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Every church deals with personality conflicts and intermittent discord. But in some congregations, there are people who intentionally attack leaders and initiate a devastating form of abuse-pastoral abuse. A growing phenomenon that cuts across denominational lines and impacts every level of ministry, pastoral abuse leaves in its wake wounded people with ruined ministries, broken relationships, damaged health, even shattered faith.
The Wounded Minister examines the reality of evil in churches and the ways in which "clergy killers" or "pathological antagonists" emotionally and spiritually batter pastors. A deft mix of personal experience and in-depth research, this resource will help wounded people of all ministerial positions learn how to recover their broken hearts while rebuilding their lives. As preventive medicine, it also provides guidelines on how sensitive Christians can develop a church structure that protects their pastors from this tragedy.
Anonymous
Posted April 12, 2001
This book was written in the crucible of a conflicted church where the minister was 'beaten up' by a small group of pathological antagonists (or, 'clergy killers') while kind-hearted but passive lay leaders stood by and allowed it to happen. The experience wrecked the minister's career, health, marriage, and future. The author explains why such horrible experiences happen in the church and what exactly ministers and churches can do to prevent such abuse. Many ministers face such abuse each year and are run out of the ministry. Can compassionate lay leaders do something about this? Yes. This book shows what and how. Can wounded ministers find a new start in ministry? Yes. This book shows how the healing process can begin and continue. Ministers who serve in most any position of ministry will be able to identify themselves on the pages of this book. All lay leaders who care about their ministers should read this book. All wounded ministers will find the road to recovery herein. Clinical insights abound throughout this book in understanding the emotional instability of the abusers. Based on the observations and evaluations of numerous case studies of abused ministers, the author offers redemptive answers to one of the church's greatest though hidden problems. (author's comments)
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Overview
Every church deals with personality conflicts and intermittent discord. But in some congregations, there are people who intentionally attack leaders and initiate a devastating form of abuse-pastoral abuse. A growing phenomenon that cuts across denominational lines and impacts ...