Bully Pulpit: Confronting the Problem of Spiritual Abuse in the Church

by Michael J. Kruger

Publisher:

Zondervan

, 2022

Overview

What if churches have been looking for the wrong kind of leaders?

The last decade has witnessed a rising number of churches wrecked by spiritual abuse—harsh, heavy-handed, domineering behavior from those in a position of spiritual authority. And high-profile cases are only a small portion of this widespread problem. Behind the scenes, there are many more cases of spiritual abuse that we will never hear about. Victims suffer in silence, not knowing where to turn.

It seems that some of the leaders we are producing—and, if we are honest, some of the leaders we are wanting—have characteristics that are either absent from, or even the very opposite of, the list of leadership characteristics laid down in Scripture.

Of course, most pastors and leaders are godly, wonderful people that don’t abuse their sheep. They shepherd their flocks gently and patiently. But we can’t ignore the growing number who do not.

We need gentle shepherds now more than ever, and in Bully Pulpit, seminary president and biblical scholar Michael J. Kruger offers a unique perspective for both church leaders and church members on the problem of spiritual abuse, how to spot it, and how to handle it in the church.

Key Features

• Guides reader how to spot the problem of spiritual abuse
• Helps readers how to handle spiritual abuse in the church
• Offers a unique perspective for both church leaders and church members on the problem of spiritual abuse

Product Details

• Title: Bully Pulpit: Confronting the Problem of Spiritual Abuse in the Church
• Author: Michael J. Kruger
• Publisher: Zondervan
• Print Publication Date: 2022
• Logos Release Date: 2022
• Pages: 164
• Era: era:contemporary
• Language: English
• Resources: 1
• Format: Digital › Logos Reader Edition
• Subjects: Christian leadership; Christianity › Psychology; Psychological abuse › Religious aspects--Christianity
• ISBNs: 9780310153078, 9780310136385, 9780310136392, 0310136385, 0310136393, 0310153077
• Resource ID: LLS:BLLYPLPTBSCHRCH
• Resource Type: Monograph
• Metadata Last Updated: 2023-06-01T21:48:40Z

About Michael J. Kruger

Dr. Kruger received his B.S. from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, his M.Div. from Westminster Theological Seminary in California, and his Ph.D. from New College, The University of Edinburgh, Scotland. He is the author of The Gospel of the Savior (E.J. Brill, 2005), and has had articles appear in such journals as The Journal of Theological Studies, The Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society, The Expository Times, and The Master’s Seminary Journal. His research interests center upon Christian Origins, particularly the development of the New Testament canon within the context of the early church. Prior to joining the RTS faculty, Dr. Kruger served in the pastorate for several years at Church of the Redeemer in Phoenix, AZ. There he developed a passion for preaching and ministry which he passes on to his students in the classroom. In addition to his faculty duties, he currently serves part-time as the Pastor of Discipleship Training at Uptown Christ Covenant Church in downtown Charlotte.