 |
 |
 |
|
No one should leave church feeling manipulated, controlled, shamed, or condemned. But places of shelter and encouragement can become abusive if spiritual leaders begin to use their authority to meet their needs for importance, power, or spiritual gratification. Here you’ll discover how to identify an abusive church and also how to break free from its destruction legalism. Topics covered include:
- How spiritual abuse develops – and why those under its grip often don’t see it
- The subtle ways that leaders and systems “hook” and control believers, robbing them of their joy in Christ
- Scriptural help in recognizing healthy spiritual relationships
- Effective strategies for escaping abusive situations
Insightful, practical, and solidly grounded in Scripture, this book has what you need to recover a grace-filled relationship with God and His church.
Table of Contents:
Part 1: Spiritual Abuse and Its Victims
Introduction
Chapter 1: Help Me
Chapter 2: Spiritual Abuse
Chapter 3: Abused Christians
Chapter 4: The Pre-Abuse Set-Up
Chapter 5: Identifying the Abusive System
Chapter 6: When You Cannot Leave
Chapter 7: Abuse and Scripture
Chapter 8: Revictimizing Victims
Part 2: Abusive Leaders and Why They Are Trapped
Chapter 9: Because I’m the Pastor, That’s Why!
Chapter 10: You Can Trust Me
Chapter 11: Image Is Everything
Chapter 12: Straining Gnats, Swallowing Camels
Chapter 13: The Weight of Religion
Chapter 14: No Admittance
Chapter 15: Spreading the Gospel
Chapter 16: The People Get Devoured
Part 3: Post-Abuse Recovery
Introduction
Chapter 17: How to Escape a Spiritual Trap
Chapter 18: Renewing the Mind
Chapter 19: Recovering Right Focus
Chapter 20: One Response: Flight
Chapter 21: A Second Response: Fight
Epilogue: Message to Perpetrators of Spiritual Abuse
About the Authors:
David Johnson, senior pastor at Church of the Open Door in Maple Grove, Minnesota, is a much sought after speaker. Since he began pasturing the church in 1980 it has grown from a congregation of 160 to 3,000 people. His Growing in Grace radio broadcast is syndicated internationally. He and his family reside in Minnesota.
Jeff Van Vonderen is an internationally known speaker on addictions and church and family wellness. He has worked as a counselor in both residential and outpatient treatment settings, and he has taught at the college level. Jeff is the author of several books, including Families Where Grace Is In Place and Tired of Trying to Measure Up. He makes his home in California.
|
|
|
 |
|
 |
|
|
|
