| Author | Message | ||
     sublime New member Username: sublime Post Number: 1 Registered: 12-2006 Posted From: 209.149.113.52 |
I'm new to this board. Please bear with me. I recently ended a long distance relationship with a girl from Marin who went to a church affiliated with Dennis Peacocke. I was pretty crazy about her initially. Then her dad started making statements that I should move out to Cali to be with her, that made statements questioning my religious background, but more importantly was always talking about his beliefs and never really tried to get to know me. She's 31 and I had to talk with her dad as much as I spent time with her. He even had me meet Dennis Peacocke face to face at one point. They had me listen to "strategic life training" cd's and reading books on "God and finances" but there was an arrogance that seemed far from the humble God I grew up with. To cut to the chase, though the church that they go to had a decent enough message, I was always a bit wierded out by something I can't put my finger on. Her realtionship with her father was more like a girl has when she's 16 not at 31. We would get along and then she's talk to her dad and everything would change. Something doesn't sit right with me. I feel really betrayed and hurt by it all. I feel as though I didn't stack up because I didn't give in to the demands of her father. Can anyone explain to me if they have any experience with any churches directly affiliated with Dennis Peacocke and if so are they considered cults? Was I affected by a cult? | ||
| jbkrems Intermediate Member Username: jbkrems Post Number: 177 Registered: 5-2006 Posted From: 70.185.227.35 |
Sublime, If I'm out of order here, or not answering your question, I'm sorry. Please read my entire post, which may help you anyways. I live in Oklahoma City, and formerly was a member at Covenant Life Church, which is NOT directly affiliated with Dennis Peacocke, but is affiliated in two organizations where Peacocke's influence is greatly felt. Covenant Life Church is not only a part of the Covenant Church movement (which Peacocke is somewhat associated with), but ALSO is a member of KMI, which stands for Kingdom Ministries International. KMI is based in Seattle. So far as I know, EVERY summer that I was there, the youth were encouraged to attend Peacocke's "Strategic Life Training" meetings, but NO ONE ever went. I would not consider my former church a cult, nor would I consider Dennis Peacocke's deal a cult, per se. I do believe there are certain cult-like and controlling tendencies, including ones dealing with boyfriend/girlfriend relationships and marriage. My church, for instance, along with Dennis Peacocke, taught (and probably still teaches) a very old-fashioned courtship principle, where the guy has to seek the father's permission for him to date a girl. It is VERY controlling, and VERY protective Even if the girl, like in your situation, is 31, she is under her father's "covering," until she is married. I think this is what was going on in your situation, and I'm sorry it happened to you. I don't necessarily see it as arrogant, but I wasn't there. So, those are my thoughts, and I hope that helps you. Again, if I was out of order in responding, I'm very sorry. | ||
| aferrill New member Username: aferrill Post Number: 23 Registered: 12-2006 Posted From: 69.64.110.1 |
I met my husband in the Covenant Church in CA. If my dad had been in CA, he would have had to ask for permission. But, he was told to check with my shepherd before dating me and getting engaged. We were not the popular ones, so our wedding was simple and without the support of the in crowd. We had to ask our shepherd before going to counseling. We were told where to live, who to date and even how to do our hair! Dennis Peacock's church is waaaay to similar to mine. And if you're asking, Dennis used to be a pastor in the Covenant Churches. I'm not sure what happened to him after the churches fell apart. | ||
| sublime New member Username: sublime Post Number: 2 Registered: 12-2006 Posted From: 209.149.113.52 |
I appreciate both of your posts above. The whole thing smacks of the elitism that Paul spoke against in Galatians. Help me to understand, do Covenant churches preach that their way is the only way and that other Christians are wayward? | ||
| jbkrems Intermediate Member Username: jbkrems Post Number: 190 Registered: 5-2006 Posted From: 70.185.227.35 |
Sublime, I didn't see Covenant Life Church as being elitist, nor did they preach that our way was the only way, or that other Christians were wayward. Covenant Life actually preached to cooperate with other Christians and churches in the community, and so forth. However, I don't know what happened in other KMI churches, or Covenant Church movement churches. I've listened to a few recordings of sermons at the KMI church in Seattle, and some of the teachings there I would characterize not so much as elitist, but more so as controlling. Does that help? Again, as I posted elsewhere, feel free to contact me privately at jbkrems@excite.com for more intimate details. Thanks. | ||
| aferrill Junior Member Username: aferrill Post Number: 43 Registered: 12-2006 Posted From: 69.64.110.1 |
I'm not receiving any posts. Testing testing. | ||
| anenigma New member Username: anenigma Post Number: 1 Registered: 10-2007 Posted From: 69.7.208.210 |
I was part of the so called Peacocke Movement at high levels. I am convinced it is nothing more than a shepherding cult. It is a mixture of Mormonism, Marxism, and Mysticism. He even called himself the divine centering point. I know the church you are talking about in Novato. Dick Bruner was the pastor. When I came on board I was told that shepherding was no longer practiced. It was a major concern for me. Well I found out it was still alive and well only under new terminology. Instead of Discipler/Disciple relationship it was Father/Son. A son had to carry his Father’s heart. Total psychobabble! Dennis is quoted more than Jesus. That should tell you all you need to know. | ||
| jbkrems Senior Member Username: jbkrems Post Number: 2128 Registered: 5-2006 Posted From: 68.12.128.162 |
Anenigma, Yeah, Dick Bruner and his wife and natural son came to my former church and ministered to me, personally, along with everyone else in the congregation. It was nothing new --- and pretty much everyone who got ministered to, including myself, broke down in tears. Rest assured, I don't attend that church anymore --- but it was not because of Dick Bruner, but rather other issues that went on. |
