Skip to content
  • Must Read
    • Striking at the root of the tree
    • The hypocrisy of the murmuring charge
    • Merie in her own words
    • Overcoming your fear of leaving
    • Leading our families out of the wilderness
  • Popular Articles
    • Fear and intimidation tactics
    • Your own personal Independence Day
    • Freedom of conscience
    • Teachers in lieu of elders
    • A Biblical look at so-called withdrawal
    • A public confession
    • Should I use the word “cult?”
    • Not ready to give an answer
    • How to read the Bible
    • The Clean Bible Challenge
  • The Rules
    • Chapter 1: Rules for marital sex
    • Chapter 2: Rules for traveling
    • Chapter 3: Rules for the Lord’s supper
    • Chapter 4: Rules for attire
    • Chapter 5: Rules for recreation
    • Chapter 6: Rules for prayer
    • Chapter 7: Rules for confession
    • Chapter 8: Rules for relocation
    • Chapter 9: Rules for employment
  • Your Stories
    • Tracy Geautreau
    • Matthew Ezell
    • Donna Bennum
    • Debby Stevens
    • Jeff Hernandez
    • “K.F.”
    • Craig Cusick
  • On Legalism
    • What is legalism?
    • Turning the tables on legalism
    • Taping fruit to a dead tree
  • On Love
    • Reclaiming the doctrine of Christ
    • Love: More than a feeling
    • Speaking the truth in love
    • The paradigm shift from law to love
    • Love is the Greatest
  • Soundrack
    • Native Tongue – Switchfoot
    • Prodigal Soul – Switchfoot
    • Love is the Movement – Switchfoot
    • No Longer a Slave – Zach Williams
    • Chainbreaker – Zach Williams
    • Fear is a Liar – Zach Williams
    • Good Father – Chris Tomlin
    • Oceans – Hillsong United
    • 10,000 Reasons – Matt Redman
    • Rescue – Newsboys
    • I Am Second – Newsboys
    • This is Amazing Grace – Phil Wickham/Lecrae
InstagramSoundcloudYouTubeRssRss
Stanton Blog Logo Stanton Blog Logo Stanton Blog Logo
  • Home
  • About Merie Weiss
  • About Stanton
    • Founding Docs
    • Church Directory
    • Glossary
  • Stanton in the News
  • About This Blog
    • Blog Index
    • Partner With Us
  • Help
  • My Account
    • Commenting

My Account

Home/My Account
My AccountKevin2019-04-05T22:41:50-06:00
Login
Sign in with Facebook
or

Sign in with


Forgot Password? | Register
A quick access link will be sent to your email that will let you get in your account and change your password.
Back to Login

RSS Truth Delta

  • We are saddling our kids and grandkids with massive debt, but not in the way you think March 29, 2023 Kevin Harper
  • Ponzi banking explained in one graphic March 28, 2023 Kevin Harper
  • Do As Thou Wilt: The broken moral compass of the evangelists of woke March 21, 2023 Kevin Harper
  • PODCAST: The Silicon Valley Bank run and why more is coming March 17, 2023 Kevin Harper
  • Why does confidence in banks matter? March 15, 2023 Kevin Harper
  • The Federal Reserve is watching you March 13, 2023 Kevin Harper
  • The Silicon Valley Bank run and why more is coming March 12, 2023 Kevin Harper
  • PODCAST: How churches and nonprofits need to use Substack to grow support and engagement March 2, 2023 Kevin Harper
  • How churches and nonprofits need to use Substack to grow support and engagement February 28, 2023 Kevin Harper
  • PODCAST: I interviewed Justin Mitson on AI adoption and its implications for corporate leaders (and everyone else) February 24, 2023 Kevin Harper

StantonLeaks

The October Meeting – Download (998.4 MB)

Also being referred to as the Joe-tober Meeting, multiple people have sent me copies of these files. Feel free to crowdsource the most interesting comments worth discussing here, and share timestamps.

What readers say…

"This needed to be said Kevin, thank you. I believe you are getting to heart of the problem in the church. Instead of a Christian being allowed to exercise their own conscience, the conscience of a few people living in South Carolina and California is forced upon the entire brotherhood." ~Anonymous

"Great blog, Kevin. I'm originally from Stanton (I remember you being a young boy there). I Spent almost twenty years in the church seeing many of the things you speak about but keeping them in the back of my mind, and doubting my own feelings that something wasn't right.

