Theme Song

[PastorStarcher]

After recovering from the "Blessing" bestowed by watching a service from one of the larger organizations, I have decided that the choir should have given a karaoke rendition of "Gypsies, Tramps and Thieves". This was not in response to some glaring (in my humble opinion) fault in standards. They seemed to be rather what I have come to expect from this group; i.e. preaching things from that pulpit that are impressed on the saints but by-passed by the "team". My friend who shared asked for discretion on my part but he is coming to realize there is a problem.

But I digress. The thrust of the service was collecting funds, ostensibly for organizational missionary activities. Every emotional, manipulative ploy was used to fleece the sheep. Teary eyed appeals, pictures of young people working for the cause, the poor, starving, afflicted nationals and the rest of the bag of tricks that are far too common.

What the service lacked where some facts- little to no oversight for the way the money is spent, little to no accountability for the people who spend it, a total omission of some facts concerning internal accounting tricks that returns large chunks of the money to the regional leaders responsible for the biggest collections and more. (BTW, in business we called that a kickback).

If I ever have a soft fuzzy moment of doubt over leaving the glad handing, mutual appreciation society, I will just force myself to watch this video again. Surely the nausea will help serve as free therapy to cure any separation anxiety I might have.

[CC1]

I was at one service and watched another so I recognize a little bit of what you described. However you are extremely cyncial. Nobody is further away on the spectrum from the Mothership than myself but I absolutely got no sense of intentional manipulation or ulterior motives.

Why don't you just agree to have a different approach and philosphy than those folks without crucifying them in the process. I believe many of the things they believe and do are wrong but don't come from evil intent. Like any organization of course there are bad people but the vast majority are honest hearted.

[PastorStarcher]

This wasn't a GC service but regional. And, yes, I still struggle with hurt. But I would disagree on the manipulation. I have seen this far too often.

[PastorStarcher]

And I DO agree that that the vast majority of people in the groups (and I may not speaking of the one you may be thinking of) are VERY good and well meaning. I also agree that we should all try to learn from the negative examples we have seen.