The Living Word has a church in San Diego called the Church of His Kingdom. It is led by Bruce Larsen and Gilee Larson. There are reports of spiritual, emotional and mental abuse being conducted on the church members by Gilee Larson. She has been designated as the representative of Marilyn Hargrave in this church and she is swinging a big stick. Families have been torn apart. Marriages have b
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Isn't the Cambridge Who's Who the book where you pay to be in it? Sort of like going down to a trophy shop and buying yourself your own trophy. The zenith of "blowing your own horn" I'd say. Also, I keep hearing about how the number of congregants keeps dwindling in the LW churches. Who's going to be left to pay into the Apostolic support fund?
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Emily - I remember you and your family. You've gone thru some heavy stuff, being born into the LW fellowship and going to the school there in LA. Don't discount the re-calibrating of your life you've had to do. The good news is that you left when you were relatively young. Some of the kids that stayed longer have deeper, adult-developmental problems. Hopefully you have been s
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Strand, go to FactNet.org, go to the forums and then down into "Religions...". Then do a search on "Hargrave". All sorts of stuff comes up. You should be able to find all the old threads. Read it and learn. And take it all with a grain of salt. Peace !
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Strand, I've heard this as well, and from very reliable sources. As far as the LW being a cult, who knows? But a group that behaves like a cult, is probably a cult. The patterns of thought control are there, if you look objectively at it. Have you found the old posts on FactNet as well?
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

I've been re-reading the book "Twisted Scriptures" by Mary Alice Chrnalogar. It is very eye- opening. I highly recommend it to all past and current Living Word members. It discusses in great detail the abuses that occur in Shepherding type churches. Can you say "designated relationship"? The shoe clearly fits here.
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Thanks rrmoderator. We appreciate that. Hopefully no one really sniffed much at the bait that Heb 11:35 was dangling out there. It smelled pretty fishy. : )
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

CabinJohn - you might find this thread interesting
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Another great book is "Twisted Scriptures" by Mary Alice Chrnalogar. It's pretty interesting to see how the techniques of persuasion work for a so-called shepherd to "lord it over" on a sheep. I'm pretty sure the leaders of the Living Word cult: Gary Hargrave and Marilyn Hargrave don't see it that way, but the technique is clearly there and being used daily i
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Larry, your third paragraph got me to thinking. Gary has recently admitted over the pulpit "Some mistakes have been made in the past. We are not perfect.". But that's about the extent of it. You don't get any details about what he is referring to and there is no indication of repentence of corrections to the sources of the mistakes.....unless blame was placed on a perso
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

The feeling of "not measuring up" in the LW is strong, even today with the current word. It took me a bit of time to shake all of that off. With prayer and seeking Him, the Lord convinced me that He loved me even with my flaws and it was OK. All OK. Do you remember the phrase "You're killing John" ? This was said to people who were not toe-ing the line correctly,
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Excellent Larry. A lot to think about there. I especially loved your 2nd sentence. Please Mr. Moderator - this discussion is helpful for us members and ex-memebers in understanding what is going on with the LW doctrine and how it has a hold over people.
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Dear rrmoderator: I find the discussions about the doctrine and beliefs of the Living Word Fellowship quite informative. They help answer the questions many ex-members ask themselves, like "Why the heck did I get involved with this group? What did we really believe and why did I fall for it?" It might seem like nit-picking about theology, but for many of us - it is helpful the
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

John - There is much to be said. If you haven't seen it, I'd recommend reading the older archive posts in FactNet. Try these: There is all sorts of stuff posted here. Some of it probably not true. You will have to filter it with your BS sniffer. One thing for certain for most of us.... Leaving this harmful cult is a very disturbing experience. Many of us can atte
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Lets talk about LW worship. The whole expression of "singing in the spirit" that the LWF seems to think they invented. I've asked other churches about this and why they didn't do it. I got the answer like this: "we got into it a bit, but stopped. It seemed like it was something that should be done in private and not in public". Another said "we experimen
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families