“Pastor Abusers: When Sheep Attack Their Shepherd,” by Kent Crockett and Mike Johnston, is an eye-opening expose of one of the greatest problems in our American churches today: the abuse and persecution of pastors within their own churches. “Pastor Abusers” reveals that 50% of pastors are so discouraged that they would leave the ministry immediately if they could make a living; 80% of pastor’s wives have been so emotionally battered in the ministry that they wish their husbands had a different profession. 1600 ministers leave the ministry every month; 25% of current pastors have been terminated at some point in their ministry; 33% of churches either fired their last pastor or forced him to leave; 80% of pastors say that the ministry has had a negative impact on their children.

Much of this trouble is caused by just 4-5% of the church membership, a small but determined pack of wolves in sheep’s clothing who criticize, lie, slander, and do everything in their power to bring down the pastor. These people cannot be won over; they can justify all of their hateful actions, even to the point of violence against the pastor or maliciousness to his wife and children. The point of this book is to understand the behavior of these wolves and how to properly deal with them in protecting your family, ministry and church.

“Pastor Abusers” is not written by Independent Baptists and does not use the KJV only, which is unfortunate. But the information within is very valuable. I gave copies to our church Trustees and sent a few to pastor friends who have gone through these types of abuse. I heartily recommend it to all of my pastor brethren, deacons, and church leaders. The 4-5% of controllers/abusers would not have the power to operate if the “silent majority” would stand up for the pastor.