Re: Meade Ministries
Date: March 13, 2010 11:36AM
There could be numerous things going on.
My last meetings, possibly 1998, the Meades sat in a back room and watched by camera that floats around the room from the ceiling. I heard they use it for watching people to see who is awake or sleeping, because sometimes people would be publicly rebuked for not paying attention. The Meades said that camera was for the protection of the members due to infiltration of media, newspaper, spies, etc....
So they may have been back in their room watching. They also take lots of luxurious trips and do amazing shopping sprees abroad or other cities.
Then the idea you felt about his health could be true as well. However, anytime Meade was tired or not feeling up to par, the congregation was blamed for it for not doing right.
Anyway, off the top of my head those are the reasons I can think of.
As far as who will take over, well Marlene of course. She holds all the power anyway, don't be completely fooled that it is just him. When she married Charles, I understand things changed drastically and she began the Charles Meade worship far more than it was previous. I entered the group when Marlene was already Sister Meade.
They have set up a system of leaders, alot of the faithful preachers all these years, Marlene's son in law Charlie Sparks, and also some of the kids that grew up in the church have taken the lead.
I have been away from Florida for 8 years, and out of the group for at least 14. I did go back once after being kicked out, when they had open invitation to the new building. I asked the Meades permission to come. I was really concerned that maybe I was deceived and had to find out for myself.
After a couple of these revival meetings, some of the members found out I was friends with another person that left the group and they kicked me out again.
That was my validation that I really was going to be ok, because I went in with a pure heart and open.
Some of the things I heard people say and do, and that damn camera, just made me feel like I was in a cult...lol
So when they kicked me out the second time, I was free.
They kicked me out the first time supposedly because people saw me working with my carpet layer husband wearing his jeans instead of a skirt. And earrings maybe too I had on. Well after about falling 3 flights of stairs with a heavy roll of carpet due to a skirt, I wore jeans on hard jobs like that.
Judgement and arrogance is not the way to heaven, or whatever the afterlife holds. It only keeps people clogged up inside. It took me years to get over being so damn judgemental and arrogant. I learned that from the group.
But like I said somewhere before, I do not hate the Meades. I have an odd love for them, and take what truth they did give me.
The one thing I feel strongly after being in a group like that, and my journey beyond MM, is that religion sucks! Not people that love their Gods, or Christians, or Pagans, but religion always seems to have a heirachy.It aint just MM.