Anonymous (64.12.117.20)
07-22-2004, 11:28 PM
SUMMARY Why is GGWO on FACTNet?
The following information was gathered from many sources. Most have been provided by the eyewitness testimonies of both former and current GGWO staff members. They have provided a first-hand account of sinful wrongdoings, pervasive deceitfulness and calculated attempts to avoid any form or level of accountability by, not only those in positions of authority within GGWO, but its leader and ultimate authority Carl H. Stevens.
Over many years individuals who had witnessed situations including, but not limited to, biblically incorrect doctrine, improper use of church funds and gross mistreatment of members have approached Carl Stevens in an attempt to discuss those issues. Their attempts were met with denials, deceptions and diversions.
The unresolved, continuing issues are:
Improper understanding and use of delegated authority This is documented in the CRI/ Martin Report, Dovydenas Case court transcripts, Lake Elsinore disaffiliation letter and the personal testimony of former members.
No public polity of correction and/or discipline of a pastor There is no written, published, distributed, referenced or practiced biblical process, specifically with regard to the behavior by Carl Stevens. He has never been corrected or disciplined for malevolent actions.
Lack of conformity to preached doctrine Carl Stevens has established a biblical doctrine that actively discourages slander or gossip. He clearly instructs his followers not to practice these tactics. He does not abide by this doctrine, specifically when referring to exiting members or those who question his ministry in any way.
Malicious treatment of exiting church members by the leader This has been actively practiced by Carl Stevens for over 30 years. Within both small groups and in front of the entire congregation, he has maligned the character of those leaving the group by using slander and gossip. He considers those leaving his ministry for any reason to be his enemy and treats and refers to them as such.
Mental status changes of the leader Within both small groups and in front of the entire congregation, Carl Stevens has exhibited slurred and unintelligible speech, lapses in recall and judgment resulting in both an inability to effectively communicate to his followers and the profession of false doctrine. On 7/14/2004 it was necessary for him to be prompted in order to continue the service. On 6/25/04 he made statements that were faulty and biblically inaccurate. He was approached regarding the doctrinal issue and made assurances privately that he would correct himself and his false teaching publicly at the next service, but he did not.
Active substance abuse by the leader It is known to many that Carl Stevens struggles with a substance abuse problem that has on occasion become life threatening. His misuse of prescription narcotics has contributed to the deterioration of his cognitive state. He has strenuously resisted the intervention of his family members.
Malicious treatment of family member by the leader When a member of leadership who is an immediate family member of Carl Stevens attempted to address the substance abuse of the leader, a written indictment of the person was composed and the church by-laws were changed to prevent the person from succeeding him as leader. There is written documentation of these actions. In addition, deceitful practices were employed in order to prevent the family member from attending these meetings while the documents were being crafted. Further, condemning, malicious statements were made publicly about the person by Stevens during services resulting in that family member being considered an enemy of the Baltimore church. All of these actions were taken without regard that the intervention of the family member motivated only by love had possibly saved the life of the leader. Further, when this family member began a separate church in general proximity to but not in competition with the Baltimore church, he was again the subject of indirect verbal attack by Carl Stevens during services.
Inaction of those in leadership regarding the substance abuse of the leader - The elders of the Baltimore church and some affiliated ministries are aware that Carl Stevens is misusing prescription drugs and have not acted to address the issues relative to that abuse. They have not followed through on the initial action they had taken. They are not assisting him in receiving treatment and continue to enable his self-destructive behavior, allowing him to repeatedly embarrass himself in public.
Disunity and discord between the elders There is infighting among the elders, who are perplexed and indecisive regarding the issues related to the leader. There is a lack of consensus and, therefore, a lack of action to resolve the issues and bring the church back into a state of biblical compliance. This inaction has allowed situations to continue and problems to multiply.
Deception of the church members by the elders The elders have not only dishonestly related the truth regarding the leaders substance abuse to his followers, but they have actively lied to prevent public disclosure of it.
Failure to act in a manner that is dutiful to the position of elder The elders have not been faithful in their duties by failing to act on the numerous breaches of biblical doctrine and behavior by Carl Stevens.
Intimidation, manipulation and coercion by an elder Written internal documents have been composed and distributed by an elder regarding issues with other persons in leadership positions which contain fabricated details and falsehoods in a foolish attempt to intimidate, manipulate and/or coerce the receivers into behaving in a certain manner. Other staff members are aware of these specious indictments and do not address the unbiblical action.
Violation of accepted biblical doctrine by the leader regarding an accusation of a church member Allegations of wrong-doing, subsequently determined to be false, were received by Carl Stevens and the elders in the absence of the accused member, a clear violation of scripture. The accuser was bound by an oath not to say speak of the issue to the member, even if asked directly. The elders were also instructed to say nothing to the member or spouse.
Inappropriate use of church funds by the leader An adulterous affair by a staff pastor resulted in money being paid as part of a concerted effort to keep an unethical, possibly illegal, situation from being made public.
Malicious treatment of a victimized spouse by the leader - Carl Stevens, along with church elders, actively and aggressively maligned the character of the husband victimized by an adulterous affair in front of the entire congregation.
Public profession of false biblical doctrines by the leader These include, but are not limited to, delegated authority, salvation by obedience, the presentation of the believer at the Bema Seat by the leader. It is evidenced in both spoken and written form by publications by and recordings of the leader.
