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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Author Topic: IMPOSTERS!!!  (Read 26017 times)
o2knowthetruth
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« Reply #20 on: October 03, 2011, 03:33:38 pm »

MidnightRider....I see you are in Texas as well.  Were you part of a GC Church in Texas or elsewhere? 
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puff of purple smoke
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« Reply #21 on: October 03, 2011, 04:38:22 pm »

I'd like to read it too when it's finished.
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o2knowthetruth
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« Reply #22 on: October 03, 2011, 06:18:48 pm »

Puff...

Thanks for the post.  I am in the long and winding research phase, the part that makes me want to pull my hair out or in this case sign up for Electric Shock Therapy (do they do that any longer?).  Sifting through the stories of the past is a painstaking process sure to bring out the PTSD in all involved.  Well, I've heard it said..."no way out but thru"...or was it "get out while you can"?  Regardless, the GCI movement of the 1970s had some wonderful, well intentioned young believers of which I was one, sadly the misguided voices of a few splashed like a tsunami in an otherwise quite lagoon.  Many of us lost our way, some lost trust and a few lost faith.

Currently, I am researching people I knew back in Kansas City who were involved in the Cornerstone Church during the McCotter years.  I recently found a woman I recall as having a strong and compassionate character; I found her on "the net" as she retired last year from the City Union  Mission in KC, MO.  I watched a YouTube post dedicated to her over 30 years of service and intermingled in her life's montage of memories were pictures from 30 years ago; a Godly woman I remembered frozen in time.  Gone was the craziness of a church crumbling before us and in it's place the memory of how I once treasured this woman I knew for too little a time.  My prayer as I write this book is not to get lost down the dark and lonely path of bitterness and hurt but to shine one small light on a truth I and others lived.   

Thank you to anyone willing to share with me.  If you want to tell your story to me please feel free to contact me @ vitrectsol7@mac.com 

In the next few days I will have my blog up and any who wish (or those bored with TV) can join in on the progress of the book.  Come join me on my use (or mis-use) of frequent flyer miles as I go around the country and even to New Zealand to follow up on those that set the wheels in motion...and those that were run over by it.

Blessings, Shelley
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Janet Easson Martin
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« Reply #23 on: February 27, 2013, 10:15:14 am »

Dear Shelley,

I am sorry I didn't reply way sooner.  I'm on my phone, so this may be short.  I hear a special person witnessing in your post to the spiritual abuse you were a victim to.  It is WONDERFUL how Jesus is making this damaging experience bear fruit to your life as part of his big story for you. I know that is his plan for all our afflictions.  I am praying for you to experience his comfort & glory as you step out on faith.  I got to see a very moving independent film (on Netflix streaming) just this week about a similar journey. It ended up winning many awards including a WELLSPRING RETREAT award (see website). It may be that they were some of the abuse experts consulted for their research, along with their own real life experience.  It moved me to tears!  It's titled, PARADISE RECOVERED.  It ministered to me; & I'll pray  your book will do the same for others.  God's story for US is better and more exciting than ANY fictional drama.

Much grace & confidence IN THE SPIRIT TO YOU.


Sincerely,

Janet Easson Martin  Smiley

« Last Edit: February 27, 2013, 11:04:18 am by Janet Easson Martin » Logged

For grace is given not because we have done good works, but in order that we may be able to do them.        - Saint Augustine
Janet Easson Martin
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« Reply #24 on: November 30, 2022, 07:43:01 pm »


i felt like all the attempts to emulate righteousness [in my GCx Church] were out of spiritual complacency. and the spiritual maturity exerted, in my opinion, was a little forced, and thus had a touch of discarded kindness. sort of like a duty, socially assumed but emotionally not internalized. I think it was a result of the over-confidence in your own salvation...often it was the salvation preached, and not Christ.

-skewed_grace


« Last Edit: November 30, 2022, 07:50:59 pm by Janet Easson Martin » Logged

For grace is given not because we have done good works, but in order that we may be able to do them.        - Saint Augustine
Janet Easson Martin
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« Reply #25 on: June 08, 2023, 07:52:34 pm »




...my dad was a GCM pastor... I left home to join the military at age 18... I have never stepped foot in a GCM church again (other than when I visit my parents). ... I didn't feel like people at GCM were genuine, they cared how I was doing spiritually but not how I was doing as a human being.

-AnotherPK,   2015


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For grace is given not because we have done good works, but in order that we may be able to do them.        - Saint Augustine
Janet Easson Martin
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« Reply #26 on: August 23, 2023, 09:23:08 pm »


UNHOLY GUIDANCE


For the time being, could you allow yourself to examine your past or present GCx church environment with it’s leadership a little more biblically?

Rather than think of the elders/pastors as automatically “above reproach” and very “spiritual” by virtue of their office, imagine the possibility of them seeking the approval of the GCx “elders” or it’s founder more than God himself. Think about the praise, popularity, and pedestal they are promoted to when selected and appointed by the founder or National Leadership. Don’t forget the primary qualification for a GCx leader —loyalty to the founder, the organization, and its leaders above all else (even above scriptural truth itself). Also required are loyalty to the traditions of GCx, and compliance to teach only what the founder or top leaders sanction rather than actual context of certain verses (even if it goes against one’s conscience). Sadly, a “Yes-man.”

We might give GCx leaders way more credit than they deserve or earned.  

Loyalty to GCx was praised more than any other behavior. Attracting and keeping followers of GCx was likely a close second. When the founder himself lacked the character (and especially humility) to shepherd God’s people, it might be realistic to assume he and his leaders were more concerned about public relations and outward appearance than being men of integrity. Pleasing men outranked pleasing God in GCx leadership. Thus, the possibility is good that character and real devotion to God and His Word took a back seat in the leadership ranks of GCx.

What a dangerous game was created? One where real selves could easily be hidden.

What if those leaders were not more spiritually mature than you? What if they weren’t really listening to God? We certainly gave them way too many passes on their appalling guidance which is recorded on this site.

What if they loved Jesus the same or possibly less than you?  What does God say is the proper measuring tool?  Is it how much they exult their own spirituality?  Or could it be their love and treatment toward his people?

What if they were unholy in how they treated people supposedly under their care? What if they bullied or slandered or condemned any who didn’t “worship and obey” them?

The stature we give these leaders must agree with God’s Truth, not the emotional and psychological sway we are manipulated and shamed under through their erroneous teaching by twisting of scripture.

Are they really approved workers handling accurately the precious Word of God?

Or are they actually rebellious children of God misguiding the sheep and lording it over His people?

« Last Edit: August 24, 2023, 06:43:21 am by Janet Easson Martin » Logged

For grace is given not because we have done good works, but in order that we may be able to do them.        - Saint Augustine
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