What happens when a woman names harm in her church community—and instead of support, she’s met with silence, suspicion, or even exile? 

Too often, the church’s response to abuse and inequity reveals a painful truth: that protecting systems has taken precedence over protecting people.

In this powerful and layered conversation, Dr. Andrew J. Bauman joins Dr. Dan Allender and Rachael Clinton Chen to confront the realities explored in Andrew’s new book Safe Church: How to Guard Against Sexism and Abuse in Christian Communities. 

Together, they discuss:

• The cost many women pay for speaking up: isolation, lost community, and spiritual disillusionment

• How even “progressive” churches can harbor subtle patterns of power and control

• The stark data that exposes ongoing gender inequity in ministry

• The personal stories that bring this reality to life—and why representation matters

• What a truly safe and equitable church could look like

This is not just a conversation about what’s broken—it’s a call to build something better. A church where truth is welcomed, not silenced. Where policies protect the vulnerable. Where power is shared, not hoarded. And where the sacred image of God in women is honored, nurtured, and empowered.

Whether you’re a survivor, a leader, or someone wrestling with disillusionment, this episode offers a brave and hopeful vision of what the church can become—if we have the courage to tell the truth and move toward change.

Related Resources:

• Order your copy of Dr. Andrew J. Bauman’s SAFE CHURCH: How to Guard Against Sexism & Abuse in Christian Communities.
• Listen to the Allender Center Podcast episode: “Connections Between Spiritual and Sexual Abuse”
• Continue to learn with these self-paced online courses from the Allender Center: Spiritual Abuse & Healing Online Course and the Healing the Wounded Heart Online Course