Hi Mixed.
Yes that is exactly how things are set up in the favour of these leaders it's a perfect swizz!also they allow known child abusers into the congregation unbeknown to the other people who attend their meetings. The leaders make the decisions for the others.kcf damage people and tell lies and gossip about them then discard them then move on to fresh victims.
I mean come on look at the posts about them and how many views they get for all these years and still no reconciliation. You lot are well known for your shenanigans Shame on you!!

I found this resource and thought I'd pass it on in case anyone finds it useful. A lot of websites about cults are atheist or neutral but this is a Christian website. [www.apologeticsindex.org]

Couple of interesting quotes:

"Sociologists looks for patterns in human behavior and in social institutions. As you read the following pages, a profile of pastoral and spiritual abuse will emerge. Abusive churches, past and present, are first and foremost characterized by strong, control-oriented leadership. These leaders use guilt, fear, and intimidation to manipulate members and keep them in line. Followers are led to think that there is no other church quite like theirs and that God has singled them out for special purposes. Other, more traditional evangelical churches are put down. Subjective experience is emphasized and dissent is discouraged. Many areas of member’s lives are subject to scrutiny. Rules and legalism abound. People who don’t follow rules or who threaten exposure are often dealt with harshly. Excommunication is common. For those who leave, the road back to normalcy is difficult."
Ronald M. Enroth, Abusive Churches: A View From Within

"Unlike physical abuse that often results in bruised bodies, spiritual and pastoral abuse leaves scars on the psyche and soul. It is inflicted by persons who are accorded respect and honor in our society by virtue of their role as religious leaders and models of spiritual authority. They base that authority on the Bible, the Word of God, and see themselves as shepherds with a sacred trust. But when they violate that trust, when they abuse their authority, and when they misuse ecclesiastical power to control and manipulate the flock, the results can be catastrophic.

The perversion of power that we see in abusive churches disrupts and divides families, fosters an unhealthy dependence of members on the leadership, and creates, ultimately, spiritual confusion in the lives of victims."
Ron Enroth, Churches That Abuse,

Good post MB I will look into this further.

No shame.