How to Steal a Church (Part 1)— When Leaders 'Change the Locks' on Truth and Accountability

Recognizing the Theft (aka Systemic Church Harm & Spiritual Abuse)

Kim McGovern

Nov 07, 2024

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1. The Battle for Control in Modern Churches

2. When My Church Changed the Locks

3. Church Governance and the Drift to Authoritarianism

4. Recognizing Spiritual Abuse and Its Impact

5. Discernment and Deception: Spotting Wolves in Sheep’s Clothing

6. Restoring God’s Design for Church Leadership

7. Embracing God’s Unchanging Purpose

The Battle for Control in Modern Churches

With the 2024 U.S. presidential election, we witnessed a fierce contest for power—one that stirred deep emotions and left many reflecting on what true leadership should look like. Power struggles can take a similar shape in churches, though we rarely expect it. When people think of spiritual abuse in the church, they often picture headlines about sexual scandals, financial exploitation, or leaders enforcing rigid authority over their congregations.

But I never thought I'd witness a hired hand steal an entire church out from under a congregation. This wasn't a matter of simple mismanagement—it was a carelessly crafted takeover. The more I investigated, the more I discovered that this type of incident wasn't as uncommon as I'd hoped. Other churches have faced similar situations, where leaders dismantled the very safeguards meant to protect the community, taking control of something that was never theirs to own.

When My Church Changed the Locks

I never imagined I'd find myself in such a situation. For years, I was deeply involved in my church—attending services regularly, leading Bible studies and women’s events, and serving on the soul care team. The church felt like home, a place where I could grow spiritually and build meaningful relationships.

This church began as a plant from a larger congregation where I had initially been a member. As is typical, the church followed the legal process to form a nonprofit corporation in our state. It registered as tax-exempt, filed articles of incorporation, and created bylaws that defined its structure and operations. The bylaws aligned with our denominational standards, setting up a board of elders, annual congregational meetings, financial reporting, and a formal voting process for selection of directors, elders, and deacons. These rules provided a stable foundation and were meant to ensure transparency and accountability. Drawn by a sense of calling, I eventually joined the church plant and started serving.

Over time, subtle changes began to surface. Open conversations with the elders became rare, as they started to deflect questions or claimed ignorance of key church matters. Transparency faded, and decisions shifted to closed meetings. Early on, the church suffered a major split and a series of resignations among core leadership. Hirings and firings became commonplace, creating an ongoing sense of instability.

One day, I began to notice that positions on key issues grew more ambiguous. When members asked for clarification, they were often met with deflection rather than direct answers. It was said that to question was akin to being like Satan, who challenged God's authority and tempted others to doubt His commands (see Genesis 3:1, Matthew 4:1-11). Similarly, the Pharisees and Sadducees questioned Jesus—not out of a genuine search for truth but to trap him in his words (see Matthew 22:15; Luke 20:20).

As a result, I—and many others—felt compelled to suppress our genuine concerns, fearing that seeking understanding would be viewed as defiance. This environment effectively silenced members and discouraged open dialogue, allowing the leader to "change the locks" on truth and maintain control unchallenged.

Over time, the pastor decided he no longer wanted the church to remain in the denomination. The congregation was informed that it would have a choice to either stay with the denomination or leave with him. However, during the vote, the rules stated in our bylaws were ignored. Members were not properly counted, and voting was allowed even for first-time attendees. In hindsight, we should have recognized that this meeting’s lax approach would foreshadow what lay ahead.

Eventually, the board of elders was disbanded entirely against the requirements of the bylaws, leaving the pastor, who now wanted to be known as “teacher”, in control over all church matters, including his own salary. In reviewing the church’s filings, I discovered that for three years, our required annual reports had falsely claimed meetings and votes that had never taken place, listing directors who had never been properly appointed. In our state, these falsifications constituted serious legal violations.

Observing these patterns was heartbreaking. Responsibility was neglected, and basic procedures meant to protect the congregation were disregarded. New hires received minimal training, and safety protocols—like background checks or ensuring a two-adult rule in children’s ministries—were inconsistently enforced. Meanwhile, people quietly left, unacknowledged and unmissed.

It was as if the church doors had been locked, access to truth and accountability closed off. It felt as though a wolf had come into the fold, as Jesus warned:

"Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves." (Matthew 7:15)

The sense of community and mutual accountability had eroded. Decisions were made unilaterally, and transparency was replaced with secrecy. The church, once open and rooted in shared purpose, had become a closed system centered around one leader’s authority rather than its true mission.

