Michael J. Kruger > Quotes

“Sometimes supporting the victim means immediately withdrawing support from those who have yet to speak the truth about the abuse and refuse to let the light shine.”
― Michael J. Kruger, Bully Pulpit: Confronting the Problem of Spiritual Abuse in the Church

“When it comes to explaining the formation of the New Testament, we cannot ignore the “elements inherent within itself or its Jewish origins” that gave it birth.”
― Michael J. Kruger, The Question of Canon: Challenging the Status Quo in the New Testament Debate

“In sum, a pastor’s words can be either disproportionately encouraging or disproportionately damaging. Pastors effectively have a “pulpit” inside people’s heads. This is precisely why character matters so much when it comes to whether a person is qualified for the ministry”
― Michael J. Kruger, Bully Pulpit: Confronting the Problem of Spiritual Abuse in the Church

“In other words, in the long list, most everything is about a leader’s character; only a single characteristic pertains to giftedness (teaching). Depending on how the traits are counted, the ratio is as drastic as twelve to one. There’s nothing on this list about being a strong leader, being able to cast a vision, or being charismatic or dynamic. I am not suggesting those aspects of leadership are irrelevant, but they certainly are not the heart of God’s concern for a pastor. Nor are they ever to trump God’s concern over character. As the Reformer Martin Bucer noted, “It is better to take those who may be lacking in eloquence and learning, but are genuinely concerned with the things of Christ.”33 When this God-given ratio is reversed and churches prefer giftedness over character, churches inevitably begin to overlook a pastor’s character flaws because he’s so successful in other areas. Leadership performance becomes the shield that protects the pastor from criticism. As Michael Jensen observed, “We frequently promote narcissists and psychopaths. Time and time again, we forgive them their arrogance. We bracket out their abuses of their power, because we feel that we need that power to get things done.”34”
― Michael J. Kruger, Bully Pulpit: Confronting the Problem of Spiritual Abuse in the Church

“Second, victims should not meet with an abusive pastor unless he is genuinely repentant.”
― Michael J. Kruger, Bully Pulpit: Confronting the Problem of Spiritual Abuse in the Church

“The answer to the abusive pastor was there all the time. It is the cross of Christ.”
― Michael J. Kruger, Bully Pulpit: Confronting the Problem of Spiritual Abuse in the Church

“Also, abusive pastors often have unresolved conflict. They are typically estranged from many of the people they used to work with.”
― Michael J. Kruger, Bully Pulpit: Confronting the Problem of Spiritual Abuse in the Church

“Aside from the profound lack of charity and compassion in such a response, not to mention the demeaning way it portrays women, it also has logical flaws. For one, why is it that victims of abuse are the only ones whose personal experience affects their judgment? Does the personal experience of church elders not affect their judgment? Couldn’t a positive personal church experience make it harder to spot abuse? Or lead one to believe it is exceptionally unlikely? And couldn’t their friendship with the senior pastor also affect their judgment?”
― Michael J. Kruger, Bully Pulpit: Confronting the Problem of Spiritual Abuse in the Church

“Such leaders embody the essence of spiritual abuse—they are domineering, authoritarian, and heavy-handed in the way they rule those under their care.”
― Michael J. Kruger, Bully Pulpit: Confronting the Problem of Spiritual Abuse in the Church

“Barth (or Barthianism134) believed that the Scriptures are not the word of God, per se, but merely a witness to the word of God (Jesus Christ).135 Revelation is not a propositional statement about God; rather it is an event (Ereignis), an encounter, something that “happens” to an individual.”
― Michael J. Kruger, Canon Revisited: Establishing The Origins And Authority Of The New Testament Books

“Church leaders are the primary audience because they are the ones who can prevent spiritual abuse. They can stop bully pastors.”
― Michael J. Kruger, Bully Pulpit: Confronting the Problem of Spiritual Abuse in the Church

“If someone is motivated to protect their power and authority, then that naturally leads to being willing to domineer their flocks.”
― Michael J. Kruger, Bully Pulpit: Confronting the Problem of Spiritual Abuse in the Church

“First, victims should not be asked to meet with an abusive pastor unless he has been held accountable.”
― Michael J. Kruger, Bully Pulpit: Confronting the Problem of Spiritual Abuse in the Church

