Having spent nearly a decade working for a mission college in Africa, I have a keen interest in African leadership. When I spoke with Praise (not his real name), he shared his own experience with leadership abuse in the African nation in which he grew up.
shepherding
I Loathe My Life: Listening to Victims
Those who are honored to hear an abuse victim's story need to hear Job's story. They need to hear his words . . . and they need to hear his friends' words.
Pastoral Steamroller: Michael’s Story
Michael and Kate realized the abuse of power by bullying, control, using the scriptures to condemn, shunning, and slander had been going on for a long time.
PCC’s Dirty Little Secret: Kate’s Story Part Two
Part 2: It has been two years since the Williams left Peace Community Church. Blame-shifting and isolating, Kate's pastor has deeply hurt many in leadership.
PCC’s Dirty Little Secret: Kate’s Story
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.
Mia’s Story: A Bruised Reed He Will Not Break
Mia suffered under a leadership that was more concerned about following their church rules than the love of Christ. Their spiritual abuse was worse than her experiences of sexual abuses.
Tyrants Leading the Church: Seekers of Position, Role & Status
Mia's change in behavior at home and struggle with the church had its roots in her experience of sexual abuse. It was not too late for Mia, but the church and her parents were going to need to respond to her struggles in light of these horrible experiences as a child.
Accountability Guilt: Jack’s Life in the Wilderness Under Abusive Leadership
When do you give up on a toxic leader? More often than not, leadership abuse survivors struggle with "Accountability Guilt."
When the Church Gets It Right: Janice’s Story
Generally, positive stories about how the church responds to abuse are far and few between. But, Janice's is different.
Authorized Unity: Loyalty, Allegiance and Fidelity
When your pastor says, "If you don't trust me, you don't trust God," run.