Narcissistic spiritual leaders hold their followers captive. Masking their own inner fears, they are powered by overblown egos and become tyrants of domination and control. Possessing an unbearable lack of self-worth, they compensate by projecting an image of themselves as wonderfully intelligent and competent. Their coping mechanism is their style of social interaction. They isolate or destroy those who see through the façade and draw around them people who will believe their lie.

In Greek mythology, Narcissus was a young man who eventually died having fallen in love with his own reflection. Unable to cast his gaze away from his own beauty, he finally died and a flower named narcissus grew where he lay.

Today, Narcissism is a personality type exhibiting a number of traits. The term has recently become the go-to description in pop psychology. Everyone, it seems, is either married to, has a relationship with, or has a boss who is a ‘narcissist’. The internet hosts innumerable self-help advisers who capitalise on this trend.

While this can rob the term ‘narcissist’ of any significant meaning, it does highlight a social and practical problem. Those with pronounced narcissistic traits often end up in positions of power and control – in politics, business and the church. Ideally-placed to give free reign to their own brand of ego-mania, narcissistic church leaders must be called out.

While the ego problem remains central to us all, leaders who possess high narcissistic traits present a particular difficulty. High in manipulation and low in empathy, they bully their way through until they have unscrupulously gained full control. That journey is strewn with human wreckage in the wake of narcissistic drivenness disguised as strong leadership and moral virtue.

For the narcissist, everything is about public image. They craft their own publicity and create false narratives to bolster their popularity. They reinforce their projected image, often by performing ingratiating acts of public flattery, handing out bouquets and heaping self-serving accolades on those whom they wish to influence. Somehow, everything ends up being about them.

Alongside this, they breed fear by making examples of those who oppose them. A chilling effect follows and people become reluctant to criticise, consciously or unconsciously knowing their positions or jobs are on the line. A narcissist will rarely do their own dirty work. Instead, they manipulate behind the scenes and recruit others to act for them, sometimes without realising they are being used.

There is no greater pretension than the claim to represent God. When true, it’s a wonderful thing. But when the motive is self-promotion or domination of others, it’s most diabolical. The pressure that a so-called spiritual leader can exert on followers is almost unlimited. That’s why safeguarding must be in place. We must know how to identify, confront, and, if possible, correct those in the grip of narcissism.

If you suspect someone is behaving narcissistically, you should draw immediate attention to it. The problem is, those who fit the profile are the last to admit it, and are impervious to criticism. Those who have been drawn into the role of narcissistic enablers will also be unlikely to help you. You could invoke accountability structures, if they exist, or not already biased. Nevertheless, it is important to speak up and present evidential support for your concerns, not least for the sake of the victims. If everything else fails, you still have one final option to protect yourself – walk away!

Church Matters Series

NARCISSISTS AND EMPATHS – Same But Different?

What if I told you that narcissistic behaviour and exaggerated empathy are merely different forms of the same root problem?

WHEN LEADERS ARE TOO EMPATHIC

Empathy is a good thing – the capacity to see and understand the perspective of another person. That is something I, for one, would like to see in a Christian leader.

WISE AND UNWISE LEADERSHIP

All confusion and division in church life is almost certainly the result of false and demonically-motived wisdom.

Church is people

Today, society is being divided into ever-increasing numbers of identity groups. This is part of a greater political agenda to sow seeds of discord and discontent in order to impose politically-correct agendas on us all.

STOP TRYING TO CONTAIN THE WORK OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

God pours his abundant blessing upon his children even beyond their capacity to receive. For me, this is a reminder that I should do everything I can to enlarge my personal capacity and be trusted by God for what I do receive.

STAY CONNECTED

Colin is always on the move, so keep up to date, interact with him and pray for him.

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