SCOC references on other sites
- “My Inner Sanctum” (This ex-member converted to Islam)
- Who I am and why Islam (Possibly by the same person above)
- You cannot go to the other extreme to avoid liberalism (From a preacher’s interaction with a member)
- Your Church Too (DC’s old site)
We all have stories to tell. Outside of the Church of Christ culture, people call it your “testimony.” I like that. My testimony has been largely told here on these pages, and others have undertaken to tell their own stories of how this sect has affected their lives, and how they’ve found their way to a closer relationship with the loving and forgiving God of Scripture (or not).
Please use the comment section of this page to share how God is working in your life today, or if you can email me a more complete testimony of your experiences in (and out) of the sect. You can tell us how God has brought you out of legalistic thinking, or how you’ve come to have a deeper relationship with God, or any aspect of your story that you feel will be uplifting to those still struggling with the “doctrines and commandments of men” that have consumed the sect for the past 45 years.
I just ask that if your story involves other people, please refrain from using names where it would be hurtful, even if those people have hurt you. I believe the people who have hurt others through their abusive teachings and discipline methods know who they are, and my sincere hope is that they may one day change their hearts and work to make things right with those they’ve hurt. If ever there was a proper application of Matthew 5:23-24, it would be this: If you’ve hurt your brother by abusive teaching or improper church discipline, go and reconcile with your brother before another minute passes.
Not sure what to write? Try answering one of these questions:
- How did you first come to realize that the sect’s teachings were wrong?
- What caused you to realize that God is alive and well outside the sect?
- How have you sought fellowship with other believers after leaving the sect?
For some, you may not be ready to share your story. It may be too painful and too personal for a public forum like this. For others, sharing your story may be the perfect way to stand up and be counted. You can say to the world fearlessly “I belong to Jesus.”
Where I’ve chosen to republish an individual’s story here on the blog, you’ll find it linked in the top menu.
I think the biggest thing I’ve learned about God since leaving the sect is that He is not going to forsake us (as some would like you to believe) because sometimes we are struggling and not at our best. He did not come to condemn us but to save us (and that includes you). He’ll continue to work with us because He loves us and understands us; He is both merciful and patient. I think sometimes we forget that He exemplifies the “fruit of the spirit”; He is faithful and full of hope for us even when we have doubts.… Read more »
I like how you point out that God exemplifies the fruits of the Spirit…love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control (Galatians 5:22-23). So many people in the sect don't even trust that God is good, let alone kind, gentle, joyful, and patient with us. I know my best insights into God's nature have come from my experience as a father and seeing it backed up by scripture. There's a reason he calls himself our father, because he designed fatherhood. Every father lives out that aspect of being created in his nature, whether we know it or not. I… Read more »
Joshua 24:20If ye forsake the LORD, and serve strange gods, then he will turn and do you hurt, and consume you, after that he hath done you good.Ex 33:5 For the LORD had said unto Moses, Say unto the children of Israel, Ye are a stiffnecked people: I will come up into the midst of thee in a moment, and consume thee: therefore now put off thy ornaments from thee, that I may know what to do unto thee.Heb 12:29 For our God is a consuming fire.Heb 10:30 For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I… Read more »
Wow Anon 9:44, that was out of left field! I think it is important to keep those scriptures in the context in which they were written first of all. Those were righteous consequences based on the offenses/circumstances. Secondly, Paul himself "struggled" with sin and it is presumptuous of you, evil surmising in fact to think you know what is in my heart so speak for yourself, not me. Go read Romans 7:18-20 KJV Your saying, "Have a LOVE FILLED DAY" is no more than a sarcastic, hate spewing mockery of what a christian is supposed to think. Our God is… Read more »
"Redeemed" Big Daddy Seems like all I could see was the struggleHaunted by ghosts that lived in my pastBound up in shackles of all my failuresWondering how long is this gonna lastThen You look at this prisoner and say to me "sonStop fighting a fight it's already been won" I am redeemed, You set me freeSo I'll shake off these heavy chainsWipe away every stain, now I'm not who I used to beI am redeemed, I'm redeemed All my life I have been called unworthyNamed by the voice of my shame and regretBut when I hear You whisper, "Child lift… Read more »
Here's a link to listed to "Redeemed."
"Kevin – So many people in the sect don't even trust that God is good, let alone kind, gentle, joyful, and patient with us." I do. This is why I believe that God is these things in how my infirmity keeps me from coming when it does. I have always looked at my congregation not doing this. I believe God is empathetic and and wants us to be the same. Hebrews 4:15-16 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet… Read more »
@Lynn, I can tell you have a heart that feels God's love and that's the lens you want your brothers and sisters to view God and you through. I think you're on the right track, brother. I do think your commitment to staying there is holding you back from understand the love of God more deeply, because when you see it practiced daily, it will reinforce it and bring it out in you. But God may have work for you to do there in your congregation, so I'm not necessarily encouraging you to leave. I think it's possible to meet… Read more »
I hear you. Tacoma has been under oppression for a long time. I was told that a preacher from Portland was sent there because of the lack of love the brethren had for each other and then another teach from the South was sent to us only to be sent back east, then another preacher and his family were sent to us all to help fix these problems that were never fixed. The more I brought it up the more I was castigated as though it didn't exist. Then if anybody from any other congregation would inquire about it it… Read more »
Here is a letter that was sent out to a few of the brethren – http://standbeforegod.blogspot.com/
I found creative ways to deal with the oppression. I would do the personal work and when sent out alone I would invite everyone they didn't approve of. I told some that homosexauls were welcome( and one guy even showed up in a dress for nonmember class), I would also invite drunkards, kids (a twelve year old showed up for non member class) I don't think that they ever figured out that I was doing it on purpose.
