Recognizing Con Artists, Tyrants, and Spiritual Abusers in Leadership

Recognizing Con Artists, Tyrants, and Spiritual Abusers in Leadership Available in both PDF and published hardcopy  FROM THE INTRODUCTION:    Suppose you move to a different area, and are keeping your eyes open for a good group to belong to (a social club, a church, a synagogue, or service organization). You visit one such group where the people are very friendly, loving, and give you individual attention. The group has a variety of programs: a rehabilitation program for drug addicts, services and nursing homes for the elderly, help for the poor, and free clinics. The leader inspires the disillusioned, the disenchanted, and those who have been rejected elsewhere. He is well-known and respected in the area, and the mayor gave him a position as Director of the City Housing Authority. Would you join this group?     Suppose you spend four years in college and nearly two years in graduate school to prepare for a career in Christian music. Then the ministers of your home church tell you that you are not needed in their music program. Shortly afterward, you find a new group that welcomes you with open arms. They really care for people. The leader of this group has fascinating Bible studies. You and everyone else are able to sit and listen to him for several hours at a time. Would you stay in this group?     If you answered "yes" to the first situation, you joined the church led by Jim Jones who led over 900 of his followers into a mass suicide murder. If you liked the second group, you became a follower of David Koresh who led over 80 of his followers to die in a blaze of fire.     A wolf in sheep's clothing is a short and simple description of a cult leader – as these men were.     Are there any warning signs that a group and its leader are dangerous? That’s largely what this book is about.    To read more about this subject, click here to download Stephen Martin's e-book.

For Those Trying to Heal From Spiritual Abuse and Still Remain Spiritual

Spiritual abuse was the biggest factor that caused hundreds of thousands of COG members to leave the church over the last 70 someeyars.  It is still an issue to this day, as the hundreds of COGlet splinter cults continue to abuse and mentally torture their members.

Years ago I picked up a book by Jeff VanVonderen called The Subtle Power of Spiritual Abuse. This book and When God Becomes a Drug were important in my recovery.  It is a great resource for those who have been spiritually and mentally abused by COG ministers and leaders.

You may have seen the author if you watch the A&E cable Intervention 

He has a new book for those who are seeking spiritual healing:

Soul Repair: Rebuilding a Spiritual Life (Hardcover) — $14.00
Do you fear that God is angry with you? Do you wonder if God is really for you? if God really loves you? Deep down many of us believe that we are not good enough, and never will be good enough, to have a meaningful relationship with God. This is because we have been spiritually trained in ways that have left us with distorted and inadequate spiritualities of four different kinds:

• abusive
• anorexic
• addictive
• codependent

Jeff VanVonderen, Dale Ryan and Juanita Ryan understand this problem because they have been there both personally and professionally. And they are prepared to help you rebuild your spiritual life. If you find yourself living out a burdensome and unfulfilling spirituality, this book is for you. If you are longing to have a relationship with God that works, this book can show you the way.