Wednesday, July 2, 2008

Helpful Articles

I have added a list of articles I thought you might want to check out. I have found them to be very helpful - especially the videos.

7 comments :

Anonymous said...

Just read "Is your Church a Safe Place?". In regards to my former church I answered yes to all 12.
If you are still there, RUN.

Anonymous said...

I wish someone had provided me this information years ago, and I wish that I would have listened. If I had I would have saved my family much pain. Spiritual, emotional and physical pain. I pray that the truth will be shown and that many will listen and get to a safe place.

When I read the article on Narcissism in the Pulpit I could not believe how accurate it is in describing the personality of a controlling pastor. If you know a man like this then you need to move to a safe place, because you will never win in this type of environment. The only thing that will remain constant in this type of church is that the pastor will never change. Even when you think that you see change it is only for a short time, so that he can pull others closer into his control. Watch out you WILL get burned.

Anonymous said...

Nice to see you back Set Free. Here is another resource that you might find helpful. It is from the same person that the marks of a true pastor came from. Go to www.9marks.org and look for the nine marks of a healthy church, the nine marks overview.

Hope you find this helpful.

Jimmy

Set Free said...

To anonymous,
I agree - RUN! You will be so glad you did.

To gf,
I too wish I would have had this information years ago. I had no idea there was so much info out there and that there were so many people who had been in these same situations. It's sad that so many people all over the world have ended up in a hurtful place that they thought was safe. I have learned that I must keep my focus on what really matters in life - loving God and loving people. (I'm glad you understand my phrase so well.)

To Jimmy,
Thanks for the info! You seem to be the type of person who really wants to help others see the truth and find healing from hurtful situations.

Anonymous said...

I just read the recommended article on Narcissism in the Pulpit. It is frightening that there are "spiritual leaders" out there that have the characteristics listed, but when you see it in black and white, there really is no denying it. If you know someone like this--stop making excuses for him. The reality is that He will not change--especially if he still has people to support him and feed his ego. I strongly suggest stepping back and finding a place with a humble, anointed leader. You won't be sorry.

Anonymous said...

I have read several of the articles and due to a lack of time I would have read more. Thank you for helping put this information out to those of us that are still there. I must say it is very scary when you see this and don't know what to do about it. The easy answer is just to leave. . . I wish it were that easy. But as most of you know it is not because you have been here before. I was watching an amish special the other day and for the first time ever I could actually relate to those struggling with the decision to stay or go. It too was frightening the similarities. But I would have never thought that before. I would have taken one look at that and thought how could they not see how wrong that some of those teachings are and the way they are controlled. All the while not realizing I was in a similar situation. Thanks for the links. I want to read some more when I have the time. Keep on keepin on!

Set Free said...

To anonymous,
I know exactly how hard it is and I do understand that it is not easy to leave a place you have given so much of your life to. In the beginning when you start to see the truth it is scary because for years it has been ingrained in you that you cannot leave. But have you noticed how free you start to feel when you start realizing the truth? Keep reading the articles and asking questions. I encourage you to write your questions down and get your answers. Take your Bible and begin to read it as if it were the first time you have ever read it. Lay aside the way you think it is because of all the teaching you've had and just let God show you what He is really saying. God's heartbeat is love and people, not money and stuff. He wants us to have all of that, but that is not what will fulfill us and give us true happiness. Loving God and loving people is where it's at. I hope you find the courage to get to a place of true freedom. It sounds like you are starting to see. You will be amazed at how much more you will see as you continue to let God show you the truth. Let me tell you now that the thoughts will come that all of this is wrong and you just need to stay where you are and quit questioning, but follow your heart. Don't push the questions aside - they are there to lead you to the way of truth.