People Who Leave Church – A New Study
OK, so here is the post I talked about here. Church EXITers! Dr. Barb Orlowski has recenty finished research on people who leave church. Her work was done in British Columbia, Canada and you can read all about it here.
It is no secret anymore that people are quitting church by the droves. A simple cursory overview of recent headlines attest to this fact. So, when I come across new research that helps us to look more deeply into the issue I am eager to see what conclusions are drawn as to how to address the issue.
While many people leave the church because they have felt there is something more to following Jesus than what they find in a local church setting, this particular study deals with people who have left church because of spiritual abuse.
Click here to read about this study!
Here is what Dr. Barb Orlowski says about this yet-to-be-published book:
Concept Statement
This book provides a ministry tool for the Christian community. It allows those who have recovered from the distressing church experience of spiritual abuse an opportunity to tell their stories and to be heard. It provides a behind the scenes look at how Christians can recover from this devastating experience and how those desiring to help can minister effectively. It is suitable for scholars or a general audience.
The Gap That This Book is Seeking to Fill
Why Christians leave institutional churches is an increasingly popular topic catching the attention of researchers who make it their goal to understand its causes and prevalence and to bring it to the attention of church leaders. Meager current literature has described the reasons why Christians leave churches or, more significantly, has provided viable prescriptions for recovery. This study traces a clear path which spiritual people have travelled from their dilemma to wholesomeness.
Barb would love your input as she continues to explore this very timely issue. Please visit the Church Exiters homepage and find the link to her email address.
Comments
Joel,
I am a Christian psychotherapist who has researched the literature to help folks who are having to deal with the aftermaths of spiritual abuse. You might mention to Barb, and your readers might like to know there is an excellent book in helping victims of spiritual abuse to process some of their betrayal and understanding of what happened to them and the role of each person involved in the abuse including those in authority who should have brought accountability to bear.
The book is Toxic Faith by Stephen Arterburn, first printed in 1991 and again printed in 2001. Toxic Faith dissects the whole sick system of the church in which such abuse is perpetrated even down to the role of the healthy members that try to bring accountability to bear but then are treated by the unhealthy “perpetrator,” “co-conspirators,” and “enablers” as “outcasts” as if they themselves are the sick ones.
Also, there is a psychologist whom I greatly respect who works with abused parishioner(s) as well as the perpetrator(s) and the denominational leadership of the sick church system to begin to treat all of the brokenness rampant in such sick systems. Her name is Diane Langberg, Ph.D. Diane is a psychologist with over 25 years experience, counseling in private practice in the Philadelphia suburbs. She is also the current chair of the executive board of the American Association of Christian Counselors (AACC) headed up by Tim Clinton (president); AACC has a membership of over 50,000 members. Diane gave an excellent talk (which is available by CD through AACC) that explains the dynamics of many of our churches and the nature of their structure (hierarchies, expectations, etc.) that sets the pastor up for disaster. She also is engaged in speaking and lecturing on the realities of life in the ministry.
Thank you for printing this post Joel.
May God heal His abused lambs and cleanse the churches of “her officials within her (who) are like wolves tearing their prey.” (Ezekiel 22:27)
May God bless you,
Angie
Hi Angie,
Thanks for your comment. Yes, in my Literature Review I cite Toxic Faith and a number of other books on spiritual abuse. Since this topic and recovery from it are very complex I review a number of books that are related to this topic area. I believe that people will be interested in this research project, the comments of the participants, and the theological and biblical foundations for this study.
The book ‘ChurchExiterx.com’ is getting closer to being published. I will let people know when the book is available. You can read summaries of the chapters as well as excerpts of the chapters by going to the website with this name. I will also keep people posted of the progress.
Talk to you later.
Bye for now, Dr. Barb
I do believe all actors are smart.
Hello Everyone,
I am delighted to say that my book has been published!
The title is: ‘Spiritual Abuse Recovery: Dynamic Research
on Finding a Place of Wholeness’.
I have books available. Book information can be found on my website: wwwchurchexiters.com.
People can contact me at: info@churchexiters.com.
Looking forward to hearing from many of you.
Dr. Barb