Deus Misereatur

Just like taking an abnormal psych class in college, a reader will likely see their reflection on many pages in the 200-page hardback "When Narcissism Comes to Church: Healing Your Community from Emotional and Spiritual Abuse". This newly released dossier, written by Chuck DeGroat, professor of pastoral care and Christian spirituality at Western Theological Seminary in Holland, Michigan, and senior fellow at Newbigin House of Studies in San Francisco, is a velvet covered brick. It is easily readable, and reasonably attainable.  DeGroat exposes the varied ways narcissism shows up in a parish, whether in the leadership, families, or congregational culture; and how it can show up in the corporate culture of an ecclesiastical denomination, association or network. It arises from the "lack of capacity for self-awareness and self-evaluation, shunning humility for defensive self-protection" (15). Further, according to the author, a deep, underlying shame is the driving forc...

Strengthener of the weak; fortifier of the faithful, rescuer of the wayward, restorer of the repentant; you are good, for your steadfast love endures forever (Psalm 136:1). It is you who do great wonders so that by your most holy, wise and powerful preserving you govern all your creatures and all our actions; you are good, for your steadfast love endures forever . It is you who delivers your people from their enemies, elevating them from their low estate in due time, drawing them from the miry bog and setting their feet on a rock; you are good, for your steadfast love endures forever ! O LORD Most High who is to be feared, for you are the great king over all the earth; we pray for all nations and all leaders. Bring all peoples of every nation and land to clap their hands, to shout to God with loud songs of joy; bring the princes of the peoples to gather as the people of the God of Abraham, for you reign over the nations, you sit on your holy throne (Psalm 47)! You are good, for your ...