Church Disrupted – Details, episodes & analysis

What if the way we "do church" today isn’t actually biblical?In this eye-opening episode of the Church Disrupted Podcast, Jeff Cochran sits down with Dr. Tom Wadsworth, a biblical scholar, to explore how the early church functioned—and why modern worship services may have more to do with tradition than Scripture. From worship and leadership to buildings and Sunday routines, we’re asking: What did Jesus really have in mind for His church?Whether you're a church leader, a curious believer, or someone burned out by organized religion, this conversation will challenge assumptions and invite you to look at the Church with fresh eyes.🧠 Subscribe for more conversations that challenge toxic systems and reimagine church with Jesus at the center.👇 Drop your thoughts in the comments: Is today’s church structure biblical—or broken?Please Subscribe and Share!Check out Tom's channel here: https://www.youtube.com/@tomwadsworthJoin the disrupt campaign by giving here: https://www.spiritualabuse.institute/about/disruptgivingcampaignFind out more about the Spiritual Abuse Institute and the Church Disrupted Podcast at https://www.spiritualabuse.institute/.Join the church disrupted COMMUNITY here: https://discord.gg/nbWwg8Sz6ZLearn more about the Safe Church Pledge Here: https://www.spiritualabuse.institute/safechurchpledgeCheck out our Awareness Apparel HERE: https://church-disrupted.sellfy.storeWant to support SAI financially?https://donorbox.org/sai-initial-funding-campaignFair Use Disclaimer:This video may contain copyrighted material the use of which has not always been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. All clips used are protected by the Fair Use Doctrine within Title 17 of the United States Code. This doctrine safeguards the use of copyrighted material for transformative purposes, such as commentary, criticism, review and news reporting. Under Title 17 U.S.C. § 512(f), any person who makes a false, bad faith, or misleading copyright claim or uses a copyright takedown to infringe on free speech, criticism, or commentary can be held liable for damages to the content creator.Hosseinzadeh v. Klein, 276 F.Supp.3d 34 (S.D.N.Y. 2017); Equals Three, LLC v. Jukin Media, Inc., 139 F. Supp. 3d 1094 (C.D. Cal. 2015).

What if I told you that church scandals aren’t random? The biggest church failures, cover-ups, and abuses all follow a repeatable, predictable pattern. In this episode, we’re breaking down groundbreaking research that exposes the hidden warning signs of toxic leadership and church misconduct.The Building Safer Churches Report analyzed 100 churches that faced public scandal and uncovered shocking insights. If churches don’t change, the next scandal is already brewing.This isn’t about tearing down the church—it’s about saving it from itself. We’re exposing the three-step pattern that fuels church corruption and giving practical steps to break the cycle before the next scandal hits. It all starts with radical transparency, real accountability, and committed protective measures.💡 WATCH NOW to uncover the data that could prevent the next big church scandal.📖 Read the full research report: https://www.spiritualabuse.institute/about/researchprojects📌 Sign the Safe Church Pledge: https://www.spiritualabuse.institute/safechurchpledge💙 Support This Work With a Financial Gift: https://donorbox.org/sai-initial-funding-campaignFind out more about the Spiritual Abuse Institute and the Church Disrupted Podcast at https://www.spiritualabuse.institute/Want to support SAI financially?https://donorbox.org/sai-initial-funding-campaignJoin the church disrupted COMMUNITY here: https://discord.gg/nbWwg8Sz6ZCheck out our Awareness Apparel HERE: https://church-disrupted.sellfy.storePlease Subscribe and Share!Fair Use Disclaimer:This video may contain copyrighted material the use of which has not always been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. All clips used are protected by the Fair Use Doctrine within Title 17 of the United States Code. This doctrine safeguards the use of copyrighted material for transformative purposes, such as commentary, criticism, review and news reporting. Under Title 17 U.S.C. § 512(f), any person who makes a false, bad faith, or misleading copyright claim or uses a copyright takedown to infringe on free speech, criticism, or commentary can be held liable for damages to the content creator.Hosseinzadeh v. Klein, 276 F.Supp.3d 34 (S.D.N.Y. 2017); Equals Three, LLC v. Jukin Media, Inc., 139 F. Supp. 3d 1094 (C.D. Cal. 2015).

