Ronna Russell Book
 

Has anyone read Ronna (Fisher) Russell’s new book on her abuse as a pastor’s kid growing up? 😳 I gather it’s slamming her UPC heritage just from the stuff I saw online. Her dad married us and was one of our favorite teachers at JCM before he walked away from his family, God, and all he’d ever known.
My childhood in UPC was so different. I don’t feel like I was abused, weird, mistreated, or misguided. It’s not what I’m a part of now, but I cherish it nonetheless.
Just wondered if anyone had read it and what you thought. I did order it just because that family was very dear to me, including Ronna and her sisters.

Re: Ronna Russell Book
 

http://www.apostolicfriendsforum.com...ad.php?t=53332

Some of us are still trying to forget what we read in the preview. No way would I spend any time reading the rest of her vulgar, nasty book.

There was a chapter preview available on Amazon and that was enough for me to regret clicking the link.

Re: Ronna Russell Book
 

I appreciate your testimony that your upbringing in the UPC is vastly different from Ronna, her book is just her experience.

Sister Sherri, all one has to do is fill in the blanks of whatever religion, whatever ideology or political view. Some families are really the Waltons, and Father Knows Best, but some family are Texas Chainsaw Massacre or the Hills have Eyes. May the Lord Jesus Christ help Ronna, but she is living in a time where her story is lapped up by those who are weak, wounded, and worn out. Her book is listed under Religious Cults, General Sexual Health, and Sex & Sexuality. So not something one would be leaving on MeMaw's coffee table, after Thanksgiving dinner. But again, this is about the human experience, has zero to do about the UPCI. The book is something about her finding her sexual freedom? Are you interested in Ronna's sexual freedom? Do you care about her sexual freedom? Her dad's story is a sad one, and we don't know the struggle and turmoil that brother was going through. But she puts the old man's head up on a pike, and tells us about her sexual freedom?

Re: Ronna Russell Book
 

I haven’t seen that. 😳

Re: Ronna Russell Book
 

Hmmmm totally missed that part about sexual freedom. Someone just told me she had written a book about her life. 😬

Re: Ronna Russell Book
 

Just decided to try to cancel the order. Hope it’s not too late.
Sad because I really loved this whole family and have wondered about them all so many times.
But I don’t care to read about her sex life. 😂

Re: Ronna Russell Book
 

Well, Amazon allows the first chapter free. But don't read it. Unless you want Dr Strange to use the timestone on you, and wipe out your memory.

Re: Ronna Russell Book
 

I don’t even know who Doctor Strange is. But I will take your advice.

Re: Ronna Russell Book
 

I hope so too. Because you will blow the minds of your youth group if they find that book in the glove compartment.


Keep loving them, and continue to lift them up in prayer.

Not only that, but who wants to read another "insider" horror story about the preacher, priest, rabbi, guru, deacon, president, college professor, or the nice boy who use to mow our lawn.

Re: Ronna Russell Book
 

Sister Sherri you DEFINITELY better cancel that order!!!!

Re: Ronna Russell Book
 

"Dormommu! Im here to bargain!.....and I need brain bleach*

Re: Ronna Russell Book
 

She goes into very descriptive detail about an affair she had with a married man.

Not sure what the rest of the book is like, but I couldn't make it through the whole preview.

Re: Ronna Russell Book
 

Hey, I got it in time! Amazon canceled with no penalty.

Re: Ronna Russell Book
 

:lol

Re: Ronna Russell Book
 

Good for you.

Keep her in your prayers. :thumbsup

Re: Ronna Russell Book
 

I think everyone with any intrest at all in why people leave the church (any denomination) should read this book. Is it graphic? Very! But the lady has the guts to tell her story! Her story is very similar to dozens I have heard just here in my little corner of SW Mississippi.

Re: Ronna Russell Book
 

Interested in why? Why, what?

Re: Ronna Russell Book
 

Why people leave the church....

