tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7775523880312885819.comments2022-03-25T07:30:46.527-07:00ProvenderUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger96125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7775523880312885819.post-50310696861242485462015-05-23T15:14:56.737-07:002015-05-23T15:14:56.737-07:00Interesting Interesting Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14563799332354905884noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7775523880312885819.post-50543664663004311642014-03-01T00:40:51.926-08:002014-03-01T00:40:51.926-08:00Thank you for such a site. I'm at the point of...Thank you for such a site. I'm at the point of leaving an evangelical church as the pastor has been using the pulpit to preach against anyone who dares question him. Apparently he has been doing this for 15 years. No wonder some of the godly men in the church has left over the years. Now I know how the pastor gets rid of anyone he doesn't like<br /><br />regards<br /><br />invisiblechurchhttp://invisiblechurch101.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7775523880312885819.post-22583392560909656542013-11-05T18:46:13.118-08:002013-11-05T18:46:13.118-08:00GREAT article! Thank you.GREAT article! Thank you.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04953109168871070993noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7775523880312885819.post-58841168642686211732013-07-20T12:27:08.984-07:002013-07-20T12:27:08.984-07:00I agree I left and TD Jakes Joyce Meyers William H...I agree I left and TD Jakes Joyce Meyers William H Curtis are all abusive pastors and a disgrace to GodAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7775523880312885819.post-17639125340202025962013-07-10T11:04:17.907-07:002013-07-10T11:04:17.907-07:00When the pastor calls himself the "CEO" ...When the pastor calls himself the "CEO" and no one will tell him what to do... becomes so apparent that he starts to intimidate, manipulate and then send accusatory emails inflicting emotional distress, psychological harm, finally compounding that with dismissal from a paid position with no thought or even consultation by the elders - where no one asks you for your side of the story... etc etc.<br />My question is this - has anyone successfully sued the "CEO" for infliction of emotional stress, defamation and harassment. If so please email me at iancwood33@gmail.com<br />Blessings and thanks for this website!<br />In Christ.<br />Ian Kim Woodhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13473288543257375320noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7775523880312885819.post-33982827597900785712013-03-11T14:56:13.913-07:002013-03-11T14:56:13.913-07:00Anonymous, that is no way to live. I hope you are ...Anonymous, that is no way to live. I hope you are out of that abusive place now and somewhere else that will nurture your faith. I think I know that look!Provenderhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17092211918774805740noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7775523880312885819.post-15435957908660993332013-03-05T12:06:52.668-08:002013-03-05T12:06:52.668-08:00All I can say is wow. I struggled to leave my chur...All I can say is wow. I struggled to leave my church. I will attend every service with fear and too much stress because my pastor shouts and his wife will give you a look that can make you commit suicide.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7775523880312885819.post-48143011326348815602013-02-10T09:13:38.947-08:002013-02-10T09:13:38.947-08:00Thank you for your openness and lack of vitriol to...Thank you for your openness and lack of vitriol to those who have wronged you. <br />Keep moving forward on this lifelong journey of faith, <br />through faith to faith realized.<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.agapehelp.com/" rel="nofollow">Christian counseling Renton</a><br /><br />agapehelp07https://www.blogger.com/profile/02743445059183253572noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7775523880312885819.post-86042903744486250622012-05-18T09:34:23.019-07:002012-05-18T09:34:23.019-07:00The don't talk rule is not always an offical r...The don't talk rule is not always an offical rule. I am part of a church now, that I am debating about whether to stay and communication or lack their of is a problem for me.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7775523880312885819.post-55923597461578381282012-04-05T18:56:34.050-07:002012-04-05T18:56:34.050-07:00thank's for looking out to proted the inocent....thank's for looking out to proted the inocent.