Thanks for your support, rrmoderator.

I agree with what you’ve said, The Greek, about this still being a safe space for people who have left SMC, to write about their experiences in this cult-like church, and to share the difficulties one can go through on leaving. Now, the more recent leavers will know what that’s like and perhaps better understand what we’ve been going through and why we have found this Forum to be a safe and helpful place to belong to while we recover.

I also liked your recent post, anonymousfornow, and agree with you about not revealing identities of others whom we’ve encountered in SMC and whom we may be writing about. I don’t think it is right to reveal identities, whether in name or using initials, when describing occurrences during our time in SMC. I have never done this and will not be starting now. Re using initials, those who know the people can work out who it is quite easily and I think this can lead to a lot of hurt. The only names which I have given or will give on this Forum are those of Struthers leaders because it is the leaders who are accountable for their behaviour towards church members over the years and for controlling their lives in an overbearing way, causing much emotional damage.

Do you know, I had difficulty in thinking of funny stories from my time in Struthers. To me and many others, everything was always so serious. Camp was serious, Conferences were serious. Laughter was not encouraged. In fact, Mary Black seemed to have a problem with people laughing especially men who laughed. There was one young man whom she kept telling off for laughing at church so he stopped it. But surely that was just a part of his personality. And yet, we had to listen to many a humorous tale from Hugh Black and also from Alison Speirs, with the resultant gales of laughter spreading through the gathered congregation. It was OK for them, but not for us to have fun.
O well, I may yet recall a funny story from my time in Struthers.

Looking forward to reading more of everyone’s posts.

Well, who knew it was a "thing"? RAPTURE ANXIETY. The rotten root of ALL my psychological problems as a developing youngster.

Being born into and raised in SMC, the rapture was preached at us frequently from a VERY young and impressionable age. Now, I am aware that the rapture is Biblical and, for some, should be preached from the platform. But surely not to children of a very young age?

At the tender age of 7, I remember watching "A Thief in the Night" in the big hall in Greenock, SMC. For a child who was never exposed to any form of TV, this film depiction of what was preached from SMC platform had a catastrophic and damaging effect on my developing psyche. How was this manifest? Well, I could be shopping in Tesco with my parents when I'd momentarily lose sight of them, this would result in a full-blown panic attack; terror, fear that I'd lost my mum and dad forever because I'd been "left behind" (and why wouldn't I be left behind? ApparentlyI was never going to be good enough and was going to hell anyway). Of course, I was too ashamed and embarrassed to tell my parents how I felt, so i simply internalised "my little problem". Even into adulthood this "problem" would raise it's ugly head, eventually exploding into full-blown depression and anxiety, with multiple visits to psychologists. After chatting with my sibling recently, she admitted to STILL suffering with Rapture Anxiety! She is in her 50's! My parents hold themselves fully responsible for exposing us to this "adult only" preaching and it causes them much grief. I've forgiven them as has my sibling but it doesn't make them feel any better. Did any others raised in SMC suffer with this form of anxiety? I'd love to hear your account.



The following is a basic explanation of Rapture Anxiety and how it is manifest. Thank you Google....

"Rapture anxiety, a form of religious trauma, can manifest as increased anxiety, depression, paranoia, and even OCD-like behaviors. It's a fear of the rapture, an eschatological belief, causing individuals to worry about being left behind or potentially suffering in the aftermath. This anxiety can stem from various sources, including teachings about the rapture, media depictions, and personal interpretations of biblical passages.

Specific psychological problems related to rapture anxiety include:

Increased anxiety and worry:
This can manifest as excessive fear of the rapture happening at any moment and the potential consequences.
Depression:
Feeling down, hopeless, and losing interest in activities can be a result of the fear and uncertainty surrounding the rapture.
Paranoia:
Individuals might develop distrust or suspicion of others, believing they could be left behind or subjected to harm.
OCD-like behaviors:
Some may develop repetitive behaviors or rituals to ensure their salvation or to prevent the rapture from happening.
Sleep disturbances:
Difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep can be a consequence of the anxiety and fear.
Changes in eating habits:
Anxiety can lead to changes in appetite and eating patterns.
Potential causes of rapture anxiety:
Religious teachings:
The belief that the rapture is imminent and could happen at any time can trigger anxiety.
Media depictions:
Books, films, and other media that depict the rapture can intensify anxieties.
Personal interpretations:
Individuals may draw their own interpretations of biblical passages and end-times prophecies, leading to further fear and worry."

