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In his book entitled Exposing Spiritual Abuse, pastor and author Mike Fehlauer notes these sheds light on the following symptoms of spiritual abuse;
Unquestioned Authority-in some churches it is considered rebellion to question decisions made from the pulpit.
An Atmosphere of Secrecy-this can take several forms. Sometimes church members are discouraged from discussing the “inner workings” of their church with outsiders. Financial matters may be kept “secret” from the congregation. In some, reporting church members for comments, not following rules, etc. is encouraged.
An Elitist Attitude-an Us and Them mentality. No one else is going to heaven but us. No one else really preaches the gospel but us.
Fear Motivation-those who leave or disobey the church are subject to God’s wrath. If you leave the hand of God will be lifted from you and Satan will run wild in your life. It sounds ridiculous but it happens.
Painful Exit-it is impossible to leave on good terms. Anyone who chooses to leave is seen a problem and outcast.
This is but a brief introduction and by no means all inclusive to a very real problem affecting millions of people in churches worldwide. If you can truthfully see this happening it may be time to do some honest self reflection. The author recommends going to your pastor or another church official with your concerns. If the concerns are manipulated into making you seem the problem, then there is a problem and it isn’t you. When leaving a church is more difficult than switching cable and satellite television providers there is a problem.
I’ve personally listened to and read hundreds of stories from survivors of spiritually abusive churches. You are not alone. Leaving can be done. There are many healthy churches out there waiting.
In his book entitled Exposing Spiritual Abuse, pastor and author Mike Fehlauer notes these sheds light on the following symptoms of spiritual abuse;
Unquestioned Authority-in some churches it is considered rebellion to question decisions made from the pulpit.
An Atmosphere of Secrecy-this can take several forms. Sometimes church members are discouraged from discussing the “inner workings” of their church with outsiders. Financial matters may be kept “secret” from the congregation. In some, reporting church members for comments, not following rules, etc. is encouraged.
An Elitist Attitude-an Us and Them mentality. No one else is going to heaven but us. No one else really preaches the gospel but us.
Fear Motivation-those who leave or disobey the church are subject to God’s wrath. If you leave the hand of God will be lifted from you and Satan will run wild in your life. It sounds ridiculous but it happens.
Painful Exit-it is impossible to leave on good terms. Anyone who chooses to leave is seen a problem and outcast.
This is but a brief introduction and by no means all inclusive to a very real problem affecting millions of people in churches worldwide. If you can truthfully see this happening it may be time to do some honest self reflection. The author recommends going to your pastor or another church official with your concerns. If the concerns are manipulated into making you seem the problem, then there is a problem and it isn’t you. When leaving a church is more difficult than switching cable and satellite television providers there is a problem.
I’ve personally listened to and read hundreds of stories from survivors of spiritually abusive churches. You are not alone. Leaving can be done. There are many healthy churches out there waiting.
That would identify the 1st century Church, so I suspect he takes the view that people want less authority, less issues they cannot know about even if they don't need to know about it and freedom to live disolute lives if they want with no repercussions.
I have seen control will invite demons to come a deceive and this can invite error as Holy Spirit is also some one to control or push aside , and doctrine which are contrary to the gospel can be believed ..... Also pride and greed , and manipulation can corrupt the best of the elect of Christ , which if leader will lead people into lack of Holy Spirit ...... Then there is institutional Church which can have an agenda and this agenda must be followed to a tea , so the god becomes the church and faith in the living God becomes second place , where legalism can be expressed and then there is a form of Godliness but lack any Power of God to redeem sin ..... People feed into it and it will be directly or indirectly spiritual abuse , were new converts can walk away or leave to a better church were the church will have a thriving Sunday School is the church to be , because lack churches usually not have any children or teens
That would identify the 1st century Church, so I suspect he takes the view that people want less authority, less issues they cannot know about even if they don't need to know about it and freedom to live disolute lives if they want with no repercussions.
He didn't bring up the 1st Century church and your observations in the book but I'll email him and ask.
