Gary has always been about division, rejection and intimidation. For him to continue bringing messages on oneness is beyond hypocritical. Every day I am thankful that I am no longer subjected to that "ministry."
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

paleface Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > That is an interesting phone call you got. > Unfortunately, orders for couples to divorce > happens often. I've heard from Walk leaders that > the theory behind this is this: If a couple are > looking like they might leave the fellowship > together, it is best to split them up if there is &
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

The alcoholism I'm referencing was celebrated. If anything, there was an undue tolerance among those receiving bizarre ministry from the inebriated...people fearful of being labeled self-righteous or religious. I liken the situation to a question of professional competence...yes, some are fine doing difficult tasks while intoxicated, others greatly impaired. I would prefer people's li
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

paleface Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > I've noticed lately that the Living Word > Fellowship has gone silent and in-ward. Active > members have stopped talking to non-members as > much. There must be a general gag order in place. I wouldn't be surprised. Also, the ouster of someone as well-liked and respected as John Miller proba
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

A friend and former long-time member of TLWF weighs in via email: "So you slaughter people for 20 years and then you start preaching oneness and how bad division is. It's like slaughtering the Indians and keeping people under slavery for 300 years and then saying, "Okay now let bygones be bygones. It's all good now -- nobody can bring up the past."
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

lily rose Wrote: > I know, but many of us gave a blind trust to John > Steven's teachings. One aspect of John's teaching that eventually led to widespread abuse of congregants was his insistence that even if a leader is wrong, God would honor the flock for their obedience. That, in effect, led to reckless behavior by 'ministries'--damaging many who had placed thei
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

On a positive note, my experience in TLWF did give me an understanding of how sociopaths function, and the importance of distancing myself from them at all costs. A very expensive and exceedingly time-consuming lesson...but I eventually did learn it.
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

paleface Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > "laughable". Maybe not so laughable when you > discover just how emotionally damaging it is. > Sad. : ) Yes, I agree. In my case, the ramifications of 21 years of constant exposure to a highly toxic/controlling culture. I suspect some of those posting on this forum have had even more years of
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

lily rose <I often wondered how I ended up in an aberrant authoritative movement? This site is helping me sort it out.> That's good to know, Lily Rose. Welcome! the social dynamics: "While the fellowship is filled with many quality professionals, they are all treated like two-year olds who must have their will crossed and who are incapable of making even the most minor d
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

paleface Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > There are many compromised > spines in the LW fellowship. Gary would never have allowed it--but a functioning, independent system of check and balances in the fellowship would have spared people of so much unnecessary suffering and missteps through the years. Meanwhile, Gary emphasizes "oneness" in hi
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

jhorning Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Mind control? Can I be given some evidence of > this? The churches I was involved with, following the death of John and the assumption of his "mantle" by Gary and Marilyn, placed the highest priority on having the thinking of Marilyn, and recognizing "Christ in the flesh." In other words
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

paleface Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Well, tomorrow is Mother's Day. In the Living > Word churches, this is the day that some of the > worst sheep-beaters get honored. A good way to honor it would be to berate a few unsubmissive ministries before the congregation.
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

No, Paleface--I suspect it is quite common for anyone that was immersed in TLWF. It's definitely been the case with me. The mind control tactics used to subject us over the years have been sophisticated and insidious...leaving a conditioning not easy to shake. paleface Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > I’ve been wondering if anyone else has
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

I've spent close to 30 years trying to prevent my old nature from horning into my most meaningful relationships, to little effect.
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

paleface Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Or... > > You never bring friends to church with you because > you are embarrassed by how weird the church is. Ha--I had a friend who brought a shy, Christian co-worker to a church service during the height of the 'violent' intercession phase. He placed him at the front of congregation...the
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

jhorning Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > larry bobo wrote: "It reminded me of Francis > Frangipane going to John and then Apco about > John’s inappropriate relationship with Marilyn > while still married to Martha, and then finding > himself removed from the fellowship for > questioning “God”. > > My reply: WHAT? This is the
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

larry bobo Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- Jesus did not teach > that our parents were to take the place of God, > but that we were to honor them. He actually said > to call no man father – you have one father and > he is in heaven. John S. talked with my kids > about being their father since I was unqualified. > I really had no idea
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Invisible Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- Dan and > I spoke together many years later, he was torn, > he was a broken man , he was grieving, he was all > alone in life, he was in the midst of great sorrow > and devastation - having had the ministry separate > him and his wife - and he was divorced. He was > filled with tears when he told
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Nicely put, Invisible. I was close to Dan, up to the point he was ostracized in the fellowship. Even after submitting to some of the crazy things he put me through, I saw his heart, and knew that he cared about me. I wish there had been a functional check and balance on the decisions emanating from G & M, that but was not to be. It simply would not be tolerated, which I suspect...in spite o
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

paleface Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > So let me get this right. Your spouse was given a > "word" to divorce you? That's a lose-lose > situation. If you follow the word, it leads to > sin and personal torment and heartbreak. If you > rebel against the word, you risk being shunned and > isolated from your other family me
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Came across this insightful response today: "If the leaders really are framing Marilyn's illness as a case of transference / witchcraft from people who have left, they are just encouraging another round of false intercession against their enemies. When the sheep get the message they will attach faces and names according to their concepts and they will begin praying against those p
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

I was close to Bob the last few years of his life--when we were both members of the South Gate church. I knew the tax burden ($140,000 or so, if I recall) he was under, and the alienation he felt from G & M. I did what I could to not add to the mental/emotional toll it took on him. I was placed for a time over the worship schedule in SG, and always allowed time for him, on weekends, to drive
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

My allergies are acting up this morning, and I blame everyone in this forum. You will be held accountable--if not in this life, the next.
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

changedagain Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > <I'm hearing that the LW members are being told > that Marilyn is under a vicious attack of hatred > from ex-members and this is why she is ill.> Here's another response, via email, to the idea that Marilyn's illness was caused by hating ex-members. It comes from a former, long-time
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

<I'm hearing that the LW members are being told that Marilyn is under a vicious attack of hatred from ex-members and this is why she is ill.> No surprise--the perpetrators often position themselves as victims. I think if she and Gary had just been a bit more kind and respectful in their treatment of people through the years, many who sacrificed the greater the better part of thei
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

I plan to read this list out loud today...to whomever is willing to listen. I do not plan to provide any explanation of what this list is about.
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Put the petty, vindictive nature aside for a moment Gary--and do the right thing. Give Miller his pension. He earned it. It's rightfully his.
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

FCSLC Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > This Pope has been there and knows ------- almost > too good to be true. That's why it is baffling that Gary has chosen this Pope to be connected to. They seem to have opposite attitudes.
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

paleface Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > I’ve had recent conversations with people still > inside the Living Word Fellowship and it strikes > me just how much they are under a “spell”. A > spell that seems to cause them to turn off their > internal voice of reason. Their internal voice of > conscience and to some degree, their sense of
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

The leaders, with their warped perception of God, have hijacked people's minds and hearts...so, unfortunately, any form of heinous behavior can be considered acceptable. The "spell" is very powerful. I experienced and witnessed the coercive tendencies of leadership. A personal example that comes to mind was an incident back in '84, when Gary was commissioning the new Redlan
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families