Post #21 On Spiritual Abuse...

A few years ago, I wrote a blog post about spiritual abuse. Dysgrace, a system of spiritual abuse The basic idea of the post was based on a section of a book by David Faust, president of my alma mater.
From that post:

There are some identifiable dynamics to spiritually abusive systems.

1) Power posturing: Leaders demand excessive amounts of authority and compel their followers to submit.
2) Performance preoccupation: Spirituality is measured by strict adherence to the church's rules with little emphasis on grace.
3) Unspoken rules: For example, the "can't talk" rule instructs that any expression of disagreement or dissent is viewed as disloyalty toward the church's leadership.
4) Lack of balance: Abusive churches may either overemphasize subjective experiences or go to the other extreme and allow no room for the personal leading of God's Spirit.
5) Paranoia: Such churches are dominated by suspicion and fear of outsiders, and discourage interaction with the outside world.
6) Misplaced Loyalty: Loyalty to Christ becomes identified exclusively with one's involvement in a particular congregation or organization.

and finally,
7) Secretiveness: Rather than dealing with important issues and problems with an appropriate degree of openness, abusive systems consistently handle such matters behind closed doors.

The common thread to the dysgraceful church is that they are using people instead of ministering to them.

The reason I refer to this post has to do with the book I am currently reading, "Jesus Wants to Save Christians."

In the book, Rob Bell brings up this thought:

When people are manipulated with guilt and fear, when they are told that if they don't do certain things they'll be illegitimate, judged, condemned, sent to hell forever--that's violence.

It doesn't matter what spiritual language is used or what passages in the Bible are quoted, it's destructive. It's misuse of power. And central to the way of Jesus is serving, which is the loving use of whatever power you possess for the good of another. (emphasis mine)

Spiritual abuse is a terrible church-related experience. Whether it stems from the ego of a leader or the unchecked authority of a group, or some other factor, spiritual abuse is wrong. You cannot hate someone into the arms of Jesus. You cannot coerce people into love. It is wrong, manipulative, and disgraceful.