I think it is interesting how he is discounting everything she says (as if she were either delusional or outright lying) and insists that Tom Neal is a good man. From my most recent and personal experience with him (about a month ago) I seriously doubt this affirmation. He may had been a good man at one time, but I am not sure when all that changed. Yet, even if this were true, it does not excuse the facts. No amount of propaganda can explain away what is going down at Berean.

there is another possibility; it may be that the behaviors described make a "good man" in the poster "pastoroneal's" opinion.

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2 John 1:7 For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.

Interesting enough there was no behavior described. It was merely a wholesale opinion, which perfectly describes propaganda. If he sincerely likes the guy, that's ok too. It just seems like he was ignoring the facts in favor of some type of bias adoration.

It would be interesting to know his opinion if she, after talking to Tom, still feels the same or worse. Will his opinion suggest that she is delusional or lying or would some godly doubt raise in his mind.

Those are my thoughts. He is entitled to blindly love anyone he wants to. I do not think that of itself is a bad thing. I simply thought that his bias analysis of the situation was very interesting.

*******kook alert******

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WARNING: The views expressed in this post are not necessarily the views of my family, my church or my pastor.

As one of the "Formers" I can tell you that in my OPINION:

1. Getting in to speak to the Pastor is impossible if he doesn't want to speak to you.

2. "Former" staff members have told me that they were instructed to "Avoid me and do not have snything to do with me" when I tried for 2 weeks to get in to see the pastor.

3. I believe BBC is cult like.

4. Nobody...nobody...nobody--does ANYTHING without the pastors approval.

5. There is absolutly NO financial accountability

6. The Bible is not the final authority....the pastor is.

7. I am glad to be out of there, and I am still serving God

Everyone who was or is associated with BBC knows who I am-----If anyone tries to sue me.....Bring it on.......I know where the bodies are buried

You been gone a long time Boo!

Your assessment is correct- go with your gut instincts and RUN! I used to live in Jax. One time when we were between churches we visited Berean. It did not take long for us to take their pulse and find that the "managod" was what was worshiped instead of the Lord Himself. The church has a very poor testimony in the community.

We found a good church home at First Coast Baptist Church. You might try there. They have an excellent Christian School also.

You can ignore Oneal- he's another of those "managod" types. He wouldn't know a cult if it bit him in the butt because he is one.

I guess so...man! Had no idea. Jarhead jr. filled me in last night. Sorry!

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Beware of !

GOd was, is and always will be in control. NO ONE can change that. Truth crushed to the ground will rise again. Thanks for your friendship.

Semper Fi

I used to attend Berean Baptist Church in Orange Park. One likes to believe that when they get there, they have found a true church home. The people are very nice, even the staff is very freindly. But it is when someone has been there for a while, that things seem to change. Dr. Tom Neal or (Preacher) as the members call him, have absolute Veto powers in basically all matters, not only church, but personal matters outside of church. Things like Myspace, Facebook, Twitter, Fundamental Forums, even church websites (1st Baptist in Hammond, Trinity, Central ect...) in which the Pastor is not at agreement with are banned, preached against, and members who go to these sites are scolded as well as preached against. The Students at college as well as the academy are taught absolute loyalty to the pastor. If you go to the pastor and and tell him about something you are considering doing, whether it be ministry, family, or personal he will give you an answer, and you MUST listen to that answer. If one is thinking of praying about the matter after his meeting with the pastor, well... there is no need to pray because he is the man of God and he gave you an answer. Everything is very controlled there, everything from dating to playing sports, at Berean it is controlled and to be in good standing with Dr. Neal, you must do everything he says and follow his guidelines. Many good, reliable, and faithful church members as well as pastoral staff have left that church in the last six months because of Legalistic views. Not only. Like one said in this forum before, every church member is STRESSED to give and sacrifice. I am all for tithing and giving. But this was preached about EVERY sunday and some sundays when offering was low he would threaten to check tithing records of members and he would say to the general congregation "you will not be a member of this church and 'milk' the ministies and not give" Many in that church sacrifice. There are many members without jobs as well as staff who does not get paid at all or regulary, barely hanging on, but Dr. Neal drives a 6 series BMW and a 5 series BMW, as well as all the fancy things and a very nice house in a rich part of town. The excuse that is told to the church members are "Well Dr. Neal has been here 28 years, and when someone has been at a church that long, he deserves it." I agree, but not at the expense of his church members, which pay for those things as well as they are tapped for the church debt. Do I Hate Dr. Neal? By all means no. But I do not think that his mentality follows absolute scriptures as well as I believe the way the church is run is not of God. I would recommend another church, because once you are IN, you will feel trapped.