Hi Everyone, I guess the first part of my post got lost in cyberspace! So, I'll reiterate it here (as a complete thought). <<Learning to critically read and think and give oneself lots of time to recover is more important than anything else, I believe. >> Mavin, I think you hit on a key point. When someone leaves a group they need to learn to think crit
Forum: Recovery from Destructive Cults and Groups

Hi Everyone, I have yet to come across former leaders outside of work, but I think it's humorous and sad how they don't really have a backbone. Lord Bless, Eric
Forum: Recovery from Destructive Cults and Groups

Hi Everyone, Sorry for the interuption, my daughter thought it would be neat to double-click on my mouse. Hence the entry above. As I was saying, I think we need to evaluate our own selves. The reason we stayed, if it was for any length of time, is that we became proud that we found the true church, etc. Granted, there are situations where someone is forced to stay in a group, but I thin
Forum: Recovery from Destructive Cults and Groups

Hi Everyone, Since I left about 6 weeks ago, I can share a little about what helped the most. The most important therapy or way of recovery was talking to ex-members who had left before me. In that way I was able to work out in a short period of time what they had already learned. The internet is a powerful tool and the rick ross website/bulletin board was instrumental in conveying the answ
Forum: Recovery from Destructive Cults and Groups

Hi David, <<Does anyone know anything about my former roomates? Greg Brislawn, Mike Smith, Mike Almonzor, Walter Popoff, Steve Taylor, Mike Miller?>> Since I recently left, I can help you with some names. Greg Tobin would probably remember about the others. Greg Brislawn is in leadership in the West L.A. assembly. I don't know what his echelon (or rank)
Forum: Recovery from Destructive Cults and Groups

Hi Greg, David, Joe, Mark, Brent, … Before I get into my subject matter, I’d like to mention something concerning all the views to this website. I know back in 1998 – 1999 a certain leader charged another leader in front of the leadership and certain door brothers (aka door keepers elsewhere) in the valley to “be diligent to check on the internet frequently”. I didn’t know what was meant by
Forum: Recovery from Destructive Cults and Groups

Hi Everybody, << When an outreach is a total bomb, as most are, and everyone has done a ton of leg work (not the leaders, just the "saints") then they say: "We had a great time! The gospel went out clearly." When an outreach results in some "contacts" they say this: "Pray for so and so and so. The Lord really spoke to them. Pray they would
Forum: Recovery from Destructive Cults and Groups

Hi Everybody, <<You know, the Assembly follows the "New Testament Pattern," correct? When I read the chapters in Acts that show this pattern in practice there is something that stands out to me even more clearly than setting up chairs in a semi-circle and having pre-prayer and head coverings. It's explosive growth! Part of the New Testament Pattern is growth! &
Forum: Recovery from Destructive Cults and Groups

Hi Everyone, I remember when I first came out to the meetings in the Valley in 1984, there were 40 people in fellowship. In 1985 we became an official assembly breaking bread on Sunday morning. After that, every few years we would see a mass exodus of people, ending with Mark when he left. During those times, the assembly would grow to ~60 people, only to be beaten down to 35-40 people. Af
Forum: Recovery from Destructive Cults and Groups

<<Eric remember me David Mauldin MTT 94? I am courious to know whats been happening in your life? I always felt you wold leave someday. How is your wife? Any kids? What happened in the Valley assembly these past 8 years? I remember it was pretty small? Is it still? Any one I know still around?>> David & Others, The greatest thing that has happened since b
Forum: Recovery from Destructive Cults and Groups

<<Although I no longer believe in a "personal God" It is my dream to see truth win out in this situation. To comment on Joe's topic of suicide, it is my belief that the suicides and attempted suicides in the assembly are numerous.>> Unfortunately this is a common theme I hear from those who have left the assemblies. Many are depressed and some refuse
Forum: Recovery from Destructive Cults and Groups

Hi Everybody, All right, I'm one of the Cloud of Lurkers. :) When I first visited the site, there were only five posts. Now there's a cazillion of posts. Before I go any further I have to warn all of you that as of Thursday, October 10th, I am a disembodied spirit wandering in the universe in the outer darkness. I am going to wander in a non-existent state and suffer for leaving
Forum: Recovery from Destructive Cults and Groups