What is spiritual abuse? How do we stop it and protect people? In this episode of the Church Disrupted podcast, Jeff Cochran answers these questions and delves into the complex and often insidious nature of spiritual abuse within church environments. Join Spiritual Abuse Awareness Weekend HERE: https://www.spiritualabuse.institute/about/saawarenessmonth Learn more about the Safe Church Pledge Here: https://www.spiritualabuse.institute/safechurchpledge Want to support SAI financially? https://donorbox.org/sai-initial-funding-campaign Find out more about the Spiritual Abuse Institute and the Church Disrupted Podcast at https://www.spiritualabuse.institute/. Join the church disrupted COMMUNITY here: https://discord.gg/nbWwg8Sz6Z Please Subscribe and Share! Chapters 00:00 Understanding Spiritual Abuse 06:55 Identifying the Signs of Spiritual Abuse 29:49 The Dangers of Secrecy in Spiritual Communities 39:15 Recognizing Spiritual Abuse: Key Indicators 41:09 Resources for Identifying Spiritual Abuse 42:08 Disrupting the Cycle of Spiritual Abuse 55:29 Pursuing Healing and Accountability

How do we stop the seemingly endless line of moral failures, church scandals, and spiritual abuse cases in the Church? That's a question Christians everywhere should be asking.

In this episode of the Church Disrupted Podcast, Jeff Cochran introduces the Safe Church Pledge from the Spiritual Abuse Institute and shares how this resource gives everyday Christians a voice in this conversation and puts accountability in all of our hands.

Want to support SAI financially? https://donorbox.org/sai-initial-funding-campaign

Find out more about the Spiritual

Abuse Institute and the Church Disrupted Podcast at https://www.spiritualabuse.institute/.

Join the church disrupted COMMUNITY here: https://discord.gg/nbWwg8Sz6Z

Learn more about the Safe Church Pledge Here: https://www.spiritualabuse.institute/safechurchpledge

Please Subscribe and Share!

Chapters:

00:00 The Urgency of Addressing Spiritual Abuse

02:55 Introducing the Safe Church Pledge

05:49 Understanding the Safe Church Pledge Framework

09:10 The Pillars of Safe Churches: Transparency, Accountability, and Protection

11:58 Implementing Financial Transparency in Churches

14:48 Conflict of Interest Policies and Their Importance

18:08 The Role of NDAs and Non-Compete Clauses in Churches

37:39 The Impact of Non-Compete Agreements in Churches

44:59 Understanding Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs) in Ministry

52:36 The Importance of Transparency in Church Affiliations

01:00:50 Establishing Accountability in Church Governance

01:06:07 Creating Effective Leave Policies for Church Leaders

01:12:25 Implementing Protective Measures for Trauma-Informed Care

01:15:41 Protecting Victims: The Importance of Whistleblower Policies

01:18:59 Independent Investigations: Ensuring Accountability

01:22:24 Staff Care: Supporting Church Employees

01:25:20 Counseling for Pastors: Prioritizing Mental Health

01:28:34 Protection Policies: Safeguarding All Ages

01:32:59 The Safe Church Pledge: A Call to Action

01:41:34 Building Trust: The Future of Safe Churches

In the final episode of the Church Disrupted Podcast for 2024, we re-stream part of episode 1 as a reminder of where we've been and where we are going. Narcissism, hush money, NDAs, and spiritual abuse in churches are all on the docket for this round table conversation.

Want to support SAI financially?https://www.spiritualabuse.institute/about/endofyeargiving

Find out more about the Spiritual Abuse Institute and the Church Disrupted Podcast at https://www.spiritualabuse.institute/.

Join the church disrupted COMMUNITY here: https://discord.gg/nbWwg8Sz6Z

Please Subscribe and Share!

