Hey Refiners,
Oy, where to start?
I got out before it went "Boston", actually. The whole thing started in Gainesville by a man named Chuck Lucas/Crossroads Church of Christ. His style and reinterpretation of the Church of Christ's basic doctrines was so compelling that his small church grew to like, you know, one of those huge thousands-of-seats kind of churches. Many young men, desiring the status and power that comes with so many people hanging on to their every word (like Chuck!), became 'ministers in training', ultimately to go out and start their own extention-churches. I attended one of these in Tampa. It was a small group, and the leadership was very anxious to replicate the staggering growth that had occured in Gainsville, or at least compete with the others who had gone out to spread the "Crossroads" ministry in various college towns.
One of these young guys was Kip McKeen. He first went to a mainstream church of christ in a suburb of Philadelphia. They kicked him out for disrupting everyone. Then he went to Indiana. Then he went back to Florida and usurped the leadership there. Chuck Lucas got df'd for "Pride" - whatever that meant...
He ultimately went to Boston, and declared himself the much-needed saviour of the whole movement. Many things changed after that - all (I mean ALL) Crossroads' ministry-based churches were required to undergo an incredible "restructuring," or else be declared "apostate." All previously baptised individuals, no matter what positions they held, were required to do this "cost counting" ordeal - in essence, divulge every single weird, sinful, shameful thought that they'd every had, including that one time they ate one more M&M than they KNEW they should have. They had to re-evaluate whether or not their initial baptism was genuine or not, dependent upon whether they subscribed to Kip's new and improved interpretation of things, of course. I was long gone prior to this, but still kept in touch with several people who were involved via family ties, etc.
My experience was tame, compared to what things became later, but scary, nontheless. One was basically required to give over virtually everything they had, emotionally, physically, and every other way. I was told with whom to live. I was assigned a "prayer partner" with whom I had to meet several times a week, who had oversight responsibilities regarding my "spirituality" - in other words, I was supposed to confess every teensy thing imaginable: even my dreams at night were subject to scrutiny. Eventually, I became very "spiritual." I was very friendly, outgoing, articulate, attractive, etc. and lots of people responded favorably to my invitations to the plethora of meetings, "soul talks" (later called "bible discussions") and informal gatherings. Once a person actually stepped foot into the church or meeting room, they were bombarded with scores of other people who were intensely interested in the individual. A new college freshman would suddenly have zillions of best friends who were closer than family, and they engaged in zillions of "bonding" -like encounter-group type of things.
I had to organize my life such that I had to schedule things like laundry, showers, etc. Each meal was a "meeting" of sorts (I ended up with too many "prayer partners" of my own to take care of...) I started to see the light when it became evident that "spirituality" was determined by how "fruitful" one was; of course, the most charismatic, attractive, "successful" people were the most adored - the most spiritual. I couldn't find anyone who wanted to be my friend because I was, like, cool! Everyone wanted to be able to say they had lunch with.... it made me sick.
If someone slept more than like five hours a night they would be regarded as some kind of slacker. A great many of the young women I got to know developed bulimia; physical grooming and style was a continual "point" upon which to "work" for those who had issues with weight, "weird" accents, or any sexuality that made it through their clothing. White collar, prominent citizens were the most highly prized "fruit" along, of course, with celebrities. Yuck!!!!!
I had no life outside of this cult - (I had stupidly broken up with someone to whom I was actually engaged because he wouldn't buy it), so there was difficulty getting out. I ended up moving back in with my parents, the most vile people I've ever encountered; that's how desperately I wanted out. I "explained" my departure by saying my sister was sick. NOT a good reason, but I was 1000 miles away... When she committed suicide a few weeks later, I was told that grieving her death was "selfish" and "inward". I never called anyone in that church ever again after that.
From what I understand, life in the cult is exponentially more screwy than when I was involved. One is required to "confess" virtually every bodily function, sexual response, feeling, difficulty, or attitude with one's "discipler." One must give an account of how they spend each minute of every day - and since the discipler is intensely invested in the "fruitfulness" of their little captive as it is THEIR road to stardom if they "produce", if there isn't any fruit to speak of, there are rounds and rounds of discussions about "WHY" (the implication is: fruitful: God is approving; not fruitful: one is harboring secret sins, engaging in lust, is a big fat greedy slob, or just not "worth" pulling for).
One thing I would like to know....how do they arrive at the conclusion that EVANGELIZERS are the supreme ones in terms of Gifts in men?? Why are evangelizers more "spiritual" and higher up the ladder of holinessthan Elders, or say, Prophets? Whats their reasoning on that.... Kip, last time I looked, was head of the world evangelism department, this making him the supreme authority in the church.
Refiners, it's all about numbers. Numbers (converts) are tantamount to god's seal of approval, and are also your ticket to stardom: speaking assignments, groupies, all-expenses paid life, adoration, status.......... sorta like the governing body, n'est-ce pas? There is a lot of information available about how kidnapping victims get "bonded" with their captors; much of these brainwashing techniques are utilized in this twisted fashion, and the poor victim is left not knowing how to think, much less what to think.
It's astounding to me that this thing is allowed to continue without too much interference or media attention. Fascinating. Sickening.
Sorry this is so long - I could have written a book - there are so many situations worthy of exposure ! It has been a couple of years since I did any "checking up" on the Boston movement - would be interested in hearing about current news, though. Let me know if there is anything more I can tell you about.
laura