Matthew submitted his story back in 2013 in a series of six comments. In an effort to reorganize stories like his into a more useful and findable format, I have compiled his story into a single post.
Full disclosure: Matthew is my brother-in-law, and currently “withdrawn from” by the Anchorage, Alaska congregation. Jill is my sister, whom I love very much in spite of our disagreement over the church. They have an awesome family, and I’ve respected that they’ve been able to maintain a loving relationship.
August 29, 2013 at 3:36 PM
The option of “Anonymous” allows us to speak without anyone having any preconceived ideas about us and shields us from anyone bringing up our past. We all have one, don’t we. I choose not to be “Anonymous” My past has the good, bad and ugly. I pray that you can learn something from it.
I am a past member, teacher, evangelist of this sect, who is currently withdrawn from. For me it all started when my high school friend took me to a Der Wienerschnitzel, where he introduced me to my wife to be. She invited me to a class and I never stopped going. She is still an active member “teacher” of this sect and she is still the love of my life for the last 34 years.
It is so easy for us to point fingers at each other. Because we are all human, faults are easy to see. When I look back at my participation with this sect I have a lot of memories, things I am thankful for and a lot of things I am ashamed of. I needed to learn to move on and remember that I am accountable for my actions. No matter how many faults another might have it will never make me look, or be, any better of a person. I need to improve my own life and live responsibly before my God. I now worship at the Rose street church of Christ in Anchorage and have for several years.
When I tried to make changes I ended up getting withdrawn from. I spoke out against “May Week” and said it was unscriptural. (This was the straw that broke the camel’s back). To have select members of each congregation meet to discuss what the brotherhood was going to teach for the next year is not biblical. It would be impossible for me to count how many times I was publicly rebuked from the pulpit and in a Bible class. My favorite scripture during these times was Job 21:3 “Suffer me that I may speak; and after I have spoken, mock on.”
August 30, 2013 at 2:33 PM
2nd Post
I am thankful for this page and the FB page that allows different ones to “get things off their chest” and lets us communicate together. This is way overdue. However… all of the anger, hatred, foul language and bitterness, I will not agree with. But I pray that in time we can all work through it. I know it has taken me a long time to get to where I am today and my journey is not done. God deserves a lot of praise for is long suffering with us.
There will be times in our lives, which certain events will happen, that we will never forget. We will remember exactly what we were doing and where we were when it all happened. Like… 9/11, the day the shuttle blew up. All because of the significant impact of the events.
Back in 1977 a few weeks after I became a member of the Stanton congregation, I remember vividly being questioned by two ladies in the congregation (who are still in this sect). They asked me if I masturbated. When I told them no, they said if I did I would be withdrawn from. Later I also learned that they believed masturbation could be a cause for Alzheimers.
Around 1979 was when I found out that some used to tie their children’s hands at night, to keep them from “touching themselves”. They abused their children in this way because they didn’t want their children to grow up to be masturbators. This practice was stopping around the time I learned about it.
I remember (like it was yesterday) while we were in San Antonio, (this would have been around 1984) I received a call from a brother in Odessa asking me what sexual positions I practiced with my wife. I told him, that was not a conversation we were going to have and I never answered his questions. I felt it was none of his business. I then called and asked, someone else (a brother in San Diego) what was going on.
They would also question members to see if they had a “corrupt mind”. If they determined they did have one, then they were withdrawn from.
They have withdrawn from hundreds of members for these three “sins”. Masturbation, defiled marriage bed and the corrupt mind. They also believe now that those withdrawals were unscriptural. It would be safe to say that they have had far more unscriptural withdrawals than scriptural. They believed that those that fell away, after being withdrawn from scripturally, would have never continued anyway.
There past is so very ugly and they try to hide it. They destroyed the tapes of any recordings with these things being taught. They don’t want any of their new converts hearing these things.
I’m sorry for not having a more respectful way of putting this… But was it their Holy Spirit that led them in and out of the “truths” of child restraint, masturbation, the defiled marriage bed and questioning individuals if they had a corrupt mind? Was it their Holy Spirit that kept them united through all of that?
