The Subtle Power of Spiritual Abuse #19630

If you are researching this topic this is the book to start with. In a breakthrough book first published in 1991, the authors address the dynamics in churches that can ensnare people in legalism, guilt, and begrudging service, keeping them from the grace and joy of God’s kingdom.Written for both those who feel abused and those who may be causing it, The Subtle Power of Spiritual Abuse shows how people get hooked into abusive systems, the impact of controlling leadership on a congregation, and how the abused believer can find rest and recovery. 243 pages. Details   Weight 1.00 lbs Author Johnson, David and VanVonderen, Jeff ISBN 0764201379 Pub Date 2005 Restrictions SHIPS TO USA ONLY! Do NOT Order for outside USA! Pages 234 Availability THIS ITEM NOT AVAILABLE INTERNATIONALLY! Why purchase here? Proceeds go to develop Christian curriculum Price: $13.99 Customer Points: 13 Options   Quantity 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50  Add to cart

Send to friend

Your name: * Your e-mail: * Recipient's e-mail: *  Send to friend

Customers who bought this also bought...

Writing to Learn Old Testament Days: An Activity Guide Simple Secrets to a Beautiful Home What Would Jesus Eat?: The Ultimate Program for Eating Well, Feeling Great, and Living Longer What the Bible Says about Healthy Living: Three Biblical Principles That Will Change Your Diet and Improve Your Health

