Below is a series of exchanges regarding a survey on cult-like characteristics of doctrinally orthodox churches (like GC) that some of you may be interested in taking:
July 1, 2009
Dear Survey Participant,
As you may know, I am working on my Doctor of Ministry degree at Dallas Theological Seminary. I have completed all the class work and have been working on my dissertation for the past ten months. The topic of the project is “Cult-like Characteristics of Doctrinally Orthodox Churches”. These characteristics, such as legalism, autocratic control, etc. are aspects of full-blown cults, but they can also unfortunately, describe churches that are “evangelical” or doctrinally sound. My focus is not cults like Mormonism or Heaven’s Gate, but typical Bible-believing churches that can slide into unbiblical patterns. The overall topic is church health. I want to help churches become healthier so they can more accurately represent Jesus Christ, the chief cornerstone of the Church!
I appreciate your response to the attached survey. The cumulative results will test my hypotheses to see if they are true. Your survey responses will take my preliminary conclusions from the subjective to the objective. Though founded in research, my conclusions will be strengthened by the findings from your answers. I am very grateful for your returned surveys because they will ultimately help edify the Lord’s Church.
If you have any questions about the survey, please call (817-614-5677) or e-mail me (
john@bcbc.org) . Please fill out the survey and return via e-mail by August 1, 2009.
Thank you!
In His Grace,
John Salvesen
From: me
Sent: Tuesday, June 30, 2009 2:11 PM
To: John Salvesen
Subject: RE: Cult-Like Characteristics of Doctrinally Orthodox Churches Survey
Can I post your survey on a forum for a cult-like doctrinally orthodox church movement?
Hi,
Is it the SGM survivors’ forum? If so, Guy had offered to post it. I just sent him an e-mail note reminding him of that offer. If your forum is not the SGM survivors’, which one is it? I would need a way to get the responses. Is that workable?
Thanks,
John Salvesen
From: me
Sent: Tuesday, June 30, 2009 2:25 PM
To: John Salvesen
Subject: RE: Cult-Like Characteristics of Doctrinally Orthodox Churches Survey
The Great Commission Ministries ex-members forum. I could tell people to email you.
Is it the De-Commissioned forum? Yes, you may post it OR allow people to e-mail me for a copy of it…whichever allows me to get the responses better. I appreciate your help!
John Salvesen
His email is
john@bcbc.org. The survey is attached to this post and can be sent to him.