August 30, 2013 at 2:37 PM
3rd Post because it was too long to all be in my 2nd post.
Here is something to take note of… They believe that one of the “ear-marks” of them being the only true church is their belief that are led by the Holy Spirit into all truth and he keeps them united.
It is also important to note that they believe and are convinced that everyone else is lost. All other churches of Christ are referred to as the “off Churches” “Congregations that have had their candlestick removed” (Rev 2:5) therefor they believe God no longer recognized them as being the church.
Here is something VERY important to understand about them… With their strong belief that everyone else is wrong, this leaves them with nowhere else to go. So, no matter what they have done wrong and willingly admit to, it will always be better to stay where they are at, than to go anywhere else.
I will leave you with this scripture…
The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. -2 Peter 3:9
This is how God feels towards them too. I believe prayer is in order for those we love, that are still a part of this sect.
September 1, 2013 at 6:01 PM
4th Post
I will start this post by saying that in my beginning; every new convert was questioned on masturbation and taught it was wrong. I might add that I still believe that we need to refrain from such behavior.
Now, another day, I will never forget. March 11th 1998. This is the day my Dad passed away suddenly with a heart attack. On this day I was at Sam’s Club shopping when my phone rang with my Mom on the other end of the phone. In her emotional pain she told me what had happened. Two months prior she lost her Mom and now her husband, my Dad was dead. All I could do was sit down on a pallet and cry.
I flew to the Stanton area to be with my Mom and family. As we were arranging my Dad’s burial, I was told that I needed to go back to Anchorage and worship with them. I was being told I needed to worship with my home congregation even though the Stanton congregation was right there. This was going to require me to miss my father’s burial. My family was willing to postpone his funeral so I flew back to Anchorage; worship with my home congregation, then flew back for his funeral. I will always remember, when I first told my Mom, I could not stay. She asked me why I could not stay and worship with the Stanton congregation. That’s when I told her, as I had been taught, it is written, “But Jesus said unto him, Follow me; and let the dead bury their dead.” -Matthew 8:22. I will never forget her cry and tears.
September 2, 2013 at 8:41 PM
5th Post
Sweetheart (Erin) you are right about Matthew 8. That’s just what I was taught and the way they applied it to me was cruel and wrong. I believe they have changed that teaching and application to Matthew 8 also.
Another event I will never forget…
My withdrawal. It was on a Thursday night after our non-member class. My wife and I walked in with some non-members, right about the time the class was supposed to start. Immediately the preacher and a lady took me into a back room to talk with me. They told me that after the non-member class the congregation was going to have a meeting to bring up withdrawing from me for what I said, the last weekend, at a Sunday night fellowship. I asked them a question (I don’t remember my specific question) and they said, “We don’t have time to talk right now, we need to start class”.
This is what I taught at the fellowship “May week was unscriptural and it was like the Baptist convention.” Furthermore I said “We can’t read in the Bible where the older ones from each congregation are to meet to discuss the teaching and practices of the brotherhood for the purpose of keeping us united.”
Now back to Thursday night. When the meeting started, the preacher said he wanted to first paint a picture of me because he didn’t believe the congregation knew me like he did. So, before going into what I said that previous Sunday evening, he spoke for about 15 minutes accusing me of things he believed I had done. He then spoke about what I said at the fellowship and then asked if there were any questions. At that point I wanted to address everything he had falsely accused me of, so I raised my hand. He called on me and I began to answer for myself on the first accusation he made about me. I said, “The first thing you just accused me of is believing that the older ones in our congregation are holding a specific brother back from teaching the older kids class” (I might add here that neither he or anyone else had ever talked with me about this).
