Where to begin on this place..\r
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The reviews of this place are grievous, and true. I say this not as an angry ex-member who has left. I say this as one who was raised in this place and chose to leave. \r
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This church is run by fear. Fear of the loss of all that you hold valuable. Fear of rejection and loss of family if you chose to worship elsewhere, fear of loss of ""the kingdom of God"", fear of the loss of ministry if you speak to family outside the place... the list goes on and on. \r
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This church is also run by pride. Pride that says we have fullest knowledge of the truth, even to the exclusion of the larger, world-wide body of Christ. An inflated sense that we are better than ""those Christians.""\r
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Sadly, these are just a few of the tools the leaders use to manipulate people. These result from a misunderstanding of the true nature of God. God, and God's anointed leader are to be feared. Fear meaning ""be afraid"". Not the fear of the Lord which is an awe and reverence for the divine character of God. Not a holy fear that drives us to be offended by that which offends God and His character. The God preached in this church is a God that condemns and disciplines us. God does discipline us, but what about His love, mercy, and grace?\r
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We all are addicted to sin. Worse yet is to be in denial that we have an addiction. The Pharisees didn't need a Savior--they had it all figured out. Jesus called them white-washed tombs. Spotless on the outside, yet empty inside. I realized I had a ""form of godliness"" in this church, yet did not really know Jesus, the head of the church. I was unable to hear clearly from the Holy Spirit, because divine revelation could only come through or be confirmed by the leaders...at least that is what was taught. \r
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Christ commands us to love the Lord with all our hearts, soul, strength, mind; and love your neighbor as yourself. This command does not say love God and obey your leader. Although the Bible talks about obeying your leaders in the Lord, this one verse in Hebrews is held up as a gold standard. Never mind Galatians 6:10 ""do good to all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith,"" or I Timothy 5:8 ""But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.""\r
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God is a God of reconciliation. He wants us to be reconciled to Him, through Christ Jesus, and to be reconciled to each other. Yet the only way to be reconciled to members of this church, is repenting for leaving and then submitting to the authority of the apostle and pastors.\r
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For anyone considering visiting this church, please be warned. This is not a healthy church. For anyone considering leaving, be encouraged that there is hope, help, healing, freedom and joy on the other side. This comes from our loving God, full of mercy and grace. Exiting may initially be difficult, but God provides a way. Some heartbreak is just our hearts breaking free of unhealthy and unnecessary restraints; and some types of joy only grow when something is released! Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.
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