I like the spidey senses concept there, good way of putting it. Some things just feel wrong, maybe hard to put finger on it exactly, but you just kind of know, maybe discernment? By the way, MH and MD and do more than just tickle my spidey senses, it's more like a tornado siren blaring just outside the window. You've got this paunchy, middle-aged, pseudo-gangsta, MMA-loving, so
Forum: Destructive Churches

QuoteMark ScheidererCarl- Can you provide links to the boards for ex- Driscoll and Sovereign Grace? Thanks. Does Sovereign Grace put out music? I've seen the words "Sovereign Grace" at the bottom of praise and worship choruses at one church I visited. Are they "Baptist Sovereign Grace" ( hyper-Calvanists)? Mark There are a fair number of forums on Sovereign Grace (SGI
Forum: Destructive Churches

The great majority of those I saw drawn into abusive cults (and I have, unfortunately, been part of two churches fitting this mold) fall into one of the following categories: 1). The Abusers - Overwhelmingly are people who suffered trauma as children, typically from a parent, usually a father who was physically violent, abusive, or a cold, uncaring hypocrite. The father figure would often put
Forum: Recovery from Destructive Cults and Groups

QuoteMark ScheidererCarlKolchak- MacArthur's dad, Jack, received an honorary award from (RACIST) Bob Jones University, and John M. attended there for 2 years in the 60's BEFORE Blacks were admitted. Do you know if John M. has ever renounced his affiliation with BJU? Is Mac's college/seminary cranking out "clones" like BJU ( which cranks out "Bob Jones Clones"
Forum: Destructive Churches

QuoteCarlKolchakA former pastor of mine who received his M.Div from Master's Seminary, whom I have mentioned elsewhere, had this to say on his blog about salvation: "Believe and Repent are the Two Sides to the Coin called "Conversion" These two commands are two sides of the coin called conversion. A person perceives and feels that what they have thought before is no long
Forum: Destructive Churches

A former pastor of mine who received his M.Div from Master's Seminary, whom I have mentioned elsewhere, had this to say on his blog about salvation: "Believe and Repent are the Two Sides to the Coin called "Conversion" These two commands are two sides of the coin called conversion. A person perceives and feels that what they have thought before is no longer the truth, bu
Forum: Destructive Churches

QuotesilentnomoreCouldn't help but notice this thread. I was in a shepherding church for almost 25years - therefore, first hand experience. Shepherding is just another term for (Psuedo) Christian CONTROL. It nutures an environment of dominance by a few at the top over the vulnerable many branching outward at the bottom; much like a pyramid. Therefore, Pyramid Scheme in regards to recruit
Forum: Abusive and Controlling Relationships

It depends on what you mean by "shepherding". If you mean: 1). A more experienced Christian helping a new believer to understand the truths of the Gospel, teaching them how to pray in a Biblical manner; 2). Being there for advice and prayer; 3). Being accountable one to another, in submission one to another; 4). In a co-equal relationship as co-priests of God (i.e., the more exp
Forum: Abusive and Controlling Relationships

New developments prompt me to update the story I told back in early 2010 on this thread (page 1) about the NFI church, Church in the Boro, in Statesboro, Georgia, USA. I posted some info about goings on at that church back in 2010, I was angry with the abuse of young people and twists of scripture I saw. Pastor Wilkerson, the pastor there, jumped on the forum after he found out what I'd
Forum: Destructive Churches

I have a policy of not posting my personal name on public fora (due to past bad experiences on the world wide web) as do most of us who post, including most, I beleieve, on this forum. My nom de plume "Carl Kolchak" is the famous TV character, the investigative reporter played by Darren McGavin in the Night Stalker series, the one who bumblingly fought against the powers of darkness.
Forum: Destructive Churches

I know of several friends in evangelical churches who were sucked into MLMs by fellow church members. In one case, a friend of mine in Northern California had a pastor got virtually his entire congregation (including my friend) in his MLM downstream and made big bucks off them until they rebelled and kicked him out. In a New Frontiers church I used to attend, the ambitious pastor was planning t
Forum: Multi Level Marketing and Commercial Schemes

QuotenativeflowerI was in an apostolic cult that was a "cell church" and they had shepards that led each cell of the church....the shepards were there for one purpose to get intimate information from you to tell the leader, so he can mention it "as a message from God" sheparding is really bad, it creates a situation where there are no secrets, and identity is fused with th
Forum: Abusive and Controlling Relationships

I was part of a church that recently affiliated with New Frontiers. Church in the Boro of Statesboro, GA, USA. The pastor, Rob Wilkerson, and his right hand man, Alan Ballard, always had authoritarian bents which we laughed off--but we're not laughing now. Following are my recollections and opinions. When the church came under NF's "apostolic authority" via Carl Herrin
Forum: Destructive Churches