I told him “I didn’t believe that and I had never thought it.” At that point another sister interrupted and said, “This has nothing to do with Matthews withdrawal and we didn’t need to talk about it” so I was stopped. I raised my hand again and when he called on me I began to talk about his second accusation against me and I was immediately cut off by another sister who said the same thing, “this has nothing to do with Matthew’s withdrawal and we didn’t need to talk about it.” So I was stopped a second time, for trying to answering for myself, the accusations laid against me. I raised my hand again and he called on me one last time. I asked “can I answer for myself for the things I said at the fellowship for the reason you are withdrawing from me?” He said “no” and I was then withdrawn from.
There never was any scripture given to try to show the “May Week” to be scriptural. Not at that meeting or any time thereafter. I continued to attend for around 1 ½ years before I left for good.
I consider this day to be one of the greatest days of my life. I continue to thank God for setting me free. I believe that my life is proof that anyone can make it out of there.
He hath made his wonderful works to be remembered: the Lord is gracious and full of compassion. Psalms 111:4
September 27, 2013 at 12:43 PM
6th Post
There were two other days I will never forget. These two days happened several years after my withdrawal. Two of my boys, on different days, a few years apart from each other, were baptized into the congregation in Anchorage. They both, at their different times, meet up with me to tell me that they were going to get baptized. This might sound odd, but with both of my sons, we just cried and hugged each other. Neither one of them wanted to let me go. Those were the longest hugs ever. This was because we both knew that they would never hold any more conversations with me. No more camping or playing basketball or anything with Papa any more. As I said before, I am literally reminded every day of the bondage that is a part of those congregations. I believe I still have to reap what I sowed and I believe God can work a miracle in their lives also. I told my first boy that God was merciful with me because he led my out of those congregations. I said, “You are so much like me and I believe God will help lead you out of there too.”
Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice. Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities. Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit. Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee. -Psalms 51:8-13
I do not want anyone to feel sorry for me, because God has been very good to me. I have so much to be thankful for and I know that my journey is not over. This is just what is happening in these congregations today.
I will sing unto the LORD as long as I live: I will sing praise to my God while I have my being. My meditation of him shall be sweet: I will be glad in the LORD. -Psalms 104:33-3
Here is a link to my own study on Stanton’s mistaken understanding of withdrawal. It does not necessarily represent Matthew’s opinions.
Hi Matt KF here. You can see the commenters and critics on this blog can be a tough crowd or a small group of cowards, especially those who pop in and out like a church mouse snatching bits of food for their empty heads. The ones who are still in the SCOC either state their passions as members or poke insults at others rather than defend their own beliefs. So expect more criticism here than answers. So I'll be a critic to start. I read over your story for a second time and see several similarities to my story. Let… Read more »
I can barely read the part of your story about your two boys being baptized without being saddened to the point of tears. And Angered at the feeling of loss and helplessness. This is no way for a loving father to feel and I know how much it hurts. I nearly lost my daughter entirely through the teaching of this cult. Knowing that you are not to be loved by your own flesh and blood is not easy to live with. They are a part of you as you are a part of them. Meant to protect and provide for… Read more »
KF, the anger you feel toward religion is not necessarily misplaced. What you don't understand because you haven't experienced it is an actual relationship with the God who made you and me and the universe. You experienced a relationship with a person who had a relationship with a church who had a dysfunctional concept of God. This is not giving God a fair chance. I am not asking you to accept Christ blindly or without a healthy dose of skepticism. As Thomas Jefferson said, "Question with boldness even the existence of a God; because, if there be one, he must… Read more »
Amen Kevin! KF the greatest wisdom is to realize no human can harm me greater than my own choices. For nothing is truly in my power but my own actions. People will mistreat me, and I have certainly mistreated others. But we all need to be forgiven, and so it is wise to forgive others.
