Re: just escaped
Date: January 24, 2011 07:11AM
As noted by Sparky - The bullying is simply atributed to the old adage "the nut does'nt fall too far from the tree". The reality is that this just exemplifies the character of her parents richard and nancy. As she notes in her post "her parents dont care who leaves" is an understatement. Rather than have a heart of a "shepherd" and watching over the flock the Leaders are really insecure in and of themselves. People leaving thier church angers them, and you know that because right after "key people" in the church and or organization (other pastors that once pastored a NH church), the pastors, staff and associates from other New Harvest churches come in and "preach" about all the "devils" that have left and that "thier" departure is truly a work of God cleaning house. In fact the very men who preach themselves fear the HAND OF RICHARD - But they would never admit it. Another testament to the tendencies of not being entirely biblically sound is the "scripture that the daughter quotes" which IS NOT EVEN A SCRIPTURE. Something to the effect " if one leaves i shall send 10 more" - This only serves to prove that thier so called PHENOMINAL YOUTH GROUP has very shallow biblical foundations to the point where High School Students, College groups and even adults dont know the Word of God.
Additionally if anyone challenges them in the Spirit of meekness, inquirees are viewed as devils, in rebellion, not in submission, not right with God, Issues in the heart etc etc. The phrase that many of these churches use with regard to "not touching the Lords annointed" is out of context. The new testament where Jesus modeled servant based leadership does not endorse this Idea, in fact Jesus said (New American Standard Bible ©1995) "but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble, it would be better for him to have a heavy millstone hung around his neck, and to be drowned in the depth of the sea" - Jesus then points out the importance of pursueing 1 out of 99 that may stray - But you never hear this philosphy at NH because of the issue of pride controlling the leaders, they could never see themselves stepping down to be the greater servant.
Richard and Nancy really have the Spirit of Saul - a Public personna and then a Private persona. In public they shine like gold, but as noted by one of the other posts behind the doors they are completely and entirely different people. Its like Saul was Mr. Charisma in public but when off the record, he was going to do all that he could to destroy that David Guy. Another unbiblical thing they do is push people all the time for "Pledges for money" because of the so called need they have or the vision that God has given them to embark on some new ministry, The truth is that if GOD IS GUIDING, THEN GOD IS PROVIDING. If churches have to beg or challenge people to get involved in what God wants to do, then really God is not involved in it. Its simply a Fleshly ambition that someone has thought up and is expecting others to help out in it. I think one would rather want to support what is already flowing knowing that if its moving, its moving by God himself, additionally they also make it mandatory for all thier "baby" churches to Tithe back to the corporate church. When you read the New Testament you can clearly define that tithing is still in fact a necessity in the life of the believer and even Jesus endorsed it, however NO WHERE IN THE NEW TESTAMENT IS IT WRITTEN THAT CHURCHES MUST TITHE TO CHURCHES. Just another way working the MLM tactic.
As far as the daughters statement, "dont you think he would expose it if it was bad" - thats really a foolish and untrained mind speaking and again a testament to the lack of bible knowledge, Every bible student in the world knows that in the book of 1 Kings. II Kings, 1 Chronicles, II Chronicles, God allowed wicked kings to rule and reign, yet it was all part of HIS plan and he took care of HIS PEOPLE. God will always take care of his people whenever our human corrupt nature and pride tries to overshadow HIS work and desire in any given group, nation, church etc.
That's whey he's GOD and we're not :-) People like Ted Haggard, Jimmy Swaggart, Phil Aguilar, proved this point time and again - God will let corrupt people sit at the podium or sit on the throne while HE IS overshadowing HIS people, ultimatley its about GODS people not Pastors. Pastors are only under shepherds, men just like the men next door to you with a different calling in thier lives, they are not to be FEARED or BOWED down to, if we begin to SERVE MEN than we've missed it and thats what happen when Saul became King, the people wanted a MAN rather than OUR GOD.
Find a bible believing, bible preaching / teaching church, where the Pastor doesnt monopolize the organizaion, where there is true accountability for him = NOT YES MEN! Men that will look at the Senior Pastor in the eye and say "You were wrong in your action or word or deed" but I love you and I trust you will never do this or that or the other again, and I will serve right along your side. If a man cant recieve that than he is FILLED WITH UNHEALTHY PRIDE. If it comes down to it, you may have to come to the place where the instance of Paul and Barnabas takes place and you may have to part ways.
If you have departed any one of these type of churches, New Harvest, Praise Chapel, The Door - (These all have the same birthmark from the early to mid 70's) God is alive and well, he is moving in every other denomination or non denomination, the crazy idea that GOD is only moving in OUR CHURCH OR CIRLCE OR FELLOWSHIP is rediculous. Check out your local Assembly of GOD, Foursquare, Baptist, Calvary or whatever and start to LIVE A REAL LIFE that is without control, mind manipulation, etc.
May he bless and keep you!