EMQ » January–March 2022 » Volume 58 Issue 1
[memberonly folder=”Members, EMQ2YearFolder, EMQ1YearFolder, EMQLibraryInstitution”]By Darrell Puls
Revised edition
Cascade Books, 2020
224 pages
US$29.00
Reviewed by Hoon Jung, Fuller Theological Seminary, Pasadena, California.
Why do many contemporary Christians get hurt by their pastors? This volume was written to deal with one of the main reasons related to this issue, specifically, the problem of narcissistic pastors. The author’s main point is that narcissistic pastors are spiritually unhealthy, hurt many parishioners, and eventually self-destruct; Christians, therefore, need to be wary of such pastors.
According to the author, everyone is narcissistic to some degree, and normal narcissism works positively as a motivation for many (xii). However, the author points out that more extreme narcissism, sometimes expressed as narcissistic personality disorder (NPD), is dangerous and malignant, bringing with it disastrous results. Puls calls it predatory or toxic narcissism. Such a pastor is likely to victimize a congregation in many ways. This is one of the main reasons why church staff and members are hurt by pastors and leave.
The author analyzes the characteristics of narcissistic pastors such as exhibitionism, grandiosity, self-centeredness, entitlement, self-aggrandizing, lack of empathy, and explosiveness (39). These characteristics may also emerge in churches under narcissistic pastors, churches that develop narcissism in an institutionalized form (156). The author advises that, given this devastating influence, seminaries and local churches should prevent such people from entering ministry.
This book is worth reading for three reasons. First, this is a frequently occurring issue in ministry. As the author discusses, many Christians have already experienced or are currently experiencing narcissistic pastors and the problematic results but are unable to understand the source of these problems. Compared to the importance and urgency of the issue, there have been few studies dealing with this problem. This volume helps people realize that pastoral narcissism is a far too common issue. Second, readers encounter both academic theories and abundant real-life case studies concerning narcissistic pastors. As a scholar, Puls refers to many psychological works and theories. At the same time, because he has worked as a church conflict consultant for more than forty years, he describes real examples that he has encountered. Third, the author provides an approach to healing for victimized people and their churches. The author carefully explains the causes, characteristics, and results of pastoral narcissism, providing comfort and support for wounded people and churches. Moreover, he suggests a healing process that can be carried out in a fairly straightforward manner which would be especially beneficial for the victims of narcissistic pastors.
This well-written book is valuable for all members of local churches. But the primary audience of this book should be pastors because, as the author rightly points out, being a pastor makes one more susceptible to narcissism due to their role in the church.
For Further Reading
Capps, Donald. The Depleted Self: Sin in a Narcissistic Age. Fortress, 1993.
Campbell, W. Keith, and Joshua D. Miller, eds. The Handbook of Narcissism and Narcissistic Personality Disorder. Wiley, 2012.