Let me see if I can address this from my perspective. I understand it would be Christ-like to Turn the other Cheek to the SCOC. Yes as an adult I can choose to do so. Although I know of no instance where Christ used force to effect his cause and that forgiveness and mercy seemed to be his Mission for God, I believe that many followers used force to oppose their oppressors. And again as adults we can make clear choices that all come with consequences. However children cannot make these choices when they are coerced or even forced to… Read more »
KF, good points, I understand where you're coming from. From a practical point of view, it doesn't seem to do any good to forgive someone who doesn't want, and doesn't even think they need, our forgiveness. Forgiveness only has a motivating power once the person being forgiven recognizes that it's something they want and need. There is always the aspect of the good it does on your own soul when you forgive, but I want to focus on a different thought for the moment. Isn't God in the position of offering forgiveness before the subjects of his forgiveness even know… Read more »
Keeping with the Forgiveness subject. Help me understand the NEED for forgiveness. I can understand that if one lives in fear of God, that one's wrongs will need to be forgiven by God to please him. Yet that assumes that God wants you to live in fear and ask for forgiveness. But I'm not hearing that perspective here apart from what SCOC teaches. The NEED to be fearful of God. So if as you say it is always in God's domain to forgive whenever and for whatever, Why would forgiveness of another man or group of men (teachers/preachers) be necessary… Read more »
Guilt and fear are necessary tools to keep people under control. Guilt is probably the single most important emotional lever for producing conformity and compliance. There are different types of guilt that can be exploited by an abusive leader; i.e. historic guilt, identity guilt, guilt over past actions, and social guilt. Asking forgiveness of others is taught by Christ in Mathew 18 your criticism shows your ignorance of the scriptures and reduces your creditability please educate yourself KF if you want to be taken seriously.
Anon 6:53, KF doesn't accept Christianity (yet!). I'm working on a response to your comments, KF, but haven't had the bandwidth yet.
I'm having a bit of a problem unraveling some of what Matthew said. Here he talks about tattling on your brethren first not, giving the forgiveness first. It seems to support the idea of the SCOC, that members are to be publicly called out in front of the Church even though the offender has not asked for forgiveness. The critical point seems to be whether of not the ones tattling are "gathered in his (Jesus's) name" So when members are called out for the most minor of offenses, are they being told to ask for forgiveness or just being persecuted… Read more »
It is not said that we cannot judge, but in the manner in which we judge. If I am harsh, unmerciful, or biased in my judgements I will be judged the same way. John 7:24 Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment. We are always supposed to forgive people. Taking a sin to my brother/sister and them not taking it, causing me count them as a heathen, if they still don't take it, isn't not forgiving them. It is a state in which were are commanded to deal with to a disobedient Christian when they choose to… Read more »
Lynn , here is what I take away from the words of Matthew and your "situation" Matthews word speak of bringing SINS in front of the offending brethren Not their ill conceived judgements. So were you truly bringing up Sins throughout your situation or lesser "faults" Perhaps that is why you were ignored in your efforts. Sins are offenses against God, so therefore the congregation would be educated by revealing "situations" of sin. But lesser offenses are handled not by Gods guidance but by man's own grace (if they have it) towards another man. I believe this involves a lot… Read more »
KF – You are completely incorrect in your assessment as to what I brought to the counsel as being lesser sins. They definitely were sins. I don't bring out lesser sins. I believe that we all have things that were are working on, so I gave people room. Not to reiterate it, but all over this blog I have expressed the sins they were doing. My expectations were exactly what the scriptures dictate. There was no discernment in this of if there was a little or a lot, but in that there was none when it was dictated that it… Read more »
KF please be aware of the enemy you are dealing with. They are implacable; that is they cannot be won over. You could try and use doctrine on them but it will not work; they can argue you to death on points of scripture. I asked one time what scripture teaches against sexual positions in the marriage bed and was told "2 Peter 2:12 as natural brute beasts" this means any unnatural sex act. How they got that understanding I don't know but I realized that they just make stuff up to justify their point of view, so it is… Read more »
You are correct. 2 Peter 2:12 has nothing to do with sex. It is speaking of doing things without thought or consideration. They act/react on emotion and carnally rather than wisdom
In hindsight, once I left Stanton, I began to realize that the obsession by some Stanton leaders with members’ sex lives illustrated their own sexual depravity. God is all knowing and He alone will judge us. It was not scriptural or necessary to go around questioning people regarding masturbation and how married people sexually interact in the sanctity of the marriage.
