WELCOME to Church Exiters !!

This website explores the issues of people who have experienced spiritual abuse in their local churches and how they have recovered.
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Every year dedicated Christian people leave churches because of spiritual abuse. What factors contribute to dedicated and active believers leaving their church 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.

The Purpose of this doctoral research was to understand how Christians had gone from the devastating experience of spiritual abuse at their local church to a condition of spiritual restoration. It aimed to demonstrate how people, who had experienced grief and loss in their Christian lives at the hands of church leaders, had over time regained spiritual equilibrium.

The original dissertation is available at A.C.T.S. Seminaries on the Trinity Western University campus in Langley, B.C.

*** Publishing Update from Dr. Barb ***

Great News--My Book Has Been Published!!!

Spiritual Abuse Recovery
Dynamic Research on Finding a Place of Wholeness

Purchase details are available below.

Please share this good news with others.

If you would like to contact me or be contacted, please eMail me at:

info@churchexiters.com

Talk to you soon,
Dr. Barb

This doctoral research has now been made available in a book.

This NEW BOOK can show those who have recently faced similar losses after experiencing spiritual abuse in their home church how they can grow through this devastating experience. They will be able to learn from the spiritual journey of those who have experienced wounding at the hands of church leaders.

This BOOK will inform church ministry leaders about the complex nature of spiritual abuse and provide insights how to help individuals who come to them for help.

This NEW BOOK will provide information and guidance for pastors, ministry leaders, denominational overseers, church consultants, seminary and Bible college professors, scholars, researchers, and congregants about spiritual abuse and how people can recover from it.

This BOOK presents a thoughtful look at the topic of spiritual recovery from clergy abuse through the eyes of those who have experienced it and invites church leaders to consider this very real dysfunction in the Church today. This book aims to demonstrate a path forward to greater freedom in Christ after a season of disillusionment with church leadership.

Here's how to get copies of the book: Spiritual Abuse Recovery.

I am delighted that I have BOOKS NOW AVAILABLE!

Prices below include postage and packaging.

Books mailed to the U.S. are $29 each.

Books mailed in Canada $28.

International $36 (US Funds).

People interested in a copy of this book can follow these easy steps:

1. Please eMail your request to info@churchexiters.com and I will give my mailing address to you.

2. Multiply copies wanted by $28 CDN /$29 U.S./ $36 International.

3. Enclose bank or postal money order in CDN/US Funds to cover.

4. Let me know if copies are to be signed.

5. When your letter arrives, books will be on their way!

OK, there you have it. If you have any questions, just eMail me.

info@churchexiters.com

Hoping to hear from many of you soon.

Dr. Barb

Publisher's Book Description

Endorsements & Review

What factors contribute to active Christians in ministry leaving their church and becoming exiting statistics? Every year dedicated Christian people leave churches because of spiritual abuse. 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.

Spiritual abuse, the misuse of spiritual authority to maltreat followers in the Christian Church, is a complex issue. This book shows how people processed their grief after experiencing spiritual abuse in their local church and how they rediscovered spiritual harmony. Their spiritual journey shows how one may grow through this devastating experience.

This book offers a thoughtful look at the topic of spiritual recovery from clergy abuse through the eyes of those who have experienced it. It invites church leaders to consider this very real dysfunction in the Church today and aims to demonstrate a path forward to greater freedom in Christ after a season of disillusionment with church leadership.

"In an age of increasing calls for strong church leadership, this book is a gift to church leaders and those who have been severely hurt and abused in our churches. Through careful research and an insider's perspective, Barb has opened up both pathways for healing from church abuse and insights for leadership to ensure that potential future abuse is stopped."
—Alan Jamieson, author of A Churchless Faith

"What we refer to as spiritual abuse was a concern for Jesus in his earthly ministry and it is a common problem today. It is, therefore, surprising that more attention is not given to it by today's Christian community. Barb Orlowski, however, does take it seriously as she offers insight into the causes of bad church experiences and how to recover from them. Her counsel alerts people to the dangers of spiritual abuse, and if leaders hear her, they will be less likely to become part of the problem . . . I encourage you to read it."
—Ken Blue, author of Healing Spiritual Abuse

"Dr. Orlowski's research has provided a balance for various perspectives on the experience of woundedness. She listens to the voices of the wounded and lets them inform us of their reality of feeling disappointment and disenfranchisement, tragedy and turbulence in the Church . . . For recovery, Dr. Orlowski gives an excellent starting point—the voice of the wounded—and follows that with the grace of God demonstrated through hearing the voice of God and basing recovery on the Word of God."
—Kirk E. Farnsworth, author of Wounded Workers

Dr. Barb says that:

The theological teachings that I present, what other authors have said, along with the findings and conclusions from this research should fill a gap and provide a welcome resource for many in the Body of Christ.

