Wirral Christian Centre : Is it Abusive?
In abusive churches the questioning of leadership is often seen as being disobedient or disruptive and is rarely encouraged. People who don't follow 'the rules' or who threaten exposure are often dealt with harshly and with very little obvious love of mercy. Disfellowshipments (excommunications) from the church are common. For those who leave, or who are asked to leave, the road back to normality is often difficult.
The following is a collection of links related to the problem of spiritual
abuse that some people may find helpful.
The links should help you learn more about the subtle problems and effects
of spiritual abuse.
What is Spiritual Abuse?
Wikipedia.
The Signs Of Spiritual Abuse
By Steven Lambert, ThD.
Elements of Spiritual Abuse
An examination of some common traits of spiritual abuse.
A Pastors Authority
A examination of the authority of a Pastor by Raymond Charles Stedman.
The Abuse of Authority by Leadership
By Peter E. Openshaw.
Leadership in the Church
By Paul Winslow.
Authority Unlimited : Questioning church leadership
By Mary Alice Chrnalogar, author of the book Twisted Scriptures.
Cultism in the Church
By T. Pierce Brown.
The Cult Church
A look at 'good churches' that turn into cults and
neo-cults by Marlene Jones-Skurtu. (Also available
in PDF.)
Abusive
Churches
By Pat Zukeran of Probe Ministries.
Uncovering
Churches That Abuse
Questions
that help determine whether or not a church is abusive. From Dr. Ronald Enroth's
book Recovering from Churches That Abuse
Authoritarianism in the International Churches of Christ
By Dr. Ronald Enroth.
Eight Distinctives of an Aberrational Christian Group
From the NEIRR (New England Institute of Religious Research).
Elements Of Spiritual Abuse
Overview of the seven characteristics of shame-based relationships as presented
in "The
Subtle Power Of Spiritual Abuse".
Is Your
Church Free From Cultic Tendencies? - a Checklist
From the October, 1991 Spiritual Counterfeits Project Newsletter.
The Power Abusers: When follow-the-leader becomes a dangerous game
Dr. Ronald Enroth takes
a look at "shepherding" and "discipling."
Stop Spiritual Abuse
Focusing on the issue of spiritual abuse in Bible based churches.
Recovery from Spiritual Abuse
By
Sharon Hilderbrant, M.A.
Spiritual Abuse Recovery
Resources and support for people recovering from spiritual abuse.
Voices
From The Fringe
Former members report
the tragedy of churches that drift into the distorted behaviour more expected
of a cult. By
Dr. Ron Enroth.
What
do (Abusive) Churches and Cults Have in Common?
Adapted
from The Subtle Power of Spiritual Abuse by David Johnson and Jeff VanVonderen.
Myths and Facts About Cult Involvement
Reprint from the Sep/Oct 1995 Free Minds Journal.
Fear and Guilt: Recovering From Performance-Based Relationships
From churchabuse.com
Abusive pastors found in all denominations
By Craig and Arla Ford.
Biblical faith vs Blind faith
By by Kerry Gilliard.
Christians
Criticizing Christians : Can it be Biblical?
By Bob and Gretchen Passantino.
Why I left Elim
By Bryan Muirden.