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Book cover: When the Ass Speaks...You Should Listen! Overcoming Narcissistic Spiritual Abuse From the Pulpit, by Dr. Donetta D. Quinones, PhD
Confront Spiritual Abuse ยท Restore Godly Leadership

“When the Ass Speaks
You Should Listen!”

Overcoming Narcissistic Spiritual Abuse From the Pulpit

“Then the LORD opened the donkey’s mouth, and it said to Balaam, ‘What have I done to you to make you beat me these three times?’”โ€” NUMBERS 22:28

When the Pulpit Wounds Instead of Heals

Throughout Scripture, God used unexpected vessels โ€” even a donkey โ€” to warn leaders blinded by pride, greed, and ambition. Yet today, too many congregations suffer under leaders who silence every voice but their own. Dr. Quinones names the pattern with unflinching clarity: the Narcissistic A.S.S. leader.

A

Angry

Rules by intimidation and outburst. Criticism is met with rage or retaliation, and disagreement is rebranded as rebellion against God’s anointed.

S

Selfish

Exploits authority, people, and resources to serve personal ambition โ€” masking self-promotion behind spiritual rhetoric and a carefully curated image.

S

Sociopathic

Manipulates without empathy or remorse โ€” weaving a narcissistic web of control, gaslighting, and division that entangles entire congregations.

If even a humble donkey could perceive and obey God’s will, why do some leaders โ€” entrusted with spiritual authority โ€” refuse to? This book is the mirror, the warning, and the way out.

What This Book Will Help You Do

Part exposรฉ, part biblical study, part recovery guide โ€” grounded in Numbers 22, Jude 1, and the hard-won wisdom of ministry experience.

๐Ÿ”

Recognize the Signs

Identify grandiose, vulnerable, and malignant narcissism in ministry โ€” and the telltale traits: exploitation of authority, aversion to accountability, and dismissal of correction.

๐Ÿ•ธ๏ธ

Understand the Narcissistic Web

See how manipulation, the Karpman Drama Triangle, and cycles of abuse trap congregations โ€” and why good people stay entangled far too long.

๐Ÿ“–

Learn From Biblical Case Studies

Balaam, Samson, King Saul, Cain, Korah, Peter, and Paul โ€” vivid portraits of spiritual blindness, its consequences, and the redemption possible through humility.

๐Ÿ›ก๏ธ

Confronting Powerlessness

Practical steps for victims and congregations: setting boundaries, restoring discernment, and refusing to let a leader’s pride drown out God’s voice.

โš–๏ธ

Build Real Accountability

Establish transparent structures that align leadership with biblical principles โ€” so authority serves God’s mission, not personal empires (Proverbs 11:14).

๐Ÿ•Š๏ธ

Walk the Path of Healing

Move from wounded to whole through Christ-centered transformation โ€” breaking the shell of carnality and letting love-driven obedience renew leader and church alike.

Inside the Book

Ten chapters that move from recognition to transformation โ€” each with its own built-in study guide.

  1. When the Ass Speaks, You Should Listen โ€” Balaam, the complex prophet
  2. Narcissistic Leadership in Ministry โ€” recognizing & addressing spiritual abuse
  3. Building the Foundation โ€” the transformative role of character development
  4. Recognizing the Signs โ€” understanding narcissistic spiritual abuse
  5. When Power Is Misused โ€” understanding abuse and its impact
  6. The Negative A.S.S. โ€” Angry, Selfish, Sociopaths in leadership
  7. A Call to Transformation โ€” addressing narcissistic A.S.S. leadership
  8. Divine Transformation โ€” breaking the shell of carnality
  9. Biblical Narcissistic A.S.S. Leaders โ€” Samson, Saul, Peter & Paul
  10. A Call to Transformation โ€” listening to the unexpected

Built for Study โ€” Alone or Together

  • Comprehension & study questions for every chapter
  • Reflection questions for personal contemplation
  • Writing prompts for deeper processing
  • Group discussion topics for small groups & leadership teams
  • Actionable steps toward accountability and healing

Ideal as a personal recovery companion, a leadership-team text, or a 10-week small-group study.

“When the ass speaks, it is not the vessel but the message that matters… God’s wisdom often comes through the unexpected.”

โ€” From the Introduction

Who Needs This Book

๐Ÿ’”

Survivors of Spiritual Abuse

โ›ช

Pastors & Ministry Leaders

๐Ÿค

Church Boards & Elders

๐Ÿงญ

Counselors & Care Ministries

๐Ÿ“š

Small Groups & Bible Studies

๐ŸŽ“

Seminary Students

Start Listening Today

The voices God sends are rarely the ones we expect. Don’t dismiss the one that could set you โ€” or your church โ€” free.

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Ten transformative chapters, complete chapter-by-chapter study guides, and a biblical roadmap from recognition to recovery โ€” delivered instantly.

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By Dr. Donetta D. Quinones, PhD

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ISBN 979-8-3075-0814-5

Program Clarity

GraceRoot courses are psychoeducational learning programs, not emergency care, legal advice, or a replacement for therapy. Certificates document GraceRoot completion. Court, employer, board, or continuing education acceptance should be confirmed before purchase unless a page states a specific approval.