* * * Spiritual abusers are often self-absorbed, preaching humility, but exhibiting pride. Pastors who draw attention to themselves and their accomplishments and self-importance are not servant leaders. * * * Being familiar with a pastor's personality and charm can sometimes conceal warning signs which might seem… Continue reading When Your Pastor Speaks Humility, but Shows Pride Instead
Category: Spiritual Abuse
Strange Fire Conference: John MacArthur, “Reformed Theology is not a Haven for False Teachers”
* * * I apologize in advance for the length of this post. Please read the Facebook status slowly and let it sink in, would you? * * * H/T to Meaghan Varela, my dear friend (aka the other Woman of Mass Destruction) and former defendant in… Continue reading Strange Fire Conference: John MacArthur, “Reformed Theology is not a Haven for False Teachers”
Pastor Chuck Smith, Founder of Calvary Chapel Churches, Dead at 86
* * * Alex Grenier, son of Calvary Chapel Visalia Pastor Bob Grenier shares his thoughts on the passing of Calvary Chapel founder, Chuck Smith * * * Update and Disclaimer: I've been getting some push back because of publishing this article the same day in… Continue reading Pastor Chuck Smith, Founder of Calvary Chapel Churches, Dead at 86
Harvest Bible Chapel Files Complaint Against Blogger Paul Dohse, Resulting in Loss of YouTube Privileges
* * * In a concerted attempt to control others, someone from Harvest Bible Chapel (HBC) filed official complaint with YouTube against blogger Paul Dohse's YouTube account, resulting in blogger's loss of YouTube privileges. * * * * * * I received an… Continue reading Harvest Bible Chapel Files Complaint Against Blogger Paul Dohse, Resulting in Loss of YouTube Privileges
Harvest Bible Chapel: #Spiritual Abuse 101 Tweets from Elder’s Letter
*** Last week I posted a letter from Dave Corning who was a long-time elder at Harvest Bible Chapel (HBC), under Pastor James MacDonald. I mentioned that Corning's letter would be my go-to letter for describing spiritual abuse because it described some of the most common tactics spiritual abusers use. Friday, I tore the letter apart… Continue reading Harvest Bible Chapel: #Spiritual Abuse 101 Tweets from Elder’s Letter
Spiritual Abuse: Harvest Bible Chapel – Should Church Members Stay or Leave?
* * * One big dilemma in spiritually abusive churches is deciding if and when to leave the church. Does God want people to leave a spiritually abusive church? Can God work through people left in an abusive church? Is there a Biblical precedent for this kind of situation? What… Continue reading Spiritual Abuse: Harvest Bible Chapel – Should Church Members Stay or Leave?
Former Long-Time Harvest Bible Chapel Elder Dave Corning Accuses Pastor James MacDonald of Abuse of Power, Lack of Accountability
* * * Harvest Bible Chapel's former long-time elder Dave Corning releases public letter to expose Pastor James MacDonald of abuse of power, lack of accountability, and personal financial gain. * * * * * * “Beware of false prophets, who come to you… Continue reading Former Long-Time Harvest Bible Chapel Elder Dave Corning Accuses Pastor James MacDonald of Abuse of Power, Lack of Accountability
Financial Ramifications of Abuse: What’s a Church to Do?
* * * Survivors of abuse have to climb many mountains. The first mountain is acknowledging the fact that they are being abused. Then they have to decide what to do. They are left emotionally reeling and yet, have to survive, take care of their children, put food on the table,… Continue reading Financial Ramifications of Abuse: What’s a Church to Do?
Moved by Compassion: The Story of Cherith
* * * The following is a guest post by my long-time friend, Maryl Smith. In Maryl's work, she has the opportunity to get acquainted with people in a more personal setting. She is very sensitive and a big support to people who have endured all kinds of abuse, including spiritual… Continue reading Moved by Compassion: The Story of Cherith
Announcement: New Spiritual Sounding Board Forum
* * * Announcing New Private Spiritual Abuse Forum Blogging is great for introducing a variety of topics, but sometimes it's awkward to break the conversation to share a personal need or concern. Over the past year, there have been times when I have wished there was a private place to… Continue reading Announcement: New Spiritual Sounding Board Forum
Does Your Pastor Serve as Your Holy Spirit?
* * * * * * You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him. But if Christ is in you,… Continue reading Does Your Pastor Serve as Your Holy Spirit?
BeenThereDoneThat and Flying Free: Spiritual Abuse, A Personal Story
* * * This story is a special one to me. Regular reader, "BeenThereDoneThat" (BTDT) has been commenting on this blog since the first weeks here. During that time, I have watched her in her commenting as she has been recovering through a very difficult spiritually abusive church experience. I had… Continue reading BeenThereDoneThat and Flying Free: Spiritual Abuse, A Personal Story
Guest Post: A Call for Reasoned Discernment Before Judgment Is Made Upon Others
* * * Ok, you really have to hear the background of this next post. The other day I was tweeting with a guy whose Twitter handle is @fivesolasguy, (Brian Thornton.) He responded to a couple of tweets of mine and I have to be honest with you, his words felt… Continue reading Guest Post: A Call for Reasoned Discernment Before Judgment Is Made Upon Others
9Marks, Spiritual Abuse, and How Church Members Can Fall Through the Cracks
* * * Yesterday, I shared the a comment that I had posted on SharperIron.org forum. From my limited times there, I gather there are quite a few pastors. We were discussing 9Marks practices. Chip asked me to elaborate after reading my comment: I’ve read some of the 9Marks writings and some… Continue reading 9Marks, Spiritual Abuse, and How Church Members Can Fall Through the Cracks
9Marks: Church Authority over Church Members
* * * Over the weekend, I was reading at Sharperiron.org and commenting on a thread that went on a rabbit trail about 9Marks. My comment got long-winded and I thought it might be good to discuss it here as I've never brought up 9Marks before and my concerns with this… Continue reading 9Marks: Church Authority over Church Members
Beaverton Grace Bible Church and Pastor Chuck O’Neal – A Year after They Lost the Defamation Lawsuit
* * * But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blpasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a… Continue reading Beaverton Grace Bible Church and Pastor Chuck O’Neal – A Year after They Lost the Defamation Lawsuit
Should We Speak out about Our Spiritually Abusive Church?
* * * This comment came in on an earlier thread and there are so many answers. Because I spoke out against my former church, one of the most common questions in e-mails I get is: "should I speak out about our abuse to current members?" Here it is again:… Continue reading Should We Speak out about Our Spiritually Abusive Church?
Why Do People Get Involved in Unhealthy Churches or Cults?
Stephen Smith from Liberty for Captives blog quoted comments from some of you and added more of his own insight. It's excellent. Let's keep talking! This is good stuff!! ~ja
Spiritual Abuse: Who is to Blame? The Pastor or the Congregant?
* * * Wicked shepherds have been around for a long, long time. This passage is from the Old Testament: The word of the Lord came to me: “Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel; prophesy, and say to them, even to the shepherds, Thus says the Lord God: Ah, shepherds of Israel who have… Continue reading Spiritual Abuse: Who is to Blame? The Pastor or the Congregant?
The Clanging Cymbal Tweet of Pastor Jared Mellinger
* * * * * * I saw a disturbing tweet come through my Twitter feed by Jared Mellinger, senior pastor at Covenant Fellowship Church. Please note that I typed "senior pastor." Covenant Fellowship Church is part of Sovereign Grace Ministries, the same family of churches in… Continue reading The Clanging Cymbal Tweet of Pastor Jared Mellinger
Spiritual Sounding Board 