It seems reasonable, when one zooms out and looks at what was happening in America at the time, a great book on it is “Sexual Sabotage” by Judith Reisman. Beginning with Kinseys degenerate “Sex Report for men” in 1948, where he interviewed prostitutes, homosexuals, and prison inmates on their sex habits, then released it as if it was interviewing normal Americans, there was a massive attack on the traditional family structure. Stanton responded correctly, by returning to the Biblical morality that always benefits those who practice it, unfortunately, they included women teaching, which really caused a lot of harm. However,… Read more »
I haven't had the time to catch up on all the recent comments yet, but I'll try to get to that ASAP. I wish I could devote my entire day to this, but I just can't. Christy, I understand your concern and I'm sorry you've been offended. KF, I've been pretty patient with you going far afield, and while I understand your frustration given your experiences, I'd like to ask that you consider your audience and be respectful of where they–and I–am coming from. It is a Christian world view, and you are a guest on this blog. That said,… Read more »
I remember the first time I was asked to "go out" and help another church. The teaching preacher said he wanted to talk to me about it. I thought perhaps he was going to ask me to expound on the love God has for man found in the book of John, or some other spiritual understanding. When I talked with him the only thing he asked me was if I was having wet dreams. I still today think this is a strange question to ask for qualifying a man to preach the gospel. The sex police at work again. Never… Read more »
What? Did this really happen?(the exposing to a neighbor) If so about what year and did he get jail time? It must have been before my time in the church.
Weird, I was in the church at this time. Never heard about it. Was it kept quiet? Is he still a member?
Don't know if he is still a member of not. There are a great number of skeletons in the "one true church". There was a member in the late 80's in the Stanton congregation who turned out to be a pedophile and when caught he committed suicide. It seems the double standard that exists is this: if you are an insider, that is a loyalist to the evangelist in Spring Valley, your sins are covered, and you can sin all you want and nothing will be said against you. This explains how the preacher/teacher in Stanton who has always worked… Read more »
Yeah, I remember the pedophile that killed himself. For some reason that was talked about openly during class one night. I remember being shocked by it but at least it wasn't "swept under the rug" but never heard about the slapping children's faces or this flasher preacher. I feel shaken up by all I've read here because for the longest time I truly believed that this is the one true church. Now I don't know. Where do I go from here. I just don't know what to believe anymore. 🙁
The worst part is that some of the sweetest nicest people I have ever met are in this church. I have always had an uneasy feeling about the main preacher in my congregation though. I keep replaying a particular incident that always bothered me when he called out an older member over something petty. I felt like he was trying to embarrass them by putting them on the spot. Ahhh I feel so torn because I love my brethren but have always had an uneasy feeling about that preacher. The rest I can honestly say I love whole heartedly.
I understand completely. You are at a crossroads and wondering which way to go, like so many of us here. I saw many abuses in my twelve years in the "one true church" I saw racial hatred from the black preacher and his wife while in Phoenix. The preacher started using the racial slur "white trash" in the bible study. To understand why it is racist consider this: you have never heard the term black trash, or brown trash, or any other skin color and the word trash after it because racist whites consider all minorities trash and to elevate… Read more »
To "Everybody Sins," to clarify, I was friends with the foster kids in the home of the pedophile who committed suicide. It was the dad, and he was not a member of the church. Just wanted to set that straight. Nevertheless, there is a lot to be shaken up about. For me, it's not stories of abuse and drama. That's just courtroom drama, IMO. The real things to be shaken up about is the church's claim to be the "One True Church." Churches are merely human gatherings of people professing to following Christ. The "One True Church" is a spiritual… Read more »
It's interesting that the modern SCOC makes a similar mistake that the early disciples made. They thought Jesus came to establish a physical kingdom, but missed a lot that Jesus' taught at first, because he was preaching about a spiritual kingdom. SCOC makes the same mistake. They think the church is an physical institution that one can format into a church directory. That's not at all what Jesus meant, nor is it what the apostles established from the Day of Pentecost forward.
