I doubt that it is easy to write a book on a topic like this and remain wholesomely balanced. A number of books on this topic were written in the early 1990’s and this one was among them. It is a sensible look at this subject and concentrates on the possible abuse exercised by church leaders either wittingly or unwittingly, against those who they seek to lead and minister among. This is not an in depth look at this matter, it sketches outlines rather than examines in detail. In so doing it could possibly both help and hinder, especially as certain questions are asked of the reader so that they can assess whether they are victims of spiritual abuse perpetrated by leaders. This approach can over simplify the things under examination and have unfortunate repercussions for both those seeking to lead and those who feel they have been mishandled. Ken Blue was in his forties when he wrote the book and did so after some specializing in this area, bringing together material and collating and considering and ministering to those who had suffered and also helping pastors discover where true leadership lies as far as the New Testament reveals it. He specifically targets the matter of various forms of legalism as used by some leaders, this promotes obedience rooted in guilt and a pursuit of spirituality not established in grace. Most of the book is based upon the words of Jesus found in Matthew 23. He contrasts the characteristics exhibited by those who were the religious leaders of His day with that which Ken Blue describes as ‘servant leadership’. The former used their position to exploit those ‘under’ them. Read this book bearing in mind that it is all too easy to over-simplify a subject. Also avoid the tendency to begin a witch-hunt of your own. The author does try to avoid this mistake as best he can showing that there are degrees of misuse and abuse. Those in authority may misuse that authority unwisely and without intent and those suffering abuse put themselves in the way of problems because of certain tendencies in their own selves. The book tries to cover all the bases, not an easy thing to do in the scope of about one hundred and sixty pages. Leaders will benefit from reading this book, it will make its reader sit up and think and that is good. It will also explain to those who have suffered abuse some of the reasons that they have done so and the remedy available to them in the gospel of Christ. There is wisdom here, written straightforwardly and helpfully. This matter is an important one for all of us.