Part 1: I have posted bits and pieces of my story on Facebook and here on this blog. I will attempt to tell my story because I hope that it will provide hope for those that are still lost. I believe my parents were baptized in California (I think in Spring Valley) in 1971. I also had an aunt who was baptized and at some point was withdrawn from (many, many years later it was deemed unscriptural) when I was little or possibly before I was born. As a result my mom didn't talk to my aunt whom she loved… Read more »
Part 2: Over the course of the next 18 years, I spent my time ignoring God or searching for answers. My search for answers took me to the internet and my Bible (church doctrine was so ingrained in me that rereading the scriptures I had been taught never answered my questions). My husband and I would have passionate discussions and I always tell him the CoC's talking points and when we were finished we were still convinced that the other person was wrong. At some point he told me about a website that he thought I should check out. I… Read more »
Wendy, I just want to say Praise God! He is so good to us 🙂 it is so wonderful to hear of people coming out of coc and finding salvation in Jesus Christ! I was raised in coc and I agree with both you and Anonymous 11:10 on having to re-learn scripture and God. I was just thinking yesterday on how my parents loved me(no doubt!) and I learned to love from their example. But through Jesus Christ I have truly learned what love is and how to love. It is only through knowing Him as my savior that I… Read more »
Thank you Erin, it is awesome to see love working in your life. Understanding the power and reality of Christlike love can change people overnight.
For the last 5, 6? Years I have been told how much the church has changed. I've heard how they are more relaxed and have stopped teaching the extra rules that this church is known for. Unfortunately I have recently had a conversation that proved many of those changes to be false. They still cannot travel without worshiping in a Stanton coc during their trip. They still cannot enter the building of another religion even for a wedding. There is still no remorse (that I have witnessed anyways) for the extremes teachings and the horrible effects they have had. For… Read more »
Rules, rules, ever-changing rules….The bottom line continues to be… listen to your teachers (and by listen they mean obey) and when the teachers change the rules they will let you know. If you like following an extra-biblical list of rules this is the place for you. If you like being under obedience to men and women who are not elders then this is the place for you. The sad thing is that the church is filled with wonderful people thinking they are pleasing God by obeying their teachers but they have done so to the unnecessary destruction of their marriage,… Read more »
Yes anon @ 11:14, and I was just reading in 2 Peter chapter 2 about false teachers and I found comfort in those verses, particularly vs 9. God knows how to rescue the godly. He knows who the godly are. He is able to rescue them! How many of these "Christians" in this specific church are really saved? We don't know the condition of their hearts and whether there is sincerity in their repentance or if they are merely doing these things because their teachers tell them to. One thing we do know, and what I'm thankful for, is that… Read more »
Anon 5:08, AMEN. Thank you for posting. So many people describe Stanton "worship" service as more like a funeral than joyous praise to the God who redeemed us and set us free. I still fall short of the mark every day, so I have a lot to be thankful and joyful for. When we're so focused on our own past sin, we become self-centered and are not thinking about how we can serve other people. Only when we acknowledge that we're forgiven can we truly love. Luke 7:41-47 "Two people owed money to a certain moneylender. One owed him five… Read more »
Anon 5:08, Amen! Awesome post!
Question: "Masturbation – is it a sin according to the Bible?" Answer: The Bible never explicitly mentions masturbation or states whether or not masturbation is a sin. The Scripture most frequently pointed to in regards to masturbation is the story of Onan in Genesis 38:9-10. Some interpret this passage as saying that “spilling your seed” on the ground is a sin. However, that is not precisely what the passage is saying. God condemned Onan not for “spilling his seed” but because Onan refused to fulfill his duty to provide an heir for his brother. The passage is not about masturbation,… Read more »
wow, that was out of left field. Interesting. I agree with most of what you are saying but I think it could also not be a sin — only in the marriage bed. Yes, our bodies are not our own but for another reason than what you said. They are not our own because they are also our spouse's. We can't deny sex to our spouses. I think the main thing is whether or not that goes against our conscience or not. If not and our spouse would like some help learning how to please us then what are we… Read more »
Well said, Anon 1:14. I believe you've got the answer.
