Some of the symptoms of spiritual abuse
Exalting leaders to God-like status/ over congregation, often claiming that leader receives messages from God and claims to speak for God.
MLM-like multi-level authority/government hierarchy (chain-of-command);
Absolute authority of the leadership to the extent that there is no objective church board to oversee any conflicts or give the congregation a voice without fear of retribution.
No real accountability of the leadership to the corporate body, resulting in a repressive monarchical ,dictatorship form of government;
Hand-picked sub-leaders, based on their demonstration of submissiveness to the ultimate leader rather than on the basis of their leadership skills, spirituality, and anointing and appointment by God;
Pervasive abuse and misuse of authority in personal dealings with members to coerce submission;
Paranoia, inordinate egotism or narcissism, and insecurity by the leaders;
Abuse, misuse, and inordinate incidence of "church discipline," particulary matters not expressly mentioned in the Bible as church discipline issues;
Personal materialism, and excessive lifestyle by the leaders, especially when the leaders lifestyle is well-beyond the lifestyle of the membership, and that lifestyle is underwritten primarily from donations received from the membership;
Members and/or sub-leaders must make a "spiritual covenant," sometimes a signed covenant agreement, pledging their total and everlasting commitment and financial support to the leadership and church/ministry;
Financial exploitation and enslavement of the members, often by requiring or coercing them to donate well-beyond their means and Biblical principles;
Inordinate attention to maintaining the public "image" of the ministry .
Spiritualism, mysticism, and unproven or anti-biblical doctrines;
Abuse and misuse of prophetic gifts as a means to dominate and intimidate;
Esotericism — hidden agendas and requirements revealed to members only as they successfully advance through various stages of "spiritual enlightenment," which in fact is really unorthodox ( and often costly), unproven indigenous doctrines;
Performance-based approval and promotion system of members predicated on "proven" "loyalty" (i.e., submission, donations, giving gifts) to the leadership;
Devaluation, suppression, and non-recognition of members' bona fide God-given talents, abilities, gifts, callings, and anointing, as a means of subjugation;
Requiring members to perform menial tasks, such as cleaning toilets, setting up chairs, and acting as the leader's personal valet or slave, as a supposed means to humble them and teach them to "obey their leaders" or to evaluate their willingness to "submit to authority;"
Members are psychologically traumatized and indoctrinated with numerous improper fears and phobias aimed at keeping them reeling in with an over-dependence or co-dependence on leaders and the group;
Members departing without the prior permission and blessing of the leadership leave the group under a cloud of manufactured suspicion, shame, and slander;
Departing and ostracized members often suffer from various psychological problems and display the classic symptoms associated with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
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