Churches that Abuse

Churches that Abuse This is now an online book (free), and it is the standard, the classic, on spiritual abuse. Ron Enroth, a California sociologist, examines in detail different traits of abuse and gives examples of some individual cases of Bible-believing churches exhibiting each trait. For those who think cultish practices only exist when non-trinitarian doctrine is present, this book should present a challenge. Churches that Abuse is important because Enroth shows that the distinction between cults (that many define as groups having serious doctrinal error) and spiritually abusive groups (holding an orthodox belief system) is minimal. Is it that big a deal that the doctrine is OK if the behavior is abusive? It isn't really out-of-line to view abusive groups, even with spotless statements of faith, as you would cults.

Abusive Churches: Leaving them Behind

Abusive Churches: Leaving them Behind Also from Battered Sheep, this article not only describes the painful exit process worshipers endure, but it also includes a good list of traits to look for in a church to indicate an abusive or healthy nature. Under the header Discerning Good from Abusive, Pat Zukeran includes these things to look for:

• Does the leadership invite dialogue, advice, evaluation, and questions?
• Is there a system of accountability or does the pastor keep full control?
• Does a member's personality generally become stronger, happier, and more confident as a result of being with the group?
• Are family commitments strengthened? Or are church obligations valued more than family ones?
• Does the group encourage independent thinking, development of discernment skills, and creation of new ideas?
• Is the group preoccupied with maintaining a good public image that does not match the inner circle experience?
• Does the leadership encourage members to foster relations and connections with the larger society that are more than self-serving?
• Is there a high rate of burnout among the members?