Praise chapel...a cult?
Date: November 23, 2006 03:41AM
Pgcole:
Quote: [i:fa31062b86]“Is there any love going on in that little heart of yours?” [/i:fa31062b86]
Hummm. Good question. Well, to be perfectly honest, I have no love of cults, that’s for sure. And I suppose that you’ve never heard anything about, “Judge ye not lest ye be judged?” Sorry “Dude,” I don’t feel that I’m quite ready to “chill” yet. Not when it comes to exposition of the truth with regard to the implementation and methodology used by cults such as Praise Chapel. In fact, I am strongly considering becoming an advocate against cults.
It seems to me that you have turned a blind eye to the postings of your fellow Mitchellites such as “@Peace,” “pastor,” “Preacherman,” or “believerof1.” They come on here and believe it or not, they are representing their church… yet there is nothing Christ-like whatsoever in their behavior. What a fine example they set. What awesome testimonies they present indeed. They are in and of themselves the absolute best witnesses to support my position.
And you’ve noticed nothing out of the ordinary with regard to their demeanor, attitude, arrogance, or particular behavior patterns? Nothing cultish about that at all, right?
I seem so angry? Really? Tell me then, am I as angry as the moderator which “@Peace” accused of being so angry in her last posting?
Apparently anyone who takes a position that is not in keeping with what PC wants you to say, then one is just plain “angry.” Well let me put it this way, every once in a while a person may choose to take a stand for what is right, and what they believe in. And, that is exactly what I am doing here. I noted that in Ephesians 5:11 it says, [i:fa31062b86]“And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works or darkness, but rather reprove [them].”[/i:fa31062b86] I consider that a good reason to take a stand against PC and cults like it, at least for me it is. Also, I understand that we are to, “test the spirits” in order to determine whether or not they are of God. Using discernment, I have done just that.
If you perceive anger, or if that is what you choose to make of it, so be it. Actually I consider that a compliment. After all, I think the Lord got angry when he found the money changers and peddlers in the temple that were using His Father’s house for their own personal profit and gain. Not unlike PC. (“Follow the money trail.”) If it seems to you that I may have a root of bitterness, well we can all thank Praise Chapel for putting it there in the first place. [b:fa31062b86]Apparently PC supporters also choose to ignore the effects of spiritual abuse, or what being in a cult does to a person.[/b:fa31062b86] But that’s okay, just slap another Praise Chapel label on me and call me bitter. Tell me I’m angry, I’m bitter, I flip my lid, and I have to chill. Sorry, can’t. Might as well throw in a few other PC buzz words such as “rebellious” or being out of God’s will.
Quote: [i:fa31062b86]“If you are in a healthy church, praise God! If you aren't; find one.”[/i:fa31062b86]
Here we go with yet another reference to a time honored Praise Chapel contention.. Okay, here’s how it works once again. According to Praise Chapel (and Potter’s House I might add,) if you are not in a church, you are not saved. If you leave the church, you are no longer under the covering and thus susceptible to becoming backslidden and is likely that bad things will happen to you. Being out of a church equates to being out of God’s will. If you are in a Praise Chapel Church, you must remain, “in the church that the Lord led you to.” A person’s salvation and relationship with God is solely dependant upon being a member of a church. If you are physically unable to attend church, due to a physical handicap or some similar reason, you must still pay your tithes and listen to Praise Chapel sermons they provide on tape or CD.
And that doesn’t sound like a cult?
Funny how the Bible doesn’t say that you must be in a church in order to be saved. In fact, all it calls for is to be in a fellowship of one another which I consider to be other believers. Now let’s see here. The way I look at it, God gave me a free will and allows me to choose. If I want to be in a church, then I can make a choice. If I take your stance and as mentioned by “Frank Sinatra,” then I should find another Praise Chapel. Or, as I have chosen to do, is to locate a church that is along more traditional lines. What is the difference? Let’s review, shall we?
[b:fa31062b86]Does the organization have a clear and strong commitment to a certain project area?
Is there an independent board that accepts responsibility for the activities of the organization and oversees its operations?
Are the financial records audited annually by certified public accountants?
Are copies of the audited financial statements provided to anyone who requests them?
Is information provided to donors about any program that the donors have supported?
How does the organization avoid conflicts of interest?
What are its guidelines and standards for fund-raising?
Is there a review procedure to assure compliance with fund-raising standards and guidelines?
Does the church have a democratic process and elected board, which can hold the pastor accountable?
What are its bylaws? [/b:fa31062b86]
[b:fa31062b86]Is there meaningful financial transparency? That is, does the church publish an independently audited financial statement, which details all salaries, compensation and expenses paid out?[/b:fa31062b86]
One (Praise Chapel) has no requirement that pastors attend any bible college (remember. All PC pastors are “hand-crafted”), no required college degrees, there are no recognized standards or safeguards in place, there is no accountability with regard to pastors, and absolutely no financial accountability. It is run just as a dictatorship, which to me equates as Neo-Fascist rule.
My other choice, and I know that it’s going to be pretty hard to believe, but I’ve chosen a church that does have all these standards of accountability in place. Is it perfect? No. Are there safeguards in place to try to prevent spiritual abuse? Yes. Is there a degree of professionalism and certain standards required to become a pastor? Yes.
[i:fa31062b86]“I want to preach quickly?” “Preach on preacher?” [/i:fa31062b86]
Well now that’s interesting. First of all I am not a preacher. Nor would I ever want to be a preacher. Certainly not after what I’ve seen. I noticed that while in Praise Chapel, pastors generally despise it when one happens to know scripture, and if you question or challenge them on an issue, they become enraged and try to quickly shut you up. Anyway, I will however mention two men of God whom I admire greatly. Chuck Swindoll and Greg Laurie. They are teachers, and while some consider what they do as “preaching” more so I consider it teaching. Though I do not, nor have I ever considered myself to be above anyone else, not a preacher and not a teacher. I’m just a regular “Joe” who has been through some pretty bad spiritual abuse in a Praise Chapel church that is consistent with, and has all the earmarks of a cult. And I take a firm stand against cults.
Quote: [i:fa31062b86]“You are quite good at twisting the words of others for your own agenda, so I am sure that you will do your best here too.” [/i:fa31062b86]
Twisting words? How so? Who’s words have I twisted and explain how I’ve managed to pull that off? Back up your utterances and be specific please.
Quote: [i:fa31062b86]“Prior to being saved, I used to take great pride in attacking and degrading others based on the words they spoke, but God has helped me find a way to help others rather than rant and rave about how unfair they might be. So, if it brings you pleasure, go ahead and fire your shots. I will try to refrain from making you look like the bitter person you are truly making yourself out to be. Preach on preacher!”[/i:fa31062b86]
Humm you seem to make a lot of assumptions here, considering the fact that you do not know me from Adam. Anyway, this brings me no pleasure whatsoever. I just speak the truth and do my best to reveal what a cult Praise Chapel actually is. No matter how much one may try to conceal that fact… the truth remains the truth.