Church Governance and the Drift to Authoritarianism

Understanding how churches are governed can illuminate how shifts in power dynamics sometimes lead to spiritual abuse. In the U.S., church governance generally follows a few main models, each with its own approach to authority and accountability.

In an Episcopal or hierarchical structure, authority flows from the top down, often through a hierarchy of bishops who oversee various congregations. This system, seen in Roman Catholic and Episcopal churches, places decision-making in the hands of higher-level church officials rather than local leaders. In contrast, the Presbyterian model, followed by Presbyterian and some Reformed churches, is elder-led, involving a board of elected elders who share leadership and decision-making. This model encourages accountability through collective oversight, preventing unilateral control.

In a Congregational model, commonly used by Baptist and Congregationalist churches, the authority rests with the local congregation. Members participate in voting on major decisions, including leadership appointments and doctrinal issues, which promotes transparency and shared responsibility. Non-denominational and independent churches may adopt elements from various models or establish unique structures, with leadership styles ranging from elder-led to pastor-centric, often without external accountability.

In my church, we initially followed the Presbyterian model with a board of elders sharing governance. However, over time, these elders were gradually removed, leaving decision-making power centralized in the hands of a single leader. Without the checks and balances of an elder board, transparency and accountability quickly eroded, setting the stage for unilateral control and fostering an atmosphere where congregants were discouraged from questioning authority.

Jesus taught that true leadership in the church should be grounded in service and humility. In Matthew 20:25-28, he contrasts the domineering authority of secular rulers with his call to servant leadership:

“Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant.”

This model is diametrically opposed to authoritarianism, where power becomes centralized, and leaders prioritize their own control over serving the community. Ezekiel 34:2-4 warns against shepherds who “only take care of themselves” instead of nurturing their flock, condemning leaders who fail to strengthen the weak, heal the sick, or bind up the injured:

“Woe to you shepherds of Israel who only take care of yourselves! Should not shepherds take care of the flock?... You have not strengthened the weak or healed the sick or bound up the injured.”

Yet in some churches, leaders “change the locks” on who has access to decision-making and truth, creating environments where questioning is either discouraged or outright punished. This shift mirrors the neglectful shepherds Ezekiel warns about, who prioritize their own interests over the welfare of the people they serve.

Recognizing Spiritual Abuse and Its Impact

Spiritual abuse is a form of control where individuals use religious beliefs or positions to manipulate or harm others, often justifying their actions as divinely sanctioned. Such abuse typically unfolds through secrecy, authoritarian leadership, and the erosion of members' voices, where leaders change policies or limit congregational input, creating an environment closed to all but a select few. When leaders focus on consolidating power and suppressing accountability to promote their agenda rather than serve and protect the people, they leave church members vulnerable to harm.

Scripture, too, cautions against leaders who misuse their authority. In Jeremiah 23:1-2, God condemns those who harm their flock:

“Woe to the shepherds who are destroying and scattering the sheep of my pasture!... I will bestow punishment on you for the evil you have done.”

Acts 20:28-30 further warns believers to watch for leaders who “distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them,” marking such behavior as a departure from true spiritual leadership.

Indicators of spiritual abuse include the centralization of power, lack of accountability, erosion of community, and manipulation of truth. For example, Mars Hill Church in Seattle experienced significant spiritual harm under former Pastor Mark Driscoll, who reportedly fostered a culture of fear and authoritarian leadership by dismissing elders who questioned him and silencing dissent. The lack of transparency ultimately led to Mars Hill’s dissolution in 2014.

In the Calvary Chapel movement, some churches allegedly manipulated bylaws to eliminate congregational voting rights, consolidating authority within a small group and eroding trust. At Harvest Bible Chapel in Illinois, former Pastor James MacDonald faced accusations of financial mismanagement, a lack of transparency, and an abusive leadership style that stifled questions and fostered authoritarianism. His firing in 2019 highlighted the long-standing governance issues that contributed to an environment ripe for spiritual abuse.

These examples show how the erosion of accountability and inclusive governance can lead to spiritual harm, underscoring the need for vigilance against authoritarian shifts that contradict God’s purpose for church leadership.

Discernment and Deception: Spotting Wolves in Sheep’s Clothing

Discerning truth from deception in the church isn’t as easy as we might think. My own heart is often more easily deceived than I’d like to admit. Sometimes, my desires clash with God’s, and in those moments, I can twist things around in my mind until I hardly know which way is up.

