Grew up in a GCM Church and Proud

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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[ken.myersjr]

Hello everyone.

As a believer who has the gift of discernment, I am pleased to see that you are bringing awareness to other believers about false prophets, doctrines, and theologies. I am always on guard against such things. I grew up in a GCM church located in the suburbs of St. Louis, Missouri. None of the problems mentioned on your website applied to my church or any of its leadership. I consider that church to be lightyears ahead of the churches in Cleveland, Ohio (where I now live) when it comes to doctrinal and theological accuracy. We have a greater problem on our hands folks. And this movement is far more dangerous than scattered complaints about some GCM churches. There is a movement going on right now that uses "Christian culture" to undermine the authority of the Scriptures and instead glorify man and his pleasures. The focus is no longer on God. It's on man and the "feelings," "emotions," "moods," and "pleasures." It's about what can make money, make Christians famous, and keep large numbers of people at their churches. It's focused only on the Spirit and not on Truth. This movement is full of false prophets and teachers. And our young generation (as well as some older) are being engulfed and fooled by it. We need to be praying for those who have been harmed by a GCM church, for the GCM churches themselves, and for those who are bitter toward GCM. And remember this: We have a greater problem to watch for. GCM is nothing compared to this "emerging movement." Pray for discernment for God's children. But don't stay bitter forever. Love one another always. There will always be bad churches and churches with imperfections. Some of those could very well be GCM churches. But don't scorn GCM as a whole. Let God judge the individuals involved in abuse. I have had so many issues with the SBC (Southern Baptist Convention) that honestly I've learned to just let God judge and look at the hearts of individuals - not at the organization as a whole. You have faults too. If I spent time making a website warning people of your faults, I would be wasting time I could be witnessing to unbelievers. Our focus needs to be on Christ, and God will expose the false and bring judgement on them. Love one another.

[Linda]

Sigh.

[Anonymous]

GCM is nothing compared to this "emerging movement."

Yeah, because the benchmark for "acceptable" is "not as bad as what it could be" 

that honestly I've learned to just let God judge and look at the hearts of individuals

This really irks me. Perhaps because this attitude is what I've heard many times specifically to justify bad leadership or inaccurate preaching - "oh, but I know his heart, so it's ok!" Sometimes, this might be true. But if someone is consistently doing poorly and acting in a manner NOT consistent with the Bible, it's not justifiable because of his heart.



Maybe it's just because today I've been reflecting on just how many hurts I have directly as a result from being part of GCC/M..

[AgathaL'Orange]

There are two flaws in GC thinking that just occurred to me.

1.  Ignore bad behavior because we "know his heart". 

2.  Ignore people's warnings because "they are sinners too".

Each statement presents two pieces that have no bearing on the other.

Bad behavior is bad behavior even if you are Mother Teresa.  Valid warnings are valid warnings even if they are given by a sinner.

The question is, "Is it good for a Christian (personally, spiritually, emotionally, financially, relationally, and quality of life-wise) to attend a GCM church?"

My answer is (loudly), "No." 

It is an unhealthy organization.  It will harm you and your relationships and stunt you.

This organization believes that you need to do what you are told to do and weakens each person, making them think that they are not capable of making their own decisions.  You are expected to seek counsel on jobs, moving, family, relationships, marriage and to submit or agree with that counsel.  It is the way they operate.  There are recent sermons that explicitly tell HOW and WHY to do this.  And that if you don't you are a stupid and ignorant person. (Yes, they say you are stupid).  Another sermon also explicitly, oh so clearly, said, "Sheep are stupid," and that was why God gave churches pastors to lead all the stupid people. 

I join the "Sigh" that was given earlier, and encourage the OP to go find a different church.  I didn't go to an Emergent church, IMO without rules and doctrine clearly written down and a disciplinary safeguard in place, the church could be led astray.  I chose a church with the ancient doctrine clearly written down.  My church has no question that cannot be asked and the belief that people can make their own decisions without a pastor/leader-dictator.

[Linda]

Bad behavior is bad behavior even if you are Mother Teresa.  Valid warnings are valid warnings even if they are given by a sinner.

Well said.

[Janet Easson Martin]

I agree with Linda, Anonymous, and Agatha L'Orange.

As Dr. David Jeremiah said recently in his Sunday Broadcast (last Sunday in August) - these kind of churches teach a Jaundiced Message

He has lots of very interesting biblical insights on such false teaching and teachers that contaminate THE PRACTICE OF THE GOSPEL, and not necessarily the Preaching of the Gospel.  And GCx would definitely qualify according to the biblical principles he lays out.  Check it out for yourself.