Laura Thien

Look. I have been a homeschooling parent over the years. I understand the discomfort of this, but it should not be controversial to acknowledge the fact that if a child is being abused in a homeschooling environment, they have less access to help. +

Myth: The presence of good deeds, kind words, and a good reputation means a person could not possibly be an abuser. Truth: An abuser often cultivates such things for the sole purpose of deception.

A new open-access peer-reviewed research report from the Center for Institutional Courage indicates that institutional courage (not as a singular act, but an enduring way of being) buffers the harm of institutional betrayal. Or in the words of study co-author and founder and president of the Center for Institutional Courage, Jennifer Freyd, "Institutions don't have to be perfect but they have to show some courage." Previous research by Freyd (2018) provides practical examples of institutional courage, including cherishing the whistleblower, engaging in transparent self-study (e.g., anonymous surveys), bearing witness to survivors' pain by apologizing for past wrongdoings, and devoting financial resources to survivors' needs. When a faith community fails to prevent harm, its next steps MATTER. By choosing institutional courage over self-protection, transparency over reputation, listening over excuses, independent investigations over internal ones, lament over defense, compassion over self-preservation... it makes a difference. To read the full study visit: psycnet.apa.org/fulltext/2025-… To find out more about GRACE's independent investigations, assessments, and consults visit: Netgrace.org #GRACE #CenterforInstitutionalCourage #InstitutionalCourage #InstitutionalBetrayal #IndependentInvestigations #Transparency #AbusePrevention #ChurchHarm #AbuseResponse

I've used em-dashes my whole life — they add rhythm and grace to writing. But now they're an AI tell. Can we get a grandfather clause for those of us who were fluent in em-dashes before ChatGPT launched in November 2022?

In faith communities where harm has occurred, it can be tempting to focus on creating a redemptive story, but we must remember that redemption isn’t possible or beautiful if it’s built on the backs of the ones who are harmed.

This 2-hour training course examines how a trauma-informed approach provides safer, more compassionate faith communities for the vulnerable and hurting. -What is trauma? -How does our understanding of trauma impact how we care for those in our faith communities? -What are the four "R's" of trauma-informed care? -What are the six principles of trauma-informed care? Participants will engage in real-time with interactive examples. Register here today: grace.trainercentralsite.com/session/becomi…

Boy golly, I’ll tell you… Just because he didn’t abuse you, doesn’t mean he didn’t abuse someone else. You cannot vouch for someone’s ”integrity.” You have no idea what they do in the dark when you have only seen them in the light.

Join GRACE for our spring cohort of the "Safe Church Course: Abuse Prevention & Response"! This 8-week leadership course meets on Thursday nights for 3 hours. Participants learn the core dynamics of abuse in faith contexts, explore the Bible’s teaching on power and vulnerability, and learn concrete strategies for prevention, response, survivor care, reporting, and managing known offenders. 🗓️: Thursdays from March 5-April 30, 2026 ⏰️: 7-10pm ET 🖥️ : Live on Zoom Instructors: Wade Mullen & Mike Sloan Learn more at Netgrace.org/safe-church-co… #SafeChurchTrainingCenter #GRACE #OnlineTraining #ChurchTraining #ChurchLeadershipCourse #AdvocateTraining #AbusePrevention #AbuseResponse

Wishing you hadn’t decided to use a do-it-yourself spray tan kit the night before the big meeting - 15th century, University of Cambridge, MS Nn.3.2, f. 19r

For my friends who came from these religious spaces, this response to the TGC article hits the nail on the head: open.substack.com/pub/eliseheerd…

On Epiphany, we remember the Three Kings and their visit to the Christ child. They subsequently ignored the request of a devious king, who sanctioned violence against his own people in a fearful attempt to quell his removal from power.

@griffingulledge Fisk

I’m sick. Been flat on my back in bed all day. What’s the TV show or movie that isn’t super ultra popular that I should check out?

@latrkinma 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

The ability to fully and freely say no is a critical prerequisite to fully and freely saying yes.

"Toby, if we start pulling strings like this, you don't think every homeless veteran would come out of the woodwork?" "I can only hope, sir." Merry Christmas everyone! 🎄

"Be careful what doors you allow cynicism to lock in you. All dreaming is dangerous to those who benefit from our hopelessness." - Cole Arthur Riley

To every family member who has drawn the line to keep a predatory family member from a holiday gathering, I thank you. It is heartbreakingly less common than we’d hope that survivors have this safety with their families.

@AbuseClergy @netgrace_org @BozT 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

@ThienAngst Congratulations, @ThienAngst ! We look forward to you leading @netgrace_org into the future. Thank you 🙏 to Founder & former Executive Director @BozT & former Executive Director Pete Singer (may he RIP knowing it continues to be in great hands) for their service to G.R.A.C.E.!

Some personal/professional news:

@CarsonWeitnauer Thank you!

@ThienAngst Congrats!!

@latrkinma 🫶🏻🫶🏻🫶🏻 Thank you! That means so much.

@ThienAngst Wow!!! I’m THRILLED to hear this. Fabulous news!!!

@ChristaBrown777 Thank you, Christa. Your story, and book, was an entry point into understanding the importance of this work at a deeper level. Thank you for shining the light— I know it comes with its own cost.

@ThienAngst Congratulations! I'm appreciative of your work.