I'm not real sure if it will do anyone any good for me to continue to answer questions - because this thread is somewhat similar to "The Crucible" . . . every answer seems to add to the list of accusations, and thus proving the premise by very nature of the fact that I tried to give an honest answer. I actually thought I was being a little too harsh in my analysis of CP - beca
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Bibiananburke: I too was dismayed and surprised to see "Covenant Players Cult" pop up in a search engine, which I why I sought to share my first hand experiences and knowledge - to spotlight what the ministry is really all about. However, in trying to answer questions it seems that I just ended up looking like a bit of an apologist for CP, although I did think it was important
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

CP was a controlling organization - but then, the structure of the ministry was actually far too light on training and accountability and thus compensated for by a strong emphasis on commitment. How do you get a group of actors to stay focused on the task at hand and work together as a body? I wish I knew - I've been trying to do it my entire life. :-) We were an artistic bunch o
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

<< Wow. I started this thread about six years ago. Shocked to see it get picked back up. >> I just came across it the other week - I actually googled "Covenant Players" to see what kind of web presence they have these days, and this thread popped up. I'm surprised no one from within the ministry ever picked this thread up! Do we know each other by the way?
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

The information may not be on their website - but I do not believe they have anything to hide. There is a lot of truth in your analysis - however, you're framing makes it all sound a little more sinister than it actually is. You can directly contact the organization for further information. All I really have to share is my personal testimony - which, of course, is biased to some e
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Further details much be sought at the source. I don't want to give out any misinformation on numbers or uninformed opinions. Again, one thing I can say is that Chuck received money SOLELY from royalties and the sale of his play books. He owned a home in Agoura Hills, but he bought and paid for it when he was working as a Hollywood writer / director . . . he left that life when he
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

< You say there was "no elected board." Then you refer to CP as "the company." But before you said it was a "nonprofit tax-exempt organization." What is it? How is it incorporated and who controls it through its bylaws? > I am not an apologist for Covenant Players - and I do not have all the answers to these questions. I honestly don't know how they
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

There was no elected board at CP. Chuck had experience in two specific areas - the film industry, and the US Military . . . and he ran the company with these two influences, however he did not answer to anyone except our user groups. Chuck was really just a writer that also happened to have a theatre company / ministry. Quite frankly, a lot of time the unit leaders didn't really a
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Individual teams sent in a percentage of their income to the central office each week after expenses. To be honest, I can't recall the amount, but the funds went towards buying and maintaining vehicles, air travel for teams overseas, photocopies, phone calls, rent of office space, and support of the families that were serving in various offices as non-touring administration, etc. I serv
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Chuck Tanner founded the group in 1963 - basically starting out as a drama group in a Presbyterian church in Los Angeles. He was involved with films as a writer, producer and director - and decided to refocus his passion to serve God through drama. He started writing plays in response to specific requests by churches, and finding actors to perform them. Eventually he realized it was too diffic
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

I think that over the almost 50 year history of group there have been those that have committed suicide - I don't know of any particular incidences occurring while people were working with the ministry, but I've heard of at least one person that committed suicide after they left. One of the issues I had with the group was that there was no "vetting" or audition process.
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

I am willing to talk to anyone about Covenant Players, and honestly share my own experiences. I was the one that started the CP group on Yahoo - because I had some issues I had to work through about the years I spent in this ministry and I figured others may have this need as well. I worked with Covenant Players from '83 to '90 - and it was truly the best of the times and the wors
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"