|
|
|
Charismatic Abusive Cults One thing we learned in coming out of Jubilee Christian Church is that there is such a thing as a Christian "cult." Not a cult in the manner of doctrine per se, but cultic in the manipulation and spiritual abuse of the members of the congregation. The reason we find more of this type of cultic abuse in charismatic congregations is due to most of the leaders of these congregations are autonomous. In Ann Arbor where I served under a Rhema graduate Pastor/Prophet as Assistant Pastor the church by-laws stated that the "Pastor could not be removed by anyone for any reason." The Pastor was "pastor" for life, regardless of his moral life, doctrinal teachings, or abuse of the congregation. If people did not like what he taught or how he ran the church they were "free" to go elsewhere. Many Word of Faith leaders are taught that God gives them the vision and the role of the people (from him/her) on down is to carry out that vision. We were told by Apostle Smith (Pastor of Jubilee Christian Church) in Detroit that "God did not love us as individuals" He (God) was concerned about "His purpose." In other words, the people in the Church are just pawns to be used to serve a greater purpose, i.e. the vision of that leader. This message was backed up by outside speakers (either other Apostles or Prophets) who parroted the same sentiments. One false prophet told a gathering of leaders at JCC "if anyone hears something different from me in my church, they are wrong." This belief was endorsed by "Apostle" Smith. When you combine the fact that almost all charismatic congregations are independent with the belief that the pastor is the one to whom God reveals His will for the congregation you have a situation that is ripe for abuse. Add to these ingredients the abysmal lack of Scriptural education on the part of the leaders (and members) you have a very unstable mixture. After encountering the last false prophet ("prophet" Keith Grayton) at JCC my wife (and all the other elders) left JCC. My wife and I had an exit lunch with our former pastor of almost 10 years. During the lunch he asked us "could we stand before God and give account for leaving JCC?" To which we gave a hearty "YES!" Later we were informed by a brother that he spoke with the pastor who told him that "he would loose his spiritual birthright" if he left JCC. . .this kept him at the church for several more months until he escaped. This is a cultic attitude, it is spiritual abuse, and it is unfortunate that it is rampant in this section of the Body of Christ. Listed below we have examples of groups you need to watch out for. These are Scripturally unsound groups, extremely abusive, and cultic in nature and are to be avoided at all costs. |
|
Send mail to
webmaster@discernment.org with
questions or comments about this web site.
|