Online Conversation | Redeeming Power with Diane Langberg

On Friday, July 9th, we hosted psychologist and author Dr. Diane Langberg to discuss the themes in her book, Redeeming Power: Understanding Authority and Abuse in the Church. Dr. Langberg who has been working with survivors of trauma and abuse, clergy, and caregivers for almost 50 years, desires to increase awareness and understanding of power and its abuse so those who have been abandoned by broken systems of power can be defended and protected. She discussed the purposes, dynamics, systems, and proper place of power, as well as the ways in which it can deform and distort, noting that “our responses to the vulnerable expose who we are.” And she noted that while “much of Christendom today seems less interested in seeing as Jesus saw…and far more interested in gaining power,” there is also the invitation and opportunity before us to “cross divides, step out of high positions, and reach out with love to those who are vulnerable, whose power is little or trampled, bestowing benedictions as we go.” We hope you enjoy this conversation! The song is “Hrepenenje” - by Jani Lechleiter. (Slovenian for “longing.”) The painting is 'A shepherdess tending to her flock' by Anton Mauve, late 19th Century.