I think calling those who run the Struthers church, pastors is laughable. I don't think I ever witnessed an ounce of true pastoral care and from what I hear from others, it seems this was the case long before I even knew Struthers existed. My friend was told to have nothing to do with me and I know the same was said to others. I was told by Diana Rutherford that she would not be happy about
Forum: Destructive Churches

QuoteThePetitorHow could that happen? God presumably told them exactly what food to order and how to prepare it. Yes clearly the catering staff have deep seated spiritual issues that only the ' chosen few' can see and need exorcising of their demons. Or perhaps the Food Standards Agency are also a tool of the devil as we and Latigo are and are clearly persecuting SMC because they a
Forum: Destructive Churches

Hi Religionless Firstly let me welcome you to the forum. Secondly let me say how sorry I am that you had to witness such an outburst at your friends wedding, something that should have been a happy occasion. Despite any mistakes or regrets from the past this should have been a new start for your friends, where they can put the past behind them and look forward to the future. God is a God of
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I think the obvious one regarding repetition being a form of control is the over emphasis of speaking (or shouting) in tounges. Often in services we were encouraged to 'push through in the Spirit' My recollection of prayer meetings were that about 80% of the time was spent actually speaking in tounges with about 20% of the time used to pray in English. Don't misunderstand me. I p
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Hi SMCEDARS I agree it is a concern as now out of it we can see the damage it does to people and especially how it messes up the heads of some young people. In terms of what can be done, it depends who we are talking about helping. As far as Im aware there are not any universal governing bodies for churches with the uk. Depending on ones denmoniation, there may well be an overseeing body.
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I didn't read Anthony's post as contradictory and can understand the difficulty he faces if I am correct in my assumptions. A number of cities run what is known as a "Churches Together" programme, where a several churches from different denominations, work together in outreach events at Easter, Christmas or at certain other times of the year. When I left the Struthers church
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Rensil I agree that gifts could include all of the things you said and more, although spending £47,598.00 on flowers and helping out a few kids who's parets can't afford to send them to camp is a bit much. It could also be used to explain the purchase of ipads for the Cedars school children or buying a new car for one of those listed as a trustee. (Something Im pretty sure is not al
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JohnMcK Firstly welcome to the forum. The thing I like about this forum is that it gives everyone an opportunity to express an opinion and nothing is hidden or secretive. Its good that you can share your experience, even if it was from some time ago. I didnt come to Struthers until 2007, so I never got to meet Mr Black and therefore can't comment on the kind of man he was. I am truly g
Forum: Destructive Churches

I AM LATIGO!!!
Forum: Destructive Churches

Clive I guess the question is, what enables anyone to draw a line under any sort of abusive behaviour? I will use the example here of an abusive domestic relationship, where the man is violent and verbally abusive towards his wife. Im no expert but Im sure there are many cases of domestic abuse where the abuser (male or female) will apologise after they have been abusive, only for the abuse t
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I hope to aybe offer my opinions on Clare's comments below QuoteclareAm i totally nieve i dont understand how what i thought were deeply annointed people can seemingly be responsible for so much damage? How is it possible to stand infront of people in Gods name and get things so wrong!! surely they must be genuine mistakes or they are in very grave danger if they have knowingly done damag
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Hi Clare Welcome to the forum and thanks for your comments. Its always good to have a new perspective on things. I too agree that Struthers is not for everyone. I have visited a number of churches, particularly when moving to a new area, that I would say were not for me. For example, some where a little too loud and 'shouty' in my opinion, others I found were attended largely by
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ConcernedMother I can understand your concern and the dilemma over wanting the best for your daughter. One question Id like to ask is, are your daughters friend and her family a part of the Struthers church? My first port of call (and you may wel have already done this) is to speak with this girls Mother about your concerns. Her response may differ depending on whether or not she is a membe
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I had a very brief encounter with an NFI church and it was enough to set alarm bells ringing. I was lookign for a local church to settle in so I contacted the NFI church office and they seemed very friendly. They put me in touch with a couple from the church and being female myself, the wife called me and arranged to meet me outside the church the following Sunday morning. Everything seemed
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I agree Clive One of the things that first struck me when I joined the church was how other members were totally comfortable with giving total deference to the leaders in every area of their life. Jobs, college, family life, marriage, where they lived, etc. One of the first things that struck me was when an educated woman in her 50s, was saying how she had asked permission from Diana to miss
Forum: Destructive Churches

