boboso story

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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[boboso]

First off, I'd like to thank the people who put this site together as it helped confirm what we were seeing at the GCM church we were a part of (we'll leave that unnamed).

We were welcomed into the church last year with open arms. Very friendly, very kind, seemingly very dedicated people everywhere. This was a younger church both in age and in people so we loved the energy we saw from the beginning.

Outside of a few "fringe" items I particularly noticed, we thought we found a pretty good fellowship with people we could grow with.

Then, it started falling apart. We were approached by one of the "leaders" to start receiving "leadership training". Following the proposal, we were informed we needed to make a deep commitment to the "movement" and to the "local church" above and beyond what is already bonded us together in the Bible. As we thought this was unnecessary, we refused the proposal and became aware of the subtle foundational issues we previously ignored.

Here's what we found:
1. Obedience to leadership was to be unquestioned. I was told directly, "if you find a conflict in your own study, just go with what the leader says (blindly)".

2. Outreach outreach outreach. We experienced (like many others in the same church told us) that once you are in and the honeymoon is over, then you fade into the background. You are expected to witness even when you are not ready or even spiritually prepared to do it.

3. Loyalty and unity to "leadership" takes precedence over everything.

4. All meetings regarding Christian things (prayer, accountability, etc.) must be sanctioned by the church and approved by "leadership".

5. Dating is a mess and encourages people to stop thinking for themselves and/or doubt their own ability to make judgments.

After we had left the church (quietly), most communication and "relationships" we had before disappeared.

To summarize: strong evangelism, shallow relationships, shallow growth, over-reaching authority structure, widespread learned helplessness. We are sad to lose the relationships, but glad to be out of that church "corporation".

[puff of purple smoke]

Thanks for posting. Sounds a lot like my experience.

[AgathaL'Orange]

It sounds so familiar to me as well.  I could easily have written your post based on our experiences.

[boboso]

We are glad to know we're not alone -- it's been very difficult to work through this.

[Truth Lover]

Wednesday, September 26, 2007
11:05am, es.t.

Dear Boboso,

Thank you for sharing your story.  It is sad to hear how you experienced all that, and that it was so recent.  But it is not surprising because as I have explained in my post at the Hellos & Testimonies before, ones cannot teach and live what they themselves do not know and understand.  That is why it will never change until the pastors begin to go back to a proper understanding of the Bible so they can teach it properly.  Inadequate understanding breeds inadequate understanding and teaching and leading and living.  Thankfully, by God's grace, you are out of that situation now and we will pray for you ~ for God to lead you to a really good Bible teaching, believing church where the leaders lead with love and patience, not heavy-handedness.  1 Peter 5: 1-3 says:  "Therefore, I exhort the elders among you, as your fellow elder and witness of the sufferings of Christ, and a partaker also of the glory that is to be revealed, shepherd the flock of God among you, exercising oversight not under compulsion, but voluntarily, according to the will of God; and not for sordid gain, but with eagerness; nor yet as lording it over those allotted to your charge, but proving to be examples to the flock."  Also of course the main thing they are to do is to "Preach the Word; be ready in and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction...." 2 Tim. 4.  And, "Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, handling accurately the word of truth." 2 Tim. 2:15. The pastors are to preach the truths about God accurately and fully, so the people can know Him better which then will motivate ones to serve Him from a heart of love and gratitude.  Duty without proper doctrine only leads to legalism.  Pastors and elders are to be examples of ones who know and believe the truth of God's Word, and live in the light of it.  Unfortunately, many do not know it deeply enough themselves, so they can't teach the deep, wonderful things of God.  Instead they probably spend their time devising ways to try and compel people outwardly to conform to what they think is important, rather than let God, by His Word & Spirit, work in ones' hearts to produce true, heartfelt desires in line with what He wants them to be and do.  Again, it comes from an inadequate understanding of God, His sovereignty, and man's inability to work up in himself anything that is pleasing to God.  Everything that is pleasing to God  is from Him and for Him ~ all to bring Him all the glory!  He wants us to be humble before Him and His Word, and only as leaders are humble before Him and His Word and following God and His Word properly, are we to follow them.  If they do not believe His Word and the sufficiency of His Word and Spirit to bring people to salvation and grow them to be more like Christ then those are leaders we should not follow.  If I sound like a broken record it is because I am convinced that this is the main root of the problems in GC and other churches who think they can produce salvations and control peoples' lives if they just do the right things/methods.  Well, Boboso, I am praying for you, and if you can, please read my post at the Hellos & Testimonies section to understand further what I've said here.

Also, yes, I do check this site every day for the latest news because I care.  And I do pray for God to continue to heal, lead, strengthen and help everyone here to grow in knowing and loving Him better with all our heart, soul, mind & strength ~ following Him even more closely as He would want, where He would want ~ all for Him!  That's what He wants (John 17:3 & 17 and Eph. 1:1-23 and Eph. 3:14-21 and Phil. 1:9-11 and Col. 1:9-14)  ~ and so that's what I want and pray for myself and my family and friends here in our non-GC church, so I figure that's what I should pray for all of you too.

In Christ's love ~ for His glory,
Truth Lover

[namaste]

Boboso-
Welcome!  I'm sorry to hear that you've had such a rough time, but I remain thankful that you not only "got out," but that you've found others to commisserate with.

I'll be praying for you.