When Pastors Exploit in the Name of Christ
Sometimes in evangelical churches, people are a means to an end.
Pastors approach pastoring from a numbers or “growth” perspective. Instead of a shepherd-who-CARES-and-NURTURES-people mindset.
I spent years in a high-demand, high-control church in Kenya (where I’m from), a church plant by an American missionary couple. One thing that was always in short supply in our church was REST.
Rest and peace is impossible in a church or relational system built on “authority,” exploitation, coercion and as much misuse of power as a leader can get away with.
It’s especially bad when it’s all done in the name of “reaching our city and nation for Jesus.”
Because then people will trade peace, dignity, health, resources, their very souls – because they believe it’s what Jesus wants of them.
When I moved to the US, I discovered there was a playbook after all. That many evangelical fundamentalist leaders live for numbers. For power. For everything but the actual human beings they purport to “serve.”
In my new book Courage: Reflections and Liberation for the Hurting Soul, which launched yesterday, I reflect on and share about religious abuse and trauma.
The drive for “numbers” would be (?) forgivable if human beings actually mattered. If everyone had a seat at the table. If there was safety and provision for the hurting, the broken, the struggling, the questioning.
But in reality, safety and a chronic disregard for another cannot co-exist. Flourishing for all and selfish dedication to one person’s agenda cannot live together.
Consideration and compassion cannot blossom when a leader believes the gospel is about “whatever the cost..” and thus throws people under the bus..to preach the said gospel.
I’m so grateful to everyone who has already picked up Courage: Reflections and Liberation for the Hurting Soul (At the time of writing this, it’s the #1 release on Amazon in the “Abuse-Self-Help” category)
If you haven’t already and can, check out the book on Amazon or PDF.
Will you help me continue spreading the word this week?
You can share this blog post using the social media share buttons. Or tell your friends or family about via text. For example, send a quick text “Hey, check out this new book by an author I follow https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CPWCZQRW “
Let’s spread the word that we deserve dignity – our agency and autonomy are God-given and worth protecting. You matter.
The gap between what happens to us in relationships and how we are taught to respond is why I wrote Courage: Reflections and Liberation for the Hurting Soul, a collection of 28 poems and reflections, offering women language to tend to their hurt; reminding us we deserve dignity and respect and that our agency and autonomy are God-given and worth protecting.
I write these words to those who have been told to take their place in the valley of desolation; those who thought they were free but still carry the burden of male superiority and classism on their shoulders; those hurt by wolves dressed in sheep’s clothing; those walking through life with a broken, disjointed soul. And those who love them.
You deserve dignity and respect. Your agency and autonomy are God-given and are worth protecting.