Hope

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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[Free now]

I believe Scout and the others. And while this may come as a surprise, I want good for Mark, too, and freedom from even a trace of shame. Belief in the credibility of her story and genuine love for Mark aren't mutually exclusive. I actually think that a lot of people feel this way, people who are praying, watching, agonizing, and waiting.

Spiritual abuse is a real thing. No, the term is not specifically used in the Bible, but the Pharisees were a fine example of it, right down to the spice rack. (We don't see the word "trinity" in the Bible, either, but we use it to describe our triune God.) There were definitely parts of my life which were negatively affected by this, but I am not scarred by it, either. There were good parts and bad parts at ECC, and I don't regret the time I had there. I've kept the great parts, discarded the bad ones, and really do trust that God is using it all for good in my life story.

JessicaNoelDarling, I appreciate your gentle tone as you defend your dad. I have prayed for you, your siblings, and your parents and will continue to do so. The pain, bewilderment, and sheer disbelief must seem crushing. I am so sorry for that pain.

Scout, I still believe you, and I am thankful for your patience in this process.

When it's all said and done, whether we believe it or not, we are not defined by our ministry success or our abject failure or anything in between. Jesus defines Scout, Mark, me, and everyone else. This gives me great hope for all of our stories.

1 Corinthians 15:10, Galatians 2:20

[Boggs]

Well said, Free now. I agree.

[jeromydaviddarling]

You can't say "I believe you Suzanne" and then try and comfort Mark's children. It implies that our pain and bewilderment must come from a place of wondering whether or not our dad really did these things. I already proved emphatically how it would have been impossible for these things to happen and how all the unaccounted time my dad must have spent with these women had to have been ignored or approved by my mother, which is just as (if not more) insulting than the accusations against my father. If you're going to say I believe Suzanne, everything you say to us after that is pouring salt on our wounds

[Free now]

I am sorry that you feel as though I'm pouring salt on your wounds, JeromyDavidDarling. That's not my intent. My belief in Scout does not diminish the worth of your dad in any way. He is made in the image of God, paid for in blood, and is beloved. That will never change. Also, because of this, your own intrinsic worth will not be altered by this. I hope that you believe that.

GTA, you wrote this, regarding Mark: "There is no shame, because he did not do what he is being accused of." I would counter that by saying that there is no shame, because of what Jesus did on the cross for Mark. The difference between the two seems minuscule, but actually, those two statements are light years apart.

[Rebel in a Good Way]

HughHoney.  Vanhoozer?  And I thought maybe we could be friends     This means you are way nerdier than me.  I'd love to hear the ideas distilled but reading him makes me want to run in front of heavy machinery.

[HughHoney]

Ha! Learned Koine before reading, not sure which was more challenging!