Church as a Refuge

Church as a Refuge is a day conference designed to enable better understanding of power, control and abuse within the church. The aim is for church leaders to learn how to create a safe culture and healing environment for abuse survivors, as well as a safer culture to prevent abuse. The conference is particularly relevant for church leaders, Christian organisations, theological students, mission organisations, therapists, counsellors and church safeguarding leads.

​The keynote speaker, Dr Diane Langberg, is globally recognized for her 47 years of clinical work with trauma victims. She has trained caregivers on six continents in responding to trauma and to the abuse of power. She also directs her own counseling practice. Among Dr. Langberg’s books are Counsel for Pastors’ Wives, Counseling Survivors of Sexual Abuse, On the Threshold of Hope (with accompanying workbook), In Our Lives First: Meditations for Counselors and Suffering the Heart of God: How Trauma Destroys and Christ Restores. Dr Langberg will speak about abuse, power, and control, and the dangers within our churches. She will share her knowledge on creating a safe culture within the church to help victims and survivors heal from trauma.

Church as a Refuge will be held at All Souls, Langham Place on Friday 15th May, 2020, from 10am to 4pm. The conference is hosted by Jacqui Wright and Cliff Turner from Church as a Refuge, and by Hugh Palmer from All Souls, London. Tickets are available now.

This is such an important subject for all of us involved in church leadership to consider, and this conference provides an opportunity to learn from one of the world-leaders on the subject: "This conference is for those who earnestly desire to grow in wisdom and insight in these matters, so as more effectively to build up those who have been sinned against, and bind up their wounds."

For more details, please see Church as a Refuge.