De-Commissioned Forum

	Let the People SPEAK! \| 02 May 12
12:50:31 by Janet Easson Martin \| Views: 103 \| Comments: 0 This is in response to many of blogs posted here on this site and to those who try to silence them. Let the People Speak! Often, it seems God applies the balm of his word to a wound or difficulty, precisely at the point where the trouble is occurring in our lives. This may include claiming by faith an application of scripture other than the specific original intention, though it is in line with scripture as a whole. For instance in Isaiah 43:19b it says “I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland.” Although it seems God is telling the Israelites he will rescue them from Babylon by a way they have not known, where it appears hopeless & impossible, we can apply it to our own deserts and wastelands. Today as I read Isaiah 41:1 I felt God was addressing those “Christian" groups, and specifically GCx, who are independent and isolated as “islands” and in constant defense of their harmful ways. “Be silent before me, you islands! Let the nations renew their strength! Let them come forward and speak…” I felt perhaps these are the church groups who have isolated themselves from the rest of the body of Christ, even though they profess that they do not. Most of us are familiar with “christian” groups like this. No one who would disturb their traditions is allowed in; and no one who wants to be accepted by them is allowed out. We have an island near us that has been so isolated (by water) that many of the people still speak a dialect that remains from Elizabethan English. There are some groups with similar characteristics that pride themselves on their “godliness” and separatism. Their methods of godliness are actually condemned by the Word of God, but they are unfortunately blind to this. Most practice some form of shunning to those who leave their group. This is man’s way of keeping their group in existence. And, of course, they offer a “better” way to bid people to join with them. They go so far as to publicly pronounce judgments on others who are not as "conforming to the Bible" as they are. These groups seem to not only isolate themselves from the general body of Christ, but in the process isolate themselves from the Head of the Body which is Christ. I don’t mean they are no longer saved. I mean they no longer follow Christ’s lead, but their own man-made traditions. They have actually turned away from their Savior’s directing them, to treasured idols directing them, idols of their own making. But the deceiver has blinded them, and they cannot see this. Another characteristic is that those who are part of their group are not allowed to share their true heart, or follow God’s individual desires for them unless they fit into the goals of the group. They must conform or be looked down upon. They definitely cannot question the validity of the group’s traditions. And so like the animal that falls into the pit on the Sabbath, they are left alone to suffer. After all, the RULES are greater than the men they are supposed to help. These Rules make up their idol which they serve. The people become weary, burdened and depressed, but are afraid to be labeled “ungodly”, and so they suffer under the weight of the idol in SILENCE! Who will help them? These beloved people need a place to SPEAK, to have their voice heard; to have their heart listened to. The GCx Forum Warning website is one place. Although, even there, the GCx defenders try to HUSH them. I felt reading today that God was rebuking Gcx to ‘Be Quiet’ and ‘Let the people come forward and SPEAK’. The verbalizing of abuse is the first step to HEALING: having a voice and relieving the pain, receiving help, and renewing one’s strength. This may not be the specific original intention of this scripture, but I felt it was APPLICABLE to the bold intimidation by GCx in attempt to “mute” testimony of its abusive false dogma and practices taught as “truth” from scripture. There is an appropriate but horrifying film depiction of what captive manipulation and abusive doctrine by leaders over a group of people produces. The devastation shown may seem farfetched, but it is probably a realistic analogy to the cruel outcome of such methods. It paints the effects of oppressing, humiliating, and terrorizing followers into submission. It is not a movie that children should watch. I would even advise others not to watch it alone but with a trusted friend or group. Its content is very heavy. It would be very useful to discuss it in a group afterward to process all that’s going on. You can get it from NETFLIX. It is entitled “The Village”. It would be helpful, I think, if some could post (anonymously of course) as to the relation of the principles and practices used in this group to their experience in GCx.