Jesus warns us in Matthew 7:15:

"Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves."

A leader’s outward appearance can be deceiving; they may present themselves as caring shepherds, but their actions reveal their true nature. Acts 20:29-30 echoes this warning:

"I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock."

When we don’t know God or his Word for ourselves, we’re left vulnerable to this distortion. Even those who do know God’s Word can still fall prey. Ezekiel 22:27 further illustrates this:

"Her officials within her are like wolves tearing their prey; they shed blood and kill people to make unjust gain."

Sometimes, it’s codependency; we find comfort in relying on a leader for guidance instead of God. Other times, we’re drawn to the desire for belonging or fear of stepping outside our comfort zones. Each of these reasons can blind us to red flags along the way.

I saw this firsthand in the church I left. Over time, I noticed people increasingly looking to a particular leader before speaking, almost as if waiting for his approval to know what to say. What was once an open community had shifted, centering not on Christ but on the influence of a single person. It was groupthink—an environment where everyone’s thoughts echoed the same voice, leaving no room for the Holy Spirit to work individually in each person’s heart.

Restoring God’s Design for Church Leadership

Despite the failures of human leaders, God’s true design for his universal church remains unbreakable. God speaks directly to leaders who misuse their authority in Ezekiel 34:10, saying,

“This is what the Sovereign Lord says: I am against the shepherds and will hold them accountable for my flock.”

God’s promise to protect his people assures us that even when leaders falter, he is there to safeguard his church.

Jesus also speaks to the enduring strength of his church in Matthew 16:18:

“On this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.”

God’s model for church leadership prioritizes humility and service, sharply contrasting with authoritarian control. True leaders are called to shepherd, not dominate. As 1 Peter 5:2-3 advises,

“Be shepherds of God's flock... not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.”

When we center on God’s model for leadership, the church becomes a community of mutual care and accountability. Imagine a church where each member understands they are part of a whole—where people lean into Christ and into one another. In such a place, iron truly sharpens iron (Proverbs 27:17), and no one is dependent on a single leader. Here, everyone’s spiritual well-being matters, and each person knows they are part of the body of Christ, with a unique purpose and voice.

The true church—Christ’s body—transcends buildings, denominations, and human systems. It lives in every believer united in Christ’s love and purpose, undeterred by earthly failings. As 1 Corinthians 3:16-17 reminds us:

“Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in your midst? If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy that person; for God’s temple is sacred, and you together are that temple.”

A gospel-centered community reflects God’s purpose: it is a place where people bear one another’s burdens (Galatians 6:2), care for each other’s growth, and hold each other accountable—not out of obligation but genuine love. This vision restores the church to what God intended—a community that points back to Christ, centered not on human leaders but on God’s enduring truth.

Embracing God’s Unchanging Purpose

If you've experienced church hurt or witnessed the "changing of locks" in your community, know that you're not alone. Recognizing these patterns is the first step toward healing. Here are some questions to reflect on concerning potential red flags in your church community:

Are important church decisions made transparently, with clear opportunities for member input and discussion?
Do leaders in your church encourage questions and open dialogue, or are concerns often dismissed or redirected?
Is there a clear structure of accountability for church leaders, including regular checks on financial and decision-making practices?
Do you feel free to engage openly in discussions, or is there an unspoken expectation to align with the opinions of specific leaders?
When members quietly leave the church, is any effort made to understand why, or is it ignored or minimized?

These questions can help you assess whether your church is moving toward unhealthy control.

Remember, the institutional church can't save you—it never could. This is a core issue of messy institutional church dynamics—believing that the institution is the means by which the message is delivered. God was not the one who wanted buildings, programs, and edgy pastors preaching from a pulpit. God's message isn't so complicated that it requires a convoluted chorus of chaos in immovable structures to penetrate the human heart with his love.

While human failings can distort church leadership, the true church belongs to God. His purpose remains intact, even when earthly systems fail.

As Hebrews 13:8 affirms:

"Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever."

His unchanging nature assures us that despite the shortcomings of human leaders, we can trust in God's enduring faithfulness.

Take courage to seek God earnestly, ask questions, and pursue genuine community. The true church is not confined to walls or controlled by human authority—it's a living body of believers united in Christ's love.

Stay tuned for next week’s post, The Harm of Church Theft – The First Time You Believed, where we’ll dive into the effects of betrayal on faith and trust, and explore how to begin the journey toward healing.