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Talk of "abuse" raises the dander of some Christians ("aw, stop your whining, get over it, and don't adopt a 'victim' mentality") and rightly so. There indeed are people who can become eternal victims, never responsible for their actions and so on.
Yet, real abuse does happen and everyone who's experienced it has a different timetable for getting over it. Perhaps a person who's been abused is being too easy on themselves--or perhaps it just takes them longer to heal. Only God knows the real situation.
I say this as an introduction to the concept of "churches that abuse." By even using the term am I introducing a therapeutic term into the area of Christian practice? Perhaps. But clearly the Bible itself has plenty to say about shepherds who abuse rather than care for their sheep. Leaders can become overbearing and authoritarian (driving rather than leading the sheep) as well as becoming exclusivistic (we're the true church and if you leave us you're doomed) and manipulative. The damage done to people in such situations can be real and lasting.
If you stll don't get what I'm talking about, try getting hold of a landmark book on the subject called, appropriately enough, Churches That Abuse by Christian sociologist Ronald Enroth.
MY REAL REASON FOR BRINGING THIS UP
Yes, my real reason for bringing this up is to mention, as a word of explanation, that I've had some of my own unfortunate church experiences. (I've also had some terrific ones, all you sincere preachers out there. Hang in there, and thank you for your faithfulness.) A result of this is I don't tend to benefit when I listen to preachers who lack an understanding of grace: who preach from a position of "lording it over" the flock, etc.
Fortunately the bad old days of church abuse are behind me and now I'm very much enjoying attending The Peoples Church in Toronto. Charles Price is a man I trust and respect. (His messages are broadcast on a television program called Living Truth.)
Also I've found that some of the most beneficial ministry I receive these days is from certain radio programs. My job involves a lot of time in the car and if I hit it right I'm able to listen (on WDCX Buffalo) to both Steve Brown at 8:30 a.m. followed at 8:45 by Discover the Word[go to this link and click on radio and tv to find Discover the Word] with Alice Matthews, Haddon Robinson, and Mart De Haan.
All these individuals strike me as mature, humble, knowledgeable, and full of grace--and for someone who's been around the Christian block far more times than I care to remember, that's saying something.
Yet, real abuse does happen and everyone who's experienced it has a different timetable for getting over it. Perhaps a person who's been abused is being too easy on themselves--or perhaps it just takes them longer to heal. Only God knows the real situation.
I say this as an introduction to the concept of "churches that abuse." By even using the term am I introducing a therapeutic term into the area of Christian practice? Perhaps. But clearly the Bible itself has plenty to say about shepherds who abuse rather than care for their sheep. Leaders can become overbearing and authoritarian (driving rather than leading the sheep) as well as becoming exclusivistic (we're the true church and if you leave us you're doomed) and manipulative. The damage done to people in such situations can be real and lasting.
If you stll don't get what I'm talking about, try getting hold of a landmark book on the subject called, appropriately enough, Churches That Abuse by Christian sociologist Ronald Enroth.
MY REAL REASON FOR BRINGING THIS UP
Yes, my real reason for bringing this up is to mention, as a word of explanation, that I've had some of my own unfortunate church experiences. (I've also had some terrific ones, all you sincere preachers out there. Hang in there, and thank you for your faithfulness.) A result of this is I don't tend to benefit when I listen to preachers who lack an understanding of grace: who preach from a position of "lording it over" the flock, etc.
Fortunately the bad old days of church abuse are behind me and now I'm very much enjoying attending The Peoples Church in Toronto. Charles Price is a man I trust and respect. (His messages are broadcast on a television program called Living Truth.)
Also I've found that some of the most beneficial ministry I receive these days is from certain radio programs. My job involves a lot of time in the car and if I hit it right I'm able to listen (on WDCX Buffalo) to both Steve Brown at 8:30 a.m. followed at 8:45 by Discover the Word[go to this link and click on radio and tv to find Discover the Word] with Alice Matthews, Haddon Robinson, and Mart De Haan.
All these individuals strike me as mature, humble, knowledgeable, and full of grace--and for someone who's been around the Christian block far more times than I care to remember, that's saying something.
posted by Ted at 4:35 PM
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