I deleted a comment reply that contained names in this thread. I really don't want to get this blog dragged into those kinds of discussions. There are other ways to handle that. Thanks everyone.
Thanks for another heads-up from a reader about more profanity. I deleted what I saw. Unfortunately, deleting a parent comment also deletes the replies, but I do appreciate having more than just me to respond to the haters. I have an article in my head that sort of sums up the topic of forgiveness that's been discussed so heatedly in the past month, so hopefully that will help some who are struggling with that. I've been very busy with work lately, and starting a non-profit to serve kids in foster care. Please check it out if you're interested, and "Like"… Read more »
Hey everyone,
Just a question. What does everyone think about "the rock" church? What about mega churches in general. I recently attended "the rock" church and half the women were dressed like they were going to a club! I try to be open minded since leaving the SCOC almost 9 years ago but this was a bit much.
I saw an ad I liked for a church that said "Come as you are, just don't stay that way." There is always a balance between the church being pretentious as if they have it all together and everyone else doesn't, and the church being so "seeker friendly" that they've lost their principles. I have a feeling Jesus would have leaned more toward the "seeker friendly" model, making the truly lost and broken feel welcome, while the Pharisees would have leaned more toward the rigid, judgmental, "holier than thou" model. However, there are churches that take "seeker friendly" so far… Read more »
That is a good quote.
Yes. And as for Rock Church, I don't have any personal experience, but from what I've heard, it is good. I'm sure each congregation has its own "quirks."
The bottom line, though, is that you will find things you disagree with at most churches, because, guess what, we're all human and have different amounts of knowledge and spiritual maturity, and different life experiences that have shaped our understandings.
http://www.wordsoftruth.net/wotvol14/wotbulletin10062013.html
A mainline (conservative) COC comments on the Merie Weiss sect's erroneous practices. He agrees with Matt's take on the yearly meetings.
Did anyone watch that crazy guy on dr phil on Friday? He killed his mom with a sledgehammer. Anyway this blog has been attracting some characters that might benefit from being on dr phil!
Dr. Phil is the worst. Hate that guy!!!
Thank you for your comment. I believe you have posted before with the comment "sounds like a mental patient". This attention seeking behavior is really a cry for help and i can understand that. Humor , in this case in the form of an insult, is used to escape the pain of depression. Child abuse is very traumatizing and many children in "the one true church" were both physically and emotionally abused. One of the first lessons I learned at two weeks in the church was that LOVE HURTS. I asked a simple question and got my head bit off… Read more »
@fool Thanks for urging readers to share their experience in the love of God. This is sorely lacking in the Stanton culture, which places zero value on "feelings" as untrustworthy. Not that love is entirely a feeling anyway–in one Biblical sense, it is an action, but as parents, for instance, our actions should demonstrate love to our kids, and they should then feel loved by us. As I tell my teens, our head should lead our hearts, not the other way around. Our feelings are something real that God gave us, and they should inform our actions, though not drive… Read more »
I have learned that emotions are like a horse and reason is like the man who rides the horse. Emotions are the thing that gets the work done in our lives; reason is what controls the horse. Our emotions can overpower our reason just as horse can overpower the man who rides it. If you take away emotions and have reason only then no work can get done. This explains why so many in the SCOC know what to do and are unable to do it: they have been stripped of their emotions by the false teaching "Christians are not… Read more »
A Love Letter from Jesus (Insert your name in the blank)__________,I love you! I shed my own blood for you to make you clean.You are clean now, so believe that it is true.You are lovely in my eyes, and I created you to be just as you are.Do not criticize yourself or get down for not being perfect in your own eyes.This leads only to frustration. I want you to trust Me – one stepone day at a time. Dwell in My power and in My love and be free!Be yourself! Don't allow other people to run you.I will guide… Read more »
*EDIT: I change, I create but not when you AREN'T trying
