May Meeting Archives » Stanton Blog

5 March

The doctrine on doctrine

By Kevin|2019-04-11T02:09:23-06:00March 5th, 2014|Uncategorized|14 Comments

March Week 2014 delegates: Reaching what you believe to be wise conclusions on the questions you're considering is great. But don't heap error upon error and proceed to bind your opinions, no matter how wise you think they are, on others. This is no different than the Pharisees "teaching for doctrines the commandments of men." doc·trine: a set of ideas or beliefs that are taught or believed to be true teaching, instruction something that is taught Perhaps it's time to consider the Bible's doctrine on doctrine. Before we can teach anything, we should give thought to what can and can't be taught, right? What the Bible teaches about teaching should be what we teach about teaching, should it not? "Doctrine" as used in the Bible [...]

21 September

Teachers in lieu of elders

By Kevin|2019-04-11T02:09:12-06:00September 21st, 2013|Uncategorized|12 Comments

One of the most far-reaching mistakes of church history in the last 2000 years was when congregations started colluding to give bishops influence over multiple congregations rather than over a single congregation, as Paul originally established. Bishops are just another word for pastors, elders, presbyters, overseers, or shepherds. Whatever you want to call these local shepherds, they were a God-given form of church oversight to help keep wolves out of the flock. Paul outlined the qualifications for them, and instructed both Timothy and Titus about those qualifications. The only problem was that human ideas for church management (and control) just seemed so much more practical. The congregation in Rome—not unlike Stanton or Spring Valley—asked for, and received the deference of its peers. Their bishops began to [...]

3 September

May Week audio and transcript on rules for travel

By Kevin|2019-04-11T02:08:54-06:00September 3rd, 2013|Uncategorized|38 Comments

Jesus must be shaking his head in disbelief to think that his immense personal sacrifice—God coming to Earth to live as his creation lives, and being crucified for it—has been reduced to yet more Pharisaic rules that the rabbis heap upon their followers. These self-appointed legislators leave no stone unturned in looking for areas of your life to assert the spiritual superiority of their own opinions. Thus they fabricate rules for marital sex, attire, recreation, wine, travel, the Lord's supper, and a whole host of other topics found in what I call 2 Opinions Chapter 3—the go-to source of authority when you can't find it in the Bible. This article delves into the mindset of those who feel qualified to make these rules for other people [...]

2 September

Hide it under a bushel?

By Kevin|2019-04-11T02:08:52-06:00September 2nd, 2013|Uncategorized|2 Comments

NOTE: Updated with transcript of audio The following audio snippet comes from a May Meeting discussion, I believe, and shows a clear intent to avoid criticism by keeping the teachings of the church hidden from public scrutiny. The idea under discussion was to avoid having written material get indexed by search engines and exposed to the "wrong eyes" on the Internet, the supposed "enemies of the cross of Christ." This is just another way of silencing dissent; if your opinions aren't published anywhere, no one can counter them with scripture. Does anyone doubt that Paul would have loved for each and every one of his sermons to be published in audio, written, and video form on the Internet, if he'd had such technology? He would have [...]

"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

“The members of the church have a right to question and ask for Bible answers from those who are doing the preaching. But this is considered almost tantamount to heresy by the preachers of today; and if a member persists in such he is usually slandered and called a trouble-maker… We should know our Bible and we should be ready and willing to take a stand for the truth. We are commanded to ‘contend for the truth.’ But this can hardly be done seeing that the church is ignorant and the preachers are content to have it so. Individually and collectively we should take scriptural stands upon all subjects…” Merie Weiss (Brethren Letter, 1967) More Merie Quotes

“I blush for my fellows who hold up the Bible as the bond of union, yet make their opinions of it a test of fellowship; who plead for union of all Christians, yet refuse to fellowship with such as dissent from their notions. Vain men! Their zeal is not according to knowledge, nor is their spirit that of Christ. Such antisectarian-sectarians are doing more mischief to the cause and advancement of truth, the unity of Christians, and the salvation of the world, than all the skeptics in the world. In fact, they create skeptics.” Barton Stone

“If you can’t counter it in your heart, you will be affected. A lot of people say, ‘Gary you’re just trying to censor people from their God-given right to look at whatever it is that they’re going to look at.’ Go ahead and look at it. But I can only say to you, be admonished, and be well-versed. If you’re not having the ability to counter whatever it is that comes your way. Or all of a sudden someone comes and says something, and it hooks you in, you’re lured in with hook, line, and sinker, you have no one to thank but yourself. Our admonition is not to forbid anyone from doing anything, unless it’s a sin.” Gary Preman

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…
Anonymous on Why I care about politics and cultureTo give an example of mobbing in the COC: there was a woman teacher in a Montana congregation who was not just a local teacher but a regional counselor as well who had a preacher, a single man with fo…
Anonymous on Why I care about politics and cultureWhat is psychological harassment? Challenging someone to the point of breaking them psychologically, or mentally, or emotionally. How many forms of psychological harassment are there? There are many f…
Anonymous on Why I care about politics and cultureIt is a power game for sure and played inside the one true church. A study of psychological violence or psychological harassment reveals many of the tactics used against the unsuspecting. If you take…
We are in World War 3 right now. on Why I care about politics and cultureAre you ready for the third banker World War? July 28, 1914, first day of World War 1. 7+28+19+14=68 September 1st, 1939. First day of World War 2 9+1+19+39=68 February 24th, 2022, Russia invades Ukra…
5G towers likely behind coronavirus on Why I care about politics and cultureNo problem, great book is “Covid 19 and Agendas to come, Redpilled” by James Perloff. Hope that helps, if not, there is a useful website Henry Makow dot com. There are many more sources of those don’t…