Thankfully, I no longer suffer with rapture anxiety. I've worked through it and come out the other end at the ripe old age of 57!



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/23/2025 01:21PM by Mulberry.

RedRoad - and what about:

Rolled away
Rolled away
And the button of my hat rolled away.

Glad there's another childish person about. :)

From Prison Fellowship Scotland ....
"on that bright and glorious morning when the dead in Christ shall rise
... when parole is called up yonder I'll be there."


And taken well to heart from within same hymn as something to be encouraged
"Let us labour for the master from the dawn till setting sun"


Returning back to seriousness, Mulberry, I remember the film and follow up ones too. Films on a Sunday night were SO SO exciting, what with no TV in the house, dear me, never darken the door of a cinema, (and no-one had yet had the bright idea to revise rules to say that Videos were alright as long as no physical tv played).

However in my case, for once I did get experience of parental common sense being applied, they decided I was too young to watch Peacechild, or the Thief in the Night series. I don't actually remember what films I did see now!

I do remember being terrified of what I had heard about that series, right up to adulthood, because I would still see them advertised in Christian media, and even as an adult, I thought I would not watch them as they would terrify me. And even without seeing the films, there would be plenty of graphic re-telling in sermons - imagine not needing real physical money any more - having something on your body that would allow you to pay for things without coins or notes. Do you think the God Channel accepts credit card payments?

That was indeed a cruel unintended unthinking side effect of seeing those films - losing parents in a crowded space is a known scary thing for children, without adding in spiritual terror, and being convinced of being left behind or bound to be one of the folk to exist with "eternal damnation".

Redroad, you had a very lucky escape! I have spoken to others who watched that film as children and were left with some pretty serious "issues". Gosh! "Peacechild". Now that brought back memories of Mr Black stating there would be scenes of a violent nature and some nudity,so parents were advised to cover their children's eyes with a handkerchief!! So, yes, I sat there for over an hour wearing Dad's brown M&S cotton hankie as a blindfold. Honestly...if it weren't so warped it would actually be funny!

I really like the humorous word distortions, usually sung by children, which some contributors have posted here! ThePetitor, that’s a very suitable one for Struthers as it’s about hats! You could add, “the berets rolled away”, referring to the time when mandatory wearing of hats for women and girls ceased!

Mulberry and RedRoad, I was interested, and of course concerned, to read about your frightening experiences from hearing a lot of preaching about the Rapture when you were children in SMC. I am a bit puzzled, though, because in later years, say the late nineties onwards, the Struthers leaders made it clear that the Rapture was not part of their theology. They even removed some verses from songs if these referred to a Rapture, as SMC was wont to do.

So I was wondering when the belief/doctrine about the Rapture changed in SMC. Does anyone know? I know The Rapture is part of The Brethren theology so I’m wondering if Hugh Black brought the teaching about it into SMC, which is why you heard a lot about it as children, Mulberry and RedRoad. Later on, the female leaders preached about Jesus coming back and that everyone would see Him and know it was Him. One main leader said that God would not remove Christians from the Earth at a Rapture and leave chaos behind, with crashed planes and cars, and disappearances, because God is a God of order.

When did things change and why?

Rensil, does your question of "When did things change and why?" not illustrate once again that there is no comprehensive theology base to refer to or examine, no definitive structure or "scaffolding" upon which to examine SMC 70 years of existence?

