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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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[wastedyearsthere]

I'm new to this site also.  I was at a GCC church in the 80's until the early 90's.   I became a Christian through people from this church and married through the church.  At first, the church seemed wonderful -- the people were so loving and it seemed unconditional.  Over time, I noticed that I was blamed if anything went wrong in my life.  If I didn't have friends, it was because I wasn't friendly.  If I was having financial problems it was because I wasn't tithing.  I want to call this a subtle spiritual prosperity gospel.  I had a leader tell me once that he didn't have trials because he did everything God told him to do (talk about arogance!).  I was told that if I wanted to get married (I was single at the time) that wanting to be married was a God in my life.  Once, our household was reproved for looking too nice on Sunday mornings that we were carnal.  Reproof was a normal almost weekly event if you didn't do everything leadership wanted you to do.   I was reproved if I didn't get counsel to go visit my family or heavens -- I wanted to have a Bible Study in my home and did not get the Elders approval.   I remember once at a teaching a leader talk in church about how people were not getting saved because we were not having good enough quiet times!  The women (mainly the attractive ones) were always being reproved for their dress.  One young woman was told not to wear sandals as her legs were distracting to the brothers.   Winter was no better with one young lady being told not to wear a turtle neck sweater as that was distracting...... What was next, birkas?

We were told not to listen to James Dobson (after all he graduated from a secular school) or anyone outside the church.  I was told by an Elder's wife when I talked about another popular church in town that "A different type of person goes to that church"

I wonder what was wrong with ME during those years.  I had no parents to warn me or help me.  I was a first generation Christian.  I have regrets that I spent 15 years there mainly because I didn't know there was something wrong with the church and there were good alternatives in our town.  I was led to believe we were the ONLY ones doing things God's way.  

I'm glad for this site.  I think people need to be warned about the problems in these churches and I'm now telling people when they are new to town about our local church (Stonebrook).  

Is there a site that talks about the problems with their doctrines?  I remember when many people left the church after the elders talked about how God is not omniscient -- He limits his knowledge because of man's free will -- this was not that long ago.  And there was the time when Christians didn't have a sin nature because of a book that an Elder read.  (that was in the 80's) Then there was the head coverings -- also a popular topic in the 80's.  

I have too many stories to tell -- it almost seems humorous to me now thinking what was going on with me that I didn't challenge any of this?

[puff of purple smoke]

Welcome to De-comm!

[AgathaL'Orange]

Yes, welcome.  Thanks for the background too.

[steelgirl]

I'm new to this site also.  I was at a GCC church in the 80's until the early 90's.   I became a Christian through people from this church and married through the church.  At first, the church seemed wonderful -- the people were so loving and it seemed unconditional.  Over time, I noticed that I was blamed if anything went wrong in my life.  If I didn't have friends, it was because I wasn't friendly.  If I was having financial problems it was because I wasn't tithing.  I want to call this a subtle spiritual prosperity gospel.  I had a leader tell me once that he didn't have trials because he did everything God told him to do (talk about arogance!).  I was told that if I wanted to get married (I was single at the time) that wanting to be married was a God in my life.  Once, our household was reproved for looking too nice on Sunday mornings that we were carnal.  Reproof was a normal almost weekly event if you didn't do everything leadership wanted you to do.   I was reproved if I didn't get counsel to go visit my family or heavens -- I wanted to have a Bible Study in my home and did not get the Elders approval.   I remember once at a teaching a leader talk in church about how people were not getting saved because we were not having good enough quiet times!  The women (mainly the attractive ones) were always being reproved for their dress.  One young woman was told not to wear sandals as her legs were distracting to the brothers.   Winter was no better with one young lady being told not to wear a turtle neck sweater as that was distracting...... What was next, birkas?

I don't know why I stayed when I did.  After the big move leaders were blaming me for not having a steady job.  Contract and temp work, heck with the fact it required a college degree was not good enough.  It was not anywhere this bad until a big move.

