Replies

Depends on how one construes it when it was functioning more or less healthily.

They were 'merely' applying some valid Biblical principles and methods in a very powerful small group way.

At some point, the coercion became unBiblical.

But the lives of those whom the mental hospitals and churches had rejected as hopeless were turned around for The Kingdom and they became functioning, contributing, overcoming, pleasant, positive members of society instead of hopelessly dependent and miserable.

The group started out as just a Bible Study supplement to church. Then ended up becoming it's own church.

About the time it started going off the deep end, they kicked me out--essentially for jealousy because I felt led to attend a quality school for my PhD instead of their mom and pop college they were trying to start. That whole episode was extremely unBiblical. Shocked me tons as the MD had considered me like a son.

A lot of people don't realize a lot of the demonic gods and goddesses they have in their homes. And, others, don't realize a lot of things they have made into idols. The group process was uncannily accurate in hearing Holy Spirit's input on such matters.

And often some serious ancestral stuff would be uncovered easily and dramatically to great cleansing benefit.

And, the lives of the people changed dramatically--often overnight in some respects and a lot faster than any other way I knew of with very hard to change syndromes etc. A lot of these people were very miserable and desperate people with no where else to go.

The MD and his wife and family as well as other old timers in the group gave thousands of hours of quality counseling and dollars away to very desperate individuals and families.

Single mothers had their homes and yards cleaned up by their 'spiritual families' and their finances and lives put in order. Their kids were turned around from heading down a road to terrible trouble and prison. Father figures stepped forward from the group to devote time to the children--especially the sons who most desperately needed such. Their wardrobes were overhauled, replaced by gifts from the group.

And, at it's healthiest, it was wonderful that there was the flexibility and breadth of vision and discernment to follow Holy Spirit in helping folks change--even when the path was not a common or routine way. Holy Spirit's creativity in such a context was fascinating and powerful to watch.

It was the most powerful example of persistent CHRISTIAN Love and tough Love I've ever been around. Incredibly well rounded overcoming Believers resulted.

Anyway--I can understand your response. Lots of pastors in San Diego would have agreed with you. But interestingly, a lot of those same pastors had their marriages, families and churches saved from serious shipwreck by the MD and his wife.

As to the inner healing stuff Tommy--depending on how it's done etc. there's some Biblical benefit in many cases.

And, lots of pastors and other Christians provide countless hours of counsel to folks who would never set foot inside a professional counselor's office. Some of it is horrible. All of it is flawed. But so is the counsel from the most degreeded and licensed professionals--even from the professional Chrisitans.

At least, in this situation, the benefit of the diversity of group discernment and perspective was better as well as more powerful. Yes, sometimes group-think could set in with less than admirable results. But on the whole, the leaders and group encouraged a diversity of at least consideration--particularly in early stages of approaching a complex problem.

And there was a very tenacious, determined and heart-felt effort on the part of all to keep things very Biblical. Eventually, their pride seemed to override that and things fell apart. But for a good period of time, they succeeded in keeping things much more Biblical than even most--if not all--of the better churches I'd ever been in.

I think most churches COULD teach and MODEL BIBLICAL RELATIONSHIPS--they just do not--for various reasons. These folks did.

At their best: They were very servant hearted to one another. They were very humble and sacrificial in behalf of one another. They were very faithful to The Lord and to one another. They did not flinch from the depth or complexity or nature of the sin or problems. They waded in redemptively in The Lord's Love and Spirit to incredibly powerful results. There are many lives in The Kingdom and people out of mental hospitals and out of prison--uncommonly--today because of the good done back then.

Would I do things differently if I had the opportunity? Sure. But they developed some powerful tools under the guidance of Holy Spirit. And, with proper safeguards, I think a lot of desperate miserable people could be set on a solid path with The Lord through such means.

One of the problems was that the MD and wife ended up not allowing significant feedback into the leadership unless it was through their daughters and sons-in-law. That was a serious flaw, insecurity, pride. And it was at least one of the keys to the beginning of their downfall.

I think EVERY group, congregation, leadership group needs at least yearly if not every 4-6 months some quality assessment from a diversity of Spirit-led Believers from OUTSIDE the group.

Anyway--FWIW.