Wading into the depths of Psalms 44 and 46 can be both the healing balm and helpful aid to building boundaries that protect our integrity from those who war against a Biblical understanding of abuse.
Pastoral Abuse
Humility, Like Oil On the Head
We are all dependent. We long for respect and love and relationship. But leaders need to depend on God, not our subordinates.
Abuse, Vindication, and the Fear of Man
My first degrees were in music performance. It was then I learned a valuable lesson about responding to abuse.
Gentleness & Believability: Philippians 4
I sat in the plush CEO's office of a Christian mission organization. A friend had known the mission leader since their parents had worked together on the field when they were children. We were happy to join her though a bit suspicious of her reading of the situation. We knew the president as a charming and responsive leader.
Psalm 27: Hope & Healing for the Abused
As I sat down a couple mornings ago to read God's Word and consider His mindfulness of me, I was led to Psalm 27 by a lovely little devotional called, "Jesus Calling."
Wild Grapes: God’s Judgment on Power & Oppression
People were created to love God and neighbor. They were created to care for and keep the world. To create flourishing. They were not created to sow power and reap abuse.
Neglect in Leadership: Who Will Listen?
After sharing her unbearable stress, Susan was nearly ignored by her church leadership.
Peace on Earth
In these uncertain times, God is with us.
Church Leadership: Freshly Brewed Coffee or…
Reading the early part of Paul's letter to Titus is at once like sitting at a brightly lit sidewalk cafe with a freshly brewed coffee in hand and curled up in a corner in depression. We need these kinds of leaders.
Good Leadership Gone Bad
Christian leaders struggle maintaining their faith and integrity and King Asa of Judah is a good case study. Asa's godly leadership devolved into toxicity when he refused to trust God, instead depending on human support. Leaders need to constantly rely on God, acknowledge His paramount role, and heed advice from subordinates for continuous growth and strong leadership.