When forced into a corner, do narcissists switch to playing a victim? When confronted with truth, to abusers throw up the argument that they are the victim instead of the victimized person? Did the elders play into the charade? I’m just asking.
“On July 22, the elders informed Steve of their decision to give him a six-month sabbatical for counseling and restoration away from the church. The sabbatical was made public on July 26. We rejoiced to hear that Steve was going to be out of the pulpit and hoped that, like the majority of other pastors put on sabbatical leave, he would never return. It was a small sense of victory; however, it was marred by Elder #9’s statement that, ‘It is important for you to know that this action is in NO way a reflection of a change of direction on the part of the elders regarding our support, trust and belief that Steve Wingfield is a man called of God to be and to serve as senior pastor here at First Christian Church.’ According to Elder #9’s statement, the purpose of the elder-directed time away from the church was for Steve to get counseling not only for stress, grief, and emotional trauma but also to receive counseling in regard to his management style. It sounded like the elders had put Steve on the victim pedestal without one word about the true victims. My personal opinion is that Steve was victimized by his own self-protective tendencies. He bore sole responsibility for his own destruction. However, Brandon Milburn’s victims are not responsible for being targeted, groomed, and abused by a pedophile. There is no comparing the two.” (Taylor, Joy S., A View from the Pews — The Inside Story of a Broken Church, 2022, Lily of the Valley Publishing, Santa Claus IN, p. 125.)
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