Has anyone heard anything good or bad about Shirebrook Christian Centre in Mansfield England? I was speaking to someone who goes there and have heard some things that have made me a little uneasy. Having been part of a destructive church myself there is some stuff that has set alarm bells ringing. I was wondering if anyome could shed any light on this church. Also Id appreciate any advice
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In my daily bible reading today I came across a familiar passage of scripture taken from the Sermon on the Mount. I thought it was very relevant to Struthers Leaders as it relates firstly to their false prophecies, and secondly to the warnings they issues to their members, to be careful to avoid the 'wolves in sheeps clothing'. The verse Im referring to in particular is found in Mat
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Rensil You highlight another very important point that Pentecostal made, regarding the expectation that people in Struthers should do as they are told and that the writers of this forum are simply kicking back against SMC because they dont like being told what to do. The problem with unquestioning obedience is what happens when you are ordered to do the unquestionable? We have seen in some
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Pentecostal You say that leaders can be wrong but do you mean other leaders can be wrong or do you admit that Struthers leaders can be wrong? This is important as I recently listened to a message from a Struthers leader that says they are never wrong (at the very least in terms of ministry) You say "Perhaps you are you referring to individuals being trained in the gift of discernm
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Hi Pentecostal Firstly thanks for sharing your views. Id like to pick up on a number of points. You say you want to give your opinion in the interests of fairness and balance. As you know this forum is open for ANYONE to comment. So far this is the 18th page of comments and apart from yourself there have only been 2 other contributors who are Pro Struthers so to speak. As my memory serves
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Quoteseekingsusan I think some of the posters here - in their complaints about SMC are still thinking a little within the same old mindset of the SMC and maybe still need to break free from it. Firstly I wholeheartedly agree that one of the major problem in Struthers was the over emphass on the leaders. They were alwys right, could never be questioned, acceptance/rejection from them equat
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I have never heard of Young Life before seeing this thread and I also live in the UK so Im not sure how the law differs in the US, I will however say this. A number of years ago I was a youth pastor in my local church. One thing I did was give every minor a consent form to attend youth meetings. I made it clear that we were a church and I put my personal number on the form so that if they had
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I agree with Susan that the problem comes when we take our emphasis of the bible and place it on experience. The main problem is you then have someone telling you what your experience should be like, whether its valid, how the experience can never be challenged and many other parameters on a persons experience of 'God' I have been attended a number pentecostal churches during my Chr
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Jonestown: The Life and Death of Peoples Temple (2006) Is a documentary about Jim Jones and the Peoples Temple. There is a link to watch this full documentary online Also Waco, The Rules of Engagement, which is more of a dramatisation I think
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Hey Never heard of the church before now but visited the website and well .... yeah they are kinda big on giving aren't they. The website has no less the FOUR separate ways to give. There is a 'Give' link on the navigation bar. Then there's an ' Access your 2010 giving statement' link at the top right and a 'giving' icon on the bottom left. These bo
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Hi Susie As youve probably read, my experience with Struthers church was very short lived. In addion to this I had many years experience in other churches. The argument about the strong sense of the presence of God being proof that the leaders were right is one I have heard, one I think we have all heard. I was told "you will not find another church with a stronger presence of God.&qu
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Hi Susan You know I couldve maybe understood their prejudice a little if I turned up to the church in denim dungarees, dr martin boots and a shaved head lol. Ive never really been one for skirts and the first time I visited Struthers I had fairly short spikey hair with red highlights. I did often wonder if thats what sparked this 'discernment', coming from the school of 'oh
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Hi Old Skool and welcome to the forum I never met Miss Taylor or Mr Black but also heard how 'wonderfully anointed' they were. No doubt the same wilol be said of the current leaders in years to come if Struthers are still going. With regard to the list of unnacceptable activities it is still quite long, or at least was when I left in 2008. Jeans were allowed but frowned upon on a
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Dear Out Of It Im sorry that you and your wife have been hurt and had to live through that pain again. I echo hat Susie has said. When you are part of Struthers and even afterwards it is often to hard to distinguish what is true and not true. Up until recently I had even questioned my own actions and it took a while to get rid of the "If SMC leaders said it then it must be true"`a
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Hi Susie and welcome to the forum. Id also like to welcome lovealways and rensil. Susie I know just what you mean about the pastor of Cumbernauld. The looks, comments and even parts of sermons aimed at you, then when you confront being told its you that has the problem, that she is being a loving caring pastor and the reason you are reacting to her is because you are demoin possesed. Its re
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