Power and Control

 

How do we define spiritual abuse? When is authority and power misused? Andrew Dunn in the summer 2002 issue of the Spiritual Growth Ministries journal which had spiritual abuse as its theme says: “It's wherever church rules and authority push people around, draft and regiment them and set restrictive boundaries regarding ministry, worship, service, approach to the Lord's table, or people's spiritual growth.” Ken Blue in his book ‘Healing Spiritual Abuse' writes that it is when a leader with spiritual authority uses that authority to coerce, control or exploit a follower, thus causing spiritual wounds.

 

William's story in this issue is the kind of situation that seems to happen quite frequently in churches. I am coming increasingly to see that these kinds of incidents, while they should definitely not be happening, are also very complex. There are layers upon layers with numerous dynamics, historical and sociological factors that come into play, not to mention a particular church culture and expected mores.

 

Churches are systems, made up of interrelationships all with their own idiosyncrasies being played out. Power and control can only be power and control if others collude with that and let that happen. So what is it in us and in the system that causes us to let that occur? This is a huge topic with many different slants. We would like to engender some responses for publication from you. If you would like to write in with your story or ideas on any of the above please email jenny[at]central.org.nz