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Message |
    
pureheart
Intermediate Member
Username: pureheart
Post Number: 407
Registered: 9-2005
Posted From: 71.40.43.90
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 08, 2006 - 11:27 am: | 
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When a church fits most of the following they are in deep trouble.
First, abusive churches have a control-oriented style of leadership. One person is the main source of information, rules, direction and decisions.
Second, the leader of such churches often requires complete submission from their members. There is a certain fear aspect in the equation. Control control control.
Third, there is a rigid, legalistic lifestyle involving numerous requirements and minute details for daily life; including but not limited to dress, diet and personal activities such as vacations and the purchase of cars and homes.
Fourth, they tend to denounce other churches because they see themselves as superior to most other churches.
Fifth, these churches have a persecution complex and view themselves as being persecuted by the world, the media, and other Christian churches.
Sixth, abusive churches make it difficult for members to leave. Once a member has left, it is announced to the congregation and that member is either disassociated or disfellowshipped. Long time friendships are immediately severed and if a family member leaves, that family is split by virtue of church rules. Once again, the idea is to have power over..... to have power over....... to have power over the members. |
missionary_lady
Advanced Member
Username: missionary_lady
Post Number: 998
Registered: 9-2005
Posted From: 200.147.3.204
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 08, 2006 - 1:10 pm: |
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I Thessalonians 4
Furthermore then we beseech you, brethren, and exhort you by the Lord Jesus, that as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God, so ye would abound more and more.
(2) For ye know what commandments we gave you by the Lord Jesus
(6) That no man go beyond and defraud his brother in any matter: because that the LORD is the avenger of all such, as we also have forewarned you and do testified.
(7) For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness.
What is it to defraud someone? This is Websters definition: to deprive of, by fraud; cheat
Fraud according to Websters: deception deliberately practiced: trickery, a cheat, an imposter
Now let us take a look at the meaning of the word from the Greek: to be covetous, to overreach, get an advantage, and make a gain,
Now friends go see if HH does these things...
While HH tries to measure everyone else up to the Bible maybe someone should put the Bible up beside them... |
bramble
New member
Username: bramble
Post Number: 2
Registered: 11-2007
Posted From: 4.159.177.39
| | Posted on Friday, November 30, 2007 - 4:29 pm: |
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How does one help a friend out of an abusive church? |
coveredbyhisblood
New member
Username: coveredbyhisblood
Post Number: 20
Registered: 11-2007
Posted From: 67.83.90.230
| | Posted on Friday, November 30, 2007 - 6:43 pm: |
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Scriptures and prayer. |
missionary_lady
Senior Member
Username: missionary_lady
Post Number: 2078
Registered: 9-2005
Posted From: 189.70.150.117
| | Posted on Saturday, December 01, 2007 - 3:58 pm: |
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much prayer... |
coveredbyhisblood
Junior Member
Username: coveredbyhisblood
Post Number: 42
Registered: 11-2007
Posted From: 67.83.90.230
| | Posted on Wednesday, December 05, 2007 - 4:16 pm: |
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Is your friend in HH?
(Message edited by Coveredbyhisblood on December 05, 2007) |
trilogy
Member
Username: trilogy
Post Number: 54
Registered: 1-2007
Posted From: 64.193.216.26
| | Posted on Wednesday, December 05, 2007 - 9:59 pm: |
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I'd also say that there's usually always a core belief that it's possible, and sometimes relatively easy, to lose your salvation.
The fear of someone losing their salvation is often times the only thing that keeps someone close to a particular church.
I'm not sure about HH's belief on this, but if what I read on here is true then I would suspect they are in the camp that believes you can lose salvation. |
missionary_lady
Senior Member
Username: missionary_lady
Post Number: 2089
Registered: 9-2005
Posted From: 201.53.250.217
| | Posted on Thursday, December 06, 2007 - 7:32 am: |
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What you read is true...HH claims they are the ones God has shown more light and perhaps there might be someone else but of course they haven't found them...
So sad...so very sad all those people that live in constant fear. YES it is fear...and not the fear of God but the fear that the elders might find out something... |
missionary_lady
Senior Member
Username: missionary_lady
Post Number: 2090
Registered: 9-2005
Posted From: 201.53.250.217
| | Posted on Thursday, December 06, 2007 - 8:14 am: |
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What you read is true...HH claims they are the ones God has shown more light and perhaps there might be someone else but of course they haven't found them...
