Having now experienced two churches led by narcissistic pastors, I found “The Christian Narcissist” and “Bully Pulpit” by Kruger to be invaluable resources. These books helped me articulate what I was witnessing, offered sympathy for the pastors, while still emphasizing the crucial need for accountability. They also provided healing, not just for my own experiences, but for the extended suffering I saw others endure. I highly recommend reading both, as “The Christian Narcissist” alone doesn’t dive as deeply into the issue as it could.
I could go on and on about the importance of these books, perhaps because I’m still seeking closure, or because it’s difficult to believe that my family has encountered this kind of abuse twice. However, “The Christian Narcissist” was a straightforward, easily digestible read on a very complex issue. My only concern is that the author isn’t an actual psychologist, unlike “When Narcissism Comes to Church” by DeGroat, which, though excellent, I found harder to absorb and will likely need to reread because of its deeper insights. In contrast, “The Christian Narcissist” and “Bully Pulpit” were both clear and accessible, providing the insight and clarity I so desperately needed.