The following information was gathered from many sources. Most have been provided by the eyewitness testimonies of both former and current GGWO staff members. They have provided a first-hand account of sinful wrongdoings, pervasive deceitfulness and calculated attempts to avoid any form or level of accountability by, not only those in positions of authority within GGWO, but its leader and ultimate authority Carl H. Stevens.
Over many years individuals who had witnessed situations including, but not limited to, biblically incorrect doctrine, improper use of church funds and gross mistreatment of members have approached Carl Stevens in an attempt to discuss those issues. Their attempts were met with denials, deceptions and diversions.
The unresolved, continuing issues are:
Improper understanding and use of delegated authority This is documented in the CRI/ Martin Report, Dovydenas Case court transcripts, Lake Elsinore disaffiliation letter and the personal testimony of former members.
No public polity of correction and/or discipline of a pastor There is no written, published, distributed, referenced or practiced biblical process, specifically with regard to the behavior by Carl Stevens. He has never been corrected or disciplined for malevolent actions.
Lack of conformity to preached doctrine Carl Stevens has established a biblical doctrine that actively discourages slander or gossip. He clearly instructs his followers not to practice these tactics. He does not abide by this doctrine, specifically when referring to exiting members or those who question his ministry in any way.
Malicious treatment of exiting church members by the leader This has been actively practiced by Carl Stevens for over 30 years. Within both small groups and in front of the entire congregation, he has maligned the character of those leaving the group by using slander and gossip. He considers those leaving his ministry for any reason to be his enemy and treats and refers to them as such.
Mental status changes of the leader Within both small groups and in front of the entire congregation, Carl Stevens has exhibited slurred and unintelligible speech, lapses in recall and judgment resulting in both an inability to effectively communicate to his followers and the profession of false doctrine. On 7/14/2004 it was necessary for him to be prompted in order to continue the service. On 6/25/04 he made statements that were faulty and biblically inaccurate. He was approached regarding the doctrinal issue and made assurances privately that he would correct himself and his false teaching publicly at the next service, but he did not.
Active substance abuse by the leader It is known to many that Carl Stevens struggles with a substance abuse problem that has on occasion become life threatening. His misuse of prescription narcotics has contributed to the deterioration of his cognitive state. He has strenuously resisted the intervention of his family members.
Malicious treatment of family member by the leader When a member of leadership who is an immediate family member of Carl Stevens attempted to address the substance abuse of the leader, a written indictment of the person was composed and the church by-laws were changed to prevent the person from succeeding him as leader. There is written documentation of these actions. In addition, deceitful practices were employed in order to prevent the family member from attending these meetings while the documents were being crafted. Further, condemning, malicious statements were made publicly about the person by Stevens during services resulting in that family member being considered an enemy of the Baltimore church. All of these actions were taken without regard that the intervention of the family member motivated only by love had possibly saved the life of the leader. Further, when this family member began a separate church in general proximity to but not in competition with the Baltimore church, he was again the subject of indirect verbal attack by Carl Stevens during services.
Inaction of those in leadership regarding the substance abuse of the leader - The elders of the Baltimore church and some affiliated ministries are aware that Carl Stevens is misusing prescription drugs and have not acted to address the issues relative to that abuse. They have not followed through on the initial action they had taken. They are not assisting him in receiving treatment and continue to enable his self-destructive behavior, allowing him to repeatedly embarrass himself in public.
Disunity and discord between the elders There is infighting among the elders, who are perplexed and indecisive regarding the issues related to the leader. There is a lack of consensus and, therefore, a lack of action to resolve the issues and bring the church back into a state of biblical compliance. This inaction has allowed situations to continue and problems to multiply.
Deception of the church members by the elders The elders have not only dishonestly related the truth regarding the leaders substance abuse to his followers, but they have actively lied to prevent public disclosure of it.
Failure to act in a manner that is dutiful to the position of elder The elders have not been faithful in their duties by failing to act on the numerous breaches of biblical doctrine and behavior by Carl Stevens.
Intimidation, manipulation and coercion by an elder Written internal documents have been composed and distributed by an elder regarding issues with other persons in leadership positions which contain fabricated details and falsehoods in a foolish attempt to intimidate, manipulate and/or coerce the receivers into behaving in a certain manner. Other staff members are aware of these specious indictments and do not address the unbiblical action.
Violation of accepted biblical doctrine by the leader regarding an accusation of a church member Allegations of wrong-doing, subsequently determined to be false, were received by Carl Stevens and the elders in the absence of the accused member, a clear violation of scripture. The accuser was bound by an oath not to say speak of the issue to the member, even if asked directly. The elders were also instructed to say nothing to the member or spouse.
Inappropriate use of church funds by the leader An adulterous affair by a staff pastor resulted in money being paid as part of a concerted effort to keep an unethical, possibly illegal, situation from being made public.
Malicious treatment of a victimized spouse by the leader - Carl Stevens, along with church elders, actively and aggressively maligned the character of the husband victimized by an adulterous affair in front of the entire congregation.
Public profession of false biblical doctrines by the leader These include, but are not limited to, delegated authority, salvation by obedience, the presentation of the believer at the Bema Seat by the leader. It is evidenced in both spoken and written form by publications by and recordings of the leader.