Stanton Affiliated Churches
I completely respect the privacy of members and will not publish any directories with names. I have no interest in doxxing anyone, since my sincere hope is that people who are currently trapped in Stanton’s grip will break free. However, I think it’s important for readers to have a factual record of where congregations of the sect exist. If you have updates or corrections, please leave them in the comments.
Folded Congregations
This is probably nowhere close to a complete list of congregations that have folded, but it’s a start:
- Alameda, CA
- Albany, GA
- Albuquerque, NM
- Billings, MT
- Birmingham, AL
- Corpus Christi, TX
- Eugene, OR
- Lakeland (Tampa), FL
- Midland, TX
- Oakland, CA
- Odessa, TX
- Oxnard, CA
- Pensacola, FL
- Pueblo, CO
- Rolla, MO
- San Jose, CA
If you have further information on more congregations or folded congregations, please feel free to leave it in the comment section or email me. Also, addresses of meeting places and photos of flyers passed out while knocking on doors would be helpful.
Can you help? In an effort to create more transparency about the Stanton churches, I’d like to crowdsource this directory of public meeting places. The information I’m looking for is: 1) Address of Sunday meeting place. 2) URL of the Google Maps location. 3) If no Google Maps listing exists for a congregation, it can be created. 4) Once a Google Maps listing does exist, you can add photos of the building. 5) Those familiar with the congregation can leave a review on the Google Maps listing. Note: I have zero desire to dox any members, so please only provide… Read more »
Additional Folded Congregation:
Oxnard, CA
Odessa, TX
Corpus Christi, TX
Birmingham, AL
Odessa was Midland first…Midland folded and they moved to Odessa, TX
Think they used to have a congregation in San Francisco but it folded
Iam a pastor in Kenya seeking your prayers and any possible fellowship for the gospel cause.Let me hear from you.
waiyajames@gmail.com
I am a member of the Tacoma, WA congregation.
Are you still a member Lynn?
I am a member of the Church of Christ. I was so very thankful that someone finally taught me the true gospel. Baptized in Tacoma, Washington on December 17, 1982. This experience has taught me many things. Very hard lessons. The foundation is good but how those members built upon it is destructive.
Hi Annette. Are you still a member in Tacoma? I am now going to a non-Merie Weiss church of Christ. I am really enjoying it and learning past the foundations I learned in Merie's sect. I got some good basics there but it was too oppressive and I felt like other's consciences were imposed on my own.
Welcome to the blog!
Welcome Annette!
Hello Annette, I came in in 1983 and I knew an Annette there. Might you be her?
hello
I am still a member of the Church of Christ, but I don't worship with that congregation.
@Lynn, I'm sure I'm not the only one unsure whether you mean you're still a member of one of the Stanton-affiliated churches or if you're now meeting with a mainline congregation.
I am a member of the Church of Christ. I believe in the premise of the Church of Christ, but I disagree with what the congregation here is teaching. I was brought up in the off Church of Christ since youth until I left there. There is no known other congregations that I know that are not off or wrong.
Lynn, with all the teachings of men documented here, and the lack of love understood, felt, and expressed in the Stanton churches, what Biblical benchmark do you use to decide that they are "less wrong" than the other churches of Christ you say are "off or wrong?"
Your primary criticism has been lack of love…yet isn't this the Greatest Command?
Just trying to understand where you're coming from.
I agree Kevin, I'm not sure either. I am "marked and avoided" from the Stanton Church of Christ. I am a member of a Church of Christ in my town. It's a wonderful Church.
I just wanted to find out when the Albany, GA and Pensacola, FL congregations folded? When I left in 2006 they were still in existence! Thanks!
My father was a preacher in this Church of Christ. I'm sure you've heard of him. He preached in the Pensacola church,also Eugene Oregon, and Stanton, Cali. My name is Jude Brooks. If possible, I would like the originator of this thread to email me if possible. brokenfeatherartgallery@gmail.com
Merie mentioned in the Gospel Guardian – http://www.wordsfitlyspoken.org/gospel_guardian/v3/v3n45p15a.html
Here is a page for San Antonio. More to come, but I'm pretty busy right now, so it might take awhile before I can get more pages like this created.
Kevin, a HUGE "thank you" for taking the time to do this. Wish I had the smarts to help you!
Kevin, the Dothan congregation is in Alabama.