“Those who prop up bad leaders and turn a blind eye to their abusive behavior will someday have to give an account of their own actions.”
― Michael J. Kruger, Bully Pulpit: Confronting the Problem of Spiritual Abuse in the Church

“From Jesus to Paul to Peter, we see several important contrasts laid out regarding what a Christian leader ought to be: • Not lording it over but being a servant (Mark 10:43–44) • Not a bully but gentle (1 Tim. 3:3; cf. Titus 1:7) • Not for shameful gain but serving eagerly (1 Peter 5:2) • Not domineering but setting an example (1 Peter 5:3) • Not quarrelsome but kind (2 Tim. 2:24) Seeing all these traits laid out together, we are faced with an inescapable and rather sobering conclusion: many churches have been looking for the wrong kind of leaders. One might even say the forbidden traits in this list are precisely the traits some churches tolerate in their leaders. Instead, we should look for pastors who are humble, kind, gentle servants.”
― Michael J. Kruger, Bully Pulpit: Confronting the Problem of Spiritual Abuse in the Church

“Spiritual abuse is allowed to continue because willing supporters protect and enable that pastor.”
― Michael J. Kruger, Bully Pulpit: Confronting the Problem of Spiritual Abuse in the Church

“But there’s a bigger issue when it comes to accountability: most elder boards or leadership boards are not composed of the type of leaders who will stand up to narcissistic bully pastors. Narcissists are remarkably good at forming alliances, building a network of supporters, and laying the groundwork for a future alienation of perceived enemies. They often groom their supporters through flattery, promises, and other forms of ingratiation.35 Most elder boards aren’t prepared for this level of coordinated manipulation.”
― Michael J. Kruger, Bully Pulpit: Confronting the Problem of Spiritual Abuse in the Church

“GENUINE TRANSPARENCY. Spiritual abuse grows and thrives in church cultures that emphasize silence, secrecy, and self-protection. In contrast, churches that operate with openness and transparency build a culture that resists abuse. Here are a few ways to be more transparent: • It might surprise you that in many denominations, the elders meeting is public and open to any church member. They are free to come and observe. Some churches even allow for questions. In certain circumstances that require confidentiality, an elder meeting might need to go to “executive session.” But in most cases, church business is open business. It would be wise for churches to advertise the openness of their elder meetings and even encourage members to come. Holding the elders meeting in a larger venue like the church sanctuary or chapel is one way to encourage more people to attend. Churches might be surprised how differently their elders operate (in a good way) once other people are in the room watching them.”
― Michael J. Kruger, Bully Pulpit: Confronting the Problem of Spiritual Abuse in the Church

“Or, as Matt Smethurst said, “If you are going to peer at others, become an expert in the evidences of grace you spot in their lives.”
― Michael J. Kruger, Bully Pulpit: Confronting the Problem of Spiritual Abuse in the Church

“In 2020 Christianity Today broke the story of how Timmis was removed from Acts 29 because of reports of abusive leadership, bullying, intimidation, heavy shepherding, and even threats of church discipline for those who resisted him.20 Those who worked with Timmis stated that when confronted with these behaviors, he not only refused to receive critical feedback but would often reverse the accusations, making the challengers out to be the real problem. They were just troublemakers, stirring up dissension in the church. Andy Stowell, a former elder at the Crowded House, summed it up this way: “People were and are afraid of Steve Timmis.”
― Michael J. Kruger, Bully Pulpit: Confronting the Problem of Spiritual Abuse in the Church

“Put simply, canonical books are received by those who have the Holy Spirit in them. When people's eyes are opened, they are struck by the divine qualities of Scripture–its beauty, harmony, efficacy–and recognize and embrace Scripture for what it is, the word of God. They realize that the voice of Scripture is the voice of the Shepherd.”
― Michael J. Kruger, Canon Revisited: Establishing the Origins and Authority of the New Testament Books

