A definition of Mobbing is as follows:
"Mobbing is an emotional assault in which a hostile workplace environment is created through innuendo, rumours, and public discrediting. Mobbing is defined as the prolonged malicious harassment of a co-worker by a group of other members of an organisation to secure the removal from the organisation of the one who is targeted. Usually a single individual initiates the mobbing by gathering others to participate in malevolent actions to force a person out of the workplace. Mobbing involves a small group of people and results in the humiliation, devaluation, discrediting, degradation, loss of reputation and the removal of the target through termination, extended medical leave or quitting. In a church workplace setting "co-workers" may include other clergy, staff, volunteers, elders, deacons, and/or congregation members. www.poopedpastors.com
Steve Vensen says that 'mobbing' has never been empirically researched in church settings, which is a fancy way of saying it doesn't exist in the academic literature, and is therefore not recognised as something that actually happens.
He has established the blog to begin a meaningful conversation regarding how to help pastors prevent and/or overcome this experience. He is investigating "mobbing" and clergy and asking people to assist him in getting the word out to pastors (Senior, Associate, Assistant, Executive, Youth Pastors, Worship leaders: anyone serving in a pastoral/ministry position in a church) to participate in this research.
Steve Vensen says that if you have experienced mobbing I urge you to participate in this study. (www.surveymonkey.com/s/ClergyMobbing)
Reverend Steve Brown of KeyLife Ministries has endorsed this research study and speaks of this in his weekly 'Pooped Pastors' video: www.poopedpastors.com
Well-Being Australia chairman Mark Tronson says this is an incredibly important subject for ministers and encourages his fellow clergy to watch the Steve Brown video and then go to the Steve Vensen blog.
Australia's Reverend Dr Rowland Croucher the Pastor's Pastor (John Mark Ministries) says he has counselled many who have suffered from 'mobbing' and has now placed this Steve Vensen link on his web site (FaceBook page). (jmm.aaa.net.au)