Damage

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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[GB]

I read a facebook status today of a member who was beginning to "come around" to Walnut Creek around the same time that I was leaving. She posted the news that she is giving up on a lifetime dream (a dream that would take her away from Des Moines) because after prayer and counsel she feels that God wants her to stay in Des Moines. She has given up on a goal that she was working toward and she even admits that she has no idea what will happen in her life next. I was in WCCC for years and I've seen this happen countless times. It's funny how God wants everyone to stay in Des Moines. I've never heard of anyone being lead to leave. All I ever heard is that if you do leave, it's because you have fallen into sin and you are being deceived by the devil. It's the perfect trap because if you do leave and then criticize the church they can disregard everything you say. WCCC was always preached as being superior to all other churches, so there's no reason to leave unless you have become ensnared by sin in your life. Instead you become the victim of gossip and innuendo, or you simply cease to exist. Your old friends don't want to be yoked with someone who isn't like-minded, so they shut you out entirely. I remember being part of Drake's CF/WCCC when many older members were leaving en masse, and one of the leaders got up during a prayer night and announced that the exits were God's way of purifying our group. The implication was that these people were the dross and we were the silver. Any outside criticism just serves to unify the remaining members. There's a sense of pride in staying when everyone else is coming to their senses and quitting because you feel like you're really committed to suffering for the gospel. The more time that I spend away from the church the more I can see what a dangerous mind-controlling organization it is.

[Ned_Flanders]

Hi GB,
I just sent you a PM.

Very sad to hear this story.  These people have learned NOTHING from the 1991 Statement of Errors.  I have no idea what it will take for them to get it. 

[EverAStudent]

If it would help, you might suggest she try reading through this online study about "knowing God's will for your particular life."  It might be a sobering reminder to her that God leads us via the Bible and not by gut intuition or odd sensations and He only reveals his secret will to bona fide prophets.

http://www.thefaithfulword.org/catwill.html

Is the Future Hidden On Purpose?


Note that four times in Ecclesiastes the rhetorical question is raised, almost mocking humanity, “Who is going to tell a man what comes next in his life?” Then in 7:14 God states that He has designed all of life, all its ups and downs, expressly to hide from humanity the future, so that no man will be able to discover what comes next.

[AgathaL'Orange]

I most certainly altered my life's plans based on my involvement with this group.  We'll never know what would have been different.  I feel that I lucked out.  I left and have my husband and children and a happy life of plenty and joy.  Yes, I'm not rich.  Yes, I've not had some adventures I might have had.  But I feel LUCKY!  This person, my heart aches for this person. So sad.