457 - How to Guard Against Sexism and Abuse in Christian Communities w/ Dr. Andrew Bauman

In this powerful episode of the Pure Desire Podcast, host Nick Stumbo and co-host Heather Cole welcome Dr. Andrew Bauman, founder of the Christian Counseling Center for Sexual Health and Trauma, to discuss his groundbreaking book *Safe Church: How to Guard Against Sexism and Abuse in Christian Communities*. Drawing from his personal history as the son of a pastor and sex addict, and his 15 years of clinical work, Bauman shares hard-won insights from a landmark study of over 2,800 women in church leadership roles. The conversation reveals how unaddressed male sexual brokenness—particularly porn use and emotional avoidance—fuels systemic misogyny, objectification, and abuse within churches. He exposes how biblical texts like 1 Timothy 2 and the term 'ezer' are often misinterpreted to justify male dominance, when in fact they point to mutual, life-saving partnership. Bauman emphasizes that true healing requires men to do deep emotional and embodied work, face their shadows, and move beyond mere honesty to genuine repentance and repair. He offers practical green flags for safe churches: trauma-informed leadership, diversity in decision-making, open dialogue, and a commitment to research-based resources. The episode ends with a hopeful call to action: men must listen to women, do their own healing, and co-create communities where all can flourish in dignity and safety.