Sexual Misconduct and the Future of Mega-Churches: How Large Religious Organizations Go Astray

by Glenn L. Starks

Publisher:

Praeger

, 2013

Why have multiple mega-church leaders—Ted Haggard and Bishop Eddie Long, for example—committed acts of sexual misconduct? This book discusses the reasons in depth and examines how these acts are impacting the future of megachurches.

Mega-churches—churches with congregations that number in the thousands of worshippers—are growing in popularity in America and around the world. Shockingly, a growing number of megachurch leaders have committed acts of sexual misconduct. While these scandalous crimes have received much attention through the media, literature that examines the topic in detail has been lacking. This book examines the various aspects of sexual misconduct by megachurch leaders, providing a comprehensive review of the topic that discusses the direct and indirect reasons for these crimes.

The book provides unbiased, factual coverage of megachurch sexual abuse cases, covering issues surrounding the victims in specific cases, the role of the church, and notable ministers, such as Ted Haggard of New Life Church, Colorado Springs, CO; Bishop Eddie Long of New Birth Missionary Baptist Church, Lithonia, GA; and Joe Barron of Prestonwood Baptist Church, Dallas, TX. The author also discusses how these incidences have impacted societal perceptions of religion, and large churches, and religious organizations, and provides recommendations to curb future cases of sexual abuse within megachurches.

Contents

Introduction
Chapter 1. Profile of Mega-Churches
Chapter 2. Mega-Church Leaders: Sex over Faith and Accountability?
Chapter 3. No Crimes Are Victimless: Who Are Mega-Church Leaders Committing Sexual Misconduct With?
Chapter 4. The Silence of the Church: Is it Supporting the Minister in His Sexual Misdeeds?
Chapter 5. Implications for Society: Bad Actions Breed Discontent
Chapter 6. How to End the Suffering: Strategies to End Sexual Misconduct in Mega-Churches
Chapter 7. Conclusion: The Future of Mega-Churches in a Climate of Sexual Corruption
Appendix: Top 10 Mega-Churches in America
Notes
Bibliography
Index

Product Details

• Title: Sexual Misconduct and the Future of Mega-Churches: How Large Religious Organizations Go Astray
• Author: Glenn L. Starks
• Publisher: Praeger
• Print Publication Date: 2013
• Logos Release Date: 2024
• Language: English
• Resources: 1
• Format: Digital › Ebook
• ISBN: 9798216144175
• Resource ID: LLS:9798216144175
• Resource Type: Monograph
• Metadata Last Updated: 2024-04-15T15:44:03Z

About the Author

Glenn L. Starks, PhD, holds a doctorate from Virginia Commonwealth University in public policy and administration. His published work includes ABC-CLIO's How Your Government Really Works: A Topical Encyclopedia of the Federal Government.