I thought that I would share as I move from one stage to another while on this journey. I feel like I've moved into a place, just over the last week or so, that is a little more objective. I'm not quite as emotional as I once was. A good day here and a good day there seems to be turning into a few good days here and a few more there. I continue to hear some things that upest me, but not in the same "emotionally charged" way, though it hurts just as deeply (don't know if that makes any sense at all). I've been disappointed in how I've been treated since leaving, but just realized that I wasn't treated any better when I attended TP. The same handful of people who loved and supported me then, continue to do so, those who didn't, don't. In many ways, only a few months out, and my life is better, my expectations of myself and those around me are more realistic. I'm slowly (very, very slowly) starting to trust the Holy Spirit in ME, not just in others. I'm coming to terms with the fact that I didn't always treat others aswell as I should have, and that I too was caught up in the "serve more, serve better" mentality that is so prevelant at TP. I'm learning to forgive myself, though I think that's been one of the more difficult things to do. I don't know what tomorrow will bring, but I trust that God knows just what I need, and when I need it. I know that on those difficult days, that He is my comforter. He is truth. He is reliable and trustworthy. And, He is always, always good.

Not to burst your bubble, Forgiveness, but Mville04 has a video where the senior pastor of the Mars Hill church (Mark Driscoll) is saying that people who ask questions of leadership are out of line, that congreagation members are supposed to "shut up and do as you're told"--his own interpretation of the Greek in (I think it is) Galatians. Just be careful not to trade one dysfunctional belief system for another. I'm not sure Driscoll is opposed to the NAR, either. You might want to poke around further before "getting on board" there.

Sorry, man! I hate the fact that so many churches are getting infiltrated with bad stuff, even as they decry one bad thing, they're embracing something related to it.

Sigh.

Quote
Forgiveness_101
I thought this might be relevant to this forum and helpful to some that are just getting out of TPC.

[www.marshillchurch.org]

[www.marshillchurch.org]


..............................

I think this might be helpful as it was healing for me to have this happen. I went to Mars Hill last Sunday, the sermon was on false teachers and characteristics (mike fulfills many of them).

I talked to the youth pastor who is 26 and has his MDIV, a degree Mike would not know much about because of SOMA. I started telling him about my experience at TPC, which i actually think is funny, but was even more entertaining was how much he was laughing at Pastor Mike calling himself an Apostle, and his wife being a Prophetess. I was talking about how they label you with a "critical spirit" (which i understand that there are people who are insanely critical, and it is impossible to please all, but there is no spirit possessing you making you that way, it is a character flaw, that has its ups and downs, and i may be that way, although i don't think so) and how when i started asking questions i was labeled with this, and he started laughing again! He thought these notions of Apostles and Prophets and Critical spirits were laughable.

Anyway this guy had a fun time laughing while i did most of the talking. He was a fun guy and i liked him a lot!

GREAT TESTIMONY/PROGRESS REPORT, BH!

It's nice to have these updates of real people making their way through the real aftermath and finding real healing.

God IS always good. Thanks so much! I was encouraged by your words.

Quote
Brokenhearted
I thought that I would share as I move from one stage to another while on this journey. I feel like I've moved into a place, just over the last week or so, that is a little more objective. I'm not quite as emotional as I once was. A good day here and a good day there seems to be turning into a few good days here and a few more there. I continue to hear some things that upest me, but not in the same "emotionally charged" way, though it hurts just as deeply (don't know if that makes any sense at all). I've been disappointed in how I've been treated since leaving, but just realized that I wasn't treated any better when I attended TP. The same handful of people who loved and supported me then, continue to do so, those who didn't, don't. In many ways, only a few months out, and my life is better, my expectations of myself and those around me are more realistic. I'm slowly (very, very slowly) starting to trust the Holy Spirit in ME, not just in others. I'm coming to terms with the fact that I didn't always treat others aswell as I should have, and that I too was caught up in the "serve more, serve better" mentality that is so prevelant at TP. I'm learning to forgive myself, though I think that's been one of the more difficult things to do. I don't know what tomorrow will bring, but I trust that God knows just what I need, and when I need it. I know that on those difficult days, that He is my comforter. He is truth. He is reliable and trustworthy. And, He is always, always good.

