I am grateful that you take the time to participate in documentaries. In fact, I am grateful for all your public work. You are a voice for those of us who don't have a platform but who appreciate your dedicated and careful scholarship. It's important work. I silently cheer you on from the sidelines.
In a world where money is everything, it's refreshing, and confusing, when someone actually does something because they care about the human condition ... and maybe something called truth.
This isn't to say there isn't money involved in other facets of this work. Book deals, speaking fees. But definitely not in documentaries! And they're by far the most stressful of all the things I do.
I was quite excited to see you in the Hillsong doc. It was like running into a friend, while on a walk, who you never expected to see. Although, it made total sense when you did appear on the screen. Thank you for all the time and effort you put into this work. You are a gem!! 🤓
Kristin I love your genuine interest and concern. I've been reading you for this year. The "Christian" world is a goofy place. It's hard work discerning who's a true Jesus follower. We need your voice! One thing IS evidient people are sheep. They get trained up/formed into a similar but not true Christ follower. They are desperate for connection and community and easily fall into false teaching. For me you are part of that discerning piece. Appreciate your work.
As a survivor I appreciated your analysis in the Beautiful People Doc. I think you helped give needed historical context. Thank you for dedicating your time.
I'm just so incredibly thankful that you are in this space. I love your letters, your appearances, and your courage to keep in there when it's uncomfortable. Thank you.
I think we've learned that being uncomfortable with what was "normal" or "challenging" back in the day (and today) is okay. I'm settled with it now, but it's uncomfortable with family and friends who continue sucking it up. It's hard. But I wouldn't have it any other way.
You and others are giving voice to what we've thought but couldn't articulate.
Thank you for writing about this today. I wasn’t planning on watching either one but just watched “Shiny...” and greatly appreciate your input on the immensely important topic of national urgency. Now, on to Hillsong. I’m sure I’ll be disgusted but want to understand how pervasive this national religion pollutes our culture.
Thank you Kristin for adding your voice to these necessary documentary series. Hopefully survivors will see these and seek help. The more I watch the more I understand about the abuse and exploitation by powerful and personality disordered leaders.
It's been funny hearing people think it's so cool to be in a documentary because I...really don't like doing it. But yes, I keep showing up. It's a shame, though! Too bad I never wanted to be a movie star. :)
I feel for you. Writer’s curse, maybe? The need to be heard? We’re a weird bunch. I despise how big business profits from our charity, hard work, and good intentions.
Clearly someone's making money here! On the other hand, for-profit media is a pretty effective way to get one's message out there. The question is if it retains its integrity or becomes something else altogether. This is where survivors' voices matter most to me.
I love your point about integrity. It’s been the story of civilization: every good idea that comes along, from farming to metalworking to Christianity to buildings to Enlightenment to freedom to music and medicine and sports and journalism and and and is eventually corrupted, used by those at the top of the food chain to increase wealth and power, and thereby rendered useless. The apostles lived like communists, for example, and shared whatever they had. Try telling that to a blind patriot now…😱
I am glad you watched that. Yes, I marathoned the whole thing, too. I can say, from personal experience (even the "boy next door" persona of Josh) is all scary true.
Thank you for your work. I am from Guatemala. When it comes to politics, religion, and culture, when the US sneezes we get the flu. Your work has been key for many of us who try to understand the influence of US evangelical religious conservatism in Latin America. Thanks!!!!
I hear this a lot, and glad my work can be of some help. The Spanish language edition is with a Spanish publisher (Capitan Swing), but I hope it is finding its way to Latin America as well.
Thank you, for all the sacrifices of time and money you have made to let the truth set people free. I would love to see a documentary on the SBC or megachurch or just all the abuse survivors of Andy Wood who has elements of Bill Gothard’s getting fired for gossip tyranny, his umbrella complimentarianism, and secrecy about how much money he makes. The way Gothard infiltrated the SBC needs to be explored. Also, Hillsong’s influence in megachurch with songs and systems of labor abuse is way more familiar than it should be. The intersection of Gothard-Hillsong-SBC megachurch is becoming more clear with these documentaries. The way complimentarianism abused women with systemic sexism is also clearer. Thank you for helping get this info to the masses, Kristin.
Yes, I keep saying that we need a really good recent history of the SBC. Not an official history, but one that examines these connections and doesn't brush over the darker sides. It's strange to me that no one has tackled that yet and I'm trying to get friends to write it. I should be clear, too, that while there's no money in documentaries for those of us who participate, there *is* money in other work--at the moment I make $ through speaking and royalties, which more than offsets costs in terms of buying out courses. (At Calvin my course load is 6 or 7 courses, which would make this work impossible. ) I've bought out courses (teaching less for less money) for years and only recently am in a position to recoup the cost. So at the moment my extra work, while exhausting, is a financial plus rather than a drain on the family budget. However, survivors in these spaces have often suffered huge financial losses and paid all sorts of financial costs--therapy, education, losing jobs, networks, etc. They almost never gain anything material by speaking out. But they very often stand to lose even more. I think it's important not to confuse my situation with theirs. While I'm really glad my work is helping people, they are the ones sacrificing and they deserve the praise. At the end of the day, I'm doing my job.
I am grateful that you take the time to participate in documentaries. In fact, I am grateful for all your public work. You are a voice for those of us who don't have a platform but who appreciate your dedicated and careful scholarship. It's important work. I silently cheer you on from the sidelines.