A LETTER TO YOU FROM SATAN I saw you yesterday as you began your daily chores. You awoke without kneeling to pray. As a matter of fact, you didn't even bless your meals, or pray before going to bed last night. You are so unthankful. I like that about you. I cannot tell you how glad I am that you have not changed your way of living. Fool! You are mine. Remember, you and I have been going steady for years, and I still don't love you yet. As a matter of fact, I hate you, because I hate God.… Read more »
KF, I am so sorry for all that you have been through, and are still going through. Its something no one should have to deal with, and I can understand the feelings you are sharing with us that you feel.One thing I have learned with God is that he doesn't expect us to try and believe that those feelings will simply disappear because we are told they should. He made us, He knows us and our hearts! He gave us the ability to feel emotion, and someone who doesn't/can't feel isn't someone that can have "normal" relationships!But what God does… Read more »
Thank you Debbie for sincere acknowledgement that this sect does damage to anyone who is some how connected to them.I dropped off the blog a little while ago partly because I had said my peace to the group and was heard and responded to. In fact I believe GP and PP gave direct, caustic and insulting anonymous responses to my story and continued input. Another reason I stopped was i was on a three month vacation overseas where I visited Jordan and Spain. My sister lived in Jordan but as karma would have it she died of a long battle… Read more »
I still read comments of the followers of this blog and Iam finding that some, like me, would like to see more physical presences at church sites to demonstrate their objections verbally. This blog which allows cowardly church leaders to hide in anonymity is not providing a two way street of communication that is needed to get the answers that many seek. The stories of lesson tapes being destroyed or hidden, leads one to assume that those doing such things, are hiding evidence of wrong doing. Perhaps criminal evidence. Where are the answers from the evangelist and his wife on… Read more »
Thanks KF.
Just to reiterate for new readers, the goal of this blog is not to bash or destroy the SCOC from existence, but to educate and reform the hearts and minds of individuals. Those individuals may stick around and reform SCOC, or they may leave for godlier pastures. But a change of heart and mind is a process that doesn't happen overnight.
KF you missed the irony: when I post the term "the one true church" and then share of the horrible abuses I saw in Phoenix and Prescott, AZ. If this is "the one true church" with such horrible abuse what is a false church like? Could it get any worse? I don't think so, Its not "the one true church" based on their behavior it is just another false abusive religion that exploits it's members for the leaders profit.
Hello to you all, My wife and I were baptized into the faith in the early winter of 2002. I lasted about 4 years or so and my wife is still "Working out her Salvation"! We entered in Anchorage, AK. I knew who Mathew was. I think I was taught about withdrawn folks and I never spoke to him. I remember on one occasion there was a question about 1st Cor. 4 – 9. that came from someone in the congregation. This individual was seeking understanding of what the Apostle Paul was trying to say when he wrote "appointed to… Read more »
Welcome to the blog! I am interested in hearing your whole story both the good and the bad. I found that there were two types of people in the church: the predators and the prey. If you don't know who the predators are that means you are the prey. The leaders viciously defended their reputation (which is their camouflage.) And were constantly attacking the reputations of others. How well did you get to know your local preachers and teachers? How well did you get to know the evangelists? I spent one day with the evangelist in Spring Valley in his… Read more »
I will soon. It will take a lot of thought to put this to paper but I will give it my best. Until then.
All I can say is wrong, Wrong, WRONG… the scoc and there so called leadership is. I admire Matthew for being able to endure such wrong treatment. Unbelievable disagreeing over May meeting and withdrawal comes. Those who implement such will face the consequences. Can't believe Matthew was not able to say what was said at the fellowship. I chose not to go to my unscriptural withdrawal meeting because I would if said something actually a lot and there would've been no stopping me. Though being a nonmember my situation was different than Matthews. When will the injustices stop. Thank you… Read more »
It is heartbreaking that Matt was withdrawn from and I can’t help but see the similiarities between what occurred with his father-in-law and mother-in-law. Jill was the sweetest soul and a dear friend. I was in attendance at her wedding to Matt and am glad they are together in love. The last time we spoke I was in college and we agreed to disagree on the actions of Stanton. I think of her often with love.
Another sad account of a ridiculous withdrawal.