All Things in the Light: Our Talk with Amy Smith from Watchkeep

By Scott Matkovich
Outsiders Podcast
September 16, 2015

http://www.outsiderspodcast.com/watchkeep/

[with audio]

Abuse Brought Out Into the Light

This is probably one of the most important and yet difficult shows we have done in the past year. We first learned about Amy and her ministry about six months ago through Twitter and through our conversation with earlier guests. One of the great things about doing a podcast like this is that we get introduced to many different branches of evangelical and progressive Christianity. Personally, I would have never guessed that starting a podcast would be akin to taking a masters’ course in religious culture, but that’s exactly what it has turned out to be. As we dove into this adventure our eyes have been opened to a lot of great things that the people of Christ have been doing. But, as we are reminded nearly every month, there is also a subversive, fraudulent manifestation of “church”. It’s one that uses the same labels, titles, and authority structures, not to lead people into a life with God, but rather to manipulate and often abuse them.

After our first show on spiritual abuse with Dale Fincher, we marveled at how widespread and epidemic this problem is, and continues to be. Our hope with this show isn’t to defame the church, but to call all of those who are good to look up and around.

The epidemic of abuse in the church has been going on for far too long. We are thankful that Amy has made it her mission to bring these tales of abuse into the light. Take a listen to this podcast, get educated, and then act.

Find Out More About Amy Smith

Show Notes

3:45 – Amy’s story and why she started watch keep

10:50 – How should someone who feels like they are in an abusive situation that’s being covered up, what should they do?

17:46 – Is there any indication how widespread the epidemic of abuse is within the church? What are some tell-tale signs of an abusive church?

29:21 – When there is a church scandal, how does the church justify silencing the victims?

41:15 – What is it about the church that can often foster a group mentality/ethos of enabling abuse?

49:51 – Why are people so quick to defend the pastoral icons of our society, even if they’ve done something egregious?

59:29 – Enabling character corruption from afar: Ed Stetzer and the Ashley Madison scandal.

1:06:43 – Control, fear, and shame – the tricks of the trade.

1:11:45 – Amy discusses The Jesus People USA organization abuse.