I'd like to add my warm welcome to the newbies who've come onto the network.

I was interested in all of the new material but I'll confine myself to responding to A Theist 101's question:
"Here are some thoughts I have now about my time in SMC. It seems to me that there was a 2 tier system operating. It may have been a multi- tier setup. There was an inner circle or sanctum and an outer circle. It appeared that to be considered eligible for the inner sanctum you had to exhibit one or more of the following: wealth, education, good standing within the community, an effective speaker- this could be either in giving testimony or is teaching, naturally gifted in music or song. The other main quality needed was to be compliant and unquestioning of the church’s teachings. Others can perhaps add to this list."

I agree with the criteria you have given for getting into leadership in Struthers. They did expect speaking ability and some had this. For example, Diana is very good and Alison is box office. How they would fare in front of a political or academic audience or on TV, I know not, but they are very engaging in front of a sympathetic church audience.

But I would add one other criterion to your list: being female. There was a strong bias against men. Mary Black was guilty of this in extreme measure, an assertion for which I have tons of evidence.

I was always puzzled why my house group leader, who was the most gifted speaker of all in my opinion - and I saw him in action weekly for several years - was not given the platform. In any other church, he would have quickly emerged as the church's leader. He did not. Why? I suspect because he was the wrong sex.

I am totally pro women leadership, but not for the oppression of men - and Hugh Black's drivel that "women are more spiritual than men" was an extremely damaging heresy. He has a lot to answer for.

Hi Blacksheep and welcome to the forum.

Yet another person who has suffered at the hands of the Struthers leaders. It is just appalling many people have been affected.

I wonder if the leaders of Struthers were sitting at New Year saying, “it will all probably calm down - 2025 will be a year where we can put all this all aside and get on with the wonderful work we are doing.”

Doesn’t look that way, does it. Three weeks into 2025 and we have three new members of the forum with a story to tell. It does not look like 2025 will be a quiet year.

When will they realise this is inevitable? It is bound to continue as long as they run away for reality and do things like fail to provide a safe space for critical comments and lie about their complaints policy.

If you want to consider it from a Christian point of view, which you would kinda hope they might want to, you have to ask what verses tell you that the way to deal with a problem is to hope it will go away.

I don’t think there are any. The Biblical message is that things have to be dealt with. Indeed one of the central doctrines of the Christian faith is that sin has to be dealt with, it cannot just be ignored. They preach about this every week, yet seem to miss the irony that they are not applying that message to themselves.

This forum is not a few people with “seeds of bitterness”, mental health issues or some agenda, this is simply how life works. When things go wrong, the issues have to be dealt with. That is how life works, and that is what the Bible teaches. Wake up and smell the coffee!

Thank Petitor but zi have not suffered because of Struthers.
I left as I felt that it was not the right place for me.I disagreed with alot of things I had seen and heard over the years I was there. Have had many a disagreements with friend about this.
I have a very happy life now.Great church.

Oops, sorry Blacksheep, I should not have made assumptions. Point well made. I was wrong to say to you had suffered when you had not said anything at all along these lines, so happy to withdraw that comment.

I do find this quite amusing though – I put up a post saying I am willing to apologise if I get something wrong and, shortly after, it is pointed out that I did something wrong.

Well, unlike Struthers, I follow my policies. I like my “yes” to be yes and my “no” to be no, and am happy to apologise publicly for my mistake.


On the topic of Hugh McConnachie’s death I am, like others, saddened to hear this. I think that there were many, many good people in Struthers. Sincere, caring people who had the heart of a pastor – and were ultimately excluded from the inner circle because of it. Struthers do not want people with a heart, they want people who are capable of shutting off their emotions so that nothing anyone says will ever affect them. Once again a total reversal of Biblical principles.

