I have spent quite a few hours reading through all the posts in this forum and, I must say, that I'm really upset. I'm a fairly new BBC member and really confused right now. Since I've been there, I've noticed several families that have left. I've contacted a few "former" members and they've shared their stories with me but only because I asked THEM. I would really like to know what is going on at my church? I have considered putting my children in the academy there but now I'm scared. I really thought that I had found a "real old-fashioned, bible-believing church" but I think I've stumbled upon something else. This is almost sounding to "cult-like" to me. I don't understand several things that are going on and afraid to ask just anybody. Is there anyone out there that could share some unsolicited advice? Would you place your children in their school/college? If not, I would like to know specific details/examples. I'm not stupid and tend to be very open-minded. I can observe people so I see what's going on without so-called "gossip." I've already had a very bad experience with a Baptist church when I was a teenager and that's why I got out of church totally until the last year or so. Could someone please enlighten me and share your personal experience? By the way, no, I'm not backslidden or trying to defy my pastor in any way.

Thanks!

Concerned Church Member

You have already answered many of your questions..............there are great churches in your area go visit.........God bless you!

If you have these kinds of concerns about your church, you need to either move on or buy in. You might want to schedule an appointment with your pastor, and ask him about specifics that former members have said. His reaction will tell you a lot about the man and the ministry, possibly more than his actual responses.

__________________
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.

Tis true.

Run, RUN, RUN !

You said you were afraid to ask just anybody...and then you ask an open forum with thousands of members?!? Many of which do not like BBC or it's leaders. (As you can see after having spent quite a few hours reading through all the posts in this forum) I found that funny.

My advice is to go talk to the Pastor. Call the church office, talk to his secretary, and set up an appointment. I like what Greaves said. Ask him about the "formers" that you talked to. See what his response is. A lot of times, "formers" are out to find members that are "weak" so they can talk to them to make themselves look better about leaving, or they can get the "weak" member to come with them. Either way, I wouldn't put a whole lot of trust into any "formers." You said you were really confused. That is how the "formers" start. They start to get you to question one thing, then another, and in the end, you don't know what to believe. If you are going to hear the "formers" out, then you should at least give the Pastor and chance and hear him out.

But please, since you came to the forums looking for info, the at least let us all know how it goes with the Pastor...

It is always a good idea to hear both sides of the story. These are not just any "formers" leaving the church, these are long standing church members and staff leaving. I know exactly what is going on down there. I am sure that even after talking to both sides you will reach the same conclusion: getting out of there as fast as you can.

I like what a previous poster said. Asking Bro Tom Neal and observing his reaction will tell you much about the truth of the situation. If there is something IFB extremists cannot stand is someone who would even dare to question their decisions, even if such a person comes with the purest motives.

yluciano,

3 Questions:

1.Why do you think getting out of there as fast as you can is the answer?
2.How do you know EXACTLY what is going on down there?!?
3.Have YOU talked to both sides?

I agree with Greaves. This person should talk to Bro. Neal personally. He/she should definitely hear both sides. I have a lot of experience with "formers" from other churches and I have learned in my experience not to believe everything you hear.

Living4Christ, you need to also look at the operations of BBC and see if they are still the kind of church they should be. If not, then yes get out. Find a church that is the right kind of church and stay there. But if they are still doing the things the Bible says a church should do, and they are still right doctrinally, then I don't care if the preacher himself leaves, stay.

The problem I see a lot today is that people are in a good church, and after a while they leave. Find a good church and stay. Let the "formers" leave. Every church has "formers." Also, look at the "formers" lifestyle and see if that is the kind of person you want to pattern your life after. Then look at some of the core members of BBC and their lifestyle. I happen to know a few families from there. They are good people. I don't know the whole story of who left and why, nor do I care, but I do know that every church has "formers." Most of the time, they don't have anything good to say about their former church.

