For Current Members: There's hope and sanity

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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[AgathaL'Orange]

You know it occurred to me that lots of people in GCx were saved into the movement.  So when they've been branded as a cult, TACO, or a "half-baked" group... they might just think that this happens to any Christians that are following God.

So, this post is for members who've never attended any other churches:

There are OTHER churches that follow God wholeheartedly that

1.  do NOT hurt their members
2.  do NOT get branded as a "bad" group
3.  do NOT get featured in news stories about how strange they are
4.  do NOT have a checkered past
5.  have NOT encouraged people to spank their kids past bruising
6.  have produced marriages where people "waited" even with dating
7.  have produced missionaries, pastors, and adults who love God
8.  encourage different parenting styles that still produce good kids
9.  have not regularly excommunicated people
10.  that don't LIE about their past to current members
11.  that NEVER give you a creepy feeling.

So current members who are questioning GCx:

1.  You will find sane people who love God outside of GCx.  
2.  You are not a failure as a Christian... you're on a journey.
3.  You don't need to ask to move, to date, to buy a house, to change a job, to go to counseling, to have kids, to not have kids, to get married.  God has already given permission for you to make all those decisions yourself, if you want.  
5.  The Christian Life is not a recovery program... it's not a means to an end...  

God really does delight in the happiness of his children!  

I know missionaries in Papua New Guinea, Ethiopia, Costa Rica.... well, basically all around the world... and NONE of these people came from a GCx church.  They all received training, equipping, and education... and they're still on fire for God!  My point is GCx is a mere shadow of what it could be because of it's insular, controlling, half-baked ways.  My advice is to leave immediately.  Go to a different church every Sunday for a few months.  See what's out there.  Join a church that is under some authority from SOMEWHERE!  That way if the pastor is bad... he can be ousted!  But more than that, you really can be in a close, happy, wonderful relationship with God again.  There's hope!

There is freedom to be had, and it is wonderful!

[wastedyearsthere]

Agatha-

Well said!

I will say a BIG AMEN to that!

[Linda]

I second that, "Amen!" Great list.

I've often thought that part of the problem with GC was that the leaders just needed to "get out more" or "open the windows and bring in some fresh air."

I, too, know Christians in this country and all over the world (dozens of them) who have a passion for God that is amazing. My husband grew up in a Christian commune, for heaven's sake. His parents turned in all their money and possessions to join. I don't know anyone at GC who has done that (thank goodness!) Ha! When I Google the name of the commune my husband's family was in and the word "cult", I don't get anything.

It comes across as just plain arrogance when they talk about how God has given them a special vision, or teaching, or plan. Baloney. I know people who are doing way more and have sacrificed way more than any of the GC leaders I know.

[Immortal_Raven]

Awesome list.  I especially like 5,6,8, and 11.  I'd add another personal statement to that list.  

There are churches that don't use the"What Would Jesus Do?" guilt trip to get members to do something that has nothing to do with scripture.  This relates to number 3 on the second list, but it was very prevalent.  I got a full on guilt trip for moving away.  Nothing scripturally based, just a "Would Jesus do that?" type feeling with underlying contempt for my decision.

Anyhow, Amen to freedom and your list.  Very well stated.

-Immortal_Raven

[EverAStudent]

Beautiful list.  I whole-heartedly concur with the sentiment that ran something like: "other churches do not try to make you feel guilty for your whole life just to make you serve."

The one I would add to the list:  Other churches acknowledge they are part of a vast kingdom and priesthood of believers, all of whom are working together to carry the gospel into the lives of thers.  Such churches do not have a "only we can do it, and do it alone" mentality.  I like being part of the global body of Christ.

[steelgirl]

You know it occurred to me that lots of people in GCx were saved into the movement.  So when they've been branded as a cult, TACO, or a "half-baked" group... they might just think that this happens to any Christians that are following God.

