corboy Wrote:
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> This discussion fellowship began February 22,
> 2004.
>
> As of this morning (1/6/2014 6:33AM PST) this
> thread is at reached 554 pages.
>
> Some reflections on Rick Ross's list of
> characteristics of a potentially unsafe group or
> leader
>
>
The group/leader is always right.>
> This makes it hard for persons harmed by the
> leader to obtain a hearing. Result is that the
> fellowship gets only the leader's side of the
> story.
>
>
Quote
There is no legitimate reason to leave,
> former followers are always wrong in leaving,
> negative or even evil.
>
> Who leaves? People who feel harmed, exploited -
> and who can point to sources of evidence. But they
> are regarded by the leader as evil, members are
> forbidden
> to talk to them, so again, only the leader's side
> of the story gets a hearing.
>
>
Former members often relate the same stories of
> abuse and reflect a similar pattern of
> grievances>
> Here and there someone may experience only love,
> joy and healing from a leader or group. But what
> if very many others are experiencing pain,
> loneliness and harm? If one person has only good
> experiences, does this cancel out the collective
> experiences of those who have felt pain?
>
>
Quote
Re: The Living Word Fellowship, The Walk,
> John Robert Stevens
> Posted by: Reepicheep
> Date: December 22, 2017 10:04PM
>
> By Rick Ross, Expert Consultant and Intervention
> Specialist
>
> Ten warning signs of a potentially unsafe
> group/leader.
> •Absolute authoritarianism without meaningful
> accountability.
> •No tolerance for questions or critical inquiry.
> •No meaningful financial disclosure regarding
> budget, expenses such as an independently audited
> financial statement.
> •Unreasonable fear about the outside world, such
> as impending catastrophe, evil conspiracies and
> persecutions.
> •There is no legitimate reason to leave, former
> followers are always wrong in leaving, negative or
> even evil.
> •Former members often relate the same stories of
> abuse and reflect a similar pattern of grievances.
> •There are records, books, news articles, or
> television programs that document the abuses of
> the group/leader.
> •Followers feel they can never be "good enough".
> •The group/leader is always right.
> •The group/leader is the exclusive means of
> knowing "truth" or receiving validation, no other
> process of discovery is really acceptable or
> credible.
>
> Sounds familiar, right? These signs were evident
> under JRS, G&M, and are still apparent today.
> Thank you, changedagain, and so many others for
> posting your thoughts and experiences about TLWF
> over the years. You have helped many, including
> me.
This quote is worth re- reading over and over.
With that said, I believe many of us left because we questioned the leader. Most of us have not seen each other in years or even decades, yet our stories are consistent and fill the gaps for so many of us.
Why can't the TLW produce any reasonable financial records that show how our donations were used according to the mission statement for which the non-profit funds were donated?
Sure, we all "felt" something wonderful at sometimes- but feelings that we cherished and words we chose to believe not relevant when it comes to accurate booking and distribution of funds in a non-profit organization under the laws of the United States.
For those who hang on to the prophecies, which never came true btw, show us the financial accounting for our donations that were to go for a church camp and your 'round conference center. I don;t think they add up in a godly non-profit charitable way. Show how our donated work and money were accounted for under the laws of non-profit according to the IRS who surely has a "bad spirit" about not paying our taxes.