05/02/2022
While there are many amazing and truly great pastors and leaders in the church, there are also pastors and leaders who cause great harm or allow abuse to happen under their watch. We can’t afford to be naïve to the fact that pathological people exist. Sociopaths and psychopaths are REAL. The Church is often riddled with them. Pathological imposters know the values and morals of the Christian faith and possessing neither themselves, often use those very things as a silencing noose of captivity around their victim’s neck.
These predators are often make themselves at home in the church and sadly sometimes in the pulpit, hidden under a banner of “sloppy grace.” Using a false meaning of love they often avoid accountability for destructive behavior or avoid confronting others who are causing great destruction, allowing toxicity to fester.
While there are no simple answers and I don’t believe any person can or should direct a church that they are not in leadership over, there are some simple adjustments that can help make the church a safer place. One helpful step might be having at least one safe person designated on the leadership team, who is trained in domestic violence and can recognize hidden abuse. Developing a safety plan, as well as arming them with resources and options for victims when necessary, can truly be an oasis of hope.