<br /><br />miguel<br />thank you,Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7775523880312885819.post-64085344849763559712012-03-25T20:49:25.179-07:002012-03-25T20:49:25.179-07:00Sounds like you've got your eyes wide open. Ho...Sounds like you've got your eyes wide open. Hope all goes well for you while you are there, and anywhere else you might be stationed.Provenderhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17092211918774805740noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7775523880312885819.post-86538164080372352452012-03-25T20:40:47.074-07:002012-03-25T20:40:47.074-07:00Wow- dead on. This was me ten or so years ago bef...Wow- dead on. This was me ten or so years ago before I left that one- the whole "inner circle" thing is something I just wrote about in describing what happened then, before I read this. <br /><br />By the way, I am sorry for my lack of blog etiquette-am new at this-, but some of your articles express my thoughts exactly, so I have linked to them without contacting you first. <br /><br />Please let me know if there are any problems with me linking to your site, otherwise thanks so much for some excellent and helpful resources.The Blog bites better than the Bullet.https://www.blogger.com/profile/05768775982264747802noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7775523880312885819.post-12857443326933615002012-03-25T15:01:23.182-07:002012-03-25T15:01:23.182-07:00This is where I highly recommend Boundaries by Clo...This is where I highly recommend Boundaries by Cloud and Townsend, who are, admittedly, into that dangerous thing called psychology... Seriously, though.The Blog bites better than the Bullet.https://www.blogger.com/profile/05768775982264747802noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7775523880312885819.post-21801061940469881732012-03-25T14:54:39.933-07:002012-03-25T14:54:39.933-07:00Thanks for those links- have actually been passing...Thanks for those links- have actually been passing all of those links around already, and am well aware of the potential for a bad situation at my current location.<br /><br /> As it is, I have no intention of signing on the dotted line anywhere because I don't see a paper membership as particularly Biblical, or indeed useful at this point in our journey- we are stationed, not settled, near the church we currently attend. <br /><br />I have openly communicated to our pastor about the problems I have with Mark Driscoll's behavior of late, and so far haven't been considered divisive for being honest. <br /><br />One thing I would say is that just because Mark D. started Acts 29 churches doesn't make the idea of them a bad thing in itself. <br /><br />What I am waiting to observe is: does the pastor and this church think that MD is their sort of Evangelical pope, untouchable in some way, or do leadership in this and other Acts 29 churches distance themselves from their unfortunate roots? <br /><br />Time will tell on that one; thanks for sharing for your concerns, I feel them too.The Blog bites better than the Bullet.https://www.blogger.com/profile/05768775982264747802noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7775523880312885819.post-76793799413034591962012-03-25T13:58:23.168-07:002012-03-25T13:58:23.168-07:00Thanks for your comment. I'm sorry you had a b...Thanks for your comment. I'm sorry you had a bad experience in the UK. I do worry, however, about your new place. We are getting many stories recently about your new group that you might want to check on because of red flags. You might want to read these posts since Acts 29 is linked to Mars Hill and they concern that group:<br /><br />http://joyfulexiles.com/2012/03/<br /><br />http://marshillrefuge.blogspot.com/<br /> <br /><br />http://matthewpaulturner.net/jesus-needs-new-pr/mark-driscolls-church-discipline-contract-looking-for-true-repentance-at-mars-hill-church-sign-on-the-dotted-line/<br /><br />Hope it all works out for you. Also, might want to look at another Provender post on elitism, another red flag in abusive groups. <br /><br />http://pureprovender.blogspot.com/2009/04/exploring-elitism.htmlProvenderhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17092211918774805740noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7775523880312885819.post-71478279914546543262012-03-25T08:43:20.631-07:002012-03-25T08:43:20.631-07:00Thanks for saying what is so true! Love must be h...Thanks for saying what is so true! Love must be honest for relationship to grow, so I don't know why churches are often so afraid of speaking out against clear injustices. This article sums up my experience in an unhealthy church in the UK, and I am currently a part of an Acts 29 church in the US. Praying they don't follow the leader, but stay focussed on Jesus...The Blog bites better than the Bullet.https://www.blogger.com/profile/05768775982264747802noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7775523880312885819.post-31901734198776318192012-02-27T15:19:06.166-08:002012-02-27T15:19:06.166-08:00I like your short but clear commentary that descri...I like your short but clear commentary that describes many who find themselves in a distressing church--only after the light goes on!<br /><br />It is so often a shock to an individual or a couple. They are faithful to their church yet can't figure out what is going on.<br /><br />Many people in this situation! People who are contemplating their red flags might find my website helpful: www.churchexiters.com.<br /><br />My book: Spiritual Abuse Recovery provides a look at the factors that cause spiritual abuse and distress among God's people.<br /><br />BarbAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7775523880312885819.post-41798685093581475122012-02-11T19:34:47.288-08:002012-02-11T19:34:47.288-08:00Hi, Frankie Ann.