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	GC Seeking "Reconciliation" \| 20 Apr 12
15:11:33 by TerryD \| Views: 419 \| Comments: 9 Thought some readers here might find this interesting. In March we received a letter from two local GC leaders. It appears to be part of an initiative originating in national headquarters, and being carried out by local leaders, to belatedly work on some bad PR, at least quiet some of the ongoing negative commentary here and elsewhere about the group. The words being used are "reconciliation" and "understanding," that's the way they're characterizing their purpose. In spite of the oddness of having this letter show up out of the blue, nearly seven years after we left a GC church(!), in fairness a couple of things in it should be noted: 1. An apology from one man for his teaching about lifetime commitment to GC at a youth event in 2005 that was particularly egregious, and the indication that he has now removed the recording from resource libraries; 2. From the other leader, no apology particularly, but again the indication that his series talking about "giving the controls of your life" to your pastors (from 2006 and often referred to in posts here) would also be coming down. I didn't get the sense that he felt his teaching was wrong, but that he regretted some word choices. We did respond briefly, expressing our appreciation for the apology, giving them credit for making a start by removing some of their material, and encouraging them to continue making steps in the right direction. We reminded them that of course the GC distinctives in those removed talks (authoritarian leadership and "loyalty to GC for life" cult-like sectarianism) were not limited to a few poor word choices in a few recordings, but pervasive and widespread within their organization. A short follow-up back to us indicated that the writer was "unaware" of any unhealthy teaching pervasive or widespread in GC . So there you go. Between the lines: 1. Apparently GC headquarters is reading this site, as John Hopler (GC President?) was described as passing info about "concerns" expressed here down to the regional and local leaders...and... 2. Although this forum and gcmwarning has always seemed to me primarily about warning people of the hidden dangers of groups like GC, not engaging or impacting the group, it seems to have gotten their attention, for whatever that's worth. 3. Obviously we got a letter because we haven't posted very anonymously. Not sure that was the wisest decision:). Anyway, although I'm aware of no evidence that anything has changed significantly in the doctrine, practice and structure of GCC and it's affiliates, it seems appropriate (since people on this forum have identified the errors in these specific messages) to pass along the fact that at least some correction has taken place, and some items removed from public availability. To those within the higher echelons of GC who apparently are reading here, please consider that your core issues are not about "reconciliation," they have to do with doctrine, structure and practice. And on that front, some of us who post have no further desire to dialogue privately or to explain any more to you. Been there, done that, long ago. The material online and elsewhere is voluminous. Digest it. Deal with it. Disagree with it, that's fine. If you were ever able to move past a purely defensive, status quo position and embrace a serious desire to reevaluate what you teach and do—and consider substantial change—I suppose there would be ex-members willing to add their perspectives.
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	REAL and FALSE KINGDOM AUTHORITY \| 17 Apr 12
12:40:52 by Janet Easson Martin \| Views: 100 \| Comments: 0 REAL and FALSE KINGDOM AUTHORITY There are some great teachers of the Word of God out there. Those who are approved by God and speak under His authority correctly handling His Truth. One such widely recognized teacher is Adrian Rogers, who is 'still speaking' on the program, Love Worth Finding. He was a pastor, teacher, author, and three-term president of the Southern Baptist Convention. My sweet former pastor (who happened to go to bible school with him, though both now have gone to heaven) said Adrian really impressed on him that people were more important than projects. His series on Kingdom Authority encouragingly reminded me of the astonishing power that is ours as believers; and struck me with new insight. As he stepped through to explain the truths of our entitlement to heavenly authority now in Christ, our reigning now in His Spirit on earth, and the abundance of grace that is absolutely ours now to be free from the slavery of sin and Satan; the flame of my faith became fanned by the knowledge of direct access to God the Father to personally connect with Him, beseech Him in prayer, and SEE Him work marvels that will reconcile any wrong, flourish any desert in our lives, and remake us into the glorious creation he has planned. Instead of worrying, we can be ASKING for lots of help, just like a child would do. We can do the very important and wonderful works he deliberately thought-out for us, before the FOUNDATION OF THE WORLD!! Can't get more exciting and adventurous than that! Mr. Rogers also explained that many Christians