Spiritual Abuse

[Helen Pomery]

I’ve been thinking about the terror of bondage. It’s torturous to be trapped and feel the infilling of despair rising in your being as you wake to a new day.

To those who are living in this nightmare, I would like to gently say to you most sincerely that you are in our prayers.

I would like to suggest that you look up the song,
Because He Lives.

We sang it last Sunday and it ministered deeply to me.

Because He lives, I can face tomorrow.
Because He lives, all fear is gone.
Because I know, He holds the future.
And life is worth the living, just because He lives.

Please hang on.
God has not abandoned you.
He has promised to never leave us or forsake us.

May God bless you today. He Lives!!!!

[tallon71]

I dont quite understand how people allow themselves to become so manipulated,and dominated by cult churches,and groups,but it must just sneak up on you. They probably appear friendly,and loving for a time,maybe even spiritual,and Godly, then out comes the web they spin,and the tentacles.Before you know it,theyve got you. Also people born into it,probably dont know anything else.

[Faith Hopegood]

I found this excellent video summary of "High Control Churches" by Ken Arrington. I have been watching his videos on Youtube and Tik Tok and find them very uplifting and informative. I have only ever found his videos bring me into closer relationship with God. In this particular video, Ken clearly sets out all of the BCF/Christian Fellowship Game Book on how they control congregation members.

Sign 5 - Are you being demonised for Leaving? High-Control Church Tactics

https://youtu.be/cfr7RsVqerk?si=WD8-Bv_ZRornGbd3

After you watch you the video, you think "Does Ken attend a Christian Fellowship?". No. Sadly, this type of high control behaviour can raise its ugly head in any church. But in our case, it is an exact fit with BCF and all the other Christian Fellowship Branches. There is nothing new under the sun and Vic Hall (and all the CF Elders and Leaders) do not have a "special word" or a "present word" directly from God. They have merely copied and implement the tactics what High-Control Churches do everywhere. I would highly encourage all readers to watch the video and then read the bible with the scriptures he mentions.

I hope and pray this video of encouragement helps lift ungodly chains of bondage and fear off you and brings you closer to personal relationship directly with our beautiful Jesus Christ.

Blessings in Christ to all.
Faith Hopegood.

[guest]

TRIGGER WARNING:

This video may remind you of conversations with elders or housemates in the xCF:

https://youtube.com/shorts/b2ACu5U3l34? ... 9tO8hove75

[guest]

Hi All,

I have a question I'd like to ask as to whether the following story is regarded as some form of abuse?

Someones story:

At the age of say 18-20, a person participates in some basic / mid-level sexual sin prior to joining a xCF.
This person then becomes part of the xCF group later in their 20s.
After hearing a message on 'walking in the light' at a young adult meeting, the person feels they need to confess something that happened when they were 18-20 years old.
There is a meeting time organised with one of the older church leaders to discuss.
The meeting and conversation heads down the line of many in depth questions being asked about details of what went on etc.
The person was made to feel very very uncomfortable and felt traumatised over the meeting.

First question - is this sort of questioning and discussion appropriate? Is this abuse?

Then many years later (say 10 years) that person has progressed through a 'courtship' relationship and is getting closer to getting married.
The confession is then brought and asked about by a different person from a different xCF to ask if this had all been resolved and discussed between the courting couple (which it had openly). Again, this made the person feel very uncomfortable as many years had passed and why this person knew about it so long afterwards and from a different xCF group.

Second question - was this appropriate? Is this abuse?

Please comment.

[BreakFree]

HI guest,
the short answer is its inappropriate on a number of level.
Firstly a person's sexuality is between them and their partner.
secondly at best, the different leader shouldn't have known about the person's confession, it's gossip.
feel free to email me and I can elaborate more if you would like
Blessing BF
cifs.workshop.bcf@gmail.com

[Paul Kovaks]

This is hideously despicable xCF behaviour.

What it means is that the only people the lunatic and stupidly naive xCF eldership trust and promote are the obvious LIARS who never have had the humility and God-fearing-ness to confess anything.

Yet they forgive each other when found out!

[Haggai 1:7]

Yeah it definitely is inappropriate/ misuse of authority. Also invasion of privacy for sure.

If someone keeps their own notes of a meeting that’s one thing. For it to be read by others and discussed is another thing altogether.

[Helen Pomery]

Private & Sensitive Information":
1. Use of Personal and Private Information:
Do you believe your personal and private information was used in a manner that you felt breached your privacy?
Yes
110
No
52


2. Awareness of Privacy Policy:
Have you been made aware of or read your Church's Privacy Policy?
Yes
5
No
157


3.Use of Sensitive Information:
Do you feel any of your sensitive information was used in a way that was harmful to you and without your permission?
Yes
81
No
15
I Don't Know
66


4. Consent for Use of Sensitive Information:
When you provided your sensitive information to your Church, were you aware it would be used in a way that you did not want or agree to?
Yes
19
No
143


5. Permission for Use of Sensitive Information:
Did you give permission to the Church to use your sensitive information in the manner described above?
Yes
4
No
158

I am hoping Samson will not mind me copying the information from the website regarding ‘Private and Sensitive Information.’

As regards this question:

Do you believe your personal and private information was used in a manner that you felt breached your privacy?

Personally I was surprised at this result.


Most congregants would not know that anytime they had counselling with elders, a report was written and if the matters were deemed serious, then presbytery discussed all the private personal details with all the men present.


When Gladys Barlow was a target, one of the elders wives sat with her and recorded that interview. The tape was passed around the elders so they could listen to Glady’s confessions, then they all agreed she was ……..


I could tell you many more accounts of private matters that were discussed at presbytery. Sexual matters, financial , business, rebellious teenagers and poor child rearing practices / you name it, they discussed it.


Each elder was required to keep a dossier on anyone they counselled = fact.

When I became a target Bill Barnes asked us to lunch at their home. I specifically asked if it was going to be a session of rebuke and discipline. I was told it was just friends meeting for lunch.
Well, it turned out to be an interrogation/ I was forced to confess my disobedience etc etc.

Bill Barnes wrote a report which he presented to presbytery about that session. Talk about an abuse of power!


My point is / most people are ignorant of what these men do behind closed doors. Many people would be shocked and horrified if they knew the men had discussed private and very sensitive matters with no respect for privacy.


Warning to any current members:

Do Not Submit to Any Counselling with these men!!!

[Stargazer]

To Guest above asking whether if it is abuse that the information shared to others was abuse, not to mention the fact that the person was manipulated to share it in the first place, is DEFINITELY abuse and it was 100% inappropriate to discuss. Elders just wanting to exert their power over people.