paleface Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > "I'm more afraid of the Adamic Bum than the atomic > bomb" -- JRS Don't forget about the Adamic bomb. That (to me) is the most scary thing of all!
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Apostle Dog Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Changedagain, so what all is happening now that we > have gotten in the Kingdom? What all is in the > book Shape of Things to Come. I am sure I read it > but i don't remember what was in it. The fact you don't remember what was in it is probably a good thing, AD!
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

BTW, the "vision" John had when he was allegedly transported seven years into the future (from 1972 to 1979) was described in a message contained in the book 'The Shape of Things to Come." My guess is that you will never be able to purchase that book.
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

That is so pathetic...the demeaning attitude toward the local churches, which in all likelihood, would be the environment most suitable to nurture new members. BTW, I wasn't aware that 80% of the tithes and offerings were sent to Apco...that's some heavy taxation--I mean, joyful giving. Anyway, got to go. There's a service in the valley!
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

I was part of the South Gate church for the last seven years of my time in TLWF. As you know, South Gate was the first church founded by John. About a year after I left, the church was sold. From what I recall during my tenure, most of the congregants were happy being rooted there. Also, the church had been paid off--so it wasn't under financial duress. Thus, it came as a surprise when I fo
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

"Their website says: In the 1990s, many congregants of the smaller churches and home meetings chose to relocate in order to attend the churches originally founded by John Robert Stevens. Since the mid-90s, the fellowship has focused on developing church communities that create an environment for the maturing of each believer in Christ.” So these decisions to relocate originated from the
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

John knew how to sell his ministry. His charisma really drew people that were looking for something to fill the void in their heart. I believe there was some authenticity to what he did, which made him even more effective in linking people to himself. But eventually the power plays to consolidate his control over the walk, aided by ruthless people like Marilyn and Gary, undid what good intenti
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Jan, Part of the answer, for me, is simply the overwhelming amount of exposure, and what is does to your brain. It's not easy to shake off: 21 years of involvement, which included: -attending approximately 4000 church services, meetings (elders meetings, young adult meetings, specially called meetings to find out why so and so is being disciplined/set out of the fellowship etc.) -approx
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Excellent post, Larry.
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

wonderfully written, slandjt--and welcome to the board. I can relate to your experience, as I'm many that read these posts can as well. I dropped out of college (1 year from graduation), I cut off all ties from my family for close to 20 years, I gave in a myriad of ways to the "Kingdom," my marriage was arranged etc. Part of the function of this forum, I think, is to allow those
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

I think in my church, even if we were on the front-line of every great thing God was doing, we wouldn't talk about it. We would just go about our business day by day. Eventually, a few of us would write books about the significance of our deeds, promote the books and... I'm getting ahead of myself--sorry. --Son of Gods Team 6
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

lily rose Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > If I had been head honcho (hey, it could happen) > on day one, I would have created a Walk without > leaders, changed the title of all pastors, elders, > etc. to Service Providers and changed the title of > the School of Prophets to the School for Service > Providers. More changes regarding "
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Apostle Dog Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > if I had been set up as the honcho of the Living > Word Fellowship in John Steven's place, I would > have run it in the ground within a year. So you're saying that I could have gotten out of TLWF 12 years earlier? To think what could have been....
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

paleface Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Let's not forget that Gary Hargrave was never a > "little person". He came into the San Diego church > while in college and was very quickly included > into the eldership. After 6 months, he was an > assistant pastor. How in the world did he become an assistant pastor of a good-sized
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

If I'm asked to do something that personally benefits them, it always comes through an intermediary. Someone over me in the authority structure. So I can't, for certain, say that it originated as an order from them. The intermediary, of course, provides plausible deniability.
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

AD--What they have, and how much of it came off the backs of the little people, I don't know. I try, as best as I can, to only relate my experience...and if it mirrors others, than there's obviously a pattern. Judging from what I've read for years in these threads, it certainly appears they've leveraged their church position into substantial material gain. Many people's
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

I can relate, FCSLC. And I think you're right that the wiser choice between what TLWF became and the Mormon church could very well have been the latter. I can't imagine it being less relatable/accountable to its congregants than the authority structure in TLWF. FCSLC Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > changedagain: I do not know the amount
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

It's hard to say how any one of us would react if we had the leverage over G & M's life that they had over ours. I would hope my approach would simply be to treat them as no better/no worse than the average person in the fellowship (which presumably, would not be like sh*t). I think simply not being elevated in status before the rest of the fellowship would be enough of a burden f
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

changedagain Wrote: > helping maintain these churches> clarification: two churches I was a congregant in, and then aiding other crews, during my 'free time' (if such a thing existed) at the Church of the Living Word, Centers of Learning, Shiloh etc. Also, the North Hollywood Hargrave home, the home next to it (not Blix side), and perhaps as punishment after I became a bit too mo
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

It must be nice to have it both ways: label the local churches independent entities, but then control them by placing those who, without question, will do your bidding. Any idea what the property/church sold for? BTW, this is a subject matter that I have every right to comment on. I spent countless hours, as part of a small crew, helping maintain these churches until the decision came from on
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

larry bobo Wrote: "I would have far more respect if they would just say their goal is to get people connected and obedient to Marilyn instead of lying and pretending to be something they are not." Yes
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Well, I've read every last post on this forum, and perhaps it is counter-intuitive, but I've decided to rejoin TLWF, trusting that Mom & Dad do indeed speak a word from God ...and know what is best for my life. I'm aware that once involved again, I will need to go through a short (hopefully no more than five years) labor-intensive disciplinary program in social isolation...but
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

They've managed to convince people their angere is actually rooted in God's anger...that's why their outbursts have been so harmful/psychological debilitating. BTW, if you're into this violence to make things right...you should have volunteered for military service when you were of right age. There was plenty of action to be had in Vietnam, and going forward to the present t
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Perfect, Saw Enough. Gary promoting oneness among 'all the churches of the earth' is the most delusional notion of all. I think George Constanza's parents would do a better job. Saw enough Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > One thing has not changed through the years -- the > belief that the LWF is always on "the front > lines.
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

The very first ministry I received from John was a marriage check-out. He commended my wife for her submission to church authorities, while telling me I would go in and out of having a submissive spirit (he referred to it as a free-lance nature)...with more dealing necessary to bring me in line. From my perspective, when I was 'out of it' it was likely the result of actually using my
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

In messages he brought, John often linked a person's ability to receive revelation with their openness to be submissive to authority. Think about how difficult it was for a seeker to have an honest revelation...if in the back of their mind, they believe the blockage to revelation might be their lack of submission--as suggested by John in his word. Frankly, I suspect many of my 'revelat
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

One of the things I have to unlearn since leaving TLWF, is not to berate myself if I think critically (walk term: critical spirit) toward those that I think have used/exploited the vulnerable. Most of my negativity toward the actions of TLWF leadership center around that point...and you're right, AD, there's something significantly amiss in a movement that showers affection, property,
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

lily rose Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > I really don't know that much about M as I left > the Walk before JRS died and G&M took over. A > friend of mine said she was kicked out of the Blix > house by M for not purchasing the required canned > food and not placing it on her designated shelf. > There was a standing joke that M wa
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

paleface Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > While were talking about sexism, I'd like to > mention the "kill the male spirit" policy that > Marilyn started up in the mid 90's. This is > where the wife would be set in as the head of the > family and the husband had to submit to her as > "christ in the flesh". Th
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Exactly
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families