Here are two excerpts from the Book: Spiritual Abuse Recovery.

In the Church today many people have had distressing and demeaning encounters with authoritarian and controlling Christian leadership that creates severe personal anxiety and emotional pain. As a consequence, many leave their local fellowship. They go from enthusiastic and joyful voluntary participation in their local church to a state of deep emotional distress and disaffiliation. Sadly they are removed from their regular place of worship, service, and fellowship. Such devastation requires a path forward to stimulate spiritual restoration and renewed hope.

Excerpt from the Book: Spiritual Abuse Recovery, Chapter 3.

Faulty beliefs, authoritarian leadership, and fractured community stand in the way of healthy spiritual formation. Christians who have suffered from these distortions in their faith need compassionate Christian helpers to untangle the many strands that have interconnected to choke emotional and spiritual harmony.

Excerpt from the Book: Spiritual Abuse Recovery,Chapter 3.

Site Map

Blue Box 1

1. Welcome

2. How to Order the Book

3. Site Map

4. About Dr. Barb and How to Contact

5. Helpful Resources
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Chapter Summaries of the Book Spiritual Abuse Recovery: Dynamic Research on Finding a Place of Wholeness
can be found by clicking on the boxes below the header.

Blue Box 2

Chapter 1 What’s Going On?

Blue Box 3

Chapter 2 What Do Others Say?

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Chapter 3 What Does the Bible Say?

Blue Box 5

Chapter 4 What Does This Research Say?

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Chapter 5 What Can We Do About It?

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Appendix 1

           1. Participant Introductory Letter and Questionnaire
           2. Pastor’s Introductory Letter and Questionnaire
         3. Initial Screening Letter and Criteria for Participants
           4. Consent Form
         5. Counseling Resources Forms
         6. Request for Help from Website Hosts to Post
           7. How to Assess One’s Church
          8. Seventeen Characteristics of Healthy Faith
           9. The Nature of Mature Faith
         10. Issues in Recovery

Blue Box 8

Appendix 2

         1. Email Comments from Participants
          2. Selected Participant Responses to Survey Questions
         3. Bibliography

Descriptive Contents of the Chapters

Preface

Chapter 1                  What’s Going On?

Church Issue and Ministry Problem
The Context of this Study
Purpose and Research Question
Overview of the Literature Review
Overview of the Theological and Biblical Foundations
How Participants Were Recruited
Internet Factor

Chapter 2             What Do Other People Say?

Church Leadership and Spiritual Abuse
Spiritual Abuse and Leaving the Church
The Emergent Church
Spiritual Abuse Defined and Described
Positive Christian Leadership
Grace, Identity, and Community
Pentecostal and Charismatic Issues

Chapter 3             What Does The Bible Say?

The Mar Factors
The Inaccuracy of Legalism
The Hierarchical/Authoritarian Model of Leadership
The Origins of the Belief and Practice of Authoritarian Leadership
A Critique of the Hierarchical/Authoritarian Model
Leadership from a New Testament Perspective
The Journey Toward Restoration

Chapter 4 What Does This Research Say?

Description of the Research Project
Analysis of the Surveys
Analysis of the Pastor Surveys
Summary and Conclusions

Chapter 5 What Can We Do About It?

Implications for the Church
New Leadership Styles
The Church as Healing Community
In Closing

Bibliography
Index

4. About Dr. Barb

Barb Orlowski is a Canadian who lives in Langley, British Columbia, Canada, near Vancouver. She is a graduate of the Associated Canadian Theological Schools, the Graduate School of Trinity Western University. She has the following degrees, a Doctor of Ministry (2008), a Master of Arts in Christian Studies (1998), and a Masters in Religious Education (1995). Barb is married to Jim and has two adult children.

Barb spends her time teaching, discussing, and ministering on this topic. Dr. Barb is an advocate for the disenfranchised.

If you would like Dr. Barb to come to speak, please contact her at the email address below.

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If you have questions or want to express your interest in this topic please contact me at this eMail address:

info@churchexiters.com

Regards,
Dr. Barb Orlowski
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Helpful Resources:

1. Ronald Enroth

         Online Books:     www.apologeticsindex.org
                                    A. Churches That Abuse
                                    B. Recovery From Churches That Abuse

2. Alan Jamieson

Online Books and Articles:
Prodigal Kiwis: http://prodigal.typepad.com

3. Jeff VanVonderen

Website: http://www.spiritualabuse.com

4. Dale and Juanita Ryan

Website: http://www.recoveryfromabuse.com

5. The National Association for Christian Recovery

Website: http://www.nacronline.com

6. Emerging Grace--now Kingdom Grace

         Articles: Spiritual Abuse Part 1 - 7
         Website: http://emerginggrace.blogspot.com
         Website: http://kingdomgrace.wordpress.com

7. Battered Sheep

Website: http://www.batteredsheep.com