Bully Pulpit: Confronting the Problem of Spiritual Abuse in the Church

by Michael J. Kruger

Indeed, Jesus spent a remarkable amount of time warning God’s people against bad leaders—something the modern church would do well to remember.

The church can be like the nation of Israel in that we sometimes don’t want a king with the qualities God desires but prefer a king like “all the other nations have” (1 Sam. 8:5 NIV). We want leaders who are powerful, decisive, inspiring, dynamic, and get things done. Even though God warns us that such leaders might rule us harshly—he warned Israel that they would be the king’s “slaves” (1 Sam. 8:17)—we insist that we know better. We would rather have a leader who will beat up our enemies than one who will tenderly care for the sheep.

“It is better to take those who may be lacking in eloquence and learning, but are genuinely concerned with the things of Christ.”

churches prefer giftedness over character, churches inevitably begin to overlook a pastor’s character flaws because he’s so successful in other areas.

One further observation is in order. While some churches might prefer giftedness over character, others prefer correct doctrine over character. In some conservative evangelical churches, it’s not giftedness but doctrine that is king. If a pastor can articulate his theology, cite the Puritans, defend the truth against the liberals, and keep the church doctrinally “pure,” then character can take a back seat.

In the Old Testament, the prophets were less concerned with defending Israel from criticisms and more concerned with calling Israel to repent of its own sins. This didn’t make them “church bashers” (or, in this case, “Israel bashers”). Judgment doesn’t begin with the world; it begins with the house of God

Spiritual abuse is when a spiritual leader—such as a pastor, elder, or head of a Christian organization—wields his position of spiritual authority in such a way that he manipulates, domineers, bullies, and intimidates those under him as a means of maintaining his own power and control, even if he is convinced he is seeking biblical and kingdom-related goals.

if a pastor is to lead by example, then his primary concern can’t be controlling other people’s behavior. It must be controlling his own.