Religion can good and religion can be bad. One of the dysfunctions of bad religion is that it fosters dependency and irresponsibility. Bad religion (cults specifically) makes the followers dependent upon the leader and the followers do not develop in themselves the ability to assume individual responsibility. In my time in the SCOC I was constantly reproved for not seeking council from the teachers in my congregation. In looking at the men who did seek and follow council of the leaders I saw time and time again men who failed to provide financial support for their wives and children (and… Read more »
Hello I am an child from one of tho sects losted above. I am no longer apart of it due to many factors that led me not to join after 18 years of being raised in it. Many include how me and friends and family were treated at the hands of memebers of these churches. I remain anonymous due to the fact that many an outlash may happen due to me commenting or even knowing of the existence of this site. Although I no longer follow these teachings and consider myself an athiest (no offense to anyone's beliefs that is… Read more »
Anon 115. Thank you for your story. You have shown the power of truth by following your own sense from your own observations. This blog continues to give brave individuals an opening to escape to a brighter future. The cult destroyed many and continues to create and employ fear in it's mission of greed and ego.
Congratulation. Stay brave and please help this blog in it's good work. One day all these stories will break the back or the bank of the evil cult you were under. Enjoy life no matter what the next person thinks.
"A little philosophy leads to atheism, but depth in philosophy leads to religion"Francis Bacon Stanton is not representative of the totality of Christianity. While it has many excellent biblical teachings, it has a totalitarian outlook that stifles growth and innovation and so it sit's stagnant, year after year. For true Christianity, look to George Whitefield, C.S. Lewis, Jonathan Edwards, John Owen, etc. I learned a ton about Christianity and God from reading Robinson Crusoe. Excellent book. The second best selling book of all time is Pilgrims Progress written by John Bunyan from an English prison. The book is profoundly insightful… Read more »
Hi anonymous 1:15, I was a child in SCOC too. My mom joined in the mid 70s. I left almost 30 years ago. It’s been a long journey that has led me to understanding the commonality of religion. I don’t say much here as it seems my journey has led me to different understandings (very agnostic including other than Christian beliefs). Just wanted to wish you well in your continued healing.
Anon 115 and Dora. Thanks for your respectful comments. I am, however, saddened that you no longer believe in the God of the Bible. This is exactly the legacy Merie has left through her church. Her unkind and militant example left its mark and much of what she taught is still around today.
I earnestly hope one day you do come to Christ. I sincerely wish you both well and continued healing.
If anyone in the Portland, Or/Vancouver Wa happens to be looking at this blog to distinguish which CofC is of Merie’s cult. They meet in an office space for there Sundays, Tuesday’s and Thursday nonmember classes which they hold on the second and forth Thursdays of the month. 12003 NE Ainsworth Circle. Portland, Oregon. 97720 suite 106. A legitimate cult meets at that address.
I did listen to some talks from her and yes she is vocal strong but nevertheless teaches the truth, women can teach according to scriptures but need to keep silent during worship – make sure you look at scriptures always. The church has softened in tone but always teaches truth – if fault was and is found the church is willing to communicate – all fault has been lifted and corrected so far. It appears they have been a lot of people emotionaly affected is it possible because of sin.The scriptures are not to be taken lightly considering truth –… Read more »
since so many versions have been slanted by the catholic church when they started around 230AD. are we sure how we use the greek in 1 Tim3:11 is the word woman,wives, etc etc correct since in the foot notes some translations say DEACONESS…that is NEVER talked about…
Tulln640AD you’re not talking about cult founder Merie Weiss teaching the truth now are you? Some truth sure, but not all truth by a long shot. Have you read the articles on this blog? Kevin has easily disproved many of Merie’s errors and those such as TC, KS, PP and king snake GP who have followed in her footsteps. One commenter had said Merie was instructing the father of the child how tight to bound his wrists to his bedposts to prevent him from masturbating. That witch should’ve been jailed along with the father. How many marriages was she involved… Read more »
Tulln640AD, to add to my comment above you ask if people could be emotionally affected, is it possible because of sin? Yes the sin of Merie’s cult and how it has affected many. The wrong they have done myself by withdrawing from me a nonmember because I began reading and commenting on this blog and telling my member wife about what I was reading has only stirred me up to expose them the more so. Commenting on this blog is only a portion of what I have instore to expose Merie’s cult.
