"Sociologists looks for patterns in human behavior and in social institutions. As you read the following pages, a profile of pastoral and spiritual abuse will emerge. Abusive churches, past and present, are first and foremost characterized by strong, control-oriented leadership. These leaders use guilt, fear, and intimidation to manipulate members and keep them in line. Followers are led to think that there is no other church quite like theirs and that God has singled them out for special purposes. Other, more traditional evangelical churches are put down. Subjective experience is emphasized and dissent is discouraged. Many areas of member's lives are subject to scrutiny. Rules and legalism abound. People who don't follow rules or who threaten exposure are often dealt with harshly. Excommunication is common. For those who leave, the road back to normalcy is difficult."
Ironically, Norm Willis has been know to give a copy of "Churches that Abuse" to people who come to CCK after leaving leaving other abusive churches. Amazing that he does not see the danger in this. But then again, there's no other church quite like CCK, or and there's no other school quite like CCA!
If you are in a situation where you believe that your whole life will be turned upside down if you leave your church; if you are afraid that friends and family members won't talk to you anymore if you leave, you are not in a healthy church, but an oppressive, abusive one.
