(this is a continuation of Part 4: Doing the Work) Criticisms of Psychology vs Spirituality For anyone who criticized me about this method of spiritual counselling as undermining the power of preaching-ministry, message tapes,...
(this is a continuation of Part 3: Why Message Ministers Are Poor Counsellors) My Last Months Doing Counseling in the Message In the months following my visit to Caring for the Heart, I spent...
Although not unique to the Message, Fundamentalism & Restorationism are part of the fabric of being a believer in William Branham’s message. The affect these have on your thinking, and your ability to leave the message, is significant. Let’s take a look why.
The Message is Branham’s Ark. He’s provided the way of escape by all his claims and promises. And this is the quandary for someone who is concerned about the message, and yet looks outside at the world. Do you get out of Branham’s Ark? It’s a terrifying and paralyzing thought, and the people IN the ark with you have a LOT of fear leverage to you against you.
Early in my post-message life, I would have other former members approach me suggesting their experience was significantly different than what I experienced. Likewise, there were times when I would read someone else’s testimony and be horrified or amazing at how differently their message life was. I also received messages from current believers who tried to convince me that the problem was the church I attended; it was clear to them that the church I attended was not a “true” message church.
Who Shunned Who?
Honestly. This is a question I’ve had to really reflect on.
In the immediate aftermath, it could be well documented in my writing on this website how the message folk effectively ‘shunned’ people who left. I felt very strongly that this did happen, and I felt this was an evidence of how the Message was a “cult”.
But I’ve had to really think about this as the years have passed. And I think I have a little more developed opinion on it now.
The following article is part of my “Barriers of Exit” series. These barriers are cognitive hurdles that make it extremely hard to question or leave the Message. For a questioning individual, they may have...
I’ve spent a long time on Morning Mercy through the years. It’s hard to explain how much was invested in this online space. Most the effort will never be visible on the pages or...
Since leaving the message, one thing I have occasionally done is to listen to archived sermons from various churches and ministries. I don’t do it to load up on criticism or document my greivances....
It’s a simple and beautiful formula. It’s the thing that I want to talk about most when I am now reflecting on my time in the message. It’s been nearly 7 years – and...
What is a System: “An organized, purposeful structure that consists of interrelated and interdependent elements (components, entities, factors, members, parts etc.). These elements continually influence one another (directly or indirectly) to maintain their activity...
(this is a continuation of Part 2: When Religion Hinders Help) A message church that follows the message of William Branham is a challenging environment to introduce anything using material outside of itself. For...
(this is a continuation of Part 1: An Introduction to Caring for the Heart) Getting Help: Not an Easy Subject I realize the headline of this article may cause some unease for readers who...
One of the arguments I faced countless times while leaving the message was the issue of living a “clean life”. As per the experience of many, they testify to the transformation they experienced as they...