Portland’s meeting address. 12003 NE Ainsworth Circle. Portland, Oregon 97220. Suite 106
Hi, Im from the memphis TN Congragation my family joined in 04 and i grew up in the church pretty much. I’m having a difficult time. I have lost my family and i wont say to this sect just because we all make our own decisions and my family has made theirs. but i am hoping for some guidance. What happened to me in this church has scarred me and I am so thankful I was blessed with the mind to think for myself and to have the emotional intelligence to know that this staton church is only a control… Read more »
Where do I start? The evangelist says that “there are certain things that the human spirit cannot stand” and in studying work place bullying I see what he means. The screaming mad person is the easiest bully to identify and next is the constant critic bully which fits with the current management style of “if they don’t stand up right away and confess” then you know what to do (and that is to criticize the individual both directly and indirectly until they submit or fall away.) How to deal with such subtle tactics of bullying is when your at your… Read more »
Matthew 8:19-20 was a strong teaching because it was a test of the candor and loyalty of the man. You will follow me anywhere? I am homeless will you still follow me anywhere? Christ showed him his boasting was perhaps a lie was he really willing to suffer with Christ and endure homelessness? Abraham was called at 75 years old to leave his comfortable home and go and dwell in tents like a homeless man, Paul the apostle was homeless at times, when you make a statement of loyalty be prepared to be tested on it right away and suffer… Read more »
Consider the recruitment methods of Satan and Christ as laid out in Proverbs 1:10-19 for Satan and 1:20-33 for Christ. In Satans methods he uses enticements to recruit (enticement is defined as attracting by offering pleasure or advantage) people by offering promises of easy riches, and membership in a brotherhood (or sisterhood) and he is able through carnality to recruit. Christ recruits through spirituality, that is, an appeal to the higher calling of wisdom by asking questions of individuals how long will you simple ones loves simplicity is a pattern for asking how long you mechanics will you love being… Read more »
Proverbs 15:13 “but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken ” in the military this is called demoralization of the enemy. How does leadership demoralize their followers? Through constant criticism, through isolation from family and friends, by creating the false belief that if you leave the abusive environment you will die, by ridiculing you publicly, by denying the evidence of wrongdoing, and by making you feel that anything you do is not good enough. To combat these psychological pressures you must maintain a positive attitude, remind yourself that God is good to those who have suffered for him… Read more »
Okay well the suggestion to give only two pennies into the collection was not a good idea after all. I spoke to another christian who was in the Phoenix congregation the same time I was and has a son with similar behaviors as my son and the son has admitted to being sexually abused but has yet to name his abuser. As more victims come forth we can united against this child sexual predator and demand both church leadership and law enforcement act simultaneously to put an end to his evil corruption of the children. Psalms 17:13 says the wicked… Read more »
So have you actually contacted the authorities about this man and how many victims have identified him as their abuser ? I don’t know who you are so I don’t know enough to jump on the bandwagon right away so to speak but if this is true then I hope something can be done
With pedophiles to law enforcement they are as common as cockroaches and without hard evidence law enforcement is unwilling to proceed. The statute of limitations is 7 years so my son was molested in 2002 another in 2006 so prosecution is not possible. To name the man publicly without hard evidence allows a countersuit of slander or libel. The man is a serial child molester and is still molesting children but is difficult to catch the only thing I can do is to warn others about him and not allow their children near him and never alone with him like… Read more »
How do I view constant criticism today? It is like thorns and thistle used as fire wood under a pot to cook up something good. Trees are a metaphor for people and like trees people never stop growing until they die. Thorns and thistles are also a metaphor for people, but evil people specifically and like thorns and thistles evil people continue to grow until they die as well. You will not find the fruits of the spirit among thorns and thistles, that is among evil people. You can use evil people as motivations for striving to be more obedient… Read more »
For those that think “monte cristo” is evil, and with his anger issues I can understand why a belief against him would develop but he is not that bad when compared to others I have fellowshiped with. Consider this: when my wife was eight months pregnant with her fifth child a woman teacher in the Phoenix congregation told her that I was as bad as her husband who had beat one of their children as his wife, a teacher, watched and did nothing to stop the abuse; until the child ran away.. That was not true as I had never… Read more »
If you have not prayed in some time consider this: God has been dealing with human beings for more than 6000 years now and he has great patience with mankind. No matter where your at in life or no what you have or have not done God is still there waiting for you to repent and glorify him. As long as you have the breath of life in you there is still hope for salvation. Try praying today, it may suprise you what God can do.