ex-shep's introduction

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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[exshep]

I am new to the forum. A little about myself. I lost a friend to a GC church in Ohio in 1984. In the process of trying to get help for “Tammy”, I began to see the shepherding and mind control dynamics in the collge fellowship and the pentecostal bible school where I was attending service. I walked out November 11, 1984. I have been involved in the anti-cult movement and Re-focus from 1984 right up to Scientology takeover of Cult Awareness Network in 1996. I have had friendship in previous years with former menbers who were counseled out. I value their support and encouragement. I was in Ohio when the statements of apology came out. I was impressed and skeptical at the same time. It is odd to hear encouraging and discouraging reports at the same time.

The past few years I have shared my experience, strength and hope recovering cults and spiritual abuse on line in a web forum operated by spiritualabuse.com. Anyone still hurting is welcome to visit or join in the forum if is helpful.

I have come to the conclusion there are some great Great Comission fellowship, some not so great Great Commission churches, some OK, and some still stuck in the McCotter era mindset, even some “you got to be kidding”. There some leaders I respect from an emotionally safe distance, some I like, and others I will run the other way. I have glanced at the links and can nod in empathetic agreement. I have listened to online sermons from other churches. My perceptions have ranged from adoration, to nausea, to bone chilling fear.

I do want to be upfront that I am in a Great Commission church today. It just happened I like the church I visited and eventually uncerimoniously joined. The church is low pressure. It is also tempered with an seminary trained associate pastor who isfree to preach to his own devices. He usually runs a series of expository sermons from NT books. The church, pastors, staff, laity, and members know my complete history and are supportive and understanding. They know I cheerfully pay my tithes and send checks to Wellspring. There is room to disagree agreeably.

I have no hidden agenda, no crusade, nor axe to grind either for or against. I know there are bad churches or the forum and GCM Warning would not exist. I still have a friend, even though she left GC, still feels I slander the brethren. I am truly glad you are here and sincerely value your prescence. My heart goes out to any former member who still hurting. There are plenty of cyberhugs to go around. I am interested in the posts. I confess I still have quite few unanswered questions myself. I hope you do not mind my asking as time goes along and get to know the forum better. I have a lot stuff to sort out and ask if that would be OK with you.

[exshep]

This was originally posted the  fall of 2006.  I was looking for a pick me up from Daylights when Google brought up GCM Warning.  That changed my day.  I referenced over to the old DeCommissioned blog which evolved into the forum today.  

Since the original post,  things began to unravel at the church in Texas.  I am still not entirely sure what caused a depature of staff and members.  My gut level sense at the time was it was best to get out.  As it turned out the Lord was closing the door to Texas and opening  a door to move back to Ohio.  It was the best thing I could have done.  I have been back in Ohio for almost a month now.  

The Columbus church member, I understand, has been out of GC for several years now.    Details are fuzzy at best.