Disclosure & Vulnerability (2020)

James Rozak

Creator of Morning Mercy & Former Message Associate Pastor.

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9 Responses

  1. John Snow says:

    Hi James,

    I only found your website today and just read your ‘Disclosure & Vulnerability’ post; it was good; great work overall. I believe you still can offer godly or spiritual guidance in this current climate regardless if you consider yourself a Christian or not. I can relate to your story; I live in Newfoundland now, but grew in Edmonton in a ‘Message’ church in the 80/90’s but I cannot recall you, but I bet we have many common relationships. Love to chat sometime if you are so inclined.

  2. James Rozak says:

    Hi John,

    Thanks for the message. I certainly do agree — ‘advice’ in issues of the message come from a place of experience and knowledge. I have an awareness that people leaving the message would be skeptical and nervous knowing what my “fate” was. I respect that – and disclosure is necessary. One thing I know – the same heart and good intention I brought into the message and my spiritual life is in me.

    I grew up in Terry Sproule’s – while most of my extended family were in the Hildebrandt’s church. With a ‘gap’ of some years when my parents left the church, I came back into the message on my own in 1998, so unless you were around at that time, we may not have crossed paths. I attended Ron McCafferty’s church – which was taken over by Eugene Braun.

  3. John Snow says:

    Hi James,

    For a long time after I left I felt an emptiness and questioned my whether there really was a God or not and questioned whether I believed in Christianity. It took years but I do believe in God and my relationship is very much an individual one than I ever had when I went to a ‘Message’ Church. I don’t go to any Church on a regular basis and I miss that sense of belonging to a group. Perhaps I will join a church one day!

    Back then I actually went to both Churches; we moved to Edmonton in 1981 and we attended Hildebrandt’s (my father was the song leader there for 2-3 years) then we went to Sproule’s in mid 80’s. You may know my sister, Carolyn Brown. A good friend of mine still goes to Eugene’s church, David Kessir. Dave was a friend of mine when neither of us went to Church back in the early 90’s.

  4. rocco benedetto rubino says:

    your commentary about the dearth of godly counseling within the ranks of the message is spot on. i could write a book on this subject based on what I have experienced and witnessed. while I still believe in the message w/my whole heart, I find the lack of counseling most distressing. having suffered a nervous breakdown over 5 years ago, I am more sensitive to brokenness and the feelings of being lost. i wish I could something to make it better- even in a small space for one moment in time.
    thank you

  5. James Rozak says:

    Rocco – do you still engage in Message circles? (I had the impression you were an ex-message believer). If you do, there’s some people who might share your heart that would be interesting for you to talk to. Steeve Brisson in Quebec, Canada and Bob Brooks (who was in Ohio). They are two men who practiced “Caring for the Heart” counselling like I did, and have a real heart for helping people. So for as Message ministers, they were admirable.

    I agree.. there is a desperate need for more help. I hope you can find a way to help, if that’s your desire!

  6. James Rozak says:

    Hi John! This is a very delayed response, I apologize! David Kessir is a family member (he’s a 2nd/3rd cousin of mine). Unless he moved churches, he never attended Eugene Brauns (I would be shocked if he did – he was very loyal to the Hildebrandt church). The message is a small world, in a lot of respects; there are a lot of connections from church to church – even over the years, you can usually find people who you know scattered in assemblies across the continent. 😊

  7. Kathy Jenkins says:

    Religion in general can be so damaging to people. Jesus stood against the religious authorities in his day and promoted love and grace. I am a Christian simply because I have a relationship with this Teacher of love. I do understand why people get disillusioned with all of it, especially after being in an oppressive religious system. Each person must walk their own journey and live their own story. Thank you for being so candid and honest.

  8. James Rozak says:

    Thank you again, Kathy! I know my wife and I have experienced changes in our views – but in no way has our care, understanding and love for people diminished. I will always have friends who walk different roads – many of whom are Christian. I can appreciate, respect, value and support them as friends, regardless of differences. I encourage you in yours – you and Paul (I typed Jeff at first – but I corrected! Ha!) will forever remain special, and I appreciate your continuing heart for helping people.

  9. Jason says:

    I was at Terry’s church for quite a while. After I left, the stories of sexual abuse I could tell you would curl your hair, the weight I felt lift off was incredible.

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