One of the most damaging things to an organization is a leader who is a hypocrite. The Oxford Dictionary defines hypocrisy as the practice of claiming to have moral standards or beliefs to which one's own behavior does not conform; pretense.
Jeanie endured years of emotional and sexual abuse from her husband Richard, facing neglect and inadequate support from church leaders.
Jesus, after performing the miracle of raising Lazarus from the dead, gained followers, threatening the authority of the chief priests and Pharisees. These abusive leaders plotted to both kill Lazarus and defame Jesus to maintain their control. They, like other abusive leaders, used a variety of tactics to suppress the truth and protect their image.
She knew that God was calling her to be a missionary. His seeming commitment to Christ and a future as a missionary "touched" her and they were married. But he can no longer harm Lisa.
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.
One of the surest ways to kill an organization is to be driven by image. One of the surest ways to identify a toxic leader is to find one driven by image.
Emily joined the African mission work because it "sounded good. It was the way we should be helping." But all that glitters is not gold...
It has been two years since the Williams left Peace Community Church. You either confront the abuse, or you enable and embolden it. Silence only serves the abuser. Sin grows in the dark.
When your pastor says, "If you don't trust me, you don't trust God," run.
Despite the crazy dad, Dave Marks' thoughts are helpful for understanding the toxic work environment...or really, any conflict.