SHOW / EPISODE

Recognizing Grooming and Manipulation Tactics in the Church

Season 8 | Episode 16

24m | Apr 16, 2026

In this week’s episode of the Finding God Podcast, Keana W. Mitchell breaks down one of the most misunderstood and overlooked aspects of child protection in faith communities: grooming and manipulation tactics. These behaviors are often subtle, strategic, and wrapped in kindness, spirituality, or trust — which is exactly why they go unnoticed until harm has already occurred.

Building on last week’s episode about preventing child sexual abuse in the church, Keana explains what grooming is, what manipulation is, how they differ, and how they work together to create access, secrecy, and control. Drawing from leading psychologists such as Dr. Anna Salter, Dr. David Finkelhor, Dr. Diane Langberg, and Dr. Wade Mullen, this episode offers a clear, research‑based understanding of how predators operate — especially in faith‑based environments.

Listeners will learn how to recognize red flags, how adults can be groomed without realizing it, what grooming and manipulation look like inside a church setting, and how these tactics impact victims emotionally, psychologically, and spiritually. Keana also provides guidance on how to respond if a child discloses abuse or if you suspect something is happening — with a strong emphasis on following state law and reporting immediately to the proper legal authorities.

This episode is gentle, educational, and empowering — offering clarity without fear and equipping believers to protect children with wisdom, courage, and compassion.

✨ In This Episode, We Cover:

🔹 Recap of Last Week’s Episode

Why prevention must be proactive
How churches unintentionally create vulnerability
The importance of accountability, transparency, and child‑centered policies

🔹 What Grooming Is

Research‑based definition
Insights from Dr. Anna Salter, Dr. David Finkelhor, and Dr. Diane Langberg
How grooming targets both children and adults
Why grooming is a process, not a single event

🔹 What Manipulation Is

Definition and examples
How manipulation distorts perception and protects the abuser
Faith‑based insights from Dr. Diane Langberg and Dr. Wade Mullen
How spiritual language can be misused to silence victims

🔹 Grooming vs. Manipulation

How they differ
How they work together
Why understanding both is essential for prevention

🔹 Red Flags to Watch For

Grooming red flags
Manipulation red flags
Warning signs in adults who may be unknowingly groomed

🔹 How Adults Can Be Groomed

Charm, service, and spiritual language
How predators build trust in faith communities
Why adults often overlook or dismiss red flags

🔹 What This Looks Like in a Church Environment

Non‑graphic, realistic examples
How abusers use ministry roles, mentorship, and authority
How churches can unintentionally protect abusers

🔹 Effects on Victims

Emotional, psychological, and spiritual impact
Insights from trauma experts like Dr. Bessel van der Kolk and Dr. Langberg
Why victims struggle with trust, faith, and identity

🔹 How to Respond to Disclosure or Suspicion

Believe the child
Stay calm
Avoid leading questions
Follow state law and report immediately to the proper legal authorities
Why churches must not investigate internally

✨ Key Takeaway

Grooming and manipulation thrive in silence, confusion, and misplaced trust. Recognizing these tactics is one of the most powerful ways we can protect children, support survivors, and create churches that reflect the heart of God — a God who defends the vulnerable and stands with the oppressed.

✨ Next Week’s Episode

Join us next week as we talk about how to support victims of child sexual abuse — emotionally, spiritually, and practically.

✨ Connect & Share

If this episode helped you, share it with your church leaders, parents, caregivers, and anyone committed to protecting children.

Follow the podcast for more faith‑centered conversations on safety, healing, and truth.

📬 Contact Information for Keana W. Mitchell — Finding God Podcast

🌐 Website

Emory Rose

https://keanawmitchell.com

📘 Facebook Page

Finding God

https://www.facebook.com/FindingGod