More and more positive reviews are coming in and real-time changes are being made in how pastors are ordained! The Church of England will shortly begin testing ordination candidates for Narcissistic Personality Disorder, and Let Us Prey was cited as the source. Let Us Prey was recently used to argue for testing of priesthood candidates in Spain.
Have you been victimized by a "problem" pastor? Has your church had a destructive pastor at the helm (30% do!)? Are you going to be calling a new pastor at any time in the near future?
Let Us Prey is for you!
Based on a thoroughly-researched national study of Narcissistic Personality Disorder in pastors and hundreds of peer-reviewed published articles, Let Us Prey in the ONLY book published designed to tackle this devastating phenomenon with science, scripture, and experienced practical advice. This book will help you identify, understand, confront, and deal with pastors with malignant narcissism. It will also help you weed them out from the candidate pool so they are never hired in the first place.
Narcissist pastors? Aren't they all? While it is true that most pastors score high in narcissistic traits, most are able to channel them into positive means. I am writing about the 30+% of active pastors who meet the diagnostic criteria for malignant narcissism, meaning Narcissistic Personality Disorder. (See note to the left of this section.)
They are self-righteous, entitled, charming, and manipulative; they lie about anything and everything, they are excellent actors who can fake sympathy and empathy while never feeling either, and they will do everything within their powers to destroy you if they see you as a threat - which is anyone who disagrees with them or takes away any of the spotlights. They preach not for the glory of God but for their own glorification. They will never admit a mistake - it's always the fault of someone else - and never apologize. They truly are the wolves in sheep's clothing that Jesus warned against.
They do incredible damage to congregations, usually one person at a time. Those who are attacked and leave may never enter the doors of a church again. By the time most congregations reach the point where they know something must be done, half the congregation is gone, those who remain are deeply wounded, and the finances are in shambles.
How do we know? We have both worked with these crippled churches across Canada and the United States.
Let Us Prey now has more than 20,000 copies downloaded or in print!
Here is what the reviewers have said:
"Armed with research data and real-life examples, Puls and Ball provide an absorbing and alarming analysis of Christian clergy who suffer from Narcissistic Personality Disorder, describing the toll these 'wolves in sheep's clothing' wreak upon their congregations and co-workers. A must-read for clergy and those who supervise and support them." ~ Kevin Livingston, Associate Pastor of Pastoral Ministry, Tyndale Seminary, Toronto.
"Ball and Puls do an amazing job of bringing a sensitive issue to the light. Filled with powerful stories, up-to-date research, and godly counsel, Let Us Prey is a great resource that brings wisdom, guidance and healing to Christian leaders and church communities." ~ Tim Clinton, President, American Association of Christian Counselors.
"Let Us Prey contains ground-breaking research regarding the plague of narcissism in the church. It also provides practical direction in the diagnosis, intervention, and mitigation of narcissism in our pastorate and our congregations. A must-read. . ." Michal Patterson, Psychologist and Provost, Corban University.
"Painstakingly researched and terrifyingly realistic, this book shocks us into facing up to the monsters within the body of Christ who prey on the sheep rather than pray for them. Read it and equip yourself to identify and confront these predators with firmness and faith." ~ David Murray, Professor of Practical Theology, Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary.
