Re: Struthers Memorial Independent Pentecostal Church
Date: April 26, 2024 04:50PM
It's really interesting to read the recent responses and hear the developments. The branch of Struthers I was a part of has since closed down but I was often shipped off to Scotland as a young person and subjected to intense prayer, sometimes one on one, including "deliverance" (for what, I was never told). Adults with little to no training in youth work or safeguarding were placed in positions of power over young people on weekends away, largely because the church still saw anyone under 35 in the same category as teenagers! On top of the intense prayer sessions were worship meetings in small and crowded rooms that went on into the early hours of the morning, public shaming from the pulpit (I remember one young person was accused of witchcraft in front of the whole movement at a July Camp), and dangerous teachings and activity about undermining the role of parents in taking care of their children and looking after their family. I sometimes read in the news about other churches being accused of spiritual abuse and I think wow, that's nothing compared to what the SMC leaders get up to...