Restore Conference 2023 Presents ‘Powerful & Necessary’ Truths

October 17, 2023191 views0

Restore Conference 2023 Presents ‘Powerful & Necessary’ Truths

2023-10-17T11:30:01+01:00

By MO

Around 200 victims of church suffering and abuse, together with church leaders and advocates, gathered at the Restore Conference last week on October 13 & 14 in a setting that witnessed poignant and deep conversation.The Roys Report (TRR) organised this life-changing event at Judson University in Elgin, Illinois, and it sparked sincere talks about abuse and problems with ineffective leadership in evangelical church organisations.The unique two-day meeting brought together those who were dedicated to discovering the truth and fostering urgently required transformation inside the church. Representatives from 32 US states, two Canadian provinces, England, Malawi, and the Netherlands were among the attendees. Their shared mission was to delve into the depths of the issues plaguing the church and chart a path forward.The Restore Conference‘s inauguration was a significant step in this direction. Attendee Dan Goulson, host of the Dear Christians Podcast, who travelled from nearby Geneva, described the day as “incredibly powerful and necessary conversations that need to be had in every circle of Christianity.” The day’s discussions were wide-ranging: encompassing topics such as recognizing spiritual ; the harmful teachings on sex within evangelical communities that enable abuse; and surviving the challenges posed by white evangelical racism.One of the 10 distinguished speakers, Laura Barringer, who is also the co-author of the best-selling book “A Church Called Tov,” emphasised the uniqueness of the Restore Conference. She emphasised that the occasion serves as a forum for “women and men who tell the truth and resist power—because they love God,” noting that these people are heroes of her faith. Barringer emphasised that speaking truth to power and standing up for the Church are at the core of this conference.Former church planter turned well-known author Lance Ford shed light on the structural elements of the church that unintentionally fuelled the complex abuse epidemic. He claimed that contemporary organisations more frequently resemble corporate America than the Bible.In a statement to TRR, Judson University President Gene Crume expressed his thanks for welcoming visitors to Restore from across North America and the world. He explained the importance of the conference by saying, “Perhaps more importantly, the conference restores hope that through Jesus Christ, we can make a difference and help brothers and sisters heal, forgive, and become renewed again.”He said, “Hell fears what we’re doing here today!” with the zeal of a tent revivalist in his final remarks. The issue of whether the evangelical community can address the abuse situation successfully looms large.Taylor is one of many abuse survivors whose journey has been mixed with optimism and disappointment. Taylor said, “My church consistently let me down and they only made things worse for me every time I held out hope for them to act appropriately. So, for me, having hope is difficult.Goulson, a podcast presenter and advocate, on the other side, was inspired by the leaders’ openness. He emphasised the need to understand one’s part in these crucial concerns and praised Julie for her candour in making her personal confession on the abuse she had experienced. He believes that for the grace of God to be felt and known fully, it is imperative to have tough and perhaps unpleasant dialogues.The Restore Conference 2023 is a monument to the fortitude of those who are committed to facing the difficult truths about abuse in the church and fighting for true change.