'Better Than This': David Warren’s Call for Healthier Church Cultures

David Warren may describe himself as a quiet retiree, but his voice carries more weight than ever. In his powerful debut book, Better Than This, the former pastor exposes the painful realities of spiritual abuse and offers a hopeful vision for healthier church cultures.

Speaking recently on the PublishU Podcast, David opened up about his writing journey — one that blends decades of ministry experience with a new mission to spark change.

A Lifelong Dream to Write

David’s desire to write began at just ten years old. “Every week at school we had a free writing session, and I would just go into my little football world and write endless books of nonsense,” he laughed. The dream of publishing lingered quietly for years as he pursued his pastoral calling, raising a family and serving communities.

It wasn’t until retirement that the spark reignited. Reading widely on psychological safety and reflecting on his own ministry experiences, David saw unmistakable parallels with stories of harm in church settings. What began as private reflection soon grew into a book that is part memoir, part manifesto: Better Than This.

Shining a Light on Spiritual Abuse

At the heart of the book lies one of the church’s most overlooked issues: spiritual abuse.

“Spiritual abuse often runs deeper because people are so passionate and committed,” David explained. “There’s an extra lever of manipulation when leaders say, ‘God told me’ and back it up with a vague Bible verse.”

He recounts devastating stories, such as interns pushed to breaking point, then blamed for their struggles. “Their mental health was treated as weakness. They were told to pray harder or battle through. That’s incredibly damaging.”

What’s worse, many people around these situations were aware of the harm but felt unable to speak up. “So many people knew what was going on but didn’t or couldn’t say anything until it all went bang. And by then, the damage was done.”

A Message of Hope

Despite tackling such painful realities, Better Than This is not a book of despair. Its title reflects both critique and hope — a belief that churches and communities can be better.

David outlines three guiding principles for building healthier organizations:

• Wise Theology: “Not just being right, but being wise,” David says. Healthy theology considers people and relationships, not only doctrine.
• Psychological Safety: Communities thrive when people feel safe to ask questions, voice concerns, and admit mistakes without fear of reprisal.
• Courageous Followership: Beyond courageous leadership, David stresses the importance of members willing to speak truth to power. “Silence often protects the system and perpetuates harm,” he warns.

These principles extend beyond church life. Whether in businesses, charities, or families, they provide a framework for building cultures rooted in compassion, safety, and integrity.

The Challenge of Writing the Truth

Tackling a subject as sensitive as spiritual abuse was daunting. David admits his biggest fear was wondering, “Who am I to write this?” Without a large social media following or public platform, he doubted whether his book would gain traction.

But encouragement from friends, family, and those who had entrusted him with their stories kept him going. “They said, ‘Please, will you do this?’ And that was powerful.”

Joining the Write My Book course at PublishU also gave him the structure and accountability he needed. “It gave me focus and momentum,” David shared. “I felt I had to finish — not just for myself, but for the people cheering me on.”

Courage, Compassion, and Change

Now published and available worldwide, Better Than This has already begun sparking important conversations. For David, the book is not about fame or recognition but about impact.

“I’ve achieved something I’ve always wanted to do,” he said. “But my hope is simple: if even one church or organization reads this book and decides to do things better, then it’s worth it.”

Why Better Than This Matters

Spiritual abuse is often hidden, cloaked in authority and spiritual language that makes it difficult to challenge. David’s book brings this issue into the light, offering both empathy for survivors and guidance for communities.

At its core, Better Than This is:

• A Memoir: Drawing from David’s four decades of ministry.
• A Call to Action: Urging churches to create environments where people feel safe, valued, and heard.
• A Guidebook: Offering practical steps toward healthier leadership and courageous community.

For anyone who has experienced unhealthy church dynamics or wants to be part of creating change, David’s work is both eye-opening and empowering.

A Voice We Need Right Now

Though retired from formal ministry, David Warren has stepped into a new kind of leadership. With Better Than This, he reminds us that faith communities — and indeed all communities — can rise above unhealthy patterns and create something far better.

His message is timely, courageous, and deeply needed: we must do better, and we can.

For readers navigating questions of faith, leadership, or community health, David’s debut is a book that will challenge, encourage, and inspire.

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