This website explores the issues of people
who have experienced spiritual abuse in their
local churches and how they have recovered.
Every year dedicated Christian people leave churches because of spiritual abuse. What factors contribute to dedicated and active believers in Christ leaving their churches and becoming exiting statistics? The stories of people who left their home church because of a negative and hurtful experience paint a picture of a widespread occurrence, which beckons consideration by church leaders and church congregants alike.
- Are you grieving over circumstances in your home church?
- Have you been hurt by the church-particularly by a church leader, like a pastor?
- Do you feel like: you have no one to turn to in your church?
- Do you feel like: you cannot talk about your church or leadership concerns or people will brand you as a gossip or a troublemaker?
- Do you feel that: if word gets out to your leadership about your concerns, that you might be shunned or disciplined?
- Do you feel lonely?
One of the downfalls of spiritual abuse is the extremely solitary and lonely position that the abused find themselves in.
If there is bereavement or loss of various kinds, it is likely that a church community will rally around the one suffering and provide comfort and encouragement.
But when spiritual abuse wounds individuals or couples in a group, there is total exclusion, even to the point of shunning or expulsion from the community.
The feelings of loss and aloneness are magnified and the intensity of the emotional pain is excruciating.
Consider some of the following statements and see if this fits you:
- A disappointment with and distrust of the church leadership
- A sense of grief regarding the overbearing methods of church leadership
- A disappointment with some theology and practice
- A distrust of the church as a system
- A desire and/or a decision to leave your local church
- You have been asked to leave your church by the leadership
After considering the elements described above, you may realize that you need to consider these questions:
How do I know if I am experiencing it?
Click here to read more and find answers to those questions.
Several colleagues and friends have chosen January as Spiritual Abuse Awareness Month.
January is Spiritual Abuse Awareness Month. There is a public page at http://facebook.com/SAAwareness there is hope and healing yet there is a work to do in raising awareness and telling truth to free people from abusive congregations. Help pass it on.
Facebook page is sponsored by Sisterlisa Bertolini of 'Soul Liberty Faith' www.SpiritualAbuseAware