Posted by Pastor Tim email me at ( - my user name - )@believersbay.com
on October 23, 2009, 2:36 pm
The Subtle Power of Spiritual Abuse
Recognizing and Escaping Spiritual Manipulation and False Spiritual Authority Within the Church
By David Johnson & Jeff VanVonderen
--From the back cover--
Breaking the Silence on an Abuse Within the Church That Leaves Christians Feeling “Used,” Manipulated and Shamed.
The Subtle Power of Spiritual Abuse
Churches are meant to be safe places where spiritual leaders help and equip the members for the work of service. There are some churches, however, where leaders use their spiritual authority to control and dominate others, attempting to meet their own needs for importance, power, intimacy or spiritual gratification. Through the subtle use of the right “spiritual” words, church members are manipulated or shamed into certain behaviors or performance that ensnares in legalism, guilt and begrudging service.
This is spiritual abuse, and the results can be shattering. Deeply ingrained spiritual codes of written and unwritten rules control and condemn, wounding believers’ spirits and keeping them from the grace and joy of God’s kingdom. Believers find themselves enslaved to a system, a leader, a standard of performance that saps true spiritual life.
This is a message for Christians who feel they are spiritually abused and for those who might be causing it. Authors VanVonderen and Johnson address these important themes and point the way toward freedom.
• What are the abusive spiritual dynamics that can develop in a church?
• How do people get hooked into these abusive systems?
• What are the marks of false spiritual leadership and their impact on a congregation?
• What are the scriptures and doctrinal concepts that can be misused to keep Christians under bondage?
• How can an abused Christian find rest and recovery?
--End of Back Cover—
I share this excellent resource because often it’s not the leadership in a church that is functioning in this way. Most of the time it’s people within the membership that function this way and often they’re not even aware that they’re functioning this way.
These “loving” people have developed the art of “spiritual” abuse. By utilizing key words, phrase, and concepts they “gently” control the entire body of believers. I highly recommend this book to anyone who’s in ministry.
As God’s children and as his servants we must be aware of all the wiles of the devil and prepare to do battle with him where ever he attacks the church. We must be wise as serpents and harmless as doves.
It’s only $10.99 at Christian Books. Paperback
http://www.christianbook.com/Christian/Books/product?item_no=201379&item_code=WW&netp_id=380155&event=ESRCN&view=details
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