* * * A couple of the earliest posts on this blog discussed how difficult it is to leave the church well. Meaning, it is nearly impossible to leave the church and remain in the local area without repercussions (church discipline, shunning, etc). Here are the links to those early posts: Leaving… Continue reading Dare to Leave: One Family’s Tragic Account
Category: ABUSIVE FAITH & PRACTICE
Guest Poster: Twisting Scripture to Legitimize Lawsuit
* * * 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
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?
Just Who is Acting Like Korah Around Here, Part 4
** This post will wrap up the Korah series. Earlier, I highlighted some "Korah" comments in the comment section. The commenter identified as "Korah" and I made light of the Korah reference. I want to give a little background to that situation. I know who "Korah" is and know what this particular family experienced. When… Continue reading Just Who is Acting Like Korah Around Here, Part 4
Just Who is Acting Like Korah Around Here?, Part 3
** We are currently in Part 3 of the Korah theme. In Part 1 we discussed pastoral authority and how the Korah scripture was used to exert the pastor's "imagined" authority over people. Part 2, the issue of "do not question authority" was discussed. In Part 3, we will continue to discuss the pattern… Continue reading Just Who is Acting Like Korah Around Here?, Part 3
Just Who is Acting Like Korah Around Here?, Part 2
** This is Part 2 of the Korah series. In Part 1 we discussed pastoral authority and how the Korah scripture was used to exert imagined pastoral authority over people. Another pattern I saw when the Korah scripture was used (or abused) is: what happens when congregants ask questions. We've touched on this subject… Continue reading Just Who is Acting Like Korah Around Here?, Part 2
Just Who is Acting Like Korah Around Here? Part 1
** One recurring theme that continued to resurface in our time at BGBC was the "sin of Korah". I've heard this used a number of times when congregants asked questions or shared concerns with the pastor. It was brought up again recently in communication with someone privately and also in the blog’s comment section. It’s… Continue reading Just Who is Acting Like Korah Around Here? Part 1
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?
You Just Can’t Make This Stuff Up, Part 2
*** Today, I will continue part of the series we started earlier. In You Just Can't Make This Stuff Up, Part 1, the topic was pink shirts and how Chuck O'Neal spoke against men/boys wearing pink because pink is associated with femininity. Today we will be discussing the topic of women wearing dark clothing: black,… Continue reading You Just Can’t Make This Stuff Up, Part 2
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
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
You Can’t Make This Stuff Up, Part 1
I remember something that was taught. I think it was said at the ladies retreat and/or perhaps on a Wednesday night meeting, but probably not on Sunday (because Sunday's messages were recorded???). Anyway, the topic was about men/boys wearing the color pink. We were told that pink was a "feminine" color and men/boys ought not… Continue reading You Can’t Make This Stuff Up, Part 1
Obey Those Who Rule Over You and Be Submissive, Part 2
* * * In Part 1, I shared my story about how Hebrews 13:17 was used with me as I questioned an elder about the firing of our personal friend. I discussed the feelings I had when it felt like the elder was lording over me the idea that it was… Continue reading Obey Those Who Rule Over You and Be Submissive, Part 2
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
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
Spiritual Sounding Board 