* * * We learned very quickly that there was no youth group at Beaverton Grace Bible Church, and it was a fact that was broadcast from the pulpit. Our church was unique. Most churches had youth groups, and the impression was that having an established youth group was for entertainment… Continue reading Youth Groups? Not at Our Church!
Category: ABUSERS & THEIR TACTICS
Weapons of Battle
** Those of us who attended Beaverton Grace Bible Church certainly know how much the pastor admired and respected John MacArthur. I have heard first-hand from a pastor at Grace Community that Chuck O'Neal and others went to the Shepherd's Conference this year as they have gone many years past. I'd like to remind my… Continue reading Weapons of Battle
Children’s Church at Beaverton Grace Bible Church
* * * My children regularly attended children's church. Regretfully, my husband and I did not take note of what was being taught in children's church. We trusted everything was fine because we trusted the leadership. It was shocking to me when I discovered after 2 years and two months that… Continue reading Children’s Church at Beaverton Grace Bible Church
The No-Talk Rule is Not Allowed Here!
*** This mom's comment breaks my heart. I can relate with it so well. We as moms try to make sure our children are safe, are raised in a loving and nurturing environment. Having to acknowledge that we failed when we were doing our best is a tough pill to swallow. AnonymousApr 3, 2012 10:46… Continue reading The No-Talk Rule is Not Allowed Here!
Disobedient Children and Meetings with the Pastor
I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth. 3 John 1:4 On our very first Sunday at the church, I recall being in the nursery with my baby. A sweet teenager was helping with childcare and she told me in a matter-of-fact way that she… Continue reading Disobedient Children and Meetings with the Pastor
Chuck O’Neal Secretly Recorded Private Conversations
* * * Pastor Chuck O'Neal sometimes recorded private conversations without getting permission from involved parties. The elders were aware of this practice as you will read below. This was not a rare practice for him according to some people who personally saw this taking place. I'm wondering how many churches… Continue reading Chuck O’Neal Secretly Recorded Private Conversations
Comparing the Two, Part 3
This is the final post of a 3-part series comparing the characteristics of dictators with people who spiritually abuse. The other two parts can be found here: Comparing the Two, Part 1 Comparing the Two, Part 2 "Anonymous" posted this comment on Part 1: The last sentence really made my head spin. I had been thinking of… Continue reading Comparing the Two, Part 3
Comparing the Two, Part 2
This post is continued from Comparing the Two, Part 1. Some might ask how one can begin to compare the atrocities of physical starvation and beatings at the hands of a dictator to the emotional/spiritual abuse by pastor/elders of a church. They seem worlds different. I understand that question. The physical abuse mentioned in the… Continue reading Comparing the Two, Part 2
Comparing the Two, Part 1
I read a heart-wrenching story on CNN.com yesterday (In North Korea, a brutal choice) about North Korean defectors and what they have to go through to survive and get to freedom. It was very difficult to read. Some of the paragraphs grabbed my attention because of the similarities in leadership tactics between dictators and authoritarian… Continue reading Comparing the Two, Part 1
One Month and I Feel Good
** It's been one month since this blog was created. After noticing my Google reviews on Beaverton Grace Bible Church were being removed from the Google review website without any explanation, I began this blog to share my story because I felt my voice was being taken from me. I don't get this idea of… Continue reading One Month and I Feel Good
Obey Those Who Rule Over You, and Be Submissive, Part 1
* * * One of the last Sundays at the church, I arrived only to discover that our long-time personal friend who was also on staff at the church was fired. We were shocked and deeply saddened. I had arrived early for praise and worship practice as normal, but was obviously… Continue reading Obey Those Who Rule Over You, and Be Submissive, Part 1
Yesterday’s Comment
Last night "Anonymous" left the following comment and I felt it was worthy of a whole blog post. The snippets of paragraphs come from the article entitled, "When Should a Christian Leave a Church" at the Battered Sheep website (also noted in this blog's sidebar). The entire comment is indented and italicized; my comments will… Continue reading Yesterday’s Comment
List of Cultic Tendencies
Charles Lester wrote a list of cultic tendencies (originally posted Oct. 1991 in Spiritual Counterfeits Project newsletter) which can be viewed in full online at the Battered Sheep website. The entire list can be found here. Below are the items that hit a nerve with me. Is your pastor fully accountable to a board of… Continue reading List of Cultic Tendencies
Authoritarianism in the Church
Candidacy for Spiritual Abuse: Don’t Develop Your Independent Thinking Skills In my family's personal story at BGBC, after the abrupt firing of a staff employee, the pastor had a church meeting and mentioned that if anyone had questions, he and the elders would be available to answer questions. My husband and I set an… Continue reading Authoritarianism in the Church
You Won’t Find a Better Church
** Proverbs 27:2 Let another man praise you, and not your own mouth; A stranger, and not your own lips. Isaiah 5:21 Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes and clever in their own sight. Throughout our time at BGBC, we came across this message on a consistent basis: you won't find… Continue reading You Won’t Find a Better Church
Chuck’s Reviews of Me on Google and Threat of Lawsuit for Defamation
* * * Somehow, the powers that be at Google have removed my legitimate reviews of Beaverton Grace Bible Church, yet have allowed Chuck O'Neal's reviews of me on the Google review site of the church. I wasn't aware that if you search Beaverton Grace Bible Church on Google, that my… Continue reading Chuck’s Reviews of Me on Google and Threat of Lawsuit for Defamation
Spiritual Sounding Board 