Re: Ronna Russell Book
 

There is no one reason for people to leave anything.

Reading a sad tale about a preacher who fell isn’t going to motivate anyone to stay. Predator coaches are being examined, because there are coaches who prey on their athletes. Will not make parents stop having their talented children stop being coached. They just safeguard against a problem occurring. But books about which try to show that this bad behavior is a norm, then all football, and swim coaches end up thrown under the bus.

Re: Ronna Russell Book
 

People leaving the church? What church? The one with the sign over the door that says UPCI? The church is the people of God not some particular group of people that think they have all the gospel. It is not a building with a certain name on it. The church can and is made up of people that attend even different churches.

The book by Ronna is just another tool to help those type of people that are in the type of situation that Ronna was in know what to look for. It is not everyone, or every church. But if there is a problem in a church it usually is a spirit problem that runs through the church or the pastor.

The first church I was assistant to, the previous pastor had the same kind of spirit that Ronnas dad had. Though the new pastor I was assistant to was very good and spiritual and the church was in revival. There was still a sexual spirit lingering around.

Re: Ronna Russell Book
 

Sherri,

There is already a thread here about the book. I bought the kindle version and at first thought Amazon had downloaded the wrong book as chapter one is totally pornographic. Which explained why in a video clip I saw of her reading an except from the book she wisely chose chapter 2.

I just remember her as a shy young girl and it breaks my heart to see where she is at in life as a non believer in God, etc. I can't help but wonder if her recollections are somewhat skewed by the trauma of her father leaving the ministry and enbracing a gay lifestyle then dying of AIDS. Like her I grew up in the UPC and have many, many, many disagreements with it's traditions, doctrines, etc but NEVER have I felt traumatized by it's teachings as she and a few others have. I could understand it better if she had been at some places but her years in Jackson were not at a church where hellfire and damnation was the focus. There was the typical UPC dress code but the focus was not on that. I found it a refreshingly positive enviroment.

I thought the world of her dad and family. I was so upset those many years ago when I heard what Don Fisher had done I literally had a dream where i confronted him about it. Despite how he ended up he had a very big impact on my life and I know many others at JCM. His life and ministry was not in vain.

Re: Ronna Russell Book
 

Everyone should quit clutching their pearls and start with Chapter 2. You delicate flowers.... :bigbaby I agree Chapter 1 was completely unnecessary, in my opinion, but I guess that was her message that the book wasn't for this crowd. Still, interesting reading beyond that.

Re: Ronna Russell Book
 

Delicate flower, no. Modest, yes.

Re: Ronna Russell Book
 

I haven't read it. But growing up in an abusive home has more to do with the individuals involved than what church, temple, or mosque they go to.

Re: Ronna Russell Book
 

Give it a break already. Chapter one was unnecessary? You think? No the book isn’t for this crowd. But you knew that before you posted it. :lol

Re: Ronna Russell Book
 

You are so wise, sir. :blah

Re: Ronna Russell Book
 

Hello, friend!

If you don’t mind me asking, what is it about the remainder of the book that was interesting reading?

Re: Ronna Russell Book
 

It was for the bitter crowd. That’s why all almost all the reviews on the book have the same theme in their life. I haven’t read it but just based on the reviews I know what kind of venom is coming out of the book.

Re: Ronna Russell Book
 

Amen, you are exactly right. Why on earth would someone read it you were unchurched? They would to read the old woman's porn stories. How she found her sexual freedom? Who cares about that? She does.

Re: Ronna Russell Book
 

Wise enough to know you have an agenda. Which is getting old, and the days of NFCF are long done. No one salivates over the old song and dance of the UPCI was mean to me. I just can't imagine a group of people sitting around licking their wounds for years over their bad experiences in a religion. Get over it already. You people are Christians? Then forgive and grow up. You are not Christians? Then suck it up and move on.

Re: Ronna Russell Book
 

hoooraaaah!