[theresearchpersona]

...sounds familiar here too...especially the "not do everything event" part.

[AgathaL'Orange]

Wow, I just re read the original post...

What are some other stories?  I can't believe HOW they can rationalize that you don't need seminary!  Hello People!  It's so easy for them to teach heresy!  And the funny thing is... they got it from another teacher or a book!  It's not like they JUST use the Bible!

[steelgirl]

Wow, I just re read the original post...

What are some other stories?  I can't believe HOW they can rationalize that you don't need seminary!  Hello People!  It's so easy for them to teach heresy!  And the funny thing is... they got it from another teacher or a book!  It's not like they JUST use the Bible!

There is at least one GCAC church in my area where a lot of the pastoral staff went to at least an evening Bible institute.  Some of them actually went to Christian colleges and seminaries.  It might be one of the better GC churches from what I hear.

[lone gone]

Is there a site that talks about the problems with their doctrines? I remember when many people left the church after the elders talked about how God is not omniscient -- He limits his knowledge because of man's free will -- this was not that long ago. And there was the time when Christians didn't have a sin nature because of a book that an Elder read. (that was in the 80's) Then there was the head coverings -- also a popular topic in the 80's.

Talk about being swept here and there by every wind of doctrine!!

There is no site that expresses their doctrines because the leaders are each so independent to the point of having no coherent doctrine among them.

I remember a message by Dave Bovenmeyer talking about learning what justification meant as a doctrine. This was years after his recognition as an elder and a national leader.

 Without a systematic study of theology, an elder could be recognized with serious serious serious shortcomings in knowing anything about orthodox doctrine. His character is supposed to be the measure of his understanding of doctrine. His willingness to be led and to lead in the same fashion is the measure of his maturity.

I've said it before,  most of these assemblies operate on the Situational Theology method.   The theology/teaching depends on the current situation. The scripture can stay the same but the meaning changes each time.

[theresearchpersona]

Is there a site that talks about the problems with their doctrines? I remember when many people left the church after the elders talked about how God is not omniscient -- He limits his knowledge because of man's free will -- this was not that long ago. And there was the time when Christians didn't have a sin nature because of a book that an Elder read. (that was in the 80's) Then there was the head coverings -- also a popular topic in the 80's.

Talk about being swept here and there by every wind of doctrine!!

There is no site that expresses their doctrines because the leaders are each so independent to the point of having no coherent doctrine among them.

I remember a message by Dave Bovenmeyer talking about learning what justification meant as a doctrine. This was years after his recognition as an elder and a national leader.

 Without a systematic study of theology, an elder could be recognized with serious serious serious shortcomings in knowing anything about orthodox doctrine. His character is supposed to be the measure of his understanding of doctrine. His willingness to be led and to lead in the same fashion is the measure of his maturity.

I've said it before,  most of these assemblies operate on the Situational Theology method.   The theology/teaching depends on the current situation. The scripture can stay the same but the meaning changes each time.

Lone...that's one of the things I honestly appreciate about you: that you look into things like that: I've found the same hardship in trying to honestly evaluate in order to not mis-characterize...and found that the way you do that is read the books they do at the time, and pin-down the sources of quirks/character/methodology/philosophies/whatever GC and its churches are doing...quite serious when it all often conflicts with scripture. : (

Oh, and don't harp on the headcovering people...technically even theologian admit you can't argue against them from scripture: even in trying to say "cultural" since that's not what Paul appeals to; however it would be much more respectful and responsible to actually be studied and able to present things coherently rather than just leading astray as you're lead astray; I'm just a young guy and I can already talk about those things (even uncomfortable ones like headcoverings) semi-coherently and with understanding of the historical/theological/doctrinal from the text--and trust me I'm not ag-ed man qualified to be an elder: so it's frustrating to watch these men demand obedience when they don't know what the heck they're talking about...at all...except that they have a bit of life-experience and they draw from that rather than scripture (or, again, from whatever book they're reading at the time). : (