THERE IS LIFE AFTER AN ABUSIVE CHURCH

My latest book, Savage Shepherds, is the story of my bruising encounter with a 'heavy shepherding' church in the 1980's. When I finally decided to take my family out of the church, I was warned 'When you leave, they kill you.'

I was a hard-nosed, hard-drinking businessman before I was dramatically touched by the Holy Spirit. Immediately I left my life of alcohol, partying and adultery behind. I joined a Christian community and looked forward to a new start with my wife and young family. However, I was soon to encounter problems in this church that were far worse than any difficulties I had ever faced on the outside. Over the next few years I suffered abuse of a most cynical kind ― spiritual abuse.

Savage Shepherds tells my story of shocking experiences at the hands of a church that was part of Shepherding Movement of the late 1980s and early 1990s. Under this system, church members were controlled by a rigid hierarchy of leaders (the shepherds) who directed every aspect of our lives. Thinking for yourself was not only discouraged, it was seen as blasphemous. The structure of the church was so authoritarian that it controlled nearly every aspect of the lives of the ‘sheep’, with some sheep expected to tend their shepherd’s garden or cancel plans for an evening out to look after their shepherd's children.

But despite my misgivings I felt unable to leave, knowing that these men had been praying for me while I was lying in a drunken stupor or with someone else's wife. When I finally confronted the shepherds I was rebuked strongly and labelled a rebel, but eventually I was invited to join the inner-circle and become a shepherd myself

However, I announced my intention to leave and a concerted attempt began to coerce me to stay, that's when a friend gave me a stark warning: 'When you leave, they kill you.'

Savage Shepherds is not a negative, critical book. It includes advice for those who may be suffering spiritual abuse, and uncovers the tell-tale signs that may indicate abuse. Now I'm a Christian writer, broadcaster and editor of the www.faith4life.com web site. My story is a reminder that despite evil in the world, God’s love is extravagant, and can bring healing in even the most extreme of circumstances.

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