"This constant gossiping was so confusing because it was OK for teachers to talk about people, but no one else to even question actions of a teacher. Being outside of that influence and away from the constant intimidation, it is so much more clear. There was no love or understanding. I'm sure most, except for the leaders, know something is wrong if they would just be honest with themselves. I regret so much putting my children through this more than I regret putting myself through it.

"I'm just glad I left. No need for being bitter toward anyone because it was my choice to be there and stay there. Keep up the good work." ~Loraine Forshee

I have read every word of this blog… I spent many hours/days reading… Feeling so sick inside… I felt so grateful to find this blog." ~Anonymous

"I left the group because I realized that what the group taught and what God teaches were often-not always-vastly different. I had to make a choice; stay out of fear, obligation, because of relationships, or leave so I could continue to follow Christ. I left. You know, one thing I heard A LOT while in the group is that “fallen away ones” are always longing to come back into the group.” At the time I believed it, but I just haven’t found it to be true! If it were, there would be plenty of people flocking back, and it isn’t happening. I have been in contact with quite a few who have left, and not one of us has thoughts about going back. Ever." ~Debby Stevens

"What’s ironic is that we point these things out to them only for them to ignore, dismiss and scoff at the blog both publicly in talks or sermons, and among themselves in secret. For you leaders and members of the SCOC who still read this blog, it’s one thing to dismiss the dissenters, but when you have people in your own ranks parroting the SAME EXACT PROBLEMS we talk about here (some of whom don’t even read the blog yet they see the same things we do), it may be time to consider your ways instead of having “unity” (conformity) meetings trying to ignore it." ~Advocate for Peace

"I too am a current member in 'good standing' in the church. I read the blog and I know of two other current members who also read it. I am sure you're wondering why in the world I would still be attending after reading all of this. Honestly, I am weak and just don't have the courage to leave because of family members who are still involved. Because of the threat of withdrawal for murmuring it's impossible to ask others what they think of the blog posts and videos. I am sure I will leave someday, I'm just not quite ready." ~Anonymous

"I'm currently a member in "good standing" in the church. I read the blog, even though its frowned upon. I can't begin to tell you how closely the comments and personal testimonies align and match what's happening in the church. You read something here, and it opens your eyes to that behavior now. so that when you see it happening, you instantly think about who it happened to here on this blog, and you know the damage it causing." ~Anonymous

"I’m not giving up on God like they believe I’m lost now. I’m so glad I found this blog. It helped open my eyes to what I was a part of for TOO long." ~Not going back

Popular Threads

  • The unwritten rules by Kevin
  • Merie was right on this one by Kevin
  • More from Donna Bennum by Kevin
  • The real “Off Church” by Kevin
  • Q&A by Kevin
  • Donna Bennum – Part III by Kevin
  • An open letter to the emailer who deleted their account by Kevin
  • My Story, by Jeff Hernandez by Kevin
  • Fear and intimidation tactics by Kevin
  • Where are all the radical Jesus followers? by Kevin

In the News

  • Changing the Call : To the Frustration of Family and Friends, Stanford’s Leon Vickers Trades a Possible NFL Career for Role With a Controversial Church
  • Leaving School to Join Sect: Stanford safety’s mother alleges mind control
  • Looking Back
  • Potential for a Rerun : David Vickers Could Surpass Brother, Who Gave Up Football for Church
  • Read More

Not Necessarily News

  • For Immediate Release: Stanton COC Source Says Teachers Are Actually Rabbis
  • Six easy tips to measure your relationship with God
  • Breaking News: Only sin will be forbidden by the church
  • Rules for prayer

Things Merie Said

“We begin this letter by saying that every Christian has a right and a responsibility to express as well as to teach those things which they honestly believe to be scriptural without being called a false teacher, or one who perverts the word of God.” Merie Weiss (Moyer Letter, 1967) More Merie Quotes

Things Campbell Said

“I have tried the pharisaic plan, and the monastic. I was once so straight, that, like the Indian’s tree, I leaned a little the other way. And however much I may be slandered now as seeking “popularity” or a popular course, I have to rejoice that to my own satisfaction, as well as to others, I proved that truth, and not popularity, was my object; for I was once so strict a Separatist that I would neither pray nor sing praises with any one who was not as perfect as I supposed myself. In this most unpopular course I persisted until I discovered the mistake, and saw that on the principle embraced in my conduct, there never could be a congregation or church upon the earth.” Alexander Campbell

