Imprecatory Praying: It is a hard topic for Christians to wrap their heads around. When I normally speak of "imprecatory praying" I give qualifications. But Nehemiah, in a display of raw emotion, simply asks the Lord to destroy this enemy.
ClergyAbuse
Making Too Much of Toxic Church Leadership?
A blogger argues that the focus on bad pastors and their abusive leadership in the Christian community might have been overdone and could overshadow the more common existence of good pastors. I disagree. Churches and Christians are called to judge inside their ranks and expose pastoral abuse when it occurs. The Bible calls for greater accountability for church leaders and warns against tolerating abusive practices in leadership.
Complicity: Holding Places of Prominence
Those who make themselves complicit with toxic leadership will often do so due to fear of loss of prominence or privilege. A great example is found in Esther's story.
Deal With the Elephant: Whose Sin Is It?
I have often heard survivors of abusive leaders in the home and workplace confess their sins and in some way suggest the abuse they are living under is somehow a necessary result of their sin. Do not be distracted by the wiles of the abuser as he projects his sin upon his victim.
Aaron’s Story: Pastor as Predator
I could tell in our discussion that Aaron was the dream employee. After two years of serving in the church, Aaron came home to his wife and shared with her, “I think Pastor Gene has a man-crush on me.”
God’s Definition of Leadership: Concentrating on Responsibility Rather than Authority
We look for strong leaders using the world’s standards of leadership . . . not God’s. Elders in Christ's church are called to serve; this is how they are to lead. Jesus served.
The Long-Term View: The Lord is a Refuge for the Oppressed
We see our oppressors (as the Bible calls them) winning the battle. But that is only in the short-term. The LORD is my refuge.
It’s Not an Affair: Clergy-Perpetrated Sexual Abuse of Adults
Jada said she "felt like a prisoner set free" when she left her sexually and spiritually abusive pastor.