- 192 pages
- English
- ePUB (mobile friendly)
- Available on iOS & Android
About this book
Are churches looking for the wrong kind of leaders? The last decade has witnessed a rising number of churches wrecked by spiritual abuse--harsh, heavy-handed, domineering behavior from those in a position of spiritual authority. And high-profile cases are only a small portion of this widespread problem. Behind the scenes are many more cases of spiritual abuse that we will never hear about. Victims suffer in silence, not knowing where to turn.
Of course, most pastors and leaders are godly, wonderful people who don't abuse their sheep. They shepherd their flocks gently and patiently. But we can't ignore the growing number who do not. We have tolerated and even celebrated the kind of leaders Jesus warned us against.
We need gentle shepherds now more than ever, and in Bully Pulpit, seminary president and biblical scholar Michael J. Kruger offers a unique perspective for both church leaders and church members on the problem of spiritual abuse, how to spot it, and how to handle it in the church.
"Every Christian from pulpit to pew needs to read this wise and timely work."
- Karen Swallow Prior
"Both urgent and timely."
- Sam Storms
"Thoughtful, wise, and biblical."
- Mark Vroegop
Frequently asked questions
- Essential is ideal for learners and professionals who enjoy exploring a wide range of subjects. Access the Essential Library with 800,000+ trusted titles and best-sellers across business, personal growth, and the humanities. Includes unlimited reading time and Standard Read Aloud voice.
- Complete: Perfect for advanced learners and researchers needing full, unrestricted access. Unlock 1.4M+ books across hundreds of subjects, including academic and specialized titles. The Complete Plan also includes advanced features like Premium Read Aloud and Research Assistant.
Please note we cannot support devices running on iOS 13 and Android 7 or earlier. Learn more about using the app.
Information
Table of contents
- Cover Page
- Title Page
- Copyright Page
- Contents
- Acknowledgments
- Introduction
- 1. The First Shall Be First: The Problem of the Bully Pastor
- 2. That Which Shall Not Be Named: What Is Spiritual Abuse?
- 3. A Heavy Yoke On Us: Spiritual Abuse and the Qualifications for Ministry
- 4. A Trail of Dead Bodies: Why Churches Don’t Stop Abusive Leaders
- 5. Flipping the Script: The Retaliatory Tactics of Abusive Leaders
- 6. Suffering In Silence: The Devastating Effects of Spiritual Abuse
- 7. They Shall Not Hurt or Destroy: Creating a Culture That Resists Spiritual Abuse
- Epilogue: A Final Word to Christian Leaders
- Notes