To the Secretaries Admins and other Employees of EN

[robert_unknown]

If you are working for EN consider the following things:

1- are you constantly overworking? are you working too much, too stressfull, too many hours? are you always tired?

2- are you financed by EN itself or do you have to "raise your support" to work for EN?

3- do You have doubts if this REALLY is the way Gods kingdom is build?

4- do you know how much money Brooks, Bonasso and the other keyleaders are earning? Where is the money for this huge salaries (ie. Bonassos basesalary: $603.000,-) coming from? From their churches? from the missionfunds?

5- Why is EN not opening the books and showing transparency with financial issues?

6- are the leaders crude with you? do they "correct" you in an unfriendly way, to get you perform better?

7- is someone "talking into your live " "propheticaly" to get you things doing, you wouldnt do otherwise?

8- do you have unanswered questions, a bad feeling about several things, doubts?

9- do you feel that you cannot fullfill the expecations that people have in you?

10- is it a joy for you to read the bible and to pray or is it rather a duty?

11- do you have bad conscious because you question some things?

12- have you wittnesses spiritual abuse of people?

13- How do the leaders that you know deal with critical people? How do they talk about former employees or churchmembers?

14- Have you wittnessed lying about people, history, facts?

i want to encourage you to READ FactNet!More and more people realize that EN behaves like a sociological cult and abuses people and peoples finances. There is enough proof to draw this concllusions.

if you have the feeling, that you get abused, you probably ARE abused!

Read this forum, and draw your conclusions!


(Message edited by robert_unknown on July 13, 2006)

[robert_unknown]

1. Environment Control:
such as: daily meetings; no time for family life; limitation of contact with those outside the group; command not to read contrary literature or speak to dissenters.

2. Mystical manipulation:
The potential convert to the group becomes convinced of the higher purpose and special calling of the group through a profound encounter/experience, for example, through an alleged miracle or prophetic word of those in the group.

3. Demand for Purity:
anything that is not in complete agreement with the new belief and group is impure, of no worth, a liability, and cause for rejection. An explicit goal of the group is to bring about some kind of change, whether it be on a global, social, or personal level. "Perfection is possible if one stays with the group and is committed."

4. The Cult of Confession:
encouragement of self disclosure to members in the group. Often in the context of a public gathering in the group, admitting past sins and imperfections, including doubts about the group and critical thoughts about the integrity of the leaders. This serves several purposes. It provides a 'release valve' for the convert to purge the old ways out of his system; and gives the leaders foreknowledge about possible threats to the group. It also gives the leaders a list of sins to hold over the person's head if there is any threat of withdrawal.

5. Sacred Science:
The group's perspective is absolutely true and completely adequate to explain EVERYTHING. The doctrine is not subject to amendments or question. ABSOLUTE conformity to the doctrine is required.

6. Loading of the language:
a new vocabulary emerges within the context of the group, including the use of "sacred" words that are to be reserved only for the contexts desired by the indoctrinators, and "buzz words" - new terms that embody meanings special to the group (this reinforces belonging.) The terminology stops members from thinking critically by reinforcing a "black and white" mentality.

7. Doctrine over person:
the value, importance and worth of the new doctrine and group as a whole is greater than the importance of any one individual. This subordinates human rights to be of value or worth only when they function within the confines and frame of the new belief. Pre-group experience and group experience are narrowly and decisively interpreted through the absolute doctrine, even when experience contradicts the doctrine.

8. Dispensing of existence:
salvation is possible only in the group. Those who leave the group are doomed. The right to exist, the value and worth of existence, can only be granted by the belief system or the source of the belief system.

(Message edited by robert_unknown on July 13, 2006)

[robert_unknown]

Defining Spiritual Abuse

DEFINED
Spiritual abuse is the misuse of a position of power, leadership, or influence to further the selfish interests of someone other than the individual who needs help. Sometimes abuse arises out of a doctrinal position. At other times it occurs because of legitimate personal needs of a leader that are being met by illegitimate means. Spiritually abusive religious systems are sometimes described as legalistic, mind controlling, religiously addictive, and authoritarian.

COMMON CHARACTERISTICS

#1) Authoritarian
The most distinctive characteristic of a spiritually abusive religious system, or leader, is the over-emphasis on authority. Because a group claims to have been established by God Himself the leaders in this system claim the right to command their followers.

This authority supposedly comes from the position they occupy. In Matthew 23:1-2 Jesus said the Scribes and Pharisees "sit in Moses' seat," a position of spiritual authority. Many names are used but in the abusive system this is a position of power, not moral authority. The assumption is that God operates among His people through a hierarchy, or "chain of command." In this abusive system unconditional submission is often called a "covering," or "umbrella of protection" which will provide some spiritual blessing to those who fully submit. Followers may be told that God will bless their submission even if the leadship is wrong. It is not their place to judge or correct the leadership - God will see to that.

