ex-shep
02-18-2008, 06:56 AM
I can say the situation never rose to the occasion of spiritual abuse. The elder did make an error in lacking in gentleness and being overly harsh. He apologized and explained his position which made sense to me. The elder's wife is firm but not abusive. I asked my wife before the pastor and elder to demonstrated the wife's behavoir. It immediately fell flat. I recognized she overreacted and was on the defensive to the teacher's firmness.
I decided let the abuse of the child drop. I am very close to both the child and grandmother who cares for her. I know "Susie" is extremely candid and would have no problem telling grandma what happened. I know grandma well enough to know she would not stand for it and would turn the church upside down to get it straightened out.
The pastor still has trouble accepting the concept of spiritual abuse, but then he has a point. It is just as easy to throw around the "cult" card as easily as the racism card. Far from being sadistic, I do pray that a few former members of a abusive group would turn up at his doorstep.
Interesting weekend. Alls well that ends well.
I decided let the abuse of the child drop. I am very close to both the child and grandmother who cares for her. I know "Susie" is extremely candid and would have no problem telling grandma what happened. I know grandma well enough to know she would not stand for it and would turn the church upside down to get it straightened out.
The pastor still has trouble accepting the concept of spiritual abuse, but then he has a point. It is just as easy to throw around the "cult" card as easily as the racism card. Far from being sadistic, I do pray that a few former members of a abusive group would turn up at his doorstep.
Interesting weekend. Alls well that ends well.