So, this post is for members who've never attended any other churches:

There are OTHER churches that follow God wholeheartedly that

1.  do NOT hurt their members
2.  do NOT get branded as a "bad" group
3.  do NOT get featured in news stories about how strange they are
4.  do NOT have a checkered past
5.  have NOT encouraged people to spank their kids past bruising
6.  have produced marriages where people "waited" even with dating
7.  have produced missionaries, pastors, and adults who love God
8.  encourage different parenting styles that still produce good kids
9.  have not regularly excommunicated people
10.  that don't LIE about their past to current members
11.  that NEVER give you a creepy feeling.

So current members who are questioning GCx:

1.  You will find sane people who love God outside of GCx.  
2.  You are not a failure as a Christian... you're on a journey.
3.  You don't need to ask to move, to date, to buy a house, to change a job, to go to counseling, to have kids, to not have kids, to get married.  God has already given permission for you to make all those decisions yourself, if you want.  
5.  The Christian Life is not a recovery program... it's not a means to an end...  

God really does delight in the happiness of his children!  

I know missionaries in Papua New Guinea, Ethiopia, Costa Rica.... well, basically all around the world... and NONE of these people came from a GCx church.  They all received training, equipping, and education... and they're still on fire for God!  My point is GCx is a mere shadow of what it could be because of it's insular, controlling, half-baked ways.  My advice is to leave immediately.  Go to a different church every Sunday for a few months.  See what's out there.  Join a church that is under some authority from SOMEWHERE!  That way if the pastor is bad... he can be ousted!  But more than that, you really can be in a close, happy, wonderful relationship with God again.  There's hope!

There is freedom to be had, and it is wonderful!

Not all GCM churches are bad.  Yet I will be honest, I am not sure I would be comfortable in another GC church.  I pissed some people off, especially when I would share feelings about what seemed to be desire in my way of art.  I have a desire which might be crazy to some.  This desire has not come to be.  Right now I am really seeking God on this desire, that I have thought of at times for the past 10 yrs.   I have tried to lay it to rest.  5-7 yrs ago, I put it to rest, perhaps but maybe it appeared in one of my forms of expression.  I got involved with this church 8 and a half years ago.

There might have been other influences of why I have not done it.  Perhaps God just has not worked out anything.  Yet I am wondering if some of things going on the past few months to a yr, might be signs from God.

[exshep]

Not all GCM churches are bad.  Yet I will be honest, I am not sure I would be comfortable in another GC church.  I pissed some people off, especially when I would share feelings about what seemed to be desire in my way of art.  I have a desire which might be crazy to some.  This desire has not come to be.  Right now I am really seeking God on this desire, that I have thought of at times for the past 10 yrs.   I have tried to lay it to rest.  5-7 yrs ago, I put it to rest, perhaps but maybe it appeared in one of my forms of expression.  I got involved with this church 8 and a half years ago.

There might have been other influences of why I have not done it.  Perhaps God just has not worked out anything.  Yet I am wondering if some of things going on the past few months to a yr, might be signs from God.

You are not alone in your perspective.  I was in a good GC church that went to lengths to detach themselves from the shepherding milieu. We did have some members who were spiritually abuse and had the room to process the experiences.  My story was common knowledge.   Rest assured you have not lost your marbles.  Your post makes sense to me.

[Jim]

I agree with the above.  I might add though that the process WILL be painful and difficult, so if you get out there and flounder a little bit, it's okay.  Don't worry about the lies that the devil will cut you off from the flock and devour you.  Our Lord is mighty,  loves you and will not let you go.

[exshep]

I agree with the above.  I might add though that the process WILL be painful and difficult, so if you get out there and flounder a little bit, it's okay.  Don't worry about the lies that the devil will cut you off from the flock and devour you.  Our Lord is mighty,  loves you and will not let you go.

Very true.  I did not get that from GC, but from a pentecostal bible school.  I was told that I did not have my eyes on Jesus for leaving.

It was  a painful process, but the recovery was worth it.   Long hard road, but worth the dividends in the end.