Was the teaching around The Rapture investigated, debated and agreed upon by the initial leaders of Struthers? Was it re-investigated, debated and agreed upon once more by subsequent leaders post 1990, post 2010, post 2020? Does anyone from the Forum have knowledge of leadership trying and testing theology theories, of explaining alternative and conflicting Pentecostal schools of thought?

We do know that SMC leaders have predominantly been school teachers. Registered with an official registration body, the GTC. There are strict rules around who is allowed to teach in Scottish schools. eg anyone who wishes to be a teacher after a first career, or anyone who has come to Scotland from abroad must meet those rules, has to undergo additional qualifications, before they are allowed to be a Primary or Secondary Teacher in Scotland.

I count 9 SMC past and present leaders who have been qualified and accredited Scottish teachers. These 9 leaders, charity Trustees, legal Directors, were/are allowed to teach in Scottish Schools by virtue of education degree, specific teacher training and accreditation of GTC. Yet the same 9 leaders, over 70 years, have dispensed with any necessity of external training, qualifications and independent accreditation for SMC leaders and pastors.

Surely that is the answer to your question, Rensil.
Building on sand instead of hard rock allows theology emphases to change, suiting the style or circumstances of the time or leaders.

The hard work of teaching methodically through the bible, of teaching and explaining why certain concepts have undergone 180 degree turn in belief and practice (such as the Rapture, hat rules, social restrictions, no TV etc), such mental hard work is not needed when you build on sand.

I would say that this change did occur from the beginning to the end of the 1980s. I did hear conversations about there being a battle of thought over whether it was appropriate to move away from "fundamental" Scripture and agreed Evangelical doctrine, to the glorification of "deliverance" and prioritising the achieving a "spiritual experience" high in each meeting. By 1987 the decision had been made, the primacy of experience had won out. That was what was to be sought and achieved. Spiritual sweeties and adrenaline became the only food on the menu. Anyone who wanted a theologically based faith was laughed at. Whatever leadership or pastoring skills they could give to the organisation were ignored and stifled, only their money and practical service were welcome. And if after a while, they then left, well, you would be forgiven for thinking that they had never been heard of or existed within SMC.

I cannot speak to what may have been taught after 1987. But Forum contributions do not suggest that the emphasis on primacy of experience, with a lesser emphasis on there being a secure, cohesive and tested Scriptural base, has changed.

Over to newer leavers to add what they know of what changed, when.

Hi,
I've never been a member of the church and the matters discussed in these posts are really none of my business, but as anyone who enjoys a good narrative might, I've become fascinated by the stories they tell and the strange closed world they describe. I wish the sufferers well.
There is, however, one name among the many mentioned here that's not unknown to me: once or twice as a schoolboy I got on the wrong side of the big Hughie fella. And, boy, did I pay for it! While there were no lasting physical effects, the memory of that baleful glare and that soft eerie lilt was less easily shaken off.
As well as the vigorous use of the tawse, he had quite a variety of tricks for keeping the old reputation buffed up. A latecomer, for example, would be made fill an entire F2 jotter with a transcription from the Bible, then watch as it was ripped into shreds. A boy might be stopped in the corridor, giventhe loan of some change and ordered to the barber's for a short, back-and-sides. This, remember, was at a time when longer styles for men and boys had become the norm. And no,in case you were wondering, I wasn't among the ones singled out.
That he saw the day job as an extension of his ministry was evident, and understandably a few of the staff were antagonistic towards him from the beginning. In weak moments they could be drawn out to the point of indiscretion, sometimes beyond.
I'm curious to see this film you mention, Mulberry, Thieves in the Night. I'll have a look on YouTube.
Regards,
J

Welcome Joe0202!
Very interesting hearing things from your perspective and how it was viewed having one’s job as an extension of one’s ministry.
I recall another teacher in the church having to stand up and give an embarrassing & tearful testimony at one camp in Wiston Lodge because she had been reading some DH Lawrence. The thing was she was an English teacher and I think that was the reading list for the class,
Anyone know if this is correct?

Liz. You are correct, D H Lawrence was indeed on the Higher English reading list. How dare she do her job! Lol...