I have experiences with Northridge Christian Life Church near Cleveland Ohio, also under the apostleship of Norman James and wanted to post here to reach this audience and be a light where I can. So without further ado from Cleveland...\r
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It has taken me over a year to gather the courage and my thoughts to write this. First of all, know that I'm not writing this in a spirit of accusation or bitterness. I simply want to relate my experiences and the results of my choices to provide guidance. If you are attending this place and read this, this is not an attack. I want to provide as much information as possible so people can make informed decisions of their own free will as God intended. \r
I grew up affiliatedthis place and knew nothing different for over 20 years. I was taught that the only relationships I should have should be with others in the same place or affiliated churches (Lakeview Christian Life Church for one or others in Columbus and Maine). These churches were considered to be the only churches with the ""truth"". Authority is extremely controlling. It was also very legalistic. Legalism was hidden behind a ""just as"" doctrine that held people to unattainable standards. Books, movies, music, entire genres were prohibited from the pulpit. Clothing/modesty rules were very specific and strictly enforced. There was no room for free will. It was do it this way or you are wrong and will be reprimanded. \r
Love was conditional. If you were ""strong"", according to their standards, you were held up as an example and applauded. They left no room for weakness. You were simply reprimanded for not being strong. \r
Scripture was twisted and cherry picked such as 2 Corinthians 6:14 ""Do not be unequally yoked to unbelievers"". They used this scripture to prohibit marriage simply because one party spoke in tongues and the other didn't. One was considered born again and the other wasn't. Never mind that both parties grew up there and attended in the same capacity and were both and still are both dedicated believers. \r
I saw people shun my parents when I was still ""in"" and experience it now that I'm out. When my brother and parents left, shunning them was flat out not an option in my heart. One thing that made me angry before I left was how people treated me as if my family had died. I wanted to shout ""They're not dead! They're still alive and faithfully serving God"" When my husband and I (then dating) made the decision to leave I was immediately left for dead. Not a single person reached out to me. Literally NO ONE. My husband on the other hand was bombarded. Calls, texts, visits, can we talk, can we pray, remember the good times etc. Rumors were spread. The hardest thing after I left, and it still is, is the complete lack of closure. People as close as family to me never even said goodbye. One day we were like family and two days later nothing to this day. I just can't understand it. I literally get the same feeling when I try to think about infinity as when I try to understand their shunning. Unfathomable is the best word I can think to describe it. I would give almost anything to restore relationships with family and friends that I love. \r
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