In the final new episode of the Church Disrupted podcast for 2024, host Jeff Cochran welcomes back Rebecca Davis, author of the Untwisting Scriptures book series. They discuss the journey of unlearning misconceptions about scripture, particularly the controversial concept of 'dying to self.' Rebecca emphasizes the importance of returning to the Word of God for understanding and encourages listeners to engage in conversations about faith and theology, even when they disagree. The conversation also touches on the role of faith in understanding scripture, the importance of living in freedom rather than striving for holiness, and the importance of empathy in healing trauma, particularly within the church context.

Want to support SAI financially?https://www.spiritualabuse.institute/about/endofyeargiving

Get Rebecca's books and FREE resources here: https://heresthejoy.com/

Find out more about the Spiritual Abuse Institute and the Church Disrupted Podcast at https://www.spiritualabuse.institute/.

Join the church disrupted COMMUNITY here: https://discord.gg/nbWwg8Sz6Z

Please Subscribe and Share!

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Untwisting Scriptures

02:54 The Journey of Unlearning and Understanding Scripture

06:05 Dying to Self: A Controversial Concept

08:51 Exploring Misunderstandings in Scripture

12:07 The Role of Faith and Trust in Understanding

14:59 Living in Freedom: The Final Part of the Journey

27:27 The Role of Suffering and Empathy in Healing

30:45 Understanding Trauma and the Church's Response

34:35 Misrepresentation of God and Scripture

39:44 Debunking Myths: Dying to Self vs. Following Christ

49:22 Resources for Spiritual Growth and Understanding

We've had so many Church Scandals in 2024 that people are starting to get scandal fatigue... with the CHURCH!!! This should NEVER BE! If christians want to stop this madness and see real change in the Church, then we HAVE TO LEARN some key lessons from recent scandals like the one at Daystar TV. So, in this episode of the Church Disrupted Podcast, Jeff Cochran shares 20 lessons that churches can learn, and SHOULD learn, to return to being above reproach and above scandal.

Want to support SAI financially?https://www.spiritualabuse.institute/about/endofyeargiving

Roys Report Articles on Daystar Scandal;

- https://julieroys.com/former-daystar-tv-executive-wife-accuse-joni-lamb-covering-up-daughters-sexual-abuse/

- https://julieroys.com/podcast/full-audio-of-daystar-meeting/

- https://julieroys.com/suzy-lamb-says-she-was-pressured-to-hide-her-sexual-assault/

Find out more about the Spiritual Abuse Institute and the Church Disrupted Podcast at https://www.spiritualabuse.institute/.

Join the church disrupted COMMUNITY here: https://discord.gg/nbWwg8Sz6ZPlease Subscribe and Share!

