Michael's Introduction

Greetings,

My name is Michael and I've been somewhat of a lurker for quite a while. I've posted maybe three times, but haven't really sat down to share my testimony and my experience with GCC/GCM/GCI -- what have you.

I joined "The Rock" Fort Collins sometime late in 2001. The church experience was a breath of fresh air from my church experience growing up, and I was thankful for being blessed with wonderful friends who provided me with what I perceived to be an awesome balance of grace and conviction -- both of which I needed. In my initial time with "The Rock" I was able to grow in my Faith and I'd like to think I'm much more mature now because of it.

As my time with the "The Rock" continued, I witnessed the entire character, mission and focus of the church change. When I was going, it was around the time the Amsterdam project was taking off, and Steve Bush was to leave soon thereafter. I remember sitting in the auditorium listening to a man who really knew how to make the Gospel accessible to older, seasoned, new and even non-Christians. At this time it seemed as if God had provided the right balance of abilities and focus to genuinely reach people.

But that all changed shortly after Steve left. Soon thereafter, Summitview would acquire their own building, and "The Rock" would no longer take place on campus or at Fort Collins High School -- it would soon find a home at the Summitview building.

"The Rock" no longer characterized itself as a "seeker service," and instead turned inward. It was at this point that I noticed the level of church discipline and focus on authority rise. I remember being so excited about this church when I started going. The leadership had fresh, relevant and interesting things to say.

But toward the end of 2006 when I eventually left, I remember going in Sunday mornings, or to "The Rock" on Fridays/Saturdays and listen to people ramble for an hour with no focus. Current leadership's lack of education in the history of the Faith and the Bible over centuries seeped in, and one day I finally "woke up" and hit the road.

When coming across GCMWarning and reading various testimonies, I sat dumbfounded and sad -- mostly because I couldn't believe that pretty much all the allegations written against GCM I had personally witnessed -- the irrational behavior of leadership, the double standards, the manipulative nature of certain people and the ensuing cover-ups -- the unconscionable way certain members were treated.

I don't believe GCM churches are a sham. I know they're doing some amazing things in many peoples' lives. I truly believe that God is using GCM churches and their congregations to fill some sort of need. But at the same time, the church certainly needs to wake up and honestly respond to rational criticism. I do believe that a certain amount of poison continues to seep into this movement, and if they continue to resist confronting it, they will cease to be effective teachers of the Gospel.