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Sociopathic Leadership: Difference between revisions
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[[File:Psycopath.jpg|right|250px]] | |||
Some message churches have become cult-like. Just as a cult cannot be truly explored or understood without understanding its leader, so these churches cannot be understood without clearly understanding the pastor. | Some message churches have become cult-like. Just as a cult cannot be truly explored or understood without understanding its leader, so these churches cannot be understood without clearly understanding the pastor. | ||
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=The Profile of a Sociopathic Pastor= | =The Profile of a Sociopathic Pastor= | ||
A sociopathic pastor may exhibit some, or all, of the following characteristics to a greater or lesser extent: | Sociopath and psychopath are really the same thing. The term "sociopath" is preferred by those that see the causes of the condition as due to social factors and early environment, while the term "psychopath" is used by those who believe that there are psychological, biological, and genetic factors involved in addition to environmental factors. Typically psychopathy refers to a condition where the individual lacks a sense of empathy or morality, while sociopathy differs in sense of right and wrong from the average person. | ||
Psychopathy is most commonly assessed with the Hare Psychopathy Checklist, Revised (or the PCL-R) created by Dr. Robert Hare which is a 40 point scale. Any score that is greater or equal to 25 would generally be considered a psychopath (or sociopath). A normal score would be considered to be 5 or less. | |||
In the case of a sociopathic pastor, they may exhibit some, or all, of the following characteristics to a greater or lesser extent: | |||
==Glibness and Superficial Charm== | ==Glibness and Superficial Charm== | ||
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==Grandiose sense of self== | ==Grandiose sense of self== | ||
Sociopath pastors | Sociopath pastors enjoy tremendous feelings of entitlement. They believe everything is owed them as a right. They present themselves as a special leader: enlightened, a vehicle of God, uniquely gifted, the only appropriate leader of the church, and sometimes the most humble of the humble. | ||
Paranoia often accompanies the grandiosity, reinforcing the sequestering of the group and the need for protection against any one who has left the church. They create an us versus them mentality. | Paranoia often accompanies the grandiosity, reinforcing the sequestering of the group and the need for protection against any one who has left the church. They create an us versus them mentality. | ||
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Sociopathic pastors readily take advantage of others, expressing utter contempt for the feelings of others. Someone in distress is not important to them. Although intelligent, perceptive, and quite good at sizing people up, they make no real connections with others. They use their “people skills” to exploit, abuse, and wield power. | Sociopathic pastors readily take advantage of others, expressing utter contempt for the feelings of others. Someone in distress is not important to them. Although intelligent, perceptive, and quite good at sizing people up, they make no real connections with others. They use their “people skills” to exploit, abuse, and wield power. | ||
Sociopathic pastors | Sociopathic pastors are unable to truly empathize with the pain of their victims. Church members engage in denial about this callousness, because it’s so difficult to believe that someone they love so much could intentionally hurt them. It therefore becomes easier to rationalize the leader’s behavior as necessary for the general or individual “good.” | ||
==Irresponsibility== | ==Irresponsibility== | ||
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==Entrepreneurial Versatility== | ==Entrepreneurial Versatility== | ||
Sociopathic pastors have an innate ability to attract followers who have the skills and connections that they themselves may lack. The longevity of the group is dependent on the willingness of the leadership to adapt as needed to preserve the group. | Sociopathic pastors have an innate ability to attract followers who have the skills and connections that they themselves may lack. The longevity of the group is dependent on the willingness of the leadership to adapt as needed to preserve the group. | ||
=Recognizing a Sociopathic Pastor= | =Recognizing a Sociopathic Pastor= | ||
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*What do you know of your leader’s childhood, adolescence, and early adulthood? Does he or she fit the pattern? | *What do you know of your leader’s childhood, adolescence, and early adulthood? Does he or she fit the pattern? | ||
= | =General References= | ||
Lalich, Janja and Tobias, Madeleine, ''Take Back Your Life: Recovering from Cults and Abusive Relationships'', ''Chapter 4 - The Cult Leader'', Bay Tree Publishing, 2nd edition (May 30, 2006) | Lalich, Janja and Tobias, Madeleine, ''Take Back Your Life: Recovering from Cults and Abusive Relationships'', ''Chapter 4 - The Cult Leader'', Bay Tree Publishing, 2nd edition (May 30, 2006) | ||
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[[Category:Legalism]] | |||
[[Category:The Message]] | |||
[[Category:Message churches]] | |||