ChristianBookAward(R)programOutreachResourceoftheYearWhydoesnarcissismseemtothriveinourchurches?We’veseenthenewsstories.Maybeweourselveshavebeenhurtbyanarcissisticchurchleader.Butwhatisnarcissism,really?Andhowdoesitinfiltratethechurch?ChuckDeGroathasbeencounselingpastorswithnarcissisticpersonalitydisorder,aswellasthosewoundedbynarcissisticleadersandsystems,forovertwentyyears.Heknowsfirsthandthedevastationnarcissismleavesinitswakeandhowinsidiousandpainfulitis.InWhenNarcissismComestoChurch,DeGroattakesacloselookatnarcissism,notonlyinministryleadersbutalsoinchurchsystems.Heofferscompassionandhopeforthoseaffectedbyitsdestructivepowerandimpartswisecounselforchurcheslookingtohealfromitssystemiceffects.DeGroatalsooffershopefornarcissiststhemselves--notbyanyshortcut,butbythelong,slowroadofgenuinerecoverythroughrepentanceandtrustinthegospelofJesus.
