Current (soon to be former) WCCC member

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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[freeatlast]

Hi everybody. A friend of mine recently mentioned this forum to me and I thought I would check it out. I've been reading all the posts mentioning WCCC and I must say that I don't know what to believe anymore. I have been actively involved in WCCC for a few years now. I got saved my freshman year and have grown a lot in the Lord since. I thought that I would be in this church forever. But I don't think I'll be there much longer. I can't believe just how much I thought was true isn't really true. It's just what the leaders wanted us to believe. I can't believe how excited I was for the "big" guys to come and speak at Epicenter and how taken I was by their messages, only to find out how wrong their teachings really are. I want to confront the leaders and hear their reasons but I don't know if that is just setting myself up to be hurt and torn down. The best way to leave seems to be by doing it quietly and not talking to the leaders about it. I'm nervous to leave because what am I going to do? I have set my life up to spend the rest of my life here. Where do I go from here? My friends are almost entirely the people in the church. Are they all going to abandon me because I am no longer a part of the church? Are they going to choose investing time in the people in the church over spending time with me once I am no longer in the church. Is the leadership going to let them? I don't really know how to move forward. Any thoughts from people who have been in the same boat? How do I go about this?

[EverAStudent]

Hello freeatlast, and welcome to the forum.

First, above all, I personally would want to convey to you that Christ, His Kingdom, and His salvation are bigger than any one denomination.  GC generally teaches the truth about salvation.  In other words, cling to Christ, cling to what He has done to redeem you.

GC has issues with improper doctrine in regard to church leadership, church membership, and church discipline.  While we appreciate what GC does in regard to enthusiastic evangelism, we do not appreciate how they seek to dominate and control the lives of those who become members.  We are to be slaves of Christ, not slaves of the local church leadership.

Second, only leave GC if you see the problems for yourself.  Don't leave because "others told you to." 

Third, if you do leave (when you leave?), immediately find a good, conservative, Bible-teaching church in your neighborhood.  Christian fellowship is essential to growing to maturity in Christ (Ephesians 4). 

Fourth, by all means talk to the elders/pastors about your concerns and about what you have read on this website.  Put all your cards on the table, hear what they have to say, then make up youir own mind.  Wise decision making requires the use of God's Word, abundant fact gathering, and integrity.

[Janet Easson Martin]

Dear Freeatlast,

What we seem to find when leaving and first gone from this type of church is that the confidence in Christ we need has subtly been stolen away.  We need to get it back!   The lies that set themselves up against the knowledge (truth) of God have invaded our mind, stealing our sense of security in Christ alone.

God pleadingly tells us in his word to read and meditate on Truths - to Strengthen and Encourage Our Faith, to receive by faith  the power, and riches, and wisdom, and glory we already have in Christ.  Mixing it with prayer and faith makes dyn-o-mite to break up the strongholds (persistent lies) that make us self-doubting and fearful.  Tell God everything you feel confused and afraid about - i.e. - loosing your friends, feeling alone, feeling abandoned and rejected, feeling directionless, etc.  This is a GREAT OPPORTUNITY to draw close to Him - to cry desparately to God about everything that's bothering you in your life and asking Him to help you begin a new chapter, with perhaps new friends, and a new church.  Ask him to supernaturally lead you.  Even ask him for a sign to help you make a decision or to give you confidence that he will help.  You do have to ask.  Here are some things God waits longingly for us to do in our position of need:

Pour Your Heart Out to God
Listen and Believe What He Says Compassionately Back to You
Ask Him to Remind You or Show You of Appropriate and Guiding Truth from His Word
Read or Remember and Ponder This Truth in Your Heart
Ask God to Help You to Do What He Says to You
Expect Amazing Love and Great Hope

I am in the process of reading Life Overflowing by T.D. Jakes.  It reminds me of the power and authority that is mine through Jesus.  This book is empowering me through my thought life.  Get a book like this – on our true freedom, astonishing power, marvelous riches, extraordinary wisdom, incredible glory that is ours in Christ.  Some good ones that have helped me are on the “Book List” topic under ‘Healing’ on this site.  Believing God by Beth Moore is an easy read and very practical.  Get some tapes or CD’s to listen to while you are in the car from encouraging teachers like Joyce Meyers.  One of my favorites is “I’m OK & I’m On My Way”.  Getting several different true God-inspired teachers is helpful because no one person has all the answers.  If you’re not sure about an author, look them up on sites like Focus on the Family, or Life Today.

