Is my Pastor a Bully? (part 1)

As strange as it may seem some pastors use bullying techniques to establish more control over their flock. Check out these selected items from http://dannimoss.wordpress.com/clergy-abuse-links/is-your-pastor-a-serial-bully/. You could be dealing with a bully if your pastor is...... Is a convincing, practised liar and when called to account, will make up anything spontaneously to fit their needs at that moment Has a Jekyll and Hyde nature – is vile, vicious and vindictive in private, but innocent and charming in front of witnesses; no-one can (or wants to) believe this individual has a vindictive nature – only the current target of the serial bully’s aggression sees both sides; whilst the Jekyll side is described as “charming” and convincing enough to deceive personnel, management and a tribunal, the Hyde side is frequently described as “evil”; Hyde is the real person, Jekyll is an act. Excels at deception and should never be underestimated in their capacity to deceive. Uses excessive charm and is always plausible and convincing when peers, superiors or others are present (charm can be used to deceive as well as to cover for lack of empathy). Is glib, shallow and superficial with plenty of fine words and lots of form – but there’s no substance. Is possessed of an exceptional verbal facility and will outmaneuver most people in verbal interaction, especially at times of conflict. Is often described as smooth, slippery, slimy, ingratiating, fawning, toadying, obsequious, sycophantic. Relies on mimicry, repetition and regurgitation to convince others that he or she is both a “normal” human being and a tough dynamic manager, as in extolling the virtues of the latest management fads and pouring forth the accompanying jargon. Is unusually skilled in being able to anticipate what people want to hear and then saying it plausibly. Cannot be trusted or relied upon. Fails to fulfill commitments. Is emotionally retarded with an arrested level of emotional development; whilst language and intellect may appear to be that of an adult, the bully displays the emotional age of a five-year-old. Is emotionally immature and emotionally untrustworthy. (More in the next post.) Image credit: "http://www.recordstar.com/news/article_d5093ab2-5268-11e1-a950-001871e3ce6c.html".