“She Went to Church to Pray and Was Preyed Upon”

Abstract

Grounded in narrative inquiry and framed by narrative theoretical perspective, the present study addresses the following research questions: (a) How does a church and associated church foundation practice religious affinity fraud? and (b) What are the communication challenges and experiences families may undergo when a church and associated church foundation practice religious affinity fraud on their vulnerable family members? An in-depth narrative inquiry exploring one church’s practice of religious affinity fraud on a family serves as a cautionary tale for other families to make them aware of the deceptive strategies used by charismatic church leaders to steal from the elderly and help minimize the chances of this misdeed happening to their family. Findings provide an entry point for cultural change in church communities where affinity fraud is prevalent. They also provide insight to families, researchers, and lawmakers so they can better understand how they can effectively communicate with and safeguard the elderly population.