Learning Point - Here is the video you were mentioning. [www.youtube.com]

I don't know enough about Faith Hill to render a decision for the most part. I have heard him preach 'submission and authority' docrtine though. He quotes from Timothy 1 just as Mike does in this regard. I don't know exactly why the two elders were fired but they were well liked and the "grumbling and questioning" began. I think Mark's sermon was a defensive move on his part. I do not know if he subscribes to the Apostolic Ministry dogma but the missuse of authority just kind of draws a red flag. Or maybe just a mistake on his part. Like you said; it may be a good idea to poke around a bit. It is a very large church - I am always suspicious of a very large church. Does he answer his own phone? Does he answer to the elders or do they answer to him? A lot of questions should be asked imo.
It may just turn out to be a very good church.

I am interested in the context of what that was said in... cause as we know from our friends at TPC, they have taught me that context is everything.
Although that is disturbing.

Thank you for the warning.

Quite right you are, Forgiveness. A very good point. I often apply that rule to sermons when Mike will quote one line or short passage from scripture and then apply it out of context to himself, his church or his followers. I will go to scripture and challenge his interpretation by reading much of what preceeded it until I understand the intent of the scripture. I often go online for biblical interpretations from those with doctorates to see if there is a discrepency in what is stated by Mike. 9 out 10 times Mike has misused scripture to shore up his own agenda or situation. Hell, I have done the same thing in some videos to get my point accross. The diference is that I will openly admit I am doing this and state what my agenda is (If I can prevent the harming of just one perosn by convincing them not to attend TP then I will use the same tools of deception that his church does) Fire fights fire. But mostly I will state what is factual as we all know it and the only deception I have is in representing an honest opinion of who I think Mike and Cyndi are. If I condense something to make that point then I may do that for brevity, not to be dishonest.
My "cult" videos are examples of this. Just about everything is taken out of context. It doesn't tell the whole story. But it does represent my feelings towards the church and how I view it. I think I'm right too!



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/01/2009 04:29PM by Mville04.

NEWS FLASH

Radiant Life Church has been sold!

Details will be forthcomeing. Anyway. Mike; maybe you should stock up the mini fridge for an unexpected Guest!



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/01/2009 04:36PM by Mville04.

Quote
Mville04
NEWS FLASH

Radiant Life Church has been sold!

Details will be forthcomeing. Anyway. Mike; maybe you should stock up the mini fridge for an unexpected Guest!

And.................no twitter update on their website to announce it? LOL.

I have heard not so good things about this Mars Hill Church.

Quote
Forgiveness_101
I thought this might be relevant to this forum and helpful to some that are just getting out of TPC.

[www.marshillchurch.org]

[www.marshillchurch.org]


..............................

I think this might be helpful as it was healing for me to have this happen. I went to Mars Hill last Sunday, the sermon was on false teachers and characteristics (mike fulfills many of them).

I talked to the youth pastor who is 26 and has his MDIV, a degree Mike would not know much about because of SOMA. I started telling him about my experience at TPC, which i actually think is funny, but was even more entertaining was how much he was laughing at Pastor Mike calling himself an Apostle, and his wife being a Prophetess. I was talking about how they label you with a "critical spirit" (which i understand that there are people who are insanely critical, and it is impossible to please all, but there is no spirit possessing you making you that way, it is a character flaw, that has its ups and downs, and i may be that way, although i don't think so) and how when i started asking questions i was labeled with this, and he started laughing again! He thought these notions of Apostles and Prophets and Critical spirits were laughable.

Anyway this guy had a fun time laughing while i did most of the talking. He was a fun guy and i liked him a lot!

So, I'm wondering about all of this twitter business. It has been touted as a great communication tool, and it seems that leadership thinks that it's going to fix the problems at TP. Interestingly enough, I saw a twitter update that said that Awana's would continue to meet during the month of July, and take a break in August (there has been curiosity, since Awana's meets during Fan the Flame, which is being canceled for the summer months...for the first time in TP history, btw). I was just visiting the TP site, and found out that Awana's is not meeting in July either. So I'm wondering, has twitter improved communication at TP?



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/02/2009 01:06PM by Brokenhearted.