Re: The Living Word Fellowship, The Walk, John Robert Stevens
Posted by:
changedagain
()
Date: October 17, 2019 02:24AM
A post by Saw enough from October of 2013:
Re: The Living Word Fellowship, The Walk, John Robert Stevens
Posted by: Saw enough ()
Date: October 24, 2013 04:02PM
I have heard many longtime members say, "Things are really different now."
I have not heard any of them say that Gary & Marilyn have brought messages from the pulpit apologizing for all the hell they inflicted on people as they were working through their anger issues and coming to grips with where they wanted to take the fellowship after John's death.
What seems to be different is that Gary got a theology degree from a seminary, and many of his messages today are more in line with what was once called traditional Christianity. Because John expounded the Scriptures well, many of the fundamental principles of Christianity are reflected in the messages Gary brings.
What has not changed is the hierarchical structure of the group and the destructive vindictiveness that can be turned against people at a moment's notice. The outbursts of the Larsons in San Diego are one example of this. Other women -- often pastors wives -- who called themselves "Marilyn's women" sought to imitate her ruthlessness and lack of "sympathy" by ripping into those who just didn't get with the program.
Shepherds are still rewarded with titles or influence based on the way they are perceived as being the most loyal -- or in some cases ruthless -- promoters of Gary & Marilyn's authority.
The other thing that has changed is the marketing of the church to appear less cultish, but marketing alone can't remove the stench of intrigue, coverup, lack of transparency and manipulative relationships.
There are still many young people in the group and perhaps there's been a decision to take away the decades old policy of severely scrutinizing every potential marriage relationship because they may have realized that one of the biggest drives most of the remaining young people have is to find a mate. Better to get them married in the church than wander out into "the world" and find someone who might look at this 60-year-old cult and go, "This is too weird." But if all their "friends" weren't in the church and it wasn't such a supportive and sheltered echo chamber, or if they had experienced much life apart from the group, many of them wouldn't feel compelled to stay.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/17/2019 02:24AM by changedagain.