Hi Everyone, Joe, David, Brent, Terry, and others: We all should write a book; and in a way that's what we're doing here. We've experienced something in the Assembly that has made us think deeply about the most important issues in life. Assembly Holiness: George's understanding of salvation is split level; there is the beginning of the Christian life, when an indi
Forum: Recovery from Destructive Cults and Groups

Hi everyone, In a previous post I discussed how the term "holiness", as understood in the Assembly, is different from the way an orthodox Christian would understand it. "Holiness" and it's opposite "sin" take on a special meaning in the Assembly. As we previously saw Assembly holiness has to do with sins against the group itself, not against God. Oh, they
Forum: Recovery from Destructive Cults and Groups

Hi Brent and Others, This is great news re. the new web site and whatever I can do to contribute to it would be my privilege. Re. Brethren who have been run off: There was an elderly sister whose husband was big in the brethren movement from England, where T. Austin Sparks was. This Sister was named Harrison. There were brethren she knew who represented the English Assembly such as Br
Forum: Recovery from Destructive Cults and Groups

Hi Terry and others, It is very interesting how a novice is prefered to any one who really knows the Word. This allowed George to maintain control over his satellite groups. Loyalty to the Assembly is the most important attribute in a leader to George. George ran off some older brethren who had some gift and knowledge of the Word because they wouldn't be manipulated by him. I think
Forum: Recovery from Destructive Cults and Groups

Hi Terry, I don't know if we were in the Assembly at the same time as I left 10 years ago or so from the Assembly in the San Fernando Valley ( a suburb of Los Angeles). Your name sounds familiar and maybe I met you if you visited Fullerton for a seminar. Where in the Midwest are you from? Of course you did the correct thing in taking back the gifts as they were decietful and manipula
Forum: Recovery from Destructive Cults and Groups

Brent, Thanks, I am glad that there are those who can profit from what I post. I am also glad that there are current Assembly members who read here and I hope that they are blessed as well. From the contact I have recently received regarding the Valley I would say that things are much more oppresive then when I left! I was told that they don't have fellowships any more because the Le
Forum: Recovery from Destructive Cults and Groups

Hi Brent, Joe, and others. Joe, you remember Tom Vessi the same as I do. He was caught in a classic double bind of the Assembly's making. The more he tried to "lay hold" on "the victory" the more depressed he got. The more he got depressed the more he wanted to drink. "Are you rejoicing brother?" Yes, I remember being advised that every time I got up
Forum: Recovery from Destructive Cults and Groups

Hi Joe, Brent, and Others, The Brother's name was Tom Vessi. He was a very kindly brother who loved Christ, but was very self conscious. He felt deeply his own inability to overcome sin. I think the teaching of the Assembly re. holiness was what caused him to become so depressed that he just gave up. You see this teaching (for those unaware of it) taught that "real" Christ
Forum: Recovery from Destructive Cults and Groups

To Joe and all who read, Thank you so much for your kind words Joe. My point re. the many "good hearted" souls in the Assembly is that if they don't make a stand against evil they end up enabling the abusers. I wrote this in response to "BeenThere's" post on how good Christians can continue in a place ruled by brutes. It is the same type of scenario in a dysfun
Forum: Recovery from Destructive Cults and Groups

Hi everyone, I say everyone because I know there are many visitors to the site. It is great to be in touch with old friends and hopefully to heal old broken relationships with former members of the Assembly. To "Beenthere's" question re. why a seemingly well balanced individual would stay in a group whose leaders seem to promote abusive control: I am not a psychologist and
Forum: Recovery from Destructive Cults and Groups

Hi Joe, Brent, and others, I know what the problem is with the e-mail: You must capitalize the first two letters "MC3073@aol.com" and in your post the letters were in lower case. Anyway, I sent you an e-mail to the address you left on a previous post and so you'll get the right one that way. To "beenthere" : Send your e-mail to the above address and we finally will
Forum: Recovery from Destructive Cults and Groups

:) Hi Brent, Joe, and others: I tried to e-mail several individuals via the Board and it doesn't seem to function correctly. I have used computers for years and still mess up! Oh well here is my e-mail address for one and all: "MC3073@aol.com" without the quotes. I hate it when I write a big e-mail and find out it vamishes into cyber outer darkeness (this is similar to where
Forum: Recovery from Destructive Cults and Groups

Hello all, I see that there isn't much interest in others entering into conversation on this board. I know there probably are many silent observers who are afraid to enter into discussion. This is understandable and as such I hope you don't mind if I kind of monopolize the discussion here and hopefully strike a helpful chord to those who can't bring themselves to talk. If you
Forum: Recovery from Destructive Cults and Groups

Hi Brent and others, It is encouraging to know that Dr. Enroth's book was helpful to you. ( BTW: do you know who I am? I was from the Valley. I'm sorry I don't remember you) You are absolutely correct re. the pride that the Assembly grows in the hearts of its' members. I was struck when attending my first church service "outside" of how critical I was; "the
Forum: Recovery from Destructive Cults and Groups

Hi David and other Ex-Assemblyites, My name is Mark Campbell. Joe Sperling will remember me as he lived in our Brothers house in the Valley. I left in May of 91 and began with the group around 71. I don't know if you are familiar with Ronald Enroths' books that mention the Assembly, "Churches that Abuse", and "Recovery from Churches that Abuse". The 2nd book
Forum: Recovery from Destructive Cults and Groups