Customers rating

Customers rating Customer voting Select your rating... Excellent! Very good Good Fair Poor   Customer Reviews Author: Nashville, TN t's right on target. I've seen all of the signs of spiritual abuse in several churches I've attended, and I'm in a church now where the signs do not exist among the leadership (and it's easy to dodge the self-righteous members who do practice any of the bad signs... no church is perfect). The difference between churches that use manipulation and those that practice grace is like night and day. The key to preventing spiritual abuse is balance. God has placed boundaries around ministers and laypeople alike which should not be crossed. When the "leaders" run roughshod over the church members' boundaries while misusing Scripture to protect themselves from legitimate criticism, something is wrong. Pastors cannot claim authority reserved solely for God or expect to control people in ways that only the Holy Spirit can do. God has rules for leaders to obey, and ways for laymen to confront leaders about sin. I have to disagree very strongly with those who say that this book is anti-leadership or that this book causes problems in churches. One of the examples used in the book is about a pastor whose congregation expected too much of him. Yes, some churches do place burdens on pastors that are too hard to bear; so this book is for wounded ministers as much as for wounded laypeople. Yes, we're guilty of expecting our pastors do do everything when God really gives ministries to every believer. Van Vonderen and Johnson warn people who read the book not to use what they have learned as a weapon, but to take action only in the proper spirit. Of course, any time someone takes action in a church, real problems will become visible. My question in every case is: are those problems caused by those speaking out, or have they been there all along and are only now being exposed? People just causing trouble need correction or should be encouraged to move on. People exposing existing problems should be heard out, and solutions to benefit the entire church must be sought. Sweeping exposed problems under the rug is not an option. This book isn't written for rabble-rousers or disgruntled church members or anyone else of that sort. It is for Christians who have been wounded by the church and who need God's healing. It is fair, it is doctrinally solid, and it gives effective counsel. There is something beneficial for everyone... leader, wounded Christian, or loved ones of people in either group. Author: Mary Willits This book was the best book I've read on spiritual abuse issues. It covers all areas: from being spiritually abused, why things go wrong in the churches today, how to recognize an abusive system, to recovering and returning to a right relationship with God, one of faith, hope, love, and grace. These are the things that build a relationship, and create change in our lives. It's not about rules, regulations, being obedient to leaders, and having people tell you their perception and belief of God's will for your life. That's why God gave us His Word, and we are to grow in a relationship with Him. He will do the work in us , we could not do ourselves. This book was the key to helping our family get our lives back together after having experienced abuse in a church. It not only validated us, but it is packed full of scriptures to search the truth out for yourself, to really look at what the Bible is saying, to whom, why, and to see Jesus's true character, and heart of God's Word. What a blessing! I noticed a person was sort of negative in their response to this book, and spoke of how we are to submit to leaders, etc. The Bible tells us to submit to leaders who speak the truth, who operate in the "fruits of the spirit," and who love (both saints and sinners alike). How can we get to the lost, and get them saved if we are to self-righteous to reach out to them, and love them enough to meet them where they are. Self-righteousness sends people away from God, not toward him. Legalism is based on getting right with God, not how to have a relationship with Him. Even though we were spiritually abused, I don't like to hear messages that "tickle my ears" either, but the deliverance of the message, and the heart of the person sending the message must line up with God's Word, and have a character as Jesus did. God gave us feelings and emotions too, it's not always our sinful flesh. We need God to help us discern between the two. I thank God for this book, pray that God will continue to bless their work because a lot of people without resources like this may otherwise walk away from the Lord, after having experienced such a tramatic experience as spiritual abuse. The book is full of insight, not only of abuse issues, but what's gone wrong in churches today. The only thing that the church can really offer anyone that the world can't is "God's love and grace." As Christians, that's our responsibility! That's what will change people, the world, and cause us to love God and want to serve Him. Author: Cathy Jones "The Subtle Power of Spiritual Abuse" confronts in an open and honest way--and deals with in a clear and straightforward way--issues that too many in the Christian community too often refuse to admit and face up to and deal with because these serious issues are not clean and pretty and tidy--they're dirty and messy and embarrassing; and it takes time and much effort to make healthy changes. It takes a lot of courage for anyone to admit to the truth (and uncover the truth) of what goes on "behind closed doors" in some churches (and families). Until these serious issues are first acknowledged, nothing ever changes or has the opportunity to make the necessary healthy changes. It takes integrity and courage and unconditional love to take a stand. David Johnson and Jeff VanVonderen have written a tremendously courageous book. This book does not attack--it simply demonstrates the love and honor these men have for God and His principles and it demonstrates the courage these men have in standing up for those Biblical principles. This book, together with Mr. VanVonderen's other two books, "Tired of Trying to Measure Up" and "Families Where Grace Is In Place" are excellent resources for those who have been wounded by other Christians to receive hope and encouragement and the reassurance that not all Christians and not all churches are harmful--that emotional and spiritual healing can come about and the wounded can eventually be able to move on in life. We are encouraged to use wisdom and discernment and common sense. I recommend these books highly. Consider buying extra copies to give out to loved ones or friends who you know are hurting deeply because they've been wounded by the very people they trusted to love and care about them. Author: Unknown I feel I must chime in to review this book. The authors define well the aspects of a dysfunctional system. The rules of don't talk, don't trust, and don't feel are conveyed with accuracy in an often unlooked setting, the church family. I highly recommend this book as not only to deal with dysfunction but to get a better feel of the grace of God. Jeff's other book, Families Where Grace is in Place, deals excellently with grace, how to look to God for all of your needs, and how to not control your children. This book is not a herald for mutiny but puts a face on the pink elephant in the room. Read the book and make your own judgement call. Do I agree with everything they say? No. Who does? As for the negative comments on this page, they trouble me. I am both angered and frustrated. One person is discussing repressed memories. What does that have to do with this book? He also says it describes every church he has been in. We have a tendency to gravitate toward those churches with leadership that align with our dysfunctions. Another person talked of how the book destroyed their church. The person said a few members led a mutiny with the book. How did a few people take over a church? Where was the leadership and the membership? It sounds like the person is really grieving the loss of their church and that is a sad thing. If those people were engaging in known sin (and just not what the pastor didn't like), then those people were wrong. The book doesn't condone that. The authors are not responsible for people's distortion of the truth. One set of comments is really troubling. They both are from the same city, probably the same person. Insulting us from the beginning, the remarker suggests that only his translation is best and that because we don't agree with him we must not be looking at our Bibles (he mentions us dusting them off). He ends his comment by saying, "Folks, we need to grow up and start worrying about the lost rather than our own petty feelings." Dismissing feelings is one of the first signs of a dysfunctional family. The second round of comments is even more interesting. Using God's Annointed again (he like referring to himself as that in caps), he goes into a tirade about Christian psychologists. And he sums up with the don't talk aspects of a dysfunctional family by saying, "If he (a pastor) leads contrary to the Word of God, then you should quietly find a preacher that does." I highly suggest you read this book. If it doesn't affect your life, then you have lost nothing. It could, though, set you free!