* * * My readers continue to provide excellent dialogue on the topic of the defamation lawsuit and whether the Bible condones lawsuits among Christians. This one was worth a blog post. Thank you, Anonymous! To new readers: Chuck O'Neal and Beaverton Grace Bible Church filed a defamation lawsuit against… Continue reading Guest Poster: Twisting Scripture to Legitimize Lawsuit
Category: Spiritual Bullies
Damage Control – How Do I Look?
* * * I love the interaction on this blog in the comment section. There are some very insightful people reading this blog and time and again, they help steer the direction of the blog posts as it stirs something in my mind. (Hint: if you want me to cover a… Continue reading Damage Control – How Do I Look?
Manipulating Reviews Yet Again
* * * Look how fast the BGBC elves went to work. It was brought to my attention that a new review up at the DexKnows review site, but it was shoved down so far that you have to click on "See All Reviews" in order to see it. They appear… Continue reading Manipulating Reviews Yet Again
Evangelize When it Looks Good
Beaverton Grace Bible Church is a church with a very strong emphasis on evangelism. It is one of the primary reasons why my husband wanted to start attending. We had evangelism classes for two hours each Sunday at "Grace Bible Institute". Groups of people went out evangelizing on Friday nights to malls, canvassing neighborhoods, Portland… Continue reading Evangelize When it Looks Good
For Real?
** I try to live life as normal - do the homeschool mom thing, volunteer daily at the high school as accompanist and "choir mom", laundry, cooking, connect with my FB buddies, taxi mom - you know the busy mom gig. Every once in a while, I get this flash in my mind: you… Continue reading For Real?
The Bully Pulpit
* * * "Pulpit", from the eyes of my 9-yr old son * * * According to Wikipedia.org, a bully pulpit is: "An older term within the U.S. Government, a bully pulpit is a public office or other position of authority of sufficiently high rank that provides… Continue reading The Bully Pulpit
Is Your Pastor Acting as Your Holy Spirit?
*** ** Someone referred to an article in the comment's section of this post: You Just Can't Make This Stuff Up, Part 2. As I read the original article, this paragraph struck me. From the article, 'Authoritarianism in The Church" by Steve Martin Sadly, in too many congregations today, sheep are driven by a man… Continue reading Is Your Pastor Acting as Your Holy Spirit?
Youth Groups? Not at Our Church!
* * * 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!
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
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
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 