry, they also were never to cut their hair or wear pants. For school settings, children were not to wear gym clothing or attend dances. Their value and identity was tied in with how well they followed the rules and those who were caught breaking them might be reprimanded, shamed, removed from activities/positions, and even shunned. They caused some to not be able to participate in or pursue certain interests or careers. While some developed a prideful attitude because they could be picked out of a crowd due to these outward differences, others hated that they looked different.
The voices from this church group were instilling in young impressionable children that their value was intricately tied to following these mandates and that it fell upon them to keep males from lusting after them…even adult men. As one person recently shared regarding their childhood sexual abuse, her church leadership “made me take responsibility as if I was the one at fault.” This book speaks out against such harmful messages to children and lets them know that their worth and value never rests upon such things. Indeed, a girl is “worth more than . . . protecting a name” or, I might add, a church/denomination.
The illustrations I found to be very pleasing and even soothing to the eyes. The pages are filled with color and illustrations of little girls in various settings. The messages contained therein are positive. Every child should feel and know that they are “worth fighting for” and that “nothing can make [them] worth less.” #HowMuchIsAGirlWorth
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