Former Walnut Creekers

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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[Holly]

Hello!  I'm Holly Peterson from Des Moines.  I used to go to Walnut Creek from 1995-2003ish (I can't remember if we left in 03 or 04).  Anyway, I'd love to get in touch with other former Walnut Creekers that we used to know.  I miss so many people, especially those who were in our small groups.  Send me a message or respond here if you'd like to chat or catch up. 

[MarthaH]

This brought back bad memories of having to give a tract to people whenever you saw them. I think it was the stories that people would embellish later about the gospel that almost ruined evangelism for me. Going to the mall to talk to strangers, evangelism trips and mission trips to Europe that have cost how much money but have produced nothing in lasting fruit.

Anyhow, all this to say here's a picture I found:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/shriekingtree/5826422899/in/set-72157624978121641/

[blonde]

How about this snap: http://www.flickr.com/photos/wagnerhome/337904583/

[blonde]

OR is John Hopler part Vulcan?

See here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/wagnerhome/337904511/in/photostream/

Even Brent Knox is part Vulcan: http://www.flickr.com/photos/wagnerhome/337904419/in/photostream/

[Innerlight]

the ripped jeans, the earring, the untucked shirt, the guitarist, who is rebellious, but "kid" safe, strap slung low, etc, etc, etc...  but we're different.  reminds me of the Harley guy's who all wear the same uniforms and motorcycles, but are different?

[blonde]

Innerlight: I went to GCM when the women were told not to cut their hair.  That it should be long.  Guys can look like bikers, wear leather jackets (A.K.A. Mark Darling) and be cool.  But the women had to be very traditional and not look like a Harley dude.  Times have changed. 

[trthskr]

MarthaH,

That picture you posted made me laugh.  I'm actually friends with the guy who does the anti-torture vigils in Des Moines.  He's a Christian, but was not surprised that a Walnut Creeper was trying to evangelize to him during his protest.  He was also not surprised that nothing Terry was saying was relevant to their conversation or made a lick of sense.   I believe he posted a video of what all was said as well.  So sad...Terry used to be normal.  It didn't take long for him to become indoctrinated in that church.

blonde: gosh that picture of dark marling is creepy.

[Innerlight]

Blonde:

What I meant to say is that people who try to look different usually end up being a caricature of themselves.  Example: Harley Guys supposedly typify rugged individualism, toughness, etc..., but they all end up looking the same.  I can almost predict to the second when one will rev his engine:  leaving a red light, through a tunnel, under a bridge, or around pedestrians taking a walk.

Check out the "uniform" of any praise band member, or youth pastor, and you will get the point.  Someone I know who is active in GCC told me they dress this way to make people feel comfortable.  What...what has that got to do with the Gospel.  People should just be themselves, and the rest will come naturally.  People see through the other stuff.

I know you know all this...just me rambling. 

[AgathaL'Orange]

I think we are sort of conditioned this way as humans.  We learn a lot through imitative behavior.  But it is soooooo funny (sometimes ha ha funny and sometimes Ewwww funny) when "likeminded" people get on their uniforms (whatever that may be).  Whether its the crunchy moms with little hair coverthingeys, snoods??  Or football fan clothing or whatever.  I'm sure I'm following somebody, don't know who.  Probably the buyer for TJ Maxx. 

[Anonymous]

Check out the "uniform" of any praise band member, or youth pastor, and you will get the point.  Someone I know who is active in GCC told me they dress this way to make people feel comfortable.  What...what has that got to do with the Gospel.  People should just be themselves, and the rest will come naturally.  People see through the other stuff.

Well, to some extent, but it *is* a production element no less than being prepared in all the other ways matters - sound, lights, bulletins, etc. Those don't directly relate to the Gospel either but are also relevant when discussing service presentation.

[Innerlight]

They might be relevant, but compare to the original NT church.  Much of the culture in todays churches, can be traced to frontier services, in the case of US Protestantism, or institutionlized in the case of Catholicism, et al....

Where do you find the notion of a "personal savior" in the Bible?  The so-called Sinner's Prayer, communion as a tiny piece of cracker and a thimbleful of grape juice, the altar call, youth pastor, associate pastor, huge paid staffs...yes bulletins and Sunday school. 

Think about it!

[blonde]

Yes, MarthaH, dark marling is a creeper.  Thanks for that little aside.  That is a few years old and found on Flicker.  Not of any of my doing.  I never post pics of people in GCx.  They do that enough of themselves thanks to Twitter, Flicker and Facebook. 

Innerlight: what was really scary for me is when any pastor at the early ECC days, when got promoted to "pastor" started to act, dress and talk like Mark Darling.  Little Mark Darlings, or should I say, little dark marlings running around peeping all the same damn works and sermons.  It was only after like 5 or 6 years that Ken Johnson's overall plain-Jane-ness came out.  He was a 3M Engineer.  And was kind of not a social person, that Ken Johnson.  He actually was in a small group I was in for a few years and know this first hand.  He is nothing like Mark Darling, even if he tries.