Emotional and spiritual abuse are often hidden in plain sight. Their subtle nature makes them hard to identify, yet the damage they cause can be profound—fracturing trust, distorting faith, and wounding individuals, churches, schools, and ministries. Faith communities must reckon with these realities not only to protect the vulnerable, but to become places of healing, clarity, and Christ-centered care.
This interactive session, led by Mike Sloan, Director of Safeguarding at GRACE (Godly Response to Abuse in the Christian Environment), builds on his Leading Safe Churches presentation at the 2025 Diocesan Convention and serves as this year’s diocesan safe church training. Participants will learn to recognize the signs of emotional and spiritual abuse, prevent harm through practical strategies, and respond wisely and faithfully when abuse occurs.
This FREE event is open to Diocese of Central Florida clergy, staff, lay leaders, parishioners, and guests from outside diocese. Lunch will be provided.
Please scroll down to RSVP by April 22.
Click here to view, download, and share the event flyer for the 2025 Safe Church Training.
***This event does not take the place of Praesidium Academy training.***
Emotional and spiritual abuse are often hidden in plain sight. Their subtle nature makes them hard to identify, yet the damage they cause can be profound—fracturing trust, distorting faith, and wounding individuals, churches, schools, and ministries. Faith communities must reckon with these realities not only to protect the vulnerable, but to become places of healing, clarity, and Christ-centered care.
This interactive session, led by Mike Sloan, Director of Safeguarding at GRACE (Godly Response to Abuse in the Christian Environment), builds on his Leading Safe Churches presentation at the 2025 Diocesan Convention and serves as this year’s diocesan safe church training. Participants will learn to recognize the signs of emotional and spiritual abuse, prevent harm through practical strategies, and respond wisely and faithfully when abuse occurs.
This FREE event is open to Diocese of Central Florida clergy, staff, lay leaders, parishioners, and guests from outside diocese. Lunch will be provided.
Please scroll down to RSVP by April 22.
Click here to view, download, and share the event flyer for the 2025 Safe Church Training.
***This event does not take the place of Praesidium Academy training.***
Leading Safe Churches: Understanding Emotional & Spiritual Abuse
Training Overview & Topics
This session will be grounded in the Christian faith, supported by evidence-based research, and informed by real-world ministry experience. Mike Sloan will guide participants through a framework that integrates theology, trauma-awareness, and practical action steps—helping leaders foster lasting cultural change in their churches.
Key elements of the training include:
- Defining emotional and spiritual abuse
- Placing emotional and spiritual abuse on a spectrum of behaviors
- Specific examples of common types of emotional and spiritual abuse
- Interactive scenarios to build recognition skills
- How these forms of abuse may relate to clergy abuse and intimate partner violence
- Understanding common impacts of emotional and spiritual abuse
- Practical prevention and response issues
- Building healthier church cultures
All attendees will receive an interactive packet and additional resources for ongoing reflection and application.
Speaker Biography
Mike Sloan is the Director of Safeguarding at GRACE (Godly Response to Abuse in the Christian Environment), an organization dedicated to equipping churches and Christian institutions to prevent and respond to abuse. A former pastor, Mike brings more than 15 years of experience to this work, having trained hundreds of faith leaders across the country.
Mike developed and now leads GRACE’s Safeguarding Initiative, a program designed to shift church culture through robust education, theological engagement, and policy development. He regularly consults with churches on abuse response protocols, trauma-informed care, and the implementation of prevention-focused strategies. His work helps communities of faith move from good intentions to wise, actionable practices that reflect the heart of the gospel.