Clergy Killers: Guidance for Pastors and Congregations under Attack [Paperback]

G. Lloyd Rediger (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0664257534 | ISBN-13: 978-0664257538 | Publication Date: April 1, 1997

Though some conflict in the church may be normal, there are some types of conflict which are abnormal and abusive. Within some congregations there are personalities who seek to unsettle the relationship between minister and congregation. In this engaging and useful book, G. Lloyd Rediger offers strategies to prevent abuse, support clergy, and to build healthier congregations.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

G. Lloyd Rediger is a pastor, pastoral counselor, and consultant on spiritual leadership. He has written for several national religious publications and is the author of a number of books, including the best-selling Clergy Killers: Guidance for Pastors and Congregations under Attack.

Product Details

• Paperback: 208 pages
• Publisher: Westminster John Knox Press (April 1, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0664257534
• ISBN-13: 978-0664257538
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #323,792 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

26 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Pathological antagonists seek to eliminate pastors, July 13, 1998

By 

Dr. Guy F. Greenfield - See all my reviews

This review is from: Clergy Killers: Guidance for Pastors and Congregations under Attack (Paperback)

In some churches one or more pathological antagonists lurk to make a beachhead of attack upon the pastor. These "clergy killers" are vicious, mean-spirited, and full of rage who target the pastor for elimination by any means possible. Passive, unsuspecting parishoners sit by and carelessly allow this "murder" of their pastor's ministry, career, even his marriage and family (collateral damage). Only radical surgery of these sick ("evil"?) antagonists can prevent the destruction of the pastor's life and ministry. This book should be read by all boards of deacons, elders, stewards to prepare them for a protective ministry for their ministers. Thousands of ministers are being driven from the ministry (and church) each year by these (sometimes pious, slick, and charming) destructive antagonists. Rediger shows us how to stop this bleeding of the church's leadership. If your pastor is under attack and wounded, he/she needs your help now. Redi! ! ger offers such help.

25 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A minister's wife's perspective, April 29, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Clergy Killers: Guidance for Pastors and Congregations under Attack (Paperback)

We were almost "Clergy Killed", but thanks to the insight of this author, we decided to seek the help emotionally, psychologically and spiritually that we so deserately needed. It was because of this book's section on "Collateral Damage" that allowed my husband's disability insurance to kick in. The first 5 paragraphs of this book almost verbatum describe our situation. Just the names were changed to protect the guilty. It's a practical balanced perspective in the psychosocial world as well as spiritually speaking. Another great complimentary book to this is "Firestorm: Preventing and Overcoming Church Conflicts" by Run Susek. Both these books are MUST READS for any church leader, whether laymen or profession.

34 of 41 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Reality Check for Churches, September 13, 2002

By 

"moncurepatriot" (Moncure, NC United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Clergy Killers: Guidance for Pastors and Congregations under Attack (Paperback)

This is one of the most insightful, and truth-telling books on the subject of church life and ministry that I have ever read! Dr. Rediger seeks to deal with a tragic,, but growing trend in our day, which is the tendecy of some powerbrokers in some churches to target, abuse, and fire pastor after pastor. I realize that some pastors have some real problems, but how is it that some churches mistreat pastor after pastor? Is it believeable that several pastors in a row could make the same mistakes in the same church? Perhaps we should ask ourselves what are the common denominators such as the unresolved personality disorders that exist in churches. It is time for congregations to wake up and realize what these "Clergy Killers" are doing not only to ministers and their families, but also to people in the church who befriend and support the minister, maybe even YOU. In addition, we need to ask what is this doing to the cause of the Risen Lord Jesus Christ? Is this what Jesus died to accomplish? I do not think so!
Dr. Rediger has given us a wonderful analysis of the problem and how congregations must accept the responsibility which is theirs and STOP FOLLOWING CLERGY KILLERS! STOP ELECTING THEM TO LEADERSHIP POSITIONS AND STOP HINDERING THE WORK OF CHRIST. DO THINGS WHICH WILL LEAD THEM TO THERAPY WHERE THEY CAN EXAMINE WHAT THEY ARE DOING AND COME TO SEE BETTER, HEALTHIER WAYS OF LIVING AND RELATING! THE FUTURE OF THE CHURCH AND ITS MINISTERS DEPENDS IN LARGE PART ON HOW WE RESPOND TO THIS PROBLEM NOW AND NOT DECADES DOWN THE ROAD. LET'S NOT CREATE A SITUTATION THAT DRIVES MANY TALENTED AND GOD-CALLED PEOPLE OUT OF THE MINISTRY!THIS IS MUST READING FOR EVERY CHRISTIAN AND ESPECIALLY EVERY MINISTER OR ANYONE WHO CARES ABOUT MINISTERS!