Clergy Killers: Guidance for Pastors and Congregations Under Attack

Rating:
Summary: First-hand knowledge of sexual abuse from a Pastor.
Review: ...This book addresses such problems which is a tremendous help in preserving the sanity of the victims.

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Summary: Pathological antagonists seek to eliminate pastors
Review: In some churches one or more pathological antagonists lurk to make a beachhead of attack upon the pastor. These "clergy killers" are vicious, mean-spirited, and full of rage who target the pastor for elimination by any means possible. Passive, unsuspecting parishoners sit by and carelessly allow this "murder" of their pastor's ministry, career, even his marriage and family (collateral damage). Only radical surgery of these sick ("evil"?) antagonists can prevent the destruction of the pastor's life and ministry. This book should be read by all boards of deacons, elders, stewards to prepare them for a protective ministry for their ministers. Thousands of ministers are being driven from the ministry (and church) each year by these (sometimes pious, slick, and charming) destructive antagonists. Rediger shows us how to stop this bleeding of the church's leadership. If your pastor is under attack and wounded, he/she needs your help now. Redi! ! ger offers such help.

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Summary: Unsound logic
Review: Like Kenneth Haugk's book, Antagonists in the Church, G. Lloyd Rediger promotes an approach to church conflict which will invariably result in individuals being unfairly labeled as 'clergy killers' or 'antagonists' which then is used to justify limiting their involvement in church communities. Dr. Rediger defines levels of conflict based on the histories of those involved. He therefore labels as abnormal any conflict when one or more of the persons involved have a psychiatric history especially a history of being abused. This is not a useful or valid approach. If you follow his reasoning to its logical conclusion, he is advocating that 25% of women (the estimated rate of sexual abuse in this country) be excluded from church leadership positions because they were victimized as children. His line of reasoning results in his labeling a business tycoon's abuse of power as 'normal conflict' since there is no known history of prior emotional disturbance. He also advocates that any lay person making a complaint against a minister be investigated to determine their psychiatric history. The ethics of his approach are never considered. Rather than label conflict as normal or abnormal based on individual personal histories, a fairer and more ethical approach would be to examine specific behaviors and find effective ways to promote positive outcomes for the majority of individuals involved. It is possible to reach consensus even when individuals are being 'difficult.' Despite these serious limitations, Dr. Rediger does promote a healthier lifestyle for pastors and advocates that an effective grievance process be in place in all church communities.

Rating:
Summary: Unsound logic
Review: Like Kenneth Haugk�s book, Antagonists in the Church, G. Lloyd Rediger promotes an approach to church conflict which will invariably result in individuals being unfairly labeled as �clergy killers� or �antagonists� which then is used to justify limiting their involvement in church communities. Dr. Rediger defines levels of conflict based on the histories of those involved. He therefore labels as abnormal any conflict when one or more of the persons involved have a psychiatric history especially a history of being abused. This is not a useful or valid approach. If you follow his reasoning to its logical conclusion, he is advocating that 25% of women (the estimated rate of sexual abuse in this country) be excluded from church leadership positions because they were victimized as children. His line of reasoning results in his labeling a business tycoon�s abuse of power as �normal conflict� since there is no known history of prior emotional disturbance. He also advocates that any lay person making a complaint against a minister be investigated to determine their psychiatric history. The ethics of his approach are never considered. Rather than label conflict as normal or abnormal based on individual personal histories, a fairer and more ethical approach would be to examine specific behaviors and find effective ways to promote positive outcomes for the majority of individuals involved. It is possible to reach consensus even when individuals are being �difficult.� Despite these serious limitations, Dr. Rediger does promote a healthier lifestyle for pastors and advocates that an effective grievance process be in place in all church communities.

Rating:
Summary: First-hand knowledge of sexual abuse from a Pastor.
Review: Sadly to say there is such abuse happening in our churches where we (victims such as myself) go to find comfort by being with God's people. Instead, I found a sexually disturbed, single Pastor who took my weaknesses (such as my sexual abusive experiences) and used them for his own pleasure. After reporting him, I found out that I was not the only person in the church. This book addresses such problems which is a tremendous help in preserving the sanity of the victims.

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Summary: It isa key issue in the spiritual dynamics of some churches.
Review: This book covers a very particular issue that I have witnessed and experienced first-hand in congregations. It is frightening that these dynamics actually exist. It seems incredible that they happen again and again. I only wonder what to do after one has been killed. Would appreciate a follow-up or a "Dead Pastors' Society" with whom to associate.

