savage shepherds

Abuse happens when someone has power over another and uses that power to hurt. Spiritual abuse occurs when an individual’s spiritual life is systematically damaged by religious leaders who use their authority to control, coerce or manipulate God’s people for their own purposes, while making it look as though they are God’s purposes.

This is the moving and powerful story of Adam Harbinson who survived spiritual abuse and learned how to truly forgive. He was a respected member of his local church, which was part of the Shepherding Movement in the late 1980’s and early 1990’s. However, when he suspected a deep corruption at the heart of the movement and felt it was time to move on, he discovered powerful forces at work that sought to destroy his family, his health and his livelihood.

For years he walked in utter isolation through bankruptcy, breakdown and bereavement, but he found true peace true and acceptance as he encountered God’s reckless love and extravagant grace.