do not live through this authority because they’ve not been told, or they think it is too good to be true. In 1863, Abraham Lincoln penned and signed a document that entitled and declared slaves their permanent, legally valid, and protected freedom. I have included pertinent excerpts from "The Emmancipation Proclamation" below: "That on the first day of January, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-three, all persons held as slaves within any State or designated part of a State, …shall be then, thenceforward, and forever free; and the Executive Government of the United States…will recognize and maintain the freedom of such persons, and will do no act or acts to repress such persons, or any of them, in any efforts they may make for their actual freedom… Now, therefore I, Abraham Lincoln, President of the United States, by virtue of the power in me vested as Commander-in-Chief, of the Army and Navy of the United States in time of actual armed rebellion against the authority and government of the United States, and as a fit and necessary war measure for suppressing said rebellion, do, on this first day of January, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-three, and in accordance with my purpose so to do publicly proclaimed for the full period of one hundred days… “ -Abraham Lincoln, President of the United States (bold emphasis mine) Adrian explained that although this great covenant was made something distressing occured, 'however, many slaves stayed on the plantations'. 'Some didn’t get the news of the proclamation; and some didn’t believe it because it seemed too good to be true.' The same is true for christians. If our church leaders don't deliver the news of our new freedom and power by declaring the Truth of God's Word then we may remain ignorant of it. Or if what we've been taught or modeled is so different, it may seem foreign or unbelievable to us. Shepherds after God's heart want their flock to know and experience their POWER and FREEDOM in Christ, so they will be empowered to do all that God has called them to individually. False Shepherds want the sheep to be dependent on them to control what they believe and do. You shall know the TRUTH and the TRUTH will set you free' He clarified and illuminated godly authority (not “godly form” but power). Defining authority as the official legal right to act, he explained, because one is under authority, he can have authority. Citing Luke 7:8 he showed that the source of authority is always from above, and that your authority is no better than the one who is over you. Jesus has dominion over Satan and authority over demons. That means they are subject to you also in HIM, just as they were to the disciples. Yet, only when they were believing, and not influenced by the religious legalists. When we are believing, we ACT like Jesus. We move as a BODY of believers and the LIFE & LOVE of CHRIST is in US. We are not a business with just projects to master workers to do. You cannot be over someone in the body of Christ UNLESS you are UNDER the authority of GOD. This is apparent by one’s actions, not one’s words. If you are submissive to God you will be submissive and humble toward others as God commands, “Submit to one another out of REVERENCE for Christ”. You will “walk in the way of love”. Thus you will be kind, not rude and bullying; humble, not boastful and arrogant; encouraging, not envious or competitive; patient, not pushy and hard line; gentle, not dominant or dictatorial; a giver, not a taker or a user; a servant, not manipulator or a controller. The positive genuine characteristics are those resulting from obedience to Christ. The negative traits are of those who are disobedient to God. Then Adrian ended his teaching today on Kingdom Authority by emphatically stating this: *“GOD DOES NOT GIVE* KINGDOM AUTHORITY TO REBELS!”** It seems the only other way, then, to impose "kingdom authority" is to INVENT IT by DECEPTIVE PERSUASION and CUNNING CONTROL. To Compel you to need them because you are "not good enough" as you are, Impose a standard other than simply living in Christ, Press you by "lack of spiritual committment" guilt, Push by condemnation when they sense you are getting too confident, Belittle you with accusations, Coerce you by lying about their "closeness and higher approval with God", Intimidate you by telling you how wrong you and how right they are, Steal your freedom, your money, your free time, and your future, and Break you down by using you to perform endless tasks and "service" for their glory (not God's) by FALSE AUTHORITY as IMPOSTERS. God himself pleads with us through Paul: “You were running a good race. Who cut in on you to keep you from obeying the truth? That kind of persuasion does not come from the one who calls you. “A little yeast works through the whole batch of dough.” You have such admirable tolerance for impostors who rob your freedom, rip you off, steal you blind, put you down—even slap your face! I shouldn't admit it to you, but our stomachs aren't strong enough to tolerate that kind of stuff... Since you admire the egomaniacs of the pulpit so much (remember, this is your old friend, the fool, talking), let me try my hand at it.” -Galatians 5:7-9, 21-23
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