Chapters

00:00 Learning from Scandals: The Need for Reform

03:18 Addressing Celebrity Culture in the Church

05:08 Expecting Higher Standards in the Church

07:03 Defining the Church Beyond IRS Labels

08:31 The Church as a Body, Not a Business

10:00 The Power of Community Action

11:27 Disqualification of Leaders through Intimidation

12:53 The Importance of Documentation

16:18 Standing Against Spiritual Bullies

18:41 Severance Policies and Church Staff Rights

22:05 Whistleblower Protection in Churches

23:33 Proactive Policies for Investigations

25:56 Ethics of Tithes and Legal Fees

27:49 The Dangers of Nepotism

30:13 The Harm of NDAs in Churches

31:13 The Need for Independent Church Boards

33:07 Transparency and Accountability as Non-Negotiables

34:34 Understanding Leadership Accountability

35:58 Recognizing and Preventing Spiritual Abuse

37:55 Setting the Standard: Above Reproach

On today's episode of the Church Disrupted Podcast, Jeff Cochran reveals the actual NDA that Daystar TV tried to force Jonathan Lamb to sign. In this video, Jeff compares the NDA to what Joni said about it, and breaks down where things don't line up with her statement, the red flags of the NDA, and what christians can learn from this document about NDA use and its dangers in the Church! Roys Report Articles on Daystar Scandal; - https://julieroys.com/former-daystar-tv-executive-wife-accuse-joni-lamb-covering-up-daughters-sexual-abuse/ - https://julieroys.com/podcast/full-audio-of-daystar-meeting/ - https://julieroys.com/suzy-lamb-says-she-was-pressured-to-hide-her-sexual-assault/ Boz Tchividjian Video- https://youtu.be/A2wtT6s3qqg?si=LoFsMFa9aiMv21Qq John Ferrell Video - https://youtu.be/VgPRPxriwm4?si=g9mBFhEqlKBpH0Hi Chapters 00:00 Unpacking the Daystar TV Scandal 02:58 Understanding NDAs in Church Contexts 06:06 The Pressure to Sign: A Closer Look at the NDA 08:57 Legal Perspectives on NDAs 11:47 Analyzing the Daystar NDA 15:11 Red Flags in Non-Disclosure Agreements 18:04 The Dangers of Non-Disparagement Clauses 20:57 Trade Secrets vs. Confidentiality in Churches 36:31 Understanding Confidential Information 39:50 Evaluating the NDA's Structure 41:15 Identifying Red Flags in the NDA 46:32 Analyzing Non-Disparagement and Non-Compete Clauses 52:51 Assessing the Reasonableness of Confidentiality Definitions 01:00:25 Concluding Thoughts on NDAs in Church Contexts

Should Joni Lamb be removed or resign from leadership at Daystar? We think so, and in this episode of the Church Disrupted Podcast, Jeff Cochran shares a long list of reasons why. 22 reasons, to be exact. Roys Report Articles on Daystar Scandal; - https://julieroys.com/former-daystar-tv-executive-wife-accuse-joni-lamb-covering-up-daughters-sexual-abuse/ - https://julieroys.com/podcast/full-audio-of-daystar-meeting/ - https://julieroys.com/suzy-lamb-says-she-was-pressured-to-hide-her-sexual-assault/ Chapters 00:00 The Daystar TV Scandal Unfolds 03:11 Reasons for Joni Lamb's Removal 05:58 Concerns Over NDAs and Legal Threats 08:46 The Use of Darvo and Lack of Transparency 12:08 Investigations and Accountability Issues 14:55 Behavioral Concerns and Spiritual Abuse 17:48 Celebrity Culture and Leadership Integrity 21:09 The Impact of Allegations on Family Dynamics 23:57 Character Concerns and Public Perception 27:01 Final Thoughts on Leadership and Accountability

Just when you thought the Daystar scandal couldn't get any worse, Joni Lamb made a statement that made it worse. In this episode of the Church Disrupted Podcast, Jeff Cochran breaks down the DARVO like responses in Joni Lamb's official statement and in a recent Daystar TV interview. And sadly, just like many church scandals this year, DARVO reared its ugly head. DARVO is deeply damaging and is the worst response ministries and faith leaders could make to allegations of sin and abuse, yet it seems to be the go to response. We talk about why and how to recognize it in this episode. Roys Report Articles on Daystar Scandal;- https://julieroys.com/former-daystar-tv-executive-wife-accuse-joni-lamb-covering-up-daughters-sexual-abuse/- https://julieroys.com/podcast/full-audio-of-daystar-meeting/- https://julieroys.com/suzy-lamb-says-she-was-pressured-to-hide-her-sexual-assault/Chapters00:00 Allegations Against Daystar TV and Initial Reactions02:52 The Importance of Independent Investigations06:12 Analyzing Joni Lamb's Response09:01 Understanding DARVO in Church Responses11:48 The Role of Tone and Language in Responses15:04 The Impact of Spiritual Abuse Allegations17:52 The Need for Transparency and Accountability21:03 Examining the Interview Dynamics24:12 The Consequences of Denial and Attacks26:59 Final Thoughts on Trust and Credibility42:56 Discrediting and Dehumanization in Media Responses49:03 Family Dynamics and Allegations of Control56:04 The Ethics of Recording Conversations01:01:14 Authority and Accountability in Leadership01:07:43 The Impact of Darvo on Credibility01:13:45 The Role of NDAs in Church Organizations01:20:20 Concluding Thoughts on Transparency and Trust