In his book entitled Exposing Spiritual Abuse, pastor and author Mike Fehlauer notes these sheds light on the following symptoms of spiritual abuse;
Unquestioned Authority-in some churches it is considered rebellion to question decisions made from the pulpit.
An Atmosphere of Secrecy-this can take several forms. Sometimes church members are discouraged from discussing the “inner workings” of their church with outsiders. Financial matters may be kept “secret” from the congregation. In some, reporting church members for comments, not following rules, etc. is encouraged.
An Elitist Attitude-an Us and Them mentality. No one else is going to heaven but us. No one else really preaches the gospel but us.
Fear Motivation-those who leave or disobey the church are subject to God’s wrath. If you leave the hand of God will be lifted from you and Satan will run wild in your life. It sounds ridiculous but it happens.
Painful Exit-it is impossible to leave on good terms. Anyone who chooses to leave is seen a problem and outcast.
This is but a brief introduction and by no means all inclusive to a very real problem affecting millions of people in churches worldwide. If you can truthfully see this happening it may be time to do some honest self reflection. The author recommends going to your pastor or another church official with your concerns. If the concerns are manipulated into making you seem the problem, then there is a problem and it isn’t you. When leaving a church is more difficult than switching cable and satellite television providers there is a problem.
I’ve personally listened to and read hundreds of stories from survivors of spiritually abusive churches. You are not alone. Leaving can be done. There are many healthy churches out there waiting.
Sounds like the corrupt medieval Catholic Church that caused Martin Luther to complain.
I have said many times that some Protestant Christians of this era are going through the same medieval thinking of hundreds of years go in Christendom. And it is not only zealous Protestants. They are zealous Catholics as well who yearn for the mass in Latin and a more strict conservative church. However, your average Catholic tends to be open minded ---------thank God!
The fact there are so many being abused, from adults all the way down to children being sexually assaulted shows there is a real problem.
If a school teacher sexually abuses a child they would face prison. Do the priests? No, just an apology from their leader hiding in the middle of Italy.
We're in the 21st century, so why is religion stuck in the 1st?!
The fact there are so many being abused, from adults all the way down to children being sexually assaulted shows there is a real problem.
If a school teacher sexually abuses a child they would face prison. Do the priests? No, just an apology from their leader hiding in the middle of Italy.
We're in the 21st century, so why is religion stuck in the 1st?!
The average folks has a yearning for religion; it is that simple.
Where does the idea that the list describes the first century church come from?
Unquestioned Authority-in some churches it is considered rebellion to question decisions made from the pulpit.
Absolute authority was in the hands of the Apostles.
An Atmosphere of Secrecy-this can take several forms. Sometimes church members are discouraged from discussing the “inner workings” of their church with outsiders. Financial matters may be kept “secret” from the congregation. In some, reporting church members for comments, not following rules, etc. is encouraged.
Please show any such discussion in the 1st century Church. Even Jesus while having a box for the poor never told anyone how much was in it.Scripture tells us to reveal such actions of others to protect the congregation.
An Elitist Attitude-an Us and Them mentality. No one else is going to heaven but us. No one else really preaches the gospel but us.
[Yep Their way or, as some would say here, they will go to Hell. Jesus said there is only One Way, his and the Apostles supported that.
Fear Motivation-those who leave or disobey the church are subject to God’s wrath. If you leave the hand of God will be lifted from you and Satan will run wild in your life. It sounds ridiculous but it happens.
[I do believe that is what Scripture tells us would happen to those who left that 1st century congregation.
Painful Exit-it is impossible to leave on good terms. Anyone who chooses to leave is seen a problem and outcast.
Yep like the man who was in Corinth and was expelled and no one was to talk or associate with him, until he repented and changed.
Many object to what the scripture clearly say and the 1st century Ekklesia did, as they want more freedom to do as they please and have no one say it is wrong and have no repercussions for following their own desires.
Last edited by june 7th; 02-14-2014 at 08:57 AM..
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The average folks has a yearning for religion; it is that simple.
Those who don't are below average.
Those who think they are above average aren't.
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