Going to a sound Christian counseling organization might be what would help you get through this transition time.  Use it as a spa retreat for the jitters or apprehension you may be feeling.  Very often there is a codependence we have been entangled with (in these types of churches) and breaking the ties makes one feel a little uncertain.
    
And, of course, start visiting churches to find a healthy and comfortable one that you enjoy and derive true encouragement from.  Take a family member or friend or coworker along if you don’t want to go alone.  The internet makes a lot of this a little easier.  Just beware of the ten toxic characteristics of an unhealthy church.

Teachings at GCx and similar churches seem to have:

Ensnared and convinced their followers that they are the way, the best way to follow Christ.  People cannot move on in their life, following Christ as He leads them uniquely and personally.  Believers must adhere to their pattern taking most of the adventure and excitement and personal intimacy out of listening to and following GOD ALMIGHTY.

Misled and deceived those under them that they are the source of the truth.  Outside information cannot be trusted nor might those at the bottom have something spirit-led and godly-wise to say.

Persuaded and subtly pressured their members that they have the life in their churches.  One should never leave them to be a truly dedicated Christian.  Freedom to appropriately pursue Him so individually and often specifically in our life journey is squelched and discouraged by the plans they have for you.

THESE ARE NOT TRUTHS.   THESE are false teachings!

Jesus answered,

“I AM THE WAY, AND THE TRUTH, AND THE LIFE”       _{John 14:6}

Our abundant life is in Christ, not GCx.  GCx has been exploiting and entraping the lives of God's people for their own glory and success.

If you want to read my journey out of GCx, it is on the ‘Hellos and Testimonies’ section, and more detailed in the ‘Healing” section under “Journey to His Healing”.  I am praying for the amazing plans he has for you.

Janet Easson Martin

[BTDT]

Hello freeatlast, and welcome to the forum.  I hope you can take comfort that you are starting on a journey that has been made by many people, and certainly by most of us on this forum.  I realize that you may feel alone, or lonely, or both, but you can be assured that we go with you in spirit, and we're here for you when you need us.

You asked for some advice, and I'd like to add just a couple of thoughts to what Janet and EAS have already shared.

Before committing yourself to a decision, talk with someone outside of the GC movement, and who has never been a part of it -- a Christian counselor, or a pastor of a well-respected local church, someone like that.  They can give you a good perspective.

Before going and talking to anyone, I'd encourage you to get some extended time alone with God.  Pray, read, listen quietly, move as the Spirit moves you.  Ask, as Janet said, and give God the opportunity to speak to you.  I want to be careful here -- sometimes God is silent.  He has His reasons for that, when he does it.  If He is, you haven't failed in your time with Him.  Just the opposite -- sometimes God speaks loudest in silence.

http://www.elyrics.net/read/m/michael-card-lyrics/could-it-be-lyrics.html

Finally -- I'm pretty sure there are people on this forum (lurkers as well as posters) who live reasonably close to you.  ("Reasonably" in Midwest terms, anyway. :-) )  Maybe there's a way to have a sort of "former WCCC support group" meetup or something. 

If you find yourself in Ann Arbor for some reason (Go Blue! :-) :-) ) drop me a PM. 

[blonde]

If I knew what I know now, I would leave without even one minute with a pastor to discuss.  There are so many stories why you should leave GC in the annals of this fine forum.  Please leave.  PM me and I can tell you why further.  If you find yourself making excuses to stay at your church, you will go down a road that you really don't need to.

-Blonde

[G_Prince]

Hi!

All I can suggest is that you leave how you want on your own terms. If you want to talk to leadership do it, if you want to slip away do it. The power rest with you. The leaders can't make you do anything. Your friends can't make you do anything. This is about you and what you want. You don't need to justify it to anyone. Good luck!