About the Safe Church Project
Equipping churches to recognize, respond to, and prevent emotional, spiritual, and relational abuse—biblically and with compassion.
Rebuilding Trust in the Church
The Safe Church Project exists because many people love Jesus deeply—but no longer know where to worship safely.
Across denominations and communities, harm caused by spiritual abuse, coercive theology, misuse of authority, and lack of accountability has fractured trust within the Church. Survivors, families, and faithful leaders alike are searching for communities that reflect the heart of Christ rather than allegiance to power.
The Safe Church Project was created to help rebuild that trust.
Our Mission
The Safe Church Project exists to rebuild trust in the Church by creating visible pathways to spiritually safe, trauma-informed, gospel-centered communities—and by quietly dismantling systems of spiritual abuse, coercion, and dehumanization through truth, dignity, and love.
This work is rooted in the conviction that spiritual safety is not optional to faithfulness. It is intrinsic to the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Why This Work Matters
A Church that is unsafe cannot bear faithful witness.
A Church that protects power over people distorts the gospel.
But a Church rooted in humility, accountability, and love becomes a place of healing, restoration, and hope.
The Safe Church Project exists to help make those churches visible—and to help more churches become them.
Our Theological Foundation
Jesus Christ alone is Lord
Every person is created in the Image of God and bears inherent dignity
The gospel rejects coercion, domination, and abuse
Leadership exists to serve, not control
We reject any theology or practice that elevates power, nation, race, or ideology above the gospel of Jesus Christ; that uses Scripture to control or silence; or that diminishes the dignity of others in the name of faithfulness.
Our allegiance is to Christ alone—and to the sacred worth of every person
How the Safe Church Project Works
The Safe Church Project serves the Church through two connected pathways:
The Safe Church Directory
A community-informed resource that helps individuals and families locate churches committed to spiritual safety, accountable leadership, and the dignity of every person created in the Image of God.
Sanctuary Certified™
A structured, trauma-informed, gospel-centered formation pathway that equips churches to cultivate spiritually safe community life with integrity and accountability.
Together, these pathways create visible and trustworthy routes toward healing, faithfulness, and renewed witness.
What this project is:
Gospel-centered
Trauma-informed
Rooted in historic Christian faith
Committed to dignity, safety, and truth
A place where the church becomes a sanctuary of healing
What this project is NOT:
A political platform
A debate forum
A ranking or review site
Pay-to-play
A substitute for counseling, crisis care, or legal support
This work exists to provide clarity, not conflict—and pathways forward, not pressure.
The Safe Church Project Foundation
Our Commitment to Integrity
Churches are never charged for inclusion in the Safe Church Directory.
Alignment reflects commitment, not perfection.
Participation is never tied to payment or promotion.
This work is sustained through educational initiatives, curriculum engagement, and the voluntary support of individuals who believe the Church’s witness matters.
Stay connected
A Final Word
Many people have not left the Church because they rejected Christ—but because Christ’s name was used to justify control, silence, or harm.
The Safe Church Project exists to name a different way.
A way rooted in truth.
A way marked by humility.
A way shaped by love.
Rooted in the gospel of Jesus Christ. Committed to dignity, safety, and faithful witness.
