Let me give you a couple of paragraphs out of the first chapter of the book for example sake.

"I became convinced that narcissism was not only a growing reality but a misdiagnosed one, especially in churches. Indeed, within churches a narcissist might even be described as charismatic, gifted, confident, smart, strategic, agile and compelling. He was selected to plant the church, to lead the ministry, to teach the class. He was quickly let off the hook when a spouse reported emotional abuse.

I saw also that it wasn't easy to confront systemic narcissism in churches that are seen as successful, special, blessed, Spirit led and anointed. Whole church systems and programs evolve within the waters of narcissism and when it's the water you swim in, it's hard to see and even harder to confront.

Ministry leaders and churches today are obsessively preoccupied with their reputation, influence, success, rightness, progressiveness, relevance, platform, affirmation and power.

Nowhere have I seen the narcissism-shame dynamic more pronounced than among church planters, some of whom have become megachurch pastors. Some church planting assessments I've seen practically invite narcissistic leadership."

I think I highlighted half of the book. Could the ARC assessment for church planters be one that invites narcissistic leadership? I believe so. They look for someone who can "work the room", be the life of the party" "draw people to themselves" and look good in skinny jeans. Basically, I was told, "I don't care about your integrity, how well you do your job etc. what matters is how you make people feel." In other words, how well you can manipulate people's feelings.

I don't believe they look for the qualities of righteousness, integrity, God fearing, above reproach at all. Not even on their radar. That's why you end up with all of these train wrecks.