I was with a friend the other day and we talked about his former church and their leadership. He communicated that the leader was a cult leader and the church a cult. He then couched his language by saying “my wife doesn’t like the term cult. She prefers the phrase “abusive” leader and church.

Wow! How about that. From the frying pan into the fire. I’m not sure which is worse. The amazing thing is that many of our pastors and churches in the US are called by both these names. I too, have been accused of being a cult leader and leading a cult.

What is the difference between a cult leader and an abusive leader?

A cult leader is one who is leading the flock astray, away from the orthodox understanding of Christianity. Leading them into doctrine that seduces people to do or be what the leader wants them to do or be, as opposed to what the scriptures have to say.

An abusive leader is one who has much woundedness and baggage that keeps them from leading a functional church. In fact, the leaders’ dysfunction will most often begin to be a part of the DNA of the church itself. They are usually hurting people and they end up hurting other people. In the end, one is abusing people and the other is “abusing” the scriptures.

In any case, neither one is good. May God help those of us in the pastoral trenches to not pass on our own stuff to others. Better yet, may we recognize and seek healing that we might be whole, body, SOUL, and spirit. My prayer is that I may be a leader that leads people in a healthy way to be all that they can be for Christ.

Any thoughts?

JPF