Welcome to the forum Blacksheep57. I’m glad you now feel comfortable sharing your experiences with the group. Like you, I feel I am reliving the past but I am also conscious that my memory is not the best and it is good to have others here who can confirm or correct my rememberances. I remember a bus coming from Falkirk on a Saturday night and there was a feeling of togetherness with the members; at least that was my naïve understanding as both a new christian and a new member. I was totally unaware of the stuff going on behind the scenes. It was only after I left that I think I became aware. Hearing that your life is a lot better now is music to my ears- wonderful. It is interesting to me to hear you mention Jennifer Jack. I always saw her as one of the good ones but I had no dealings with her. I only observed from a distance. Regarding Hugh Black, he did seem “open” in a very”closed” way. He appeared warm when not in Minister Mode but almost unapproachable in spite of that. I did notice he was very fond of a girl from Falkirk whom he seemed to have at his house over most weekends. I cannot remember her name although I know she was studying Psychology at Glasgow University in the early to mid 80s. It appeared that she was being groomed, certainly for leadership, within the church. She dated (was that allowed?? It may have been a clandestine relationship) my flat mate for a while but I lost touch with folks after 1986. What I do recall is that she seemed to disappear from the scene very abruptly. People did enquire about what happened but, as with many situations in Struthers, there was radio silence and a lack of transparency. Of course, it was none of my business at the time or now but I am curious as to why one so close to “stardom” left so suddenly. In later years while studying around the area of Christian Cults I did wonder if she had studied such a module in her University course and seen a connection! Does anyone else remember her? Blonde hair and probably late teens or early 20s? I’d love to hear her story.


Al Duff: Thank you for your welcome. I have read all your posts over the last few weeks and I hope I can be clear that I am NOT calling Struthers a cult. What I can say is that the leaders, when I was there, did exhibit a level of control that would not have been out of place within strictly controlled religious groups that the consensus would describe as cults. Your point about a predilection for women in leadership (and unmarried, hence, at least in their eyes, unburdened) is spot on. What an excellent point about the two speakers you mentioned. I suspect neither would fare well under a “critical” audience. Someone who had such a critical approach to scripture and the spiritual journey did prove to be a bit of a thorn in the flesh for both Mary Black on a Sunday and Hugh Black - was it on a Monday they had a teaching session? He constantly corrected their use (?misuse?) of scripture and clearly had a broader knowledge of Hebrew, Aramaic and Koine Greek. I found it amusing how they tried to stifle him not with argument or references but a rather condescending approach suggesting that he wasn’t spiritual enough to “understand”. I did not know about Hugh Black’s comment regarding women but when he spoke it was expected that one listen, accept and act accordingly. Your final statement is damning. Thanks for your contribution.

101

Me again,


The Petitor: Love the honesty and the humour.

On a practical note is anyone else having issues with receiving and reading private messages? The formatting within my message page inside my browser doesn’t allow me to see anything even when I know something is there. Should I contact admin? Is that Rick Ross? Is there a separate email other than the info@ available from the ”contact us” Tab. I ask just in case this is an issue previously discussed and I’ve missed it.

Thanks in advance

101

Hi all,

I found a workaround for the Private message issue. Thanks.

101

Hi all newbies nice to see you all here.

Not been really on much for Wee while.

Latley I have been talking alot to ex members from Smc. Also at the weekend I talked to a few members who still attends. It was interesting but I must admit I felt very uncomfortable in the presence of them all felt like My every move was being watched.

I have no regrets telling what happened to myself back then . And no one from Struthers will sielnce me ever again.I am not just going to forget about this I want everyone to feel that they can speak up share there story good or bad as I know Struthers has helped loads of folk over the years.its not all bad .

I am so sorry but I cannot think of any S.M.C. good .

Can I ask how they can have a YOUTH group ....aged from 9 ???

Is that not too young for children to be ... directed by them ?

I think the girl from Falkirk was Lesley Gaugh (or something similar). Hugh Black did take her under his wing for a few years.
From what I mentioned earlier, does anybody know about these open letters that seem to be circulating, the ones written by SMC members asking the board for answers? They would make interesting reading.