I was just reading your story at ...Hi, Frankie Ann.<br />I was just reading your story at Wartburg Watch, and it is heartbreaking. <br />Please email me at cnnathepoet@yahoo.com if you would. I have some questions I'd like to ask. Thanks.Provenderhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17092211918774805740noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7775523880312885819.post-36125226767544798762012-02-11T11:41:56.536-08:002012-02-11T11:41:56.536-08:00I have lost my daughters to Mars Hill "Church...I have lost my daughters to Mars Hill "Church". Part of my story aka reality was shared on TWW. There are two pastors at one of the campuses that are directly involved with my daughter's in laws and helping in the brainwashing. They have convinced them this is what Jesus wants. They have told them lies and slandered me beyond belief! I have been totally and legally shunned and cast off! My grandchild was born over two weeks ago and these people have gone to every possible length to hide them from me and their father. These good "Christian" people allowed my daughter to suffer over 50 hours of labor at a home birth! No doctor would have let this happen. I need help on how to report this abuse. This IS emotional and spiritual abuse. Help!!!!Frankie Ann Josephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17205034802167417375noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7775523880312885819.post-55322505459503449062012-02-09T06:19:56.908-08:002012-02-09T06:19:56.908-08:00Willow is a Facebook friend of mine. I've jus...Willow is a Facebook friend of mine. I've just finished reading her book, and I was moved by her story. Thanks for your review.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15508887711850480059noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7775523880312885819.post-57324286382426660892012-02-04T18:20:24.397-08:002012-02-04T18:20:24.397-08:00Hi Shari! Yes, Breaking the Chains was another gre...Hi Shari! Yes, Breaking the Chains was another great book on the same subject: http://www.amazon.com/Breaking-Chains-Shari-L-Howerton/dp/0971349940/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1328408249&sr=8-1<br /><br />I hope things continue to go well for you. Give us an update sometime.Provenderhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17092211918774805740noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7775523880312885819.post-25227931475825886312012-02-04T08:48:57.726-08:002012-02-04T08:48:57.726-08:00I just bought the book based on your recommendatio...I just bought the book based on your recommendation. Thanks for bringing it to my attention and thanks again for your kind words about my book in the past!<br /><br />ShariSharihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01930041548159037405noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7775523880312885819.post-70988652161344184972012-01-27T19:42:09.826-08:002012-01-27T19:42:09.826-08:00Thanks, terrigal! Lots to look at here. I had been...Thanks, terrigal! Lots to look at here. I had been wanting to find some of this very information for the CheezeWhizChurch site. I haven't posted there for a while. I had seen the Purposedrivel site on the Feedjit reader, loved the name and was just starting to read the story of your subcommittee when I noticed there were comments to moderate here. Thanks for all the tips. You might enjoy http://cheezewhizchurch.blogspot.com/ It tries to poke fun at the ponzi scheme that is the Church Growth Movement: Grow church, hold regional seminar on how to grow churches, write book, plug book in church, sell book, hold larger seminar, write bigger book, do simulcast, teach others how to do what you did... Anyway, thanks again. I will be doing much reading the next few days, it looks like. Keep fighting!Provenderhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17092211918774805740noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7775523880312885819.post-3831282172658244712012-01-27T18:22:29.779-08:002012-01-27T18:22:29.779-08:00Here's one more from just the last 24 hours. ...Here's one more from just the last 24 hours. Amazing.<br /><a href="http://www.christianpost.com/news/reformed-crowd-asked-to-repent-for-attacking-td-jakes-68072/" rel="nofollow">Reformed Crowd Asked to Repent for Attacking TD Jakes</a><br /><br />pulling the race card, insinuating that the people are not living in light of the gospel (because they disagree) - saying they weren't fair because they didn't come to the event, (as if that matters, registration was about $100 and didn't include travel or lodging or meals).<br /><br />One in particular did try to pay and attend in order to blog (Chris Rosebrough) and they denied him entry and threatened him with arrest if he didn't leave the premises immediately, along with a paid&registered female blogger who they deemed unsuitable for entry. They were sitting in a car in the parking lot trying to figure out what to do now that they'd traveled there and could not get in, when they were threatened by a beefy security guard and told they'd already called the police.<br /><br />See if it was me I'd have sat there and waited to talk to the police and I'd have had the video rolling probably before I got to the door. Chris was refused entry last year as well, so I hear.<br /><br />Anyway you'll find a lot of the same (and maybe some new) techniques for abusing those with valid critiques in that story.terriergalhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08801794520433439408noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7775523880312885819.post-842499161210349062012-01-27T15:51:35.905-08:002012-01-27T15:51:35.905-08:00Also
A guy named Chuck Mcalister (who also has a...Also <br /><br />A guy named Chuck Mcalister (who also has a hunting show called "Adventure Bound Outdoors") once wrote a 6 part article on pastors.com on how to take over and change an established church. He referred to Dan Southerland's book almost exclusively.<br /><br />The articles no longer seem to be online. A lot of people had linked to it, maybe he was getting negative feedback. But this guy did a summary of the articles here<br /><br /><a href="http://watcherslamp.blogspot.com/2008/03/signs-of-purpose-driven-transition-in.html" rel="nofollow">Signs of a Purpose Driven Transition part 1</a><br /><br /><a href="http://watcherslamp.blogspot.com/2008/03/signs-of-purpose-driven-transition-in_14.html" rel="nofollow">Signs of a Purpose Driven Transition part 2</a><br /><br /><a href="http://watcherslamp.blogspot.com/2008/03/signs-of-purpose-driven-transition-in_6353.html" rel="nofollow">Signs of a Purpose Driven Transition part 3</a><br /><br /><a href="http://watcherslamp.blogspot.com/2008/03/signs-of-purpose-driven-transition-in_15.html" rel="nofollow">Signs of a Purpose Driven Transition part 4</a><br /><br /><a href="http://watcherslamp.blogspot.com/2008/03/signs-of-purpose-driven-transition-in_6417.html" rel="nofollow">Signs of a Purpose Driven Transition part 5</a>terriergalhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08801794520433439408noreply@blogger.com