So I am going to make some uncomfortable with this one....

OK, I cannot resist it anymore. Today in preaching we learned about not being afraid to offend, so here goes.
This morning, Jeff was the speaker. He had us get up from where we were seated, and move all over the room, based on month of birth. We ended up all over the place, in mixed groups. We then had to meet people we didn't know. We had to tell them something we've been struggling with, and also someone we wanted them to pray for. Uncomfortable, you think?

At least we have the RIGHT to be uncomfortable. And no one will flog us for it.

Brandy Files made it clear a long time ago when she and TJ began their journey as foster parents that following God's plan isn't always pain free. Well, that's a strange comparison, to compare "giving a child back" to "speaking to strangers about Jesus" but I know most of us have a hard time with the second choice there.

So now I will touch on something that bothers me, that I haven't addressed, other than to Misty. I get jokes (and serious remarks sometimes) about my church (which is the PEOPLE, not the building behind BP) being like a cult. It's hard to not be rude when I hear these labels put on us, because unless you visit, you can't understand.
Unless you see our children absorbing the Word from Tanya like little sponges, you can't understand. Unless you see Kami & Kynlee learning to nurture from their mother, you can't understand. Unless you have witnessed the spiritual growth between our walls, you can't understand. Or judge.
We worship the same God you do.
We do it with non traditional songs. We clap at times, and even SWAY to the music. And we do it with happy hearts, smiling at each other, and at TJ and Ronny as they lead us in our worship through song.
We do it in jeans and tshirts, with other people's babies on our hip, loving them like our own. It's not abnormal to me.
I can honestly say I love every one of Brandy and TJ's FOUR kids. I fell for Ms. Karis right away. It's not avoidable. You WILL love that child if you meet her. You can't help it. The same with the others, and the same with all the little ones. It's just extended family. Who can question that?
I did some research on cults today. Jim Jones. David Koresh. The whole nine yards.
Below is what I found. It isn't what you find within the doors of our building, or our homes, or our HEARTS.

"A cult is a group or movement exhibiting a great or excessive devotion or dedication to some person, idea, or thing and employing unethically manipulative techniques of persuasion and control (e.g., isolation from former friends and family, debilitation, use of special methods to heighten suggestibility and subservience, powerful group pressures, information management, suspension of individuality or critical judgment, promotion of total dependency on the group and fear of leaving it, etc.) designed to advance the goals of the group’s leaders to the actual or possible detriment of members, their families, or the community." (West & Langone, 1986)
What Are Some Characteristics of a Cult?
Authoritarian in their power structure
Totalitarian in their control of the behavior of their members
Pyramidal structure
Uses thought reform techniques (huh?)
Isolation of members (physical and/or psychological isolation) from society
Uses deception in recruiting and/or fund raising (never)
Promotes dependence of the members on the group (promotes FAMILY)
Totalitarian in their world view
Uses mind altering techniques (chanting, meditation, hypnosis and various forms of repetitive actions) to stop normal critical thinking (ummm, we clap, does that count?)
Appear exclusive and innovative
Charismatic or messianic leader who is self-appointed and has a special mission in life
Controls the flow of information (we have a hard time keeping the announcements straight)
Instills a fear of leaving the group (you have SEEN Jeff, right? He isn't scary)

(1) Cult members are “focused on a living leader to whom members seem to display excessively zealous, unquestioning commitment.” The leader is a strong-willed, domineering character who rules the group with tight control. He lets it be known in subtle ways that he is “in charge” of the movement. He makes the plans, he orchestrates the movements of the group or groups (sometimes he exercises his sway over several groups). He dispatches the workers, assigns their chores, etc. (This is NOT the way of Journey Church. We are NOT focused on a living leader. Jeff and Ryan are treated respectfully as prayer led pastors, and that is IT. Neither are domineering in any way. And if you know Jeff, he is game for anything, but he IS NOT the planner...)

(2) “Questioning, doubt, and dissent are discouraged,” and there can be pressure or social punishment when there is disagreement with the “boss.” Those who disagree are made to feel as though they are stupid or inept. They are brainwashed with the notion that they do not have the knowledge or experience to question the leader. (Once again, not the way of Journey. We are encouraged to question EVERYTHING, which is exactly what we will be getting into at small groups, beginning very soon. People who disagree are not discouraged at all.)

(3) The leader “is preoccupied with [raising] money.” There is always a need for increasing finances. New projects are ever in the planning. Members are strongly encouraged to greatly sacrifice for the leader’s current “pet” enterprise. There is little pressure let-up; members of the group must be kept “revved up” on a continual basis. (We are encouraged to raise money for missions, local projects, and anything we see relevant to help spread the story of Jesus Christ and to help others reach their personal salvation. No one tells us how to do that. There's an open floor for new mission ideas. Just see Jennifer.)

(4) The cult leader generates within his members “a polarized” mentality. His people evolve an “us-versus-them” mentality. Little-by-little he criticizes other groups with which his members might tend to associate, undermining confidence in them, attempting to discredit anyone who could have influence over his “flock.” (Our members are encouraged to go out and witness to others within the community WITHOUT trying to make them switch churches. If Journey works for you, great, if you are happy where you are, that's great too. We aren't looking for the highest numbers in enrollment.)

(5) The cult leader has a clearly defined “anti-authoritarian” disposition. Within the context of the church, for instance, he would have an “anti-elder” attitude. Elders would be recipients of constant critical remarks. No cult leader would affiliate himself with a congregation having elders to whom he must be in submission. “Control” could not be maintained in such an environment. (We have elders. Period.)

(6) Cult members are seen occasionally to take on a new personality. They begin to act differently. They become increasingly antagonistic to family members and long-time friends. They may even boast that, “I am not the old [name] that you used to know; I am a new person now.” And indeed they are. They have become strangers to those who knew them well. They have been transformed into the image of their leader. (If becoming a new Christian and changing your ways makes you a cult, then by all means, call me a member of a cult. I don't care.)