Rating:
Summary: A Reality Check for Churches
Review: This is one of the most insightful, and truth-telling books on the subject of church life and ministry that I have ever read! Dr. Rediger seeks to deal with a tragic,, but growing trend in our day, which is the tendecy of some powerbrokers in some churches to target, abuse, and fire pastor after pastor. I realize that some pastors have some real problems, but how is it that some churches mistreat pastor after pastor? Is it believeable that several pastors in a row could make the same mistakes in the same church? Perhaps we should ask ourselves what are the common denominators such as the unresolved personality disorders that exist in churches. It is time for congregations to wake up and realize what these "Clergy Killers" are doing not only to ministers and their families, but also to people in the church who befriend and support the minister, maybe even YOU. In addition, we need to ask what is this doing to the cause of the Risen Lord Jesus Christ? Is this what Jesus died to accomplish? I do not think so!
Dr. Rediger has given us a wonderful analysis of the problem and how congregations must accept the responsibility which is theirs and STOP FOLLOWING CLERGY KILLERS! STOP ELECTING THEM TO LEADERSHIP POSITIONS AND STOP HINDERING THE WORK OF CHRIST. DO THINGS WHICH WILL LEAD THEM TO THERAPY WHERE THEY CAN EXAMINE WHAT THEY ARE DOING AND COME TO SEE BETTER, HEALTHIER WAYS OF LIVING AND RELATING! THE FUTURE OF THE CHURCH AND ITS MINISTERS DEPENDS IN LARGE PART ON HOW WE RESPOND TO THIS PROBLEM NOW AND NOT DECADES DOWN THE ROAD. LET'S NOT CREATE A SITUTATION THAT DRIVES MANY TALENTED AND GOD-CALLED PEOPLE OUT OF THE MINISTRY!THIS IS MUST READING FOR EVERY CHRISTIAN AND ESPECIALLY EVERY MINISTER OR ANYONE WHO CARES ABOUT MINISTERS!

Rating:
Summary: A Reality Check for Churches
Review: This is one of the most insightful, and truth-telling books on the subject of church life and ministry that I have ever read! Dr. Rediger seeks to deal with a tragic,, but growing trend in our day, which is the tendecy of some powerbrokers in some churches to target, abuse, and fire pastor after pastor. I realize that some pastors have some real problems, but how is it that some churches mistreat pastor after pastor? Is it believeable that several pastors in a row could make the same mistakes in the same church? Perhaps we should ask ourselves what are the common denominators such as the unresolved personality disorders that exist in churches. It is time for congregations to wake up and realize what these "Clergy Killers" are doing not only to ministers and their families, but also to people in the church who befriend and support the minister, maybe even YOU. In addition, we need to ask what is this doing to the cause of the Risen Lord Jesus Christ? Is this what Jesus died to accomplish? I do not think so!
Dr. Rediger has given us a wonderful analysis of the problem and how congregations must accept the responsibility which is theirs and STOP FOLLOWING CLERGY KILLERS! STOP ELECTING THEM TO LEADERSHIP POSITIONS AND STOP HINDERING THE WORK OF CHRIST. DO THINGS WHICH WILL LEAD THEM TO THERAPY WHERE THEY CAN EXAMINE WHAT THEY ARE DOING AND COME TO SEE BETTER, HEALTHIER WAYS OF LIVING AND RELATING! THE FUTURE OF THE CHURCH AND ITS MINISTERS DEPENDS IN LARGE PART ON HOW WE RESPOND TO THIS PROBLEM NOW AND NOT DECADES DOWN THE ROAD. LET'S NOT CREATE A SITUTATION THAT DRIVES MANY TALENTED AND GOD-CALLED PEOPLE OUT OF THE MINISTRY!THIS IS MUST READING FOR EVERY CHRISTIAN AND ESPECIALLY EVERY MINISTER OR ANYONE WHO CARES ABOUT MINISTERS!

Rating:
Summary: First-hand knowledge of sexual abuse from a Pastor.
Review: This text was nothing short of answered prayer in my search for handling conflict wtihin our church. Thanks for the insight.

Rating:
Summary: Clergy Killers
Review: This text was nothing short of answered prayer in my search for handling conflict wtihin our church. Thanks for the insight.