abuse

February 24, 2020July 19, 2020 Chuck DeGroat abuse, Community and Relationship, Culture, Failure, Lament, Pastors

When Our Heroes Fail Us

Years ago, I heard Henri Nouwen on an old recording tell the story of his path from teaching in the Ivy League to living in a community of people with disabilities in Toronto. He tells the story of a female associate of Jean Vanier who surprised him with a visit on a busy day for … Continue reading When Our Heroes Fail Us

August 12, 2019 Chuck DeGroat abuse, Community and Relationship, Culture, God is near, Hypocrisy, Lament, Narcissism, Psychology, Spirituality and Formative Practices, Vocation and Calling

a reminder to take care of you

The older I get, the more the old saying of Jesus "Physician, heal thyself" makes sense. I've spent more than two decades doing a lot of caring. But the more attend to myself, the more sadness I find, the more anxiety I feel, the more trauma I notice. The more I realize that I desperately … Continue reading a reminder to take care of you

September 24, 2018 Chuck DeGroat abuse, Community and Relationship, Counseling, Psychology

Believing Women in an Age of Narcissism

(Trigger Warning: If you've been sexually abused or assaulted, please bear in the mind that this piece includes disturbing details of sexual trauma) Step back from the political drama for a moment and consider a woman I saw for counseling years ago (with details changed). She's 39, and I've just officiated her wedding to a … Continue reading Believing Women in an Age of Narcissism

“Chuck is kind, compassionate, and courageous enough to speak necessary truths. I have experienced more transformation in the past six months with Chuck’s spiritual direction than I have in years of counseling.” -Rusty M., Pastor. __

“When I came to Chuck, I was suffering from trauma far more significant than I realized. Over the past year he has been a gracious and empathetic counselor, helping me to more clearly discern the voice of Jesus in my life and to patiently move toward wholeness and healing.” -Andy B., Pastor

“Chuck walked our staff through a series of significant conversations about our shared anxiety, needs, and hopes for the future. We lamented and laughed and learned a lot.”

-Anonymous

“Our intensive experience radically shifted our experience of one another. We had no idea about the hidden resentments and longings within, and though there will be bumps along the way, we’re connected to one another and Jesus.”

-Jen and Tom

“My 5 days with Chuck brought clarity in so many ways. I was emotionally, spiritually, and vocationally lost. I can’t believe how much we unearthed in our time together.”

-Jeff M.

“Chuck has walked with me from the very beginnings of acknowledging sexual abuse in my past to seeing it in my marriage and seeing me through painful conversations, grief, trauma, and healing. I am not the same person as when we first started. He was secure, strong, challenging, and gentle throughout.”

-Sarah W.