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Below, in green lettering, is an excerpt from an article named Pastor Sues for Bad Reviews written by Dan Foster on Medium (emphasis added). The complete article can be found at:
https://medium.com/backyard-theology/pastor-sues-for-bad-reviews-724816ea7044
Or complete details of the lawsuit can be found at: "Spiritual Sounding Board"
I add this article because it demonstrates the doctrine of shunning the ABC follows is actually much more common than we realize, and is an ungodly practice. If we use the Bible as reference point there is really no sound justification for this doctrine. And, in fact, those in leadership are admonished they must not lord it over the flock, the opposite of shunning and bullying.
Psychology Today describes shunning as, “an act of control and aggression, with powerful consequences”(1). Shunning is really nothing less than formalized bullying.
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"When Julie Ann Smith of Beaverton, Oregon, walked away from her church, she was unprepared for what would follow. Suddenly on the outer, she found herself and her family being inexplicably shunned by church members who were told by church leaders not to associate with her or her family anymore.
“If I went to Costco or any place in town, if I ran into somebody, they would turn their heads and walk the other way,” said Smith.
And while Julia Ann Smith was shocked at receiving the cold shoulder, this kind of story is an all-too-familiar tale from people who have walked away from churches. Suddenly, those who thought were your closest friends — your spiritual family, even — treat you as if you are a leper.
The Church in Smith’s case was the ironically named “Beaverton Grace Bible Church,” although, according to Smith, the “grace” was non-existent. In fact, Beaverton Grace Bible Church was famous for shunning former members/attendees or anyone who dared question the authority of the church leaders. Of all the things a church could be famous for…"
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This is "spiritual abuse". On this woman's website can be found one of the best definitions I have seen for the term "spiritual abuse". It is reprinted below.
Spiritual Abuse: Spiritual abuse is a spiritual role-reversal where a shepherd, instead of clinging to and emulating the Great Shepherd by shepherding God’s people (Acts 20; 1 Peter 5; 1 Timothy 3; Ephesians 4), subtly demands that members exist to meet the shepherd’s needs (James 4:1-4). Rather than relating as a servant leader, the pastor “pulls rank” and “lords it over others” (Matthew 20:20-28; 1 Peter 5:1-6), not for the benefit of the flock, but for the benefit of the pastor. Rather than speaking the truth in love and rather than ministering grace and truth (Ephesians 4:11-16, 29; Colossians 4:3-6; Titus 2:10-12), the spiritually abusive pastor intimidates, judges, condemns, shames, and blames the sheep without regard for the spiritual wellbeing of the sheep (Jeremiah 23:1-4; Matthew 23:1-39). Definition from Bob Kellemen, Executive Director of the Biblical Counseling Coalition
The only thing I might add to Dan Foster's article is those who have been "pushed or driven out" as well, not just those who have "walked away". If one were finding peace and safety where they fellowshipped, they would likely not be "walking away" from it looking for a pasture that actually had green grass and safety.
I find the treatment she received mirrors closely the behaviors of the ABC toward those it finds "unacceptable" or of the "unapproved". As I have mentioned previously, the things I write on this site relate mostly to the ABC, because that is my direct experience, but this is an issue among many aberrant churches lost in a sense of self-righteousness. These churches encourage submission to the doctrines of a man, instead of to God, which leads to these false doctrines being implemented.
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