This means a lot, thanks for sharing.
In a world where money is everything, it's refreshing, and confusing, when someone actually does something because they care about the human condition ... and maybe something called truth.
This isn't to say there isn't money involved in other facets of this work. Book deals, speaking fees. But definitely not in documentaries! And they're by far the most stressful of all the things I do.
I was quite excited to see you in the Hillsong doc. It was like running into a friend, while on a walk, who you never expected to see. Although, it made total sense when you did appear on the screen. Thank you for all the time and effort you put into this work. You are a gem!! 🤓
So nice to hear this because I only cringe when I see myself onscreen. :)
Kristin I love your genuine interest and concern. I've been reading you for this year. The "Christian" world is a goofy place. It's hard work discerning who's a true Jesus follower. We need your voice! One thing IS evidient people are sheep. They get trained up/formed into a similar but not true Christ follower. They are desperate for connection and community and easily fall into false teaching. For me you are part of that discerning piece. Appreciate your work.
As a survivor I appreciated your analysis in the Beautiful People Doc. I think you helped give needed historical context. Thank you for dedicating your time.
I'm just so incredibly thankful that you are in this space. I love your letters, your appearances, and your courage to keep in there when it's uncomfortable. Thank you.
I think we've learned that being uncomfortable with what was "normal" or "challenging" back in the day (and today) is okay. I'm settled with it now, but it's uncomfortable with family and friends who continue sucking it up. It's hard. But I wouldn't have it any other way.
You and others are giving voice to what we've thought but couldn't articulate.
Don't stop!
I recently read your book it has made so light bulb go off
Thank you for writing about this today. I wasn’t planning on watching either one but just watched “Shiny...” and greatly appreciate your input on the immensely important topic of national urgency. Now, on to Hillsong. I’m sure I’ll be disgusted but want to understand how pervasive this national religion pollutes our culture.
Thank you Kristin for adding your voice to these necessary documentary series. Hopefully survivors will see these and seek help. The more I watch the more I understand about the abuse and exploitation by powerful and personality disordered leaders.
You have spare time?
I’m continually amazed by you, friend. You’re truly one of my heroes. Take care of yourself!! ❤️
Kristin, thank you for your important work and for the insights into how it gets done. Keep it up -- but I know your family has to come first.
Wonderful glance behind the scenes. More people should be aware of the sacrifices people like you make in doing such, or any work.
It's been funny hearing people think it's so cool to be in a documentary because I...really don't like doing it. But yes, I keep showing up. It's a shame, though! Too bad I never wanted to be a movie star. :)
I feel for you. Writer’s curse, maybe? The need to be heard? We’re a weird bunch. I despise how big business profits from our charity, hard work, and good intentions.
Clearly someone's making money here! On the other hand, for-profit media is a pretty effective way to get one's message out there. The question is if it retains its integrity or becomes something else altogether. This is where survivors' voices matter most to me.
I love your point about integrity. It’s been the story of civilization: every good idea that comes along, from farming to metalworking to Christianity to buildings to Enlightenment to freedom to music and medicine and sports and journalism and and and is eventually corrupted, used by those at the top of the food chain to increase wealth and power, and thereby rendered useless. The apostles lived like communists, for example, and shared whatever they had. Try telling that to a blind patriot now…😱
I am glad you watched that. Yes, I marathoned the whole thing, too. I can say, from personal experience (even the "boy next door" persona of Josh) is all scary true.
Thank you for your work. I am from Guatemala. When it comes to politics, religion, and culture, when the US sneezes we get the flu. Your work has been key for many of us who try to understand the influence of US evangelical religious conservatism in Latin America. Thanks!!!!
I hear this a lot, and glad my work can be of some help. The Spanish language edition is with a Spanish publisher (Capitan Swing), but I hope it is finding its way to Latin America as well.
Thank you, for all the sacrifices of time and money you have made to let the truth set people free. I would love to see a documentary on the SBC or megachurch or just all the abuse survivors of Andy Wood who has elements of Bill Gothard’s getting fired for gossip tyranny, his umbrella complimentarianism, and secrecy about how much money he makes. The way Gothard infiltrated the SBC needs to be explored. Also, Hillsong’s influence in megachurch with songs and systems of labor abuse is way more familiar than it should be. The intersection of Gothard-Hillsong-SBC megachurch is becoming more clear with these documentaries. The way complimentarianism abused women with systemic sexism is also clearer. Thank you for helping get this info to the masses, Kristin.
Yes, I keep saying that we need a really good recent history of the SBC. Not an official history, but one that examines these connections and doesn't brush over the darker sides. It's strange to me that no one has tackled that yet and I'm trying to get friends to write it. I should be clear, too, that while there's no money in documentaries for those of us who participate, there *is* money in other work--at the moment I make $ through speaking and royalties, which more than offsets costs in terms of buying out courses. (At Calvin my course load is 6 or 7 courses, which would make this work impossible. ) I've bought out courses (teaching less for less money) for years and only recently am in a position to recoup the cost. So at the moment my extra work, while exhausting, is a financial plus rather than a drain on the family budget. However, survivors in these spaces have often suffered huge financial losses and paid all sorts of financial costs--therapy, education, losing jobs, networks, etc. They almost never gain anything material by speaking out. But they very often stand to lose even more. I think it's important not to confuse my situation with theirs. While I'm really glad my work is helping people, they are the ones sacrificing and they deserve the praise. At the end of the day, I'm doing my job.