Mario Espinosa: Supporting Ex-Cult Members: A Christian Initiative for Churches

 

In the interest of being honest, I am also a former member of the Living Church of God ("LCG," July 2005 to July 2015), which is a religious organization that is considered to be a "Cult of Christianity" because their belief system and practices deviate significantly from and often contradict the testimony of the Holy Scriptures. This organization is one of the hundreds of splinter groups of the former Worldwide Church of God (WCG) that adhere to the theology of Herbert W. Armstrong (Armstrongism). 

 

Then from 2010 to 2015, God graciously led me to discover that the information presented as "evidence" or "facts" (hermeneutics, history, prophecy, archeology, philology, etymology, genealogy, genetics) to support the various truth claims made by Herbert W. Armstrong, the WCG, LCG, and the Armstrong COG community, actually refuted their truth claims and showed their theology to be false, unbiblical, and not representative of Biblical Christianity or "Original Christianity." The Holy Spirit showed me through the Holy Scriptures how this false belief system is the preaching of a different Jesus and a different gospel (2 Corinthians 11:4). He then pointed me to God's Truth, which is grounded in the reality of what and who God is and the fact that salvation comes through faith in Jesus Christ alone. This revelation would eventually lead to my departure from LCG in 2015. Three years later, the LORD powerfully led my wife to leave this organization and renounce the Armstrong theology! 

For a couple of years after exiting a cult of Christianity, I felt like I was walking through the "Wild West of Christianity".

The church I once belonged to claimed that they taught "the Truth" and were doing "God's Work", but it left me feeling isolated, confused, and frankly, angry. Leaving that environment was one of the hardest things I'd ever done, but it was also one of the bravest. Now, on the other side, I realize just how many others have walked a similar path.

The rise of cults posing as Christian churches has left many individuals spiritually scarred and confused about their faith. Many who exit or escape cults of Christianity are left with deep spiritual wounds. They're unsure of what to believe, where to turn, or even if they can ever trust a church again because quite frankly, other church groups claim that they teach "the Truth" and are doing "God's Work".

Transitioning from cults of Christianity into a church that teaches sound theology and doctrine can be a daunting process. That's why churches have a vital role in helping these individuals heal and find a healthy relationship with God through His Son Christ Jesus.

Christian churches have a unique opportunity to provide vital support for those exiting cults of Christianity. Here's what I think churches can do to create a safe and supportive environment for ex-cult members. By developing comprehensive programs that address both spiritual and psychological needs, churches can help these individuals find healing and integrate into healthy church communities.

Within this blog post, I will outline a series of solutions and programs designed to assist churches in how they can help ex-cult members in their journey toward recovery and spiritual growth.
You can read the seven steps he has for supporting those leaving cults here: Supporting Ex-Cult Members: A Christian Church Initiative

Grace Communion International Scotland Sued By Former Employee And Ordered To Pay A £13,400 ($16,963) Fine

 

See complete court papers here: Employment Tribunal Scotland

News out of Scotland concerning the UK office of Grace Communion International:

Tribunal finds charity employee was discrimated against

14 June 2024

by Robert Armour

                                              TFN The voice of Scotland's vibrant voluntary sector                     

A Glasgow employment tribunal has ordered a charity to pay a former employee £13,400.

Grace Communion International has been told to pay the sum to Rachel Montgomery, who was employed as a communications coordinator.

The tribunal found the charity, which runs 23 churches across the UK and Ireland, guilty of disability-based harassment and victimisation.

Montgomery was employed by the charity from October 2020 until her sacking in March 2022.

After her contract was terminated, she claimed the charity had refused to take account of her dyslexia – a protected characteristic under disability legislation.

In September 2021, the tribunal heard there was increasing friction in the working relationship between the claimant and Peter Mill and his wife Jackie –  pastors at the Edinburgh Church she worked from. Peter had management responsibilities for the claimant in some areas.

On 7 September 2021 the claimant emailed Gavin Henderson, national ministry leader at the church, with the subject heading ‘Workplace Gaslighting’. That was a grievance against Peter and Jackie Mill.

