This collection of essays has two audiences in mind: recovering victims and the religious community at large. While is was written as an aid to help victims who are grappling with their faith, the book also seeks to clarify the meaning of spiritual abuse and instruct religious communities on how to effectively welcome victims of spiritual abuse. The book’s contributors come from a background in Christianity and have each, in their own way, experienced spiritual abuse. Here they attempt to dispel commonly held misconceptions, to elucidate the circumstances in which spiritually abused individuals often find themselves, and to implore leaders in communities of faith to shine a light on this harmful, not uncommon offense.

Contributors: Harold L. Bussell, D.Min.; Ray Connolly; Neil Damgaard, D.Min.; Doug Duncan, M.S.; Wendy Duncan, M.A.; Kenneth Garrett, D.Min.; Maureen Griffo, M.A.; Heidi I. Knapp; Patrick J. Knapp, Ph.D.; Michael D. Langone, Ph.D.; Judy Pardon, M.Ed.; Diana Pletts, M.A.; and Eric K. Sweitzer, Ph.D.