Things Stone Said

"Let Christian unity be our polar star." Barton Stone

Things Gary Said

"Someone told me here just recently that, Gary, do you realize what’s happening, under cover? People are coming out and expressing what it is that they feel, their disdain and contempt for what you believe. I’ve got to know how to respond. And I know how I respond. That’s the basis of this lesson. I refuse. I refuse, to the uttermost of my being to dignify the absurdity of the questions and the challenges in which it is that people will present. What I mean by that is that I will not honor, they are not worthy of my consideration. … [M]y whole estimation was to not give it a nickel’s worth of consideration. But I want to give you what it is how I deal with things like this. How I respond. Because I don’t. I don’t." Gary Preman

Read by Date

  • January 2023 (1)
  • November 2022 (4)
  • October 2022 (4)
  • October 2020 (1)
  • July 2020 (1)
  • January 2020 (1)
  • December 2019 (1)
  • September 2019 (3)
  • August 2019 (5)
  • July 2019 (5)
  • May 2019 (3)
  • April 2019 (4)
  • March 2019 (6)
  • February 2019 (2)
  • January 2018 (2)
  • October 2017 (1)
  • August 2017 (2)
  • July 2017 (9)
  • June 2017 (6)
  • May 2017 (3)
  • December 2016 (4)
  • October 2016 (4)
  • September 2016 (12)
  • August 2016 (2)
  • March 2016 (1)
  • October 2015 (1)
  • July 2015 (1)
  • June 2015 (1)
  • March 2015 (3)
  • February 2015 (1)
  • January 2015 (3)
  • December 2014 (2)
  • November 2014 (2)
  • September 2014 (3)
  • July 2014 (1)
  • June 2014 (2)
  • May 2014 (1)
  • April 2014 (1)
  • March 2014 (1)
  • February 2014 (1)
  • October 2013 (4)
  • September 2013 (13)
  • August 2013 (26)
  • July 2013 (4)

What’s this site about?

This site is a history of a small group of churches I call the Stanton Churches of Christ after the congregation started in my hometown of Stanton, CA. The sect originated as a church split led by Merie Weiss from Spring Valley in the 1960’s. The commentary here is generally not applicable to most mainline or even ICOC churches.
8,827COMMENTS
Support @StantonBlog at Patreon

Site Stats

220209
Hits Today : 484
Total Hits : 878450
Who's Online : 1

Flashbacks

  • How to whitewash your sepulchre
  • Loving those still in Stanton
  • The Suitecase of Books

