Anonymous (64.12.117.12)
10-26-2004, 08:47 PM
Watchman Fellowship, Inc.
Spiritual Abuse Weekly E-Letter #13
Hi Friends
The first sign of an abusive group is that it is authoritarian. When it comes right down to it, control is more important than personal spiritual welfare. Leaders in an authoritarian system are not teachable. Their attitude, like that of the Pharisees, is that they are the teachers and rulers of God’s people, not their servants.
They may say they are teachable, but then set up rules which you must follow to approach them. Then they interpret those rules to rule you out of order. The former members of one particular group described to me how their leader used this method to avoid accountability. He kept pointing out how their “heart is not right” in the way they brought issues to him, thus putting the burden back on them to be completely without blame before they can complain. The proper attitude should be a willingness to discover the basis for the complaint and then deal with it honestly. Then, if there is a problem with the one making the complaint the “beam” will have already been removed from their eye. But this never happens in unhealthy systems.
It seems there is an innate consciousness on the part of false leadership that what is real is different than what is shown. Hence, two other characteristics, image consciousness and suppression of criticism, are necessary to keep the system intact.
Even the Soviet Union acted this way. They jammed the Voice of America, used their domestic press for propaganda, and sent dissidents to the Gulag. If what is preached is true, and is followed by those holding power, then accountability is nothing to fear.
Another sign of an abusive system is perfectionism. This can arise out of a theology that requires works for salvation, or to keep one’s salvation. All cults practice this idea, which leads to spiritual exhaustion. It also leads to disillusionment or self-condemnation because perfection cannot be achieved.
A performance-based relationship with God is a useful tool for accumulating power and wealth in the group’s leaders. This will generally be evident in the lifestyle of cult leaders compared to that of the membership.
Finally, you will almost always find an area of significant imbalance in the teachings, or practice, of abusive groups. The imbalance may show up as an unreasonable prohibition or an excessive burden. Commitment to this imbalance is a test of loyalty for the members, whether they realize it or not.
You may call our Spiritual Abuse Hotline 24/7. The Hotline is a pre-recorded message of about 3 minutes duration describing the methods and characteristics of abusive groups. Callers can receive further information by leaving their name and address at the end of the message. All contacts are strictly confidential. The number is 706-221-2166.
I am happy to receive phone calls at 706-576-4321 from anyone who wishes to talk privately with me. You can call anytime from 7 AM till 11 PM (EDT) any day of the week.
In Christ,
David Henke
Founder, Watchman Fellowship, Inc.
P.O. Box 7681
Columbus, GA 31908
706-576-4321
Spiritual Abuse Weekly E-Letter #13
Hi Friends
The first sign of an abusive group is that it is authoritarian. When it comes right down to it, control is more important than personal spiritual welfare. Leaders in an authoritarian system are not teachable. Their attitude, like that of the Pharisees, is that they are the teachers and rulers of God’s people, not their servants.
They may say they are teachable, but then set up rules which you must follow to approach them. Then they interpret those rules to rule you out of order. The former members of one particular group described to me how their leader used this method to avoid accountability. He kept pointing out how their “heart is not right” in the way they brought issues to him, thus putting the burden back on them to be completely without blame before they can complain. The proper attitude should be a willingness to discover the basis for the complaint and then deal with it honestly. Then, if there is a problem with the one making the complaint the “beam” will have already been removed from their eye. But this never happens in unhealthy systems.
It seems there is an innate consciousness on the part of false leadership that what is real is different than what is shown. Hence, two other characteristics, image consciousness and suppression of criticism, are necessary to keep the system intact.
Even the Soviet Union acted this way. They jammed the Voice of America, used their domestic press for propaganda, and sent dissidents to the Gulag. If what is preached is true, and is followed by those holding power, then accountability is nothing to fear.
Another sign of an abusive system is perfectionism. This can arise out of a theology that requires works for salvation, or to keep one’s salvation. All cults practice this idea, which leads to spiritual exhaustion. It also leads to disillusionment or self-condemnation because perfection cannot be achieved.
A performance-based relationship with God is a useful tool for accumulating power and wealth in the group’s leaders. This will generally be evident in the lifestyle of cult leaders compared to that of the membership.
Finally, you will almost always find an area of significant imbalance in the teachings, or practice, of abusive groups. The imbalance may show up as an unreasonable prohibition or an excessive burden. Commitment to this imbalance is a test of loyalty for the members, whether they realize it or not.
You may call our Spiritual Abuse Hotline 24/7. The Hotline is a pre-recorded message of about 3 minutes duration describing the methods and characteristics of abusive groups. Callers can receive further information by leaving their name and address at the end of the message. All contacts are strictly confidential. The number is 706-221-2166.
I am happy to receive phone calls at 706-576-4321 from anyone who wishes to talk privately with me. You can call anytime from 7 AM till 11 PM (EDT) any day of the week.
In Christ,
David Henke
Founder, Watchman Fellowship, Inc.
P.O. Box 7681
Columbus, GA 31908
706-576-4321