I thought some readers of this forum might be interested in the article below which highlights some problems with the book called "Jesus Calling". I have not read the book, but thought there were some general points here that are quite applicable in other contexts. For example, the first concern raised about the book is that, QuoteShe speaks for God. Far and away the most troub
Forum: Destructive Churches

I have been having some discussions about “the guidance of the spirit” recently and thought some of you might be interested in one of the ideas in particular. The SMC view is very much that it is possible to be in such a relationship with God that He guides you at every moment. That is very clear from the preaching that is quoted on the latigo site. They see this as the way the early churc
Forum: Destructive Churches

Some brilliant points made in the recent posts that really hit the nail on the head. I think the point about training and professional counselling is particularly relevant. Seems to me that the SMC leaders divide everything into two categories - things that have immediate observable outcomes and things that do not have outcomes that are easily observed. Things in the first category include
Forum: Destructive Churches

Rob alba, I am not surprised the Jennifer Jack did not respond to your email. She has treated others the same way. I know of one person that wrote about once every five years over a period of over 30 years but has never had a response. Why would anyone act is such a horrible, hurtful way? It seems to me that is a purely selfish, cowardly way to behave, with no thought at all for the ot
Forum: Destructive Churches

Thought readers of this forum might be interested in a post in another thread on this site, where Secret Victoria mentions an interview about the Exclusive Brethren, which was the church Hugh Black was brought up in. I think there are some interesting parallels here and look forward to reading the book that is mentioned in the article referenced below. Thought the idea of "Collective PTS
Forum: Destructive Churches

Hi Servant Victoria, That is a lovely thought and I hope people do find comfort in and discussions to this thread. There are many that post in the "destructive churches" forum that have had the kind of experience you mention. I certainly know what it is like to feel alone due to the rejection of a church - unable to believe they are right because of the things they do, yet unable
Forum: Destructive Churches

Hi Henri, and welcome to the forum. You make some valid points, but not really sure what the alternatives are. In terms of the anonymous postings, yes, I am sure that you are right that both former and current members will speculate about who is posting. Not sure that the anonymous posters can be blamed for creating division in the church however. For a start, why would anyone in Stru
Forum: Destructive Churches

Rob alba Welcome to the forum! Can't help but agree with your analysis. If they had a leak in the bathroom, they would not pray until it want away, they would get a plumber. Same if their car breaks down. But if they are talking about anything that cannot be evidenced - people falling out with each other, talking rubbish about retail therapy, being 'anointed' etc, they w
Forum: Destructive Churches

I thought that readers of this forum might be interested in a TED talk I have just been listening to. It is called "I grew up in Westbro Baptist Church. Here's why I left". I won't try to summarise the content here, as the speaker Megan Phelps-Roper does it much better than I would, but I will say it os only 15 minutes, so well worth a look. I think this Forum has done no
Forum: Destructive Churches

It is s long time since I - or anyone else for that matter - posted to this forum, but I came across something recently that might interest some readers of this thread. One of the questions I have been asked a number of times is "how can people still in SMC not see what is happening?" Well, I am not sure I have all the answers to that question, but I have recently come across an int
Forum: Destructive Churches

Cheerylizard, I am afraid you have misinterpreted my statement. Sorry, I realise I am used to quite a legalistic interpretation of words, so my phraseology can at times need careful reading. I am not trying to be clever with words, but I do generally mean exactly what I say and not something that may be very close to what I say, but is in fact different. I did not say you recognised my
Forum: Destructive Churches

I don’t know if any of you saw the programme called “Trapped in a cult”, which was shown a way back on Friday 21st August. Long time ago, I know, but I had recorded it but not really had a change to look at it until this weekend. I though the programme included some quite important comments about what is meant by a cult and how it affects people. I was particularly interested in the final s
Forum: Destructive Churches

CheeryLizard, once again you put words in my mouth. I never said I wanted to know who was in the commune. A very political sort of answer, changing what I have asked and commenting on what you imagine I have said rather than what I actually said. Good to see you recognise "the commune" however (even if you would not use that word), and link it with the "Fidra operations"
Forum: Destructive Churches

Well, indeed. How much is earned by Mrs Spears and all those that live in the commune, how much rent do they pay, where does the money go etc. That is not openness and transparency. There are many other questions about the accounts as well, many of which have been covered elsewhere - for example, what happened to the money that was in "designated funds" and was "reallocated"
Forum: Destructive Churches

Hi CheeryLizard, Yes, I agree that the annual accounts are published. It is good to hear that they are also made available in the branches as well as through Companies House. I persoanlly see some of the detail as obscuring rather than revealing information however. Others seem to agree with this, as a number of people only realised that the church was subsidising the school once it wa
Forum: Destructive Churches

