Another DTC thread! Wooo!

Welcome to De-Commissioned, a place for former members of the Great Commission movement (aka GCM, GCC, GCAC, GCI, the Blitz) to discuss problems they've experienced in the association's practices and theology.

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[Azalee]

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[Anonymous]

This is such a terrible story

I do not have anywhere near as heartbreaking story, but I do have experiences with people in leadership positions giving guidance on topics they are woefully unqualified to speak to on topics equally as serious.

[Janet Easson Martin]

Dear Azalee,
I am very glad you decided to post.  I am relieved for you that you TOOK THE STEP to get OUT OF THERE!  You have accomplished much just by breaking Free from "captivity".  You are wise to seek professional help in that very SERIOUS matter.  Keeping quiet about that kind of thing surely doesn't make it go away.  I believe God will use your tragedy to very much help someone else in the future.  I'm glad you used your own intuition to check out this group and the kind of ANSWERS you got.  Unfortunately, when people are operating under a check list instead of the POWER of the Spirit of love, joy, peace, patience..., helping each other in "unnoticed" ways (like caring) often gets left off the list.  Don't take being ignored personally, it's a big symptom of PERFORMANCE relationships rather than real ones.  Your therapist should be able to help you learn once again that caring is NOT something that is too high an expectation of your friends.  It just helps you reevaluate WHO your real friends are.  Keep praying and asking God to give you healthy christian friends and leaders.

Praying for You,
Janet Easson Martin

[EverAStudent]

Warning: this post is a virtual repeat of others I have made! 

My strong recommendation is to stay with and to continue to see your current therapist.  Also, you may wish to begin consulting with a Nouthetic Counselor (go to NANC.org to find a biblical counselor close to you).  Nouthetic Counselors are NOT therapists, they are trained Bible counselors who help people work through pragmatic problems of Christian living. 

A good Nouthetic Counselor does not charge hourly fees or pester you for "donations."  They are paid on salary through their church or they donate their time free of charge (which is what I do).  If the first counselor you talk with charges fees or advertises he accepts "donations" then move on to the next in the list.

Few GC staffers are seminary trained and even fewer are formally trained as biblical counselors, and even fewer still are trained as Nouthetic Counselors.  Yes, it is my opinion that very very few GC staffers are prepared to provide adequate or acceptable biblical counsel or biblical advice.  They generally have not been trained and therefore simply do not know how to bring the Bible to bear on such major life issues.

I do strongly recommend seeking out a compasstionate Nouthetic Counselor to supplement your spiritual counseling needs at this emotional time of your life.

[stellan]

Hi   M, J, A, L, E and many more-

At the start of this past summer I first found this site when the Drake Fellowship seemed to be a major interest to my child.  I posted a question and periodically checked this site while growing increasingly concerned (with what I read along with my son's behavior.)  By summer's end, I was very worried and went on to post more just to "confirm" my fears.  My son was on his way back to Drake and The Fellowship.

Prior to today's post, only a portion of all that is written on this site, had I read (skimmed would be more accurate.)

Since those posts, I have read considerably more and have paid closer attention to when they were posted and which leaders/members were probably being referenced.

Thank you- to all who responded to me, even though all my posts were basically "re-runs." 
This site will definitely be something I check in on from time to time.  My questions are as answered as much as they can be.  Hopefully, my son's life will not be affected negatively by the Fellowship.  Time will tell.  I will stay as tuned in as I can. 

The knowledge from all of you, as scary as it is, is so appreciated.

I hope all of you who have suffered: heal, find your direction, re-gain your confidence and especially reconnect with any loved ones who either slipped away or you had turned away from.

Sincerely, Stellan