The Healing Church: What Churches Get Wrong about Pornography and How to Fix It

by Sam Black

Two-thirds of men and a third of women who attend church regularly say they struggle with pornography. Yet only 7% of churches offer specific resources and support to their congregations. 

Pastors and church leaders are well aware of the issue of pornography—thanks to decades of studies and Christian blog and magazine articles—however the local church is caught in a painful trap. When Christians are too ashamed to admit their struggle, church leaders aren’t able to directly support those who are actively struggling; when church attendees do find the courage to seek help, they often receive ineffective support from pastors and ministry leaders due to lack of proactive planning.

As a former journalist and current Director of Recovery Education for Covenant Eyes, Sam Black understands the stronghold pornography can have on an individual’s life. His writing in The Healing Church actively addresses these issues and provides clear guidance for ministry leaders as they support those who seek to live in freedom.

In The Healing Church, ministry leaders will discover how to create safe spaces and apply processes that restore those trapped in compulsive behaviors with pornography. Sam Black outlines the most successful examples from churches currently providing meaningful aid and includes stories of Christians who found healing from porn strongholds, as evidence of the type of healing that pastors and church leaders can provide. 

In researching this book, Sam Black conducted more than 70 interviews not only with pastors, counselors, and ministry leaders, but also with everyday people who recovered from a secret life of sin and are helping others who feel trapped by porn and unwanted sexual behaviors. The Healing Church affirms how those who experience true brokenness and surrender to discipleship and life change become strong servants to the Body of Christ and healthier as people overall. When the selfish become selfless, when the idolators learn to worship Christ, when the prideful become meek, they become more fulfilled as servants and filled with purpose.

Today, the local church has choices. It can largely ignore the problems of pornography because they are too unseemly. It can chastise, rebuke, and cast out, which sends more people into hiding. Or it can lead people through a grace-filled process to the foot of the Cross, where strongholds are crushed and where stronger servants arise.

Genres: Sexuality

266 pages, Paperback

Published May 16, 2023

About the author

Sam Black is the author of The Healing Church: What Churches Get Wrong About Pornography and How to Fix It. The director of recovery education at Covenant Eyes, Sam joined the Covenant Eyes team in 2007 after 18 years as an award-winning journalist. He has edited 16 books on the impact of pornography and speaks at parent, men’s, and leaders events. Sam also wrote The Porn Circuit: Understand Your Brain and Break Porn Habits. Sam is passionate about helping Christians live free from pornography because he knows you keep what you give away. He walks his own grace-filled journey with the support of valued allies.

Reviews

[Kathryn McDaniel · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you work in a church, know someone who works in a church, attend a church, you name it- this is a must read. With a topic that is so close to me I was floored by the excellence of this book and how it ministered to my soul as a woman, specifically, not daring to gloss over this topic as it relates to women. Gotta read this one. I’d highlight the whole thing if I could.

“Freedom is a journey, and it’s path is worth walking every single day.”

[Jason · Rating 5 out of 5]

I highly recommend this book. It’s not just for Christian men who struggle with sexual temptation. It’s also for Christian women who do as well. It’s also for Pastors and Youth Pastors who struggle or who want to know ways to truly help their congregation. It’s also for Christian parents who want to help their kids/teens with sexual temptation/porn. Sam (the author) did an excellent job laying out the book in an easy to read/understand format. It’s completely biblically based with tons of practical/relevant stories, advice, and resources. I will be using this book for many years to come in my own ministry.

[John Irvine · Rating 5 out of 5]

From the book …“Pornography contributes to sex trafficking and sex trafficking contributes to porn. If you do a Google search for porn, you’re likely going to be looking at a slave. What does that say about you?” From Andrew at 13-year-old boy and Covenant Eyes member who was challenged by his peers for what’s the big deal with watching porn.

My full book review of The Healing Church by Sam Black of Covenant Eyes is in the video link below. Pastors, Church Leaders and Parents I implore you, read this book. It’s not a matter of “if” your child is exposed to porn, it’s a matter of “when.” Understand the problem. Empower yourself and your churches now.

My full review on my YouTube channel.

https://youtu.be/rLxg54FujIg?si=GAMe5...

[Peter Mahoney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sam Black accomplishes his goal of bringing the reader “an awareness of how people become trapped, why they stay stuck, and how they can begin a journey to a life of integrity and lasting freedom”. He combines scientific research, stories from his own life, and stories from churches and ministries around the country to show us how bad pornography really is and how many men AND women in our community are gripped by it but hiding in shame and fear. Recommend for anyone who struggles with compulsive pornography usage, or who wants to minister to someone who is struggling. Spoiler alert: the path to healing involves trusting the Gospel and living in relational discipleship.

[Elaine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! A great read for pastors and parents! Defines very clearly what pornography is, its often not spoken about effects on human neurology, the detrimental effects on families and much more. This thoughtful, easy to read book delineates a clear path to Jesus Christ’s forgiveness, healing for those addicted, and just as important through real life stories, describes the proper Biblical culture of a true healing church with the steps to create a supportive, non-judgmental environment for ongoing support of congregants. This is a MUST READ!! Sam Black nails it!

[Mike · Rating 5 out of 5]

Full disclosure: I’m a good friend of the author

This is a great resource for churches, but also members of the church, especially those unfamiliar with pornography or don’t know many that have overcome pornography. Sam’s years of insight and connections to those who are living out the gospel to get out of the trap of pornography proves invaluable in showing us the path of healing for individuals and how churches create cultures and programs to foster that healing.

The writing is accessible and clear, making this a must-have for church leaders.

[Don Winters · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sam Black has given the church a much needed tool that is current and incredibly relevant. If you have a church library, it should include this book. False information, shame, and ignoring have not changed the problem of porn within the church. Thank you Sam for writing a book that not only describes the problem, but gives an integrated and proven approach that is biblically sound.

[Katelyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book isn’t just for those in ministry, it is for anyone who has been impacted by unwanted sexual behaviors! I handed out this book to each and every friend we have in ministry. The church NEEDS to be leading the conversation on this and it needs to be done in a non-shameful way that actually HELPS people. This book is such a lovely resource and in my opinion, a must read.

[Becky Cochrane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book! Every pastor should read this! Every men's leader should. Even women. It has made me more sympathetic to the problem of pornography and more desirous for healing for the folks that struggle with it. It's a real problem in the church and is hurting the church as a whole. This book gives real hope and solutions. I loved it.

[Md Nurullah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best Book of inspire of life ...
Obviously Porn videos is watching more dangerous Addicted to Drug and Wine ...

[John]

Very helpful in caring for those stuck in the grip of porn.

[Tom Hames · Rating 5 out of 5]

An incredibly informative book about a topic that most churches steer clear of.

[Rik · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book with good insides, absolute must read as a pastor/church leader, or as someone that wants to be or is involved in the ministry.

[Seth Grindstaff · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book best helps church members who are not informed about the effects and prevalence of pornography. This should be the church's "go to" book for this topic. It clearly lays out problems, implications, and solutions in a non-shameful way. The author has been through the experience and lives it.

This book is not necessarily for addicts. My favorite book for addicts is Pure Desire by Ted Roberts.