That email included “The subject of gaslighting in the workplace 15 is the topic I’d like to bring to your attention because if this is something I’m suffering then others my [sic] also be suffering as this is something that happens vertically and horizontally in management. For that reason I can’t stay quiet although I am fully aware of what I’m risking in doing so.”

It also found Montgomery’s claim of victimisation was partially successful.

A further grievance was raised, this time  against Henderson, in December 2021.

A zoom meeting was held in November 2021 about the management of the church and its website.

On 5 November, Montgomery sent another email to Henderson about the meeting, saying she was “perturbed” about the mention of her overseeing the website, which was incorrect.

The email reads: “It has left me feeling puzzled that it wasn’t corrected, in regards to a website that has not been completed. 

“The possible consequences of this might well result (and viewing last night’s comments, already have resulted) in a negative perception of my abilities.”

On 8 December the claimant emailed David Silcox, chair of the board, to raise a grievance against Henderson.

In the email, Montgomery claimed her role was being “deconstructed” and changed to an administrative role.

She claimed she would not be good at the role because of her dyslexia.

The email reads: “Given the severity of things that have happened over the past couple of weeks, I really need to activate whistleblowing now and I need to understand what protections I have as an employee.

“I am sorry to say that over and above this, I want to raise and proceed with an unlawful harassment and discrimination complaint against Gavin Henderson. 

“My job role since raising a grievance is being deconstructed at an astonishingly quick speed and I have been subjected to meetings with no agenda regarding performance which has come as a surprise as I’ve never had complaints about my work before.”

A board meeting was held on 27 February 2022 in which the board decided to terminate Montgomery’s contract.

The tribunal concluded her claim of harassment based on her protected characteristic of disability was successful.

It also found Montgomery’s claim of victimisation was partially successful.

Claims concerning whistleblowing, automatic unfair dismissal, disability and sex discrimination were dismissed by the tribunal.

She was awarded £13,428 for injury to feelings, including interest. 

Grace has been contacted for comment.

"Ravenous Wolves and Grumblers" Are Devouring the Improperly Named "continuing" Church of "god"

 

It is another day in COGland and I was looking for the latest wackadoodle comment by any COG minister, and one of them did not disappoint! These guys seem so eager to step up to the plate and make complete jackasses of themselves and because of that, I just have to post it.

This time it was the loyal sidekick to the Great Bwana Bob Mzungu Thiel, the self-appointed, nonCOG-ordained Chief Overseer of the greatest Church of God ever to exist outside of a delusional mind. Herbert Armstrong would be sooooooooooo proud!

Steve Dupuie is not happy! There seem to be a lot of ravenous wolves, flatters, and grumpy people in the ranks of the improperly named "continuing" Church of "god". The Great Bwana Bob Mzungu is constantly seeking to prove to us he has the most superfantabulous Church of God to ever exist. One that is filled with the most unified and spiritually mature Christians ever to walk this earth. We have all known this is a load of bunk for some time, even before we found out about the witch doctors, money laundering, and other nefarious activities going on in Africa.

Here is Steve, in his own words:

Ravenous Wolves and Grumblers 

 

Steve Dupuie defines ‘ravenous wolves’ as those who are within the congregations of the true church, but they do not truly believe the truth–they also tend to want to draw members after themselves. He mentions that they are following Satan’s pattern. Steve Dupuie defined grumblers as those who are within the congregations of the true church, but who complain, as well as those who tend listen to talebearers who grumble about church leadership. He points out that God warns us through Jude and others. He stated that the Jesus warns of wolves and grumblers who are also not congregants; in the Book of Matthew–he says their only interest is to destroy the flock. Steve Dupuie mentions grumblers and flatterers that are prophesied to arise in these latter times from the Book of Daniel. He mentions that the time will come when the coming King of the North will turn against the Continuing Church of God. Steve Dupuie mentions that while they may not outwardly appear to be wolves and grumblers, we should be able to know them by their fruits.