Note: the inclusion of cult-related resources here is not intended to imply that Friday Night is a cult, though we do believe that Friday Night has cult-like traits. Using binary terms to classify a group as a cult or not a cult may not be as helpful as understanding how cults operate and identifying how Friday Night may have similarities to one cult or another.
Whether you were part of Friday Night or some other abusive environment, please know that you are not alone. We hope you find these resources helpful.
Books
Bully Pulpit: Confronting the Problem of Spiritual Abuse in the Church
by Michael J. Kruger
by Steven Hassan, Ph.D
Freedom of Mind: Helping Loved Ones Leave Controlling People, Cults, and Beliefs
by Steven Hassan, Ph.D
Damaged Disciples: Casualties of Authoritarian Churches and the Shepherding Movement
by Ron Burks, Ph.D
^^ note, the Shepherding Movement from the 1970s and 1980s bears significant similarities to Friday Night
Counseling
The counselors listed below are ones we have either direct experience with or good reason to believe they are competent to handle spiritual abuse cases. An expert advised me (Quinn) that if a counselor is not experienced in spiritual abuse, to instruct them to treat the client as they would a domestic abuse victim who believes the abuse is their fault.
ICSA List — people on this list are generally going to be highly knowledgeable, not necessarily local to Phoenix, and on the pricy side.
One person in our group found Ron Burks quite helpful, whose bio is halfway down the page.
Local to Phoenix
Legal
Podcasts
Recognizing and Healing from Spiritual Abuse
by Ken Garrett
Why Air the Church’s ‘Dirty Laundry’?
by Julie Roys
The Rise and Fall of Mars Hill <— great podcast, but very long and only somewhat helpful for understanding Friday Night
Produced by Christianity Today
Hosted by Mike Cosper
Mike Bickle Groomed Me So He Could Abuse My Friends <— this story bears similarities to Dave’s “Papa” dynamics
Julie Roys interviews Shelley Hundley, longtime IHOPKC staff leader
Benny Hinn’s Legacy: A Candid Conversation with Costi Hinn & Mike Winger <— great story, and there are some similarities between Dave and Benny in terms of their upbringing
How victims are demonized: Bob Hazlett, Cindy Jacobs
by Mike Winger
TV / Movies / Youtube
Shiny Happy People: Duggar Family Secrets
^^ Note, this documentary is about both the Duggar family and the IBLP.
Prophet/Mercy dichotomy
S1 E2 24:30
Surrogate Fatherhood
S1 E3 33:00