“the prior chapters have led to this one. If spiritual abuse is a real problem in the church today (and it is), if this abuse is contrary to Scripture and disqualifying for ministry (and it is), if abusive leaders and churches often retaliate against the victims with cruel and aggressive tactics (and they do), and if these tactics are devastating to the lives of the victims (and they are), then there is only one conclusion: churches must do something to protect their sheep. It’s not enough to be aware. It’s not enough to care. Churches must act. And this chapter has laid out three critical categories in which churches can take action. Prevention: Churches must do their best to weed out abusive candidates from the start by creating a vision for ministry that is radically biblical and therefore unattractive to leaders with abusive tendencies. Accountability: Too many churches have a culture of secrecy, self-protection, and image management—factors that create an ideal environment for spiritual abuse. In contrast, churches must create a culture that is open, transparent, and provides genuine accountability for its senior leadership. And finally, Protection: Churches must have a clear, well-organized plan for how to handle abuse claims and care for and protect the victims during the process.”
― Michael J. Kruger, Bully Pulpit: Confronting the Problem of Spiritual Abuse in the Church

“It’s not enough that the abusive pastor merely claims to be repentant. He must demonstrate repentance to a governing body that is able to evaluate it properly.”
― Michael J. Kruger, Bully Pulpit: Confronting the Problem of Spiritual Abuse in the Church

“In other words, Jesus knows that the default position for those in authority is to domineer and squash those they lead. Then comes the punch line: “But it shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all” (vv. 43–44, emphasis mine). Jesus’s ministry model is paradoxical. You don’t lead by demanding your rights but by giving them up. For the bully pastor, the first will be first. But for the godly pastor, the first shall be last. As Paul Tripp put it, “Jesus reminds the disciples that they haven’t been called to lordship but to servanthood.”40”
― Michael J. Kruger, Bully Pulpit: Confronting the Problem of Spiritual Abuse in the Church

“The victims of the abuse are typically forced out and charged as troublemakers who are attacking a faithful pastor just doing his job.”
― Michael J. Kruger, Bully Pulpit: Confronting the Problem of Spiritual Abuse in the Church

“POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER. PTSD is not uncommon in cases of spiritual abuse. After fearful, dangerous, or traumatic events, people often suffer for months (even years) with the aftereffects of those events, including upsetting memories, fear, sadness, nervousness, and bursts of anxiety.6 In short, “people who have PTSD may feel stressed or frightened even when they’re no longer in danger.”7 For spiritual abuse survivors, experiences that remind them of their abusive pastor or church situation usually trigger these effects. These triggers could be something as simple as going to church, hearing a sermon, or seeing individuals from their former church. A complicating factor in spiritual abuse cases is that the abuse is perpetrated by an institution or a person the victim knew and trusted, known as “institutional betrayal.”8 Studies have shown that abuse within a trusted relationship is significantly more traumatic than abuse by a stranger. And there is a natural trust that is fostered between a church member and their pastor (and the larger leadership body). Smith and Freyd show that such betrayal has a substantial emotional impact: “Betrayal trauma is associated with higher rates of a host of outcomes, including posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), dissociation, anxiety, [and] depression.”
― Michael J. Kruger, Bully Pulpit: Confronting the Problem of Spiritual Abuse in the Church

“The clearest description of second-century worship, however, comes from the account of Justin Martyr in his First Apology – an account we will turn to again below. Justin writes: And on the day called Sunday all who live in the cities or in the country gather together in one place . . . we all hold this common gathering on Sunday, since it is the first day, on which God transforming darkness and matter made the Universe, and Jesus Christ our Savior on the same day rose from the dead.113”
― Michael J. Kruger, Christianity at the Crossroads: How the Second Century Shaped the Future of the Church

“Franklin was right when he quipped, “Half the truth is often a great lie.”
― Michael J. Kruger, The Ten Commandments of Progressive Christianity

“Often, before the narcissistic pastor is exposed publicly, there are years of painful smaller encounters that are covered up.”
― Michael J. Kruger, Bully Pulpit: Confronting the Problem of Spiritual Abuse in the Church

“Most elder boards, church courts, and boards of directors for Christian ministries are composed of insiders, not outsiders. They are usually composed of the leader’s close friends, sometimes even family members. How, then, can they have objectivity in holding that leader accountable?”
― Michael J. Kruger, Bully Pulpit: Confronting the Problem of Spiritual Abuse in the Church