#2) Image Conscious
The abusive religious system is scrupulous to maintain an image of righteousness. The organization's history is often misrepresented in the effort to demonstrate the organization's special relationship to God. The mistaken judgements and character flaws of its leaders are denied or covered up in order to validate their authority. Impossibly high legalistic standards of thought and behavior may be imposed on the members. Their failure to live up to these standards is a constant reminder of the follower's inferiority to his leaders, and the necessity of submission to them. Abusive religion is, at heart, legalism.

Abusive religion is also paranoid. Because the truth about the abusive religious system would be quickly rejected if recognized, outsiders are shown only a positive image of the group. This is rationalized by assuming that the religion would not be understood by "worldly" people; therefore they have no right to know. This attitude leads to members being secretive about some doctrines and the inner policies and proceedures of the group. Leaders, especially, will keep secrets from their members. This secrecy is rooted in a basic distrust of others because the belief system is false and can not stand scrutiny.

#3) Suppresses Criticism
Because the religious system is not based on the truth it cannot allow questions, dissent, or open discussions about issues. The person who dissents becomes the problem rather than the issue he raised. The truth about any issue is settled and handed down from the top of the hierarchy. Questioning anything is considered a challenge to authority. Thinking for oneself is suppressed by pointing out that it leads to doubts. This is portrayed as unbelief in God and His anointed leaders. Thus the follower controls his own thoughts by fear of doubting God.

[robert_unknown]

#4) Perfectionistic
A most natural assumption is that a person does not get something for nothing. Apart from the express declarations of salvation by grace through faith God has given in the scriptures, it would be natural to think that one must earn salvation, or at least work to keep it. Thus, in abusive religions all blessings come through performance of spiritual requirements. Failure is strongly condemned so there is only one alternative, perfection. So long as he thinks he is succeeding in his observation of the rules, the follower typically exhibits pride, elitism, and arrogance. However, when reality and failure eventually set in, the result is the person experiences spiritual burnout, or even shipwreck of his faith. Those who fail in their efforts are labeled as apostates, weak, or some other such term so that they can be discarded by the system.

#5) Unbalanced
Abusive religions must distinguish themselves from all other religions so they can claim to be distinctive and therefore special to God. This is usually done by majoring on minor issues such as prophecy, carrying biblical law to extremes, or using strange methods of biblical interpretation. The imbalanced spiritual hobby-horse thus produced represents unique knowledge or practices which seem to validate the group's claim to special status with God.

Founding Date: Spiritual abuse is as old as false religion itself. While the practice is old, the term "spiritual abuse" may have been coined first by Jeff VanVonderen.

Organizational Structure: Can occur under virtually any organizational structure, but "top down" hierarchical structures are especially well suited to systemic spiritual abuse.

http://www.watchman.org/profile/abusepro.htm
by David Henke

[robert_unknown]

i was a pastor within EN some years ago, and i had to realize that EN is NOT what it promises to be.

if you want to discuss this not publicly mail me:
sandtdman(AT)hotmail.com

i will not answer to emails from pastors or "pastors buddies" who try to intimitade or rebuke me! this psychogames wont work on me anymore!

however - if one of you pastors likes to discuss this with me in a honest and normal way, feel free to send me a message.

[lc_20]

Robert_unknown,
Some of the most manipulative people I met in EN were the secretaries. They sold their souls, friends and one even her husband to get and keep those jobs. The gossip inside the EN secretary pool was full of lies and accusations. The worst ones I knew completely idolized their pastors and would destroy anyone with their lies to make themselves look super spiritual to the pastors. They were constantly getting "words" about people and telling the pastors. The pastors would use the secretaries as their eyes and ears into the church (since they weren't interested in building relationship themselves), so they would reward the secretaries for all the dirt they dug up (even if it was made up). I am impressed that you have compassion for these people. I see them as a big part of the problem (in general).

[bill_mack]

TRANSFERENCE OF HERETICAL DOCTRINES
SPLIT PERSONALITIES OF THE LEADERS
SPIRITUAL ABUSE
ROBERT BAXTER

lc_20: They were constantly getting "words" about people and telling the pastors. The pastors would use the secretaries as their eyes and ears into the church (since they weren't interested in building relationship themselves), so they would reward the secretaries for all the dirt they dug up (even if it was made up).

