When Church Turns Into a Cult

How to Tell When Your Church is Turning into a Cult. Look for these 10 Signs.

How can you know if your church is turning into a cult?

Maybe you are part of a church that feels toxic or emotionally and spiritually abusive. Perhaps you’ve experienced some trauma like emotional or spiritual abuse or have been left with a gaping wound of church hurt for speaking out or leaving. Maybe you've experienced betrayal by your friends and community as a result. Perhaps the leader of the church has turned toxic, oppressive, or abusive.

Sometimes churches and ministries can start off well following Jesus Christ, but then they go off track. 

Paul even said to the Galatian church, “You foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? After beginning by means of the Spirit, are you now trying to finish by means of the flesh?” (Galatians 3:1 and 3:3a). So what are the signs of a cult or cultish church, or a toxic or cult leader?

In this video, I’m going to give you 10 warning signs that your church may be going off track and becoming a cult rather than a house of God.

🗣 DISCLAIMER: This video represents my personal insights and does not replace the professional advice of a therapist, counselor, coach, etc., for your specific situation.

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WHO AM I?
Hi! I’m Shaneen Megji. It seems my whole life has prepared me to do the work I am so passionate about today. Let’s just say I had to swim in narcissistic waters for many years, in workplace scenarios, in my previous faith as a Muslim, in friendships, and even in the church. God truly doesn’t waste anything. Each and every experience and all the studies I have done help me in my passion to set people free from the bondage and oppression of narcissistic relationships, to help survivors of such pain regain their authentic selves and their hope in God’s good plans for them, and to re-educate the church around toxic leadership.

#healingfromnarcissisticabuse #biblicalperspectivenarcissism #toxicity #toxicperson #toxicrelationship #toxicsigns #navigatingtoxicrelationships #unhealthyrelationships #manipulation #healingtoxicity #churchhurts #healingfromnarcissisticabuse #biblicalperspectiveontoxicity #bibleandtoxicrelationship #bibleandtoxicity #ToxicRelationships #NarcissisticAbuse #AbusiveRelationships #HealingAfterAbuse #Empowerment #SpiritualHealing #BiblicalWisdom #SurvivingToxicity #HealthyRelationships #BreakingFree #EmotionalHealing #ToxicPeople #NarcissisticRecovery #BoundariesMatter #FindingStrength #EmotionalWellbeing #BreakingChains #narcissism #toxicity #toxicperson #toxicrelationship #toxicsigns #navigatingtoxicrelationships #unhealthyrelationships #manipulation #healingtoxicity #churchhurts #healingfromnarcissisticabuse #biblicalperspectiveontoxicity #bibleandtoxicrelationship #bibleandtoxicity

[mightyforce]

Thank you for your video I was married to a pastor who divorced me and then four months later he remarried somebody he told the whole church that I was crazy which I’m not but I think it was God just protecting me I have kids with this guy I’ve been no contact for about two years but the trauma and abuse and pray that God will deliver me from PTSD

[jesusemmanuelmin]

I’m shook to my core after watching this video. My church as more than just 1 or two signs but actually has ALL 10 signs. To make things even worse, the church is my parents church and it’s all I know but after watching this video there’s no possible way I could remain. Your ministry has brought so much deliverance and healing to my life . Please, pray for me. What I have to do will not be easy.

[edgesword]

Finding a good church is difficult .This problem is all too common when leaders have a Huge Ego .

[danilaroche]

Excellent work. I have been outed from at least 3 churches for asking a question or because one so called sister in leadership didn't like me and had me disfellowshipped. It was traumatizing but God took care of me. Now..I'm in a healthy, great church. Well done sis!

[minamartina]

Ok, I was in a cult once... but I was not in it so deeply as other ones... I was often seen as untrustworthy and as an enemy, because I was independent... I just waited that my mom would open her eyes to leave together... best thing we ever did, thank God 😊

[gregoryritchie]

My "church" had ALL and I do mean ALL the signs of a cult. I got excommunicated in front of everybody by the pastor/"God" and believed God had abandoned me forever. Devastating, tormenting for DECADES until the Holy Spirit finally broke through these lies with His truth - that NOTHING can separate me from the love of God.

[RebeccaMoore]

I text my pastor and told him I wanted to talk with him after church. That I wanted to leave the church. I was there for 12 years. And everything that was spoken in this video was spot-on. There is more than one issue that I was facing.
I was not given the blessing to leave. I was told it was God's will that I stay in the church and grow up. Because I chose to leave anyway. I was told that I would be handed over to Satan to be buffeted. Which I don't believe that's going to happen. Because I do know my Bible.

[imperfectillustration]

Another sign of an unhealthy church is when the leaders project their seminary training as a lofty status, yet they are oblivious to spiritual issues such as narcissism and the demonic influence present in a member of their flock. When I started sharing things that my ex-narc wife was doing, and that I was walking on eggshells in my house, the Elder told me that I needed to just ‘love’ my wife more..???! The Elder would take my wife’s side during our counseling sessions and would refuse to hold her accountable for the way she was treating me. It was then that I realized that no one was coming to save me - I had to save myself. Never felt so disrespected and unheard than when I was going to those ‘counseling’ sessions. Unreal!!

[markrobby]

You nails it, sister. Awesome! I definitely see Seventh-Day Adventism, Jehovah Witnesses, the Mormons, and other similar organised groups in this video.

[joshsmith]

I use to go to a church where the pastor said "If you have a problem with someone else in the church you can go talk to them but if you have a problem with him you dont do that".

[oilandwine]

I am only become aware of this site today. listen to five teachings. Extremely blessed. Such a good balance of Spirit and Truth.

[brideofchrist]

Where were these videos 10 years ago when I needed this godly
I have had to navigate this journey without discipleship for the most part and it's been a nightmare I've prayed to wake up from. I'm 2.5 years out now and ready to move on. Finally. What a blessing to have some godly leadership and someone to validate what I've been through for 45 years. Thank you Jesus for rescuing me from the very pit of hell on earth!!!

[izawaniek]

Thank you so much. Those indicators of a Church becoming a cult are spot on! Very accurate observations.

[volumeCyber]

My last church had 8 out of 10 of these. Thanks for the video, praise God I am free..

[maryholton]

Also, groups within a church can become cultish. Leaders are often poorly trained if at all, and there is usually no oversight.

[corinahaha]

I was most def in a “church” cult…wowww. God has recently taken my husband and I out of there, Glory to God!! Supposedly the leader there is now telling our friends “to watch out” for us….major confirmation…just because we left. They make it seem like their vision and church is the best ever, and only they are in the right path. Wow I pray the Lord opens their eyes

[revddtunivesralbroadcaststash]

this is a huge topic that hardly anybody covers.. and it takes place way more than one would think.
thnx!! for posting this

[JessWehrle]

I love how after each warning sign, you share what a healthy situation looks like! It gives better context, and the scriptures you share make it all the more clear❤

[michelledoty]

I left a church that accused you of the Jezebel spirit if you questioned the pastor or questioned a leader. I wasn’t the first, I’m sure I’m not the last. It’s so sad. The pastor told my husband that the church board wasn’t really making any decisions, it was for looks because “he’s the king” of the church. Wow!!! So glad to be in a church now where Holy Spirit is allowed to move and people receive healing from hurts.

[victory]

Wow this was awesome, I recently discover my pastor to trust in famous prophets too much I don't trust any men but the word of God, so i've been praying about this and also to find a church that believes in the gifts of the Holy Spirit without all the craziness made up by men.