So sad...so very sad all those people that live in constant fear. YES it is fear...and not the fear of God but the fear that the elders might find out something... |
saygoodnightgracie
Intermediate Member
Username: saygoodnightgracie
Post Number: 359
Registered: 5-2005
Posted From: 96.228.213.29
| | Posted on Thursday, December 06, 2007 - 8:47 am: |
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"What you read is true" I FIRMLY believe that EVERYTHING you read is true. |
saygoodnightgracie
Intermediate Member
Username: saygoodnightgracie
Post Number: 360
Registered: 5-2005
Posted From: 96.228.213.29
| | Posted on Thursday, December 06, 2007 - 8:48 am: |
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"What you read is true" I FIRMLY believe that EVERYTHING you read is true. |
missionary_lady
Senior Member
Username: missionary_lady
Post Number: 2091
Registered: 9-2005
Posted From: 201.53.250.217
| | Posted on Thursday, December 06, 2007 - 8:54 am: |
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What you read is true...HH claims they are the ones God has shown more light and perhaps there might be someone else but of course they haven't found them...
So sad...so very sad all those people that live in constant fear. YES it is fear...and not the fear of God but the fear that the elders might find out something... |
missionary_lady
Senior Member
Username: missionary_lady
Post Number: 2092
Registered: 9-2005
Posted From: 201.53.250.217
| | Posted on Thursday, December 06, 2007 - 8:56 am: |
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What I say are my personal experiences with HH not hearsay |
missionary_lady
Senior Member
Username: missionary_lady
Post Number: 2093
Registered: 9-2005
Posted From: 201.53.250.217
| | Posted on Thursday, December 06, 2007 - 9:06 am: |
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What I say are my personal experiences with HH not hearsay |
missionary_lady
Senior Member
Username: missionary_lady
Post Number: 2094
Registered: 9-2005
Posted From: 201.53.250.217
| | Posted on Thursday, December 06, 2007 - 9:22 am: |
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What I say are my personal experiences with HH not hearsay |
coveredbyhisblood
Junior Member
Username: coveredbyhisblood
Post Number: 44
Registered: 11-2007
Posted From: 67.83.90.230
| | Posted on Thursday, December 06, 2007 - 10:01 am: |
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Holy Scripture is the plumb line for which to test what is truth.
If HH's actions do not line up with the Word of God then the answer is obvious as to what the true motives of HH's eldership are.
(Message edited by Coveredbyhisblood on December 06, 2007) |
majajh
Intermediate Member
Username: majajh
Post Number: 172
Registered: 6-2007
Posted From: 66.91.111.137
| | Posted on Thursday, December 06, 2007 - 11:46 am: |
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True.
"A man cannot have two masters." He'll either love one or the other. |
missionary_lady
Senior Member
Username: missionary_lady
Post Number: 2108
Registered: 9-2005
Posted From: 189.3.11.119
| | Posted on Friday, December 14, 2007 - 11:05 am: |
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HH wants you vow to them..until death do us part..so that leaves no room for God to show anything to the common people...HH is your master if you belong...trying leaving and see if they are not your master.
No, HH is not a church... |
missionary_lady
Senior Member
Username: missionary_lady
Post Number: 2109
Registered: 9-2005
Posted From: 189.3.11.119
| | Posted on Friday, December 14, 2007 - 11:17 am: |
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HH wants you vow to them..until death do us part..so that leaves no room for God to show anything to the common people...HH is your master if you belong...trying leaving and see if they are not your master.
No, HH is not a church... |
coveredbyhisblood
New member
Username: coveredbyhisblood
Post Number: 10
Registered: 11-2007
Posted From: 67.83.90.230
| | Posted on Wednesday, January 09, 2008 - 7:44 pm: |
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I have read most of the posts on FactNet regarding HH. One question that was asked had to do with the early days of HH. I joined them when they were known as New Life fellowship.
In the late 1970’s Blair announced that one of the reasons he left the UPC church was because of the rapture-he does not believe that it will ever happen. He stated that God told him that New Life Fellowship was the ‘Philadelphia’ church described in Revelation; that they would be the ONLY ones spared from those times. He then announced that we were going to move to Colorado- that we were ‘fleeing to the mountains’ to buy land so we could learn to become self efficient during the Tribulation.
They became ‘Fellowship of Christ’/Emmaus Christian Fellowship when we moved to Texas-the elders cited financial reasons-people needing jobs for the move. I know that the elders made bad decisions regarding the high land in Hotchkiss CO which resulted in a financial loss. That was announced at a Sunday meeting. I was there when the IRS audited some of the business's in Colorado before the move to Texas. I never knew where our tithes and offerings went; towards what expenses. I am sure that no one in HH asks those questions today. The house that was refurnished for the Adam's was beautiful on the land. When we first visited Texas at Thanksgiving time the single women slept in tents; most of them were on the ground. I slept on a boxspring that was very uncomfortable. The elders of course did not stay in that type of living conditions on the trip. We all shared the bathroom facilities that were outdoors.
These are some memories from my early days with HH.
(Message edited by Coveredbyhisblood on January 09, 2008) |