bm: I witnessed the entire congregation of about 50 people mesmerized and lock-stepped to the very thoughts of Bruce Harpel. Everybody feared him. The ways Harpel seized control of their minds perfectly match the methods mentioned above. As a younger man, Harpel's mind and spirit had been mind-controlled decades ago by the very same techniques. He knows no other way of dealing with people whom he controls. The other side of his personality puts on a "normal" front for outsiders that he has to deal with like parents, teachers, students, etc. This "Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde" fragmented personality gets sloppy from time to time since it is hard for Bruce Harpel to keep masquerading as a normal person. He often lashes out at his family and those close to him because of the stress of the psychotic dual-role he has to maintain. Harpel often turns on people like a mad dog when they start to get a hint of his split personality. This is where the most danger lies. This man is psycho-spiritually trapped and cannot get out of the spiritual cage he is in save for a couple of times a year where he travels to leadership meetings to get another boost of heretical teachings. When he came back after several of these episodes, he would always present these teachings as "a new thing" that the Lord was doing. "Spiritual Covering" was one of the heretical teachings he brought back after several days at a leadership meeting where the guest speaker was Robert Baxter.

Can anyone tell us more about Robert Baxter? I do know that he and his family are stationed in France. Several years ago, France passed laws against cults and Robert Baxter objected in the French press:
******************************************
Robert Baxter <101712.2142@compuserve.com>
Paris, France - Friday, October 22, 1999 at 11:40:33 (MEST)

"We have a growing outreach to youth, and the government really doesn't like when young people start getting radically saved, having radical personality changes," said Robert Baxter, an American and pastor of Assemblée Chrétienne du Bon Berger (Christian Assembly of the Good Shepherd), in Saint-Denis, near Paris.

Robert and Kathryn Baxter
Assemblée Chrétienne du Bon Berger
(Christian Assembly of the Good Shepherd)
215, avenue du Président Wilson
93200 Saint-Denis, France
Tél: 01 49 17 11 24
Fax: 01 49 17 11 25
101712.2142@compuserve.com
*******************************************
P.S. Alan Morrison take note of this!!

[miltietoast]

James 5:1-6 specifically v4,5. Behold,the hire of your laborers who have reaped down your fields,which is of you kept back by fraud,crieth;and the cries of them which have reaped are entered into the ears of the Lord of sabaoth. 5. Ye have lived in pleasure on the earth,and been wanton:ye have nourished your hearts ,as in a day of slaughter.

Rocks and stones fall on me.Hide me from the anger of the Lamb!, would be my prayer if I was in EN leadership

[robert_unknown]

might be true LC_20
but i know at least 2 who arent like this, and i think there are probably more pure ladies, that we might know ;)
and there are several other employees who raise their support by them own to work there http://www.factnet.org/discus/clipart/happy.gif

[maranatha1984]

84: Robert- what you have written is EXACTLY WHY Miltie, Mattie, D Dillon and Sameo are here. This was the MO of MCM- but MCM was rougher and less refined and more transparent than EN.

I say again EN is a more insidious strain of the virus of MCM because of the "softer approach"...your writing is most disturbing for all of us who thought MCM had died a much deserved DEATH

[robert_unknown]

what is "MO"?

i agree with 1984: rice and phil have learned their lessons. their attempt to deceive people is smarter and not so brutal than how Bob Weiner did it. they are "nicer" to the bride before they rape her! make her more compliments and deceive her before they start getting brutal. but rape still is rape.

[40days40years]

robert: and there are several other employees who raise their support by them own to work there

Can you expand on this? What do they do? how does it work, is this in Europe?

thanks.

[speakword2004]

MO means modus operandi.

[robert_unknown]

40
for example: we have some young people who want to serve in the local church. the get send to the states (if they like) to do some a leadership course (i dont know if they did VLI, but they have been there for a while) and after it they started to raise support IN the US through MPD.
one girl came back and finished her degree at the university. she still wants to work in church. she still raises support through MPD.
at present she is living in the US, working for the EN headquarters in the offices.
at present she helps at the conference.

i know this from her mother who is a friend of us!

[ulyankee]

Robert, they get sent to the States to go through MPD training which is a week long, but if they're here longer, they may also go to one of the advanced schools - those run 6 months. Does that sound about right?

[robert_unknown]

yes. but i am not sure if they went through VLI. but it was 6 months.

[ulyankee]

If it was 6 months they went through one of the training schools. They don't call them VLI anymore though. ENLI (http://www.everynation.org/en/leadership/enli.html) generally refers to the two years in local church-based training, while the advanced training schools where people go away for 6 months are now simply called "Schools of Ministry (http://www.everynation.org/en/leadership/schools-of-ministry.html)."

[robert_unknown]

yes - it was the school of ministry...
they wanted all the pastors here to also do this school. we didnt go there, and i dont regret it.

[philiprosenthal]

I know certain ex-staff members from the Cape Town His People who stopped attending any church because of bad treatment from the leadership hierachy. My appeal to staff mistreated is not to give up on Jesus, just because you encountered some bad pastors. Find another healthy church to go to and tell your story on FactNet. Hopefully, in a few years time the church will be reformed and such behaviour will stop.