There is a time for everything under the sun. That means there is a time to leave a church. Just make sure that whatever you decide that you are taking your whole family into consideration when making your decision. I hope you prayerfully make the right decision.

1. Because I know of him personally, and he meets every possible definition of an IFB extremist.

2. It does it take much to find out.

3. Yes.

Why do you say that he is an IFB extremist? You say that you know him personally...did you work with him before? The people that I spoke with used to be on staff there at BBC and were called of God to leave to go work at a different church out of state. When they confronted the preacher to tell them of their calling, he blew up and fired them on the spot. It sounds like a control issue to me. I think that I'll just bow down gracefully and find somewhere else to go. I don't want that kind of control in my life.

Thank you for your many responses. As one can see, you're either for or against the church. Based on my own observations lately, it seems that several things are being made more and more apparent.

First, members seem to be more concerned with pleasing a man than they are serving God. Since our Auditorium is named the "Hyles Auditorium" and the chapel is the "Roberson Chapel", it's clear that these men are somewhat idolized. People there are looking for Neal approval rather than God approval. This is no different than Catholicism, if you ask me.

Second, the preacher is definitely living way outside of his means while MANY people in the church have lost their jobs and homes due to the economy. I think that it's ridiculous that he would continue to harp about money when he's living in a $400K plus home and drives a BRAND new 6-series BMW SUV and his wife is driving a new 5-series BMW. The members are told to pay their school bill over their mortgage and some are even in pre-foreclosure because of it. What is this about?

Next, people aren't entitled to make their own decisions without consulting the preacher first. If he finds out that you have made a major decision in your life without consulting with him first, you are called out in service. I can understand any decision that is going to make a major impact on your life spiritually, but whether you can join a gym or read "Twilight"....I mean come on, can't people think for themselves and make competent decisions in their life? Maybe they do need someone to think for them, but not me!

I just find it interesting that the kids in the school there aren't allowed to participate in ANY organized sports outside of the church. The church only offers basketball to the boys and volleyball to the girls. Of course you have to be in 7th grade or higher to participate. This leaves nothing for the smaller children. When you're in 7th grade, you HAVE to participate in their sports program no matter what. You and I both know that not everyone is athletically inclined so that is interesting to say the least. The kids are not allowed to play with other neighborhood kids and are told to not even write to the children of former members.

I've had a personal experiences with this type of "cultish" behavior. My sister volunteered a few years ago and worked at the New Beginnings Academy in Pace, Florida. This was a girl's home that was originally part of the Rebekkah Home for Girls founded by Lester Roloff. While my sister was there (doing ministerial work), she witnessed countless numbers of verbal and physical abuse. Her phone calls were monitored as well and she was only allowed one shower a day for 6 minutes. When she realized that this was a cult, she tried to call home to leave. She was told that she was backslidden and not fulfilling God's plan in her life. Those girls cried and begged my sister to contact their parents when she left and tell them the truth about what was going on. Of course, those "Christian" people had already contacted the girls' parents and informed them that a "disgruntled and backslidden young woman may be contacting you concerning our program. She's angry at God and is trying to harm our wonderful program here." When my sister got home she wrote and called those parents. She has posted blogs on the internet concerning the abuse and neglect that these girls endured.

Some of the same things are happening at Berean. First, they won't get accredited by the state, even for Christian schools. They don't want the state to come in and "tell them how to run things there." Neither did Roloff at his girls' homes. They want to completely separate their students from ALL non-affilliated kids and not allow them to play sports or join Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, etc. What is the difference here? I heard three people tell me that when their child was in the school there that they were hit so hard with a paddle that it left black and blue bruises on their behind for almost three weeks and that one of them actually drew blood to the skin. Now, I'm in favor of corporal punishment but this is abuse. That's why they don't want the state to come in.

Lastly, I just have one question for all those "in favor" of Berean....why are you coming to the "Fighting Fundamentals Forum" then? If you think this is "gossip" then why are you participating?