Hi Chester, Good point. It is quite amazing that people continue to give money to an organisation that they have no influence over. Just one thing I would add. Where you say: If you think this is acceptable biblical Christianity, that the damage people speak of is irrelevant, that your life and ministry gifts are valued, and that you give expecting no information about the organisa
Forum: Destructive Churches

Oops, sorry - readers may have realised that, "Why would they surprise it if it showed then in a good (our even reasonable) light?" should read: "Why would they suppress it if it showed then in a good (our even reasonable) light?"
Forum: Destructive Churches

Well, isn't this interesting. We seem to have two different opinions about the letter - one party says that there are detailed recommendations - ones that apparently do not reflect well on the SMC leadership - and another party seems to say it was just minor issues. But here is a strange thing - the people that are saying "it is all minor" refuse to make the information availa
Forum: Destructive Churches

Cheery lizard, I have just noted your recent post addressed to Chester. I have to say some of it seems a bit strange to me. First, you "sense Chester's frustration". Really - do you have some sort of super power? How do you manage to sense the feelings of others in this way? It reminds me of Struther's comments about people having 'seeds of bitterness' etc.
Forum: Destructive Churches

Hi Cheerylizard and welcome to the forum. I am glad that you have had time to read through all 140 pages of posts – that must have taken a while! It is good to hear your comments, and it will be interesting to see any further info you post in future. I do not really see the current position as one of failure however, for a number of reasons. First, as Chrester55 points out, the leaders
Forum: Destructive Churches

Sorry to be hogging the show and putting up two posts in a row, but I am really enjoying the book I mentioned above, and I think there are some key messages for OSCR and others looking into Struthers as well, for example: QuoteFrom our perspective, a group or relationship earns the label "cult" on the basis of its methods and behaviors- not on the basis of its beliefs. Often those of
Forum: Destructive Churches

Welcome WestofEast, good to have your contribution. I am glad your experience in Cedars was so positive. I think it is really important to be objective, as I think that the worst organisation can have positive aspects, and the best can have aspects that are quite worrying. I personally do not believe SMC leaders are evil and wrong in all they do, but neither do I believe they are super-holy
Forum: Destructive Churches

Cbarb - too late. I think I was the one that caused the world shortage of mince pies. Anyway, being the sort of boring person that doesn’t have a life, (and trying not to eat too much until the effect of the mince pies wears off) I thought I would have a look at the Charities act. (Interesting stuff if you like that sort of thing). The first thing I noticed was that the key test of a Ch
Forum: Destructive Churches

Hi Cornelius D, Yes, I noticed that too. A quick browse of the web revealed another side to it as well, which is that, QuoteThe two reviews which have been suspended are because the schools involved are facing other problems. Fernhill School encountered financial difficulties so OSCR suspended its review while the school restructures its governance and finance. Struthers Memorial Church,
Forum: Destructive Churches

Hi CovLass, good to see you actively contributing again! I love your story of Christian reconciliation – I have seen very similar things and it is indeed both effective and inspiring. The forum has indeed been a bit quiet recently, but I think that is because we are all waiting to see what the OSCR report will say. I suspect there will be a flurry of activity when it eventually gets publishe
Forum: Destructive Churches

Truthseeker, you are absolutely right to draw attention to the length of time that OSCR is taking to complete their report. I hope that cbarb is right that this means they are doing a thorough job, but it worries me, as I think it just gives the leaders time to make up more and more excuses. I know the stuff officials were dealing with in Rotherham was very different, and I am not wanting to
Forum: Destructive Churches

Well, well, some of you may have noticed that SMC has revamped its website, and made many changes, including a new booklet “Welcome to Struthers Memorial Church – information about our church branches and what we believe”. The booklet is for some reason hidden away in the “What’s on” section, but it is at least there. Seems to me there are some other changes as well – things like the section
Forum: Destructive Churches

Anticult, I noticed this too, and posted a message for the moderator who relied to say it is all getting sorted (see the destructive churches thread, 'Apology and explanation about loss of data base files 2011-2013') I am really not sure what is happening re the google search however, as changing the "robot" to allow google searching should be a 10 minute job.
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Hi all, I seem to be hogging the stage a bit at the moment, but I do have a good reason, at least this time round! I have just read a really interesting book, and I thought that you might all like to hear a bit about it. And I do actually mean ALL. I think the book might be of interest to the main contributors to the forum - those who have experienced SMC and left - but I also think it could
Forum: Destructive Churches

Hi All, I had reason to have a look at the evangelical alliance website and was interested to read some of what was said there. Nothing too unexpected in the statement of faith (11 points) but I was interested in the "Evangelical Relationships Commitment" that has 3 affirmations and 5 actions. The affirmations are:QuoteWe welcome as Christian brothers and sisters all who experi
Forum: Destructive Churches