The Email on Email Restriction

Here’s that email about Kelly restricting email hours.  I talked about this in the post about “You are Free to, But You Must Not“.  
Again, the “koinonia” alias is for the MEMBERs of Gracepoint.

Authority Versus Truth

I came across this via digg today and could not help but think of the similarities with some of my experiences at Gracepoint.
Note from the Teacher

What is Abuse?

I realized that I need to post about the very fundamental definition about what abuse is.  
Here’s what Mirriam Webster has to say on “abuse”:
1: a corrupt practice or custom
2: improper or excessive use or treatment : misuse <drug abuse> <abuse of tranquilizers>
4: language that condemns or vilifies usually unjustly, intemperately, and angrily
5: physical maltreatment
I also came across this article on Emotional Abuse, which I [...]

Other People’s Stories About Encounters with Spiritual Abuse

Gracepoint is not the only church that’s overly legalistic and stubborn about it, leading to spiritual abuse.
Here’s a story of someone from another church.
Breaking Free:  What I learned about Spiritual Abuse

The Gracepoint Building Fund – the Email

I found the original email back from 7/7/06 sent by an older staff member regarding going for loans and cash advances for the Gracepoint building fund.
I deleted any references to names to protect specific people.
Here’s the original post, updated.

Pastor Ed and a Few Good Men

Pastor Ed and a few of his older men staff are very fond of the military angle on Christian life.  Ed has often said something along the lines of “if we just had a handful of men fully devoted to God, we could do some damage for God’s kingdom!”  They also love the idea of [...]

Excerpt from Hyper-Authoritarianism

An excerpt from slm.org’s article on Hyper-Authoritiarianism
12.  Improper Dependence on Leadership. 
Fostering or requiring of excessive and inappropriate dependence on the corporate group and leadership for guidance and decision-making regarding their ministry as well as personal affairs. Leadership approval, often referred to as a “witness” by the leadership, is required on virtually every decision regarding the [...]

Your Reactions to this Blog

By now, most of you readers from Gracepoint have had some kind of reaction to this blog.
“Why is this person attacking Gracepoint?”
“This kind of thing has not happened to me, so it can’t be true.”
“I shouldn’t read this blog because it’s just some bitter person who can’t forgive.”
“But there’s good going on here too!”
“Who is [...]

The Truth Will Set You Free

I want to reiterate for all of you that this blog is not at all meant for personal attacks and false testimonies.   It’s about the revealing the truth.  It’s about adhering to the truth, and separating the lies twisted in with the truth by Gracepoint.
John 8 says:
 31To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus [...]

Love and Stockholm Syndrome: The Mystery of Loving an Abuser

You have to read this article on the “Love and Stockholm Syndrome”.
Here’s an excerpt:
‘In clinical practice, some of the most surprised and shocked individuals are those who have been involved in controlling and abusive relationships. When the relationship ends, they offer comments such as “I know what he’s done to me, but I still love [...]