So the church turned out to be a cult, or cultic..

[Esaias]

Originally Posted by NewbieMisfits

A liaison is one's (newcomers) sole contact to the church, usually an elder, very nice and very strict.

They see to it you do not miss any services, they keep you in line, they come to your home, they "teach" you the guidelines or the church, they show up at you different times and different places (like when they stalked our Amish friends to cut us off from them), they are those that limit your connection with others in the church, they are those that explain tithing, they are those that tell you to go down front, they are those that control who's in or out, they approve your study bible, they teach your bible study, one who tells you what you need to correct in life, they decide when social shunning is needed, they are your "handlers", and much much more.

We've seen this at other churches as well and see nothing wrong with having them, as we agree with good levels of control. Although this one started to get out of hand.
*note they do not call themselves liaison's, but it's the only word for it.

Every new christian ought to be discipled, and the more I study Scripture the more I come to the conclusion that discipleship = mentorship. Thus a 'liason' of sorts sounds biblical.

However...

"They see to it you do not miss any services...they show up at you different times and different places (like when they stalked our Amish friends to cut us off from them), they are those that limit your connection with others in the church...they are those that tell you to go down front, they are those that control who's in or out...they are your "handlers"..."

These things are unscriptural and sound like something the Boston Movement would be involved in, or the charismatic 'Shepherding Movement'...

Not cool.

[n david]

When the preacher's wife had her hands at the base of Miss Misift's neck telling M.M. to inhale her spirit, that was something dark, but not cultic... (from what we know).....

Here's your sign...

[n david]

A liaison is one's (newcomers) sole contact to the church, usually an elder, very nice and very strict.

They see to it you do not miss any services, they keep you in line, they come to your home, they "teach" you the guidelines or the church, they show up at you different times and different places (like when they stalked our Amish friends to cut us off from them), they are those that limit your connection with others in the church, they are those that explain tithing, they are those that tell you to go down front, they are those that control who's in or out, they approve your study bible, they teach your bible study, one who tells you what you need to correct in life, they decide when social shunning is needed, they are your "handlers", and much much more.

Whoa! Are you sure you weren't attending a church of Scientology??? Seriously though, that sounds more like what I've heard from Scientology than a Pentecostal church.

In my entire lifetime of being in Pentecost, and the majority of that time in the UPC, I have never heard of these kind of "minders," "handlers," or "liaisons." Maybe I'm just an incredibly lucky guy...I've never had or witnessed this phenomenon.

[NewbieMisfits]

Originally Posted by n david

Whoa! Are you sure you weren't attending a church of Scientology??? Seriously though, that sounds more like what I've heard from Scientology than a Pentecostal church.

In my entire lifetime of being in Pentecost, and the majority of that time in the UPC, I have never heard of these kind of "minders," "handlers," or "liaisons." Maybe I'm just an incredibly lucky guy...I've never had or witnessed this phenomenon.

and that statement gives us hope

[Esaias]

Originally Posted by n david

In my entire lifetime of being in Pentecost, and the majority of that time in the UPC, I have never heard of these kind of "minders," "handlers," or "liaisons." Maybe I'm just an incredibly lucky guy...I've never had or witnessed this phenomenon.

Same here.

Sounds more like a charismatic church or ICC group than a UPC or Oneness Pentecostal church.

[RandyWayne]

Lemme guess, these handlers also go a weekly report on any and all internet use and message board posts?

If you left this church are they still coming around your home and/or occasionally calling?

[NewbieMisfits]

I indeed have been told of weekly meeting where all "officials" get together and discuss our case and other newcomers.

As for message boards, no idea. Hints of such, but nothing directly. If so then it is what it is.

[navygoat1998]

Originally Posted by Esaias

Same here.

Sounds more like a charismatic church or ICC group than a UPC or Oneness Pentecostal church.

So those types of things can only happen in Trin churches????

[n david]

Originally Posted by NewbieMisfits

I indeed have been told of weekly meeting where all "officials" get together and discuss our case and other newcomers.

As for message boards, no idea. Hints of such, but nothing directly. If so then it is what it is.

Wow. I'm really sorry you had to experience that with the first church you found.

I've had a couple friends who have each been in a church where the Pastor was very controlling over vacation or time away from church.

[Esaias]

Originally Posted by navygoat1998

So those types of things can only happen in Trin churches????

Apaprently you are not familiar with the ICC or those charismatics involved in 'shepherding'. It has nothing do with 'trinity vs oneness'.