Recent Comments

  • Trusting in women teachers. on Why I care about politics and cultureTrusting in women and teachers There are very good reasons why God wanted men to be preachers, men to be teachers, men to be elders, men to be deacons, men to be bishops, and meant to be a evangelists…
  • Merie, women teaching, and lust on Why I care about politics and cultureMerie Weiss, women teachers, and lust. There is absolutely no arguing the fact that there has never been, in the history of humanity, a time when there was more temptation for lust then exists today.…
  • Women keep silent on Why I care about politics and cultureHow is an older woman going to instruct a younger woman to love and obey her husband, and to raise her children, of the older woman never learned herself, and isn’t practicing it? She can’t, can’t giv…
  • Rebellion is witchcraft on Why I care about politics and culture1 Samuel 15:23 or rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the Lord, he hath also rejected thee from being king What…
  • Rudolph on Rules of attireIt’s a pagan tradition, and wasn’t even widely celebrated in America in 1776.
  • anonymous on Rules of attireIn today's 'Woke' culture, the term 'patriarchy' is considered a toxic and outmoded vestige of a bygone and oppressive era; I would daresay that even the word 'masculine' now has a universally pejorat…
  • anonymous on Rules of attireAnything beyond teaching a scriptural admonition for modesty of dress, is personal opinion, and cannot be bound upon anyone, as neither can one impose their own conscience upon another. That being sai…
  • anonymous on Rules of attireDon't forget that Christ is in Christmas!
  • Confirm, don’t just conform on Rules of attireSo very sad, The vast majority of humans will go with the flow, not realizing only dead fish go with the flow, and no one kicks a dead dog. A church begun by a woman, funded by a likely communist, Mr.…
  • Plot against the Church on Why I care about politics and cultureAccording to the Jewish Talmud, every woman who isn't a Jew is a prostitute. Their disdain towards other peoples goes so far as to assert: “What is a prostitute? Every woman who is not a Jewess.”5 And…
  • Annie Mouse on Rules of attireHere we were teaching manmade rules/judgements/doctrine and screaming at nonmembers for following religions with manmade rules. Members would claim that those crazy teachings were judgements and not d…
  • Advocate For Truth on Why I care about politics and culture1929, Jewish bankers crashed Wall Street, with their manipulation of the Federal Reserve. By removing money from circulation, and calling in loans, it brought on the crash of 1929. Afterwards, it brou…
  • Sunny on Rules of attireThis was taught under the context of whatever the scripture is that says a women shouldn’t wear things pertaining to a man. That is the explanation given when I inquired what the big deal with wearing…
  • Advocate For Truth on Why I care about politics and cultureExactly what the Jews are doing today. Whining about being victims, while they try to plunder and loot the entire earth. “However, this Christian opposition to racial discrimination is very skilfully…
  • Anonymous on Why I care about politics and cultureNot DWC she was in Des Moines, the other wicked false female teacher was in Great Falls Montana. (BD)
  • Striped Fish on Why I care about politics and cultureIf you’re talking about DWC being the regional counselor who fell away; she didn’t fall away; she was permanently ousted and told never to return. She had no choice in the matter of attending once thi…
  • Anonymous on Why I care about politics and cultureGuess who?
  • Craig Cusick on Why I care about politics and cultureThere is no such thing as private counsel with the cult. Counsel is shared and even the more so if you leave the cult.
  • Anonymous on Why I care about politics and cultureOne of the greatest gifts I was given in the SCOC was the teaching of daily study. I still study every day and not just the Bible but people as well, to me people are just like books. I learn the begi…
  • Anonymous on Why I care about politics and cultureAnother question one must ask when being accused of wrong doing from the pulpit is when did this happen? I was constantly being reproved for things I did one time years earlier. You could do a load of…

Recent Posts

  • Why I care about politics and culture January 30, 2023
  • Should you try the “Clean Church” challenge? November 18, 2022
  • It shall not be so among you November 4, 2022
  • Here’s Joe Gautreau’s letter of withdrawal…where do I start? November 3, 2022
  • My (unanswered) email to Gary on August 10, 2004 November 2, 2022
  • An October Meeting to remember. Here is my take. October 28, 2022
  • A reminder of my goals for this blog October 25, 2022
  • Did Jesus really come to set families against each other? October 19, 2022
  • A quick update October 17, 2022
  • Breaking free of old thought patterns October 18, 2020
  • Why Stanton’s view of unity is self-refuting July 31, 2020
  • An Open Letter to My Daughters January 28, 2020
  • Go ahead and be proud December 29, 2019
  • The swan dive into hell September 30, 2019
  • Rules for employment September 26, 2019
  • How to whitewash your sepulchre September 25, 2019
  • The Labor Day Meeting is here with hours of talks in the pipeline August 30, 2019
  • Anonymous Source: Church members refuse to help wife in sexually abusive relationship August 30, 2019
  • Everything I know about bad relationships, I see in Stanton August 22, 2019
  • Leading our families out of the wilderness August 14, 2019

On the preeminence of love…

“I am less interested in all the doctrinal debates it would be so easy to get caught up in on this blog than in this one topic: love. Fix a doctrine, you’ve got hundreds more to fix. Fix love, and virtually everything else falls into line. Love changes motives, behaviors, relationships, exegesis, everything. There is nothing in life and faith that are left untouched by the subject of love.”

On Love vs. Duty

“Someone who is served by a person motivated by love will feel the love in that act of service. Someone who is served by a person motivated by duty will feel the duty coming across loud and clear, and it will not feel like love. So does God want us going to church because it’s our duty, or because we love?”

Contact Kevin

It’s my goal to be as factually accurate as possible. If you want to report a factual error, or communicate with me, please email me at kevinmharper@gmail.com or call or text me at 208-249-8893. I’d love to hear from you.

Note: All conversations will be kept confidential unless you want me to share them.

Support This Site

Some have asked how they can support this effort. The best way is through prayer. But if you want to support this ministry with a gift or buy my wife a latte, I'm OK with that. ;-)

PayPal (One-Time or Monthly) Patreon (Monthly)Cryptocurrencies (Bitcoin or DigiByte)
RSS
Follow by Email
Facebook
fb-share-icon