And I agree with 5:18PM. What is perhaps more critical is that Anon 1:14 leaves out "…I don't think you can tell people what is sin if the bible doesn't expressly say it is. I think that's the whole point of this blog. Even if we are talking about masturbation. What is clear, however, is that your conclusion is your own and my conclusion is my own and we are under God's authority, not one another's." What 5:18 said demonstrates the will of God. Where the bible is silent we must not create our own rules and bind them on… Read more »
Deductive, Inductive reasoning coupled with approved example proves Anon 1:14 is correct. I am not one that likes to list scriptures because most of you know all of them but I will this time; Gal. 5:19-uncleanness is listed among the sexual transgressions. (What is uncleanness anyone?) Eph. 5:3-all uncleanness (all inclusive, what could that mean?) and one more perhaps; Eph. 4:19- working ALL UNCLEANNESS with greediness. (again why would we exclude masturbation from the word ALL). If you want a translation battle, well then bring it on..
Can someone please explain what that means? Deductive, Inductive reasoning, and approved example? and where do those ideas/themes for interpreting Scripture originate?
Google it.
Deductive and inductive reasoning are simply ways that we all process information to arrive at conclusions. What most in our movement don't realize is that they are not bullet proof. Each form of reasoning has its own weaknesses for determining absolute truth. For instance, if I have 14 surveillance video clips of Bob entering a convenience story right before a robbery took place, I may have solid reasons for thinking he did the robbery, or that I have "necessary inference" that implies that he did it. But there may be alternate explanations…perhaps it was someone that looked exactly like Bob.… Read more »
Kevin, you have given me pause to contemplate some things… Your explanations are so very much appreciated!
Kevin, thanks so much for your thoughtful response. I really appreciate it!
My spirit can not know the mysteries of the Kingdom of heaven. I have to be taught from another source that is not of this earth. There is no tool on earth that can be an exact science opening the mysteries of the word of God, especially logic. (definition of logic; A science of formal principles of reasoning.) Because Christianity is not reasonable because it deals with the spiritual realm. 1 Cor. ch.2. We must have the Holy Spirit to know truth.vs.10-But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit; For the Spirit searcheth all things yea the deep… Read more »
Christianity is not reasonable? Where do you get that? Romans 12:1 – I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. Logic is not a "tool," it is from God. In fact, in one sense, God is logic. Jesus is said to the the "Word," right? The Greek word for "Word" is "Logos," where we get our English word "Logic." Formal rules of logic are simply the science of how all humans understand truth. To shun logic is to shun knowledge itself.… Read more »
Thank you. I've learned a lot about God being a parent. I'd rather my kids obey me from the heart out of love for me and be wrong sometimes then to hyperfocus on lawyer-like accuracy about my words and not have a good relationship with me or their siblings.
I stumbled across this letter written to the church by Dianne Collier. For many of us raised in the church the 'split' that happened between her and the church was part of all of our stories.
http://yourchurchtoo.blogspot.com/2005/02/doctrine-we-have-learned.html?m=1#comment-form
I found this today regarding this sect on the web. So true!
http://www.wordsoftruth.net/wotvol14/wotbulletin10062013.html
Hello Kevin what do u mean joyous praise? I was not raised in Staton coc but was taught to be sober by my parents when worshiping god which doesn't mean I'm not thankful. And making a remark that their worship service is like a funeral was not necessary. I love luke 7 41, thank you
I came to the church at twenty-one years of age and fell away at age twenty-nine; I am now forty-three years old. During those seven years, I experienced a torment that I have never experienced before nor thereafter. I remember the feeling of relief when it was discovered that my baptism into the church was unscriptural because it was done for the wrong reason; I FELT FREE! I continued to attend classes with growing pressure to become baptized. I reluctantly decided to become a Christian and rejoin the church. I remember looking at the teacher and preacher, who were both… Read more »
Pensacola I probably knew you! Glad you shared your experience and thoughts! They are so similar to what I and others experienced. I, too, thought about the things said of those who left the group. I realize what we were told were just stories, designed to make us stay. I also have to wonder about the reasons we were told they left-it was always attributed to sins they supposedly were unwilling to give up. Now I know better! Welcome to the blog!
Welcome to the blog, I'm glad you found your way away from the Stanton sect's unbiblical teachings. I'm also glad you found your calling in teaching and showing love to kids in the schools, many of whom don't get it at home. That's awesome. My wife and I do foster care for that reason.
Have you visited any other churches since you left the Stanton sect?
I just started listening to a pastor out in Cali, Jack Hibbs; he is wonderful because he biblically teaches in such a way that it makes me want to change, but I feel amazing about doing it! I am not made to feel like a disgusting, worthless child of God. Sure, I am not worthy, but God WANTS me to succeed; He wants me to win the race! It's interesting; understandably, I have wanted nothing to do with God after leaving the Stanton sect. I asked God to show me the truth about the church in Pensacola and allow my… Read more »
I'm excited that your journey back to God is starting! He is soooo much better than who Stanton makes him out to be. 🙂 And that's really the entire goal I'm trying to communicate in this blog, so I'm glad you found it. Thanks for sharing your story!