stories Archives » Stanton Blog

5 June

My Story, by Debby Stevens

By Kevin|2019-04-11T02:09:47-06:00June 5th, 2015|Uncategorized|64 Comments

I'm really glad that Debby Stevens found the blog recently. There are a lot of good people who love God who have left Stanton's ranks, and I'm thrilled that some of them have found this blog to share their story. My prayer is that by uncovering more voices from Stanton's past, we can show current members that (a) they're not alone in their secret doubts about Stanton's presumptuous "authority;" and (b) there is such a thing as a relationship with God outside of Stanton's walls. Debby, thanks adding your voice to the discussion here. My Story by Debby Stevens I first started with the Stanton group in Portland, OR in 1985 when I was baptized. In 1989 I was asked to move to Lakeland, FL [...]

25 March

My Story, by Jeff Hernandez

By Kevin|2019-04-11T02:09:46-06:00March 25th, 2015|Uncategorized|239 Comments

Thank you, Jeff, for your letter detailing your story. I'm sorry for your experiences. If believers are to show Christ to one another as well as to a lost world, this certainly doesn't seem like the way to do it. Thank you for being discreet (proper usage of the word) about names so this doesn't become about personalities, but about the church's culture. I want to encourage you to find a church family who will take the time to get to know you, and with whom you can share your struggles freely without fear of retribution. My name is Jeff Hernandez and Lynn is my middle name. My wife and I are still married. She left the church because it was too hard for her [...]

22 January

My Story, by Donna Bennum

By Kevin|2019-04-11T02:09:44-06:00January 22nd, 2015|Uncategorized|56 Comments

I appreciate Donna's willingness to share her story, and hope that others are emboldened to do the same. More importantly, I hope that her experience inspires others to take action! My Story, by Donna Bennum In August of 2014 I made my decision to leave 'the church' (Stanton churches) which I had been a member of for thirty-six years. In the weeks that followed I found Rising Sun church of Christ. I sat in their sanctuary and listened to their hymns, as they were accompanied by musical instruments of all sorts. I listened to the preacher speak about God's love for us and about His GRACE, and how there's NOTHING we could do to work for that grace of Christ dying on the cross for [...]

Telling your story
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Telling your story

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19 October

Telling your story

By Kevin|2019-04-11T09:35:17-06:00October 19th, 2013|Uncategorized|41 Comments

SCOC references on other sites "My Inner Sanctum" (This ex-member converted to Islam) Who I am and why Islam (Possibly by the same person above) You cannot go to the other extreme to avoid liberalism (From a preacher's interaction with a member) Your Church Too (DC's old site) We all have stories to tell. Outside of the Church of Christ culture, people call it your "testimony." I like that. My testimony has been largely told here on these pages, and others have undertaken to tell their own stories of how this sect has affected their lives, and how they've found their way to a closer relationship with the loving and forgiving God of Scripture (or not). Please use the comment section of this page to share [...]

"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

“But men cannot give up their opinions, and therefore, they can never unite, says one. We do not ask them to give up their opinions–we ask them only not to impose them upon others. Let them hold their opinions, but let them hold them as private property. The faith is public property; opinions are, and always have been private property. Men have foolishly attempted to make the deductions of some great minds the common measure of all Christians. Hence the deductions of a Luther, and a Calvin, and a Wesley, have been the rule and measure of all who coalesce under the names of these leaders. It is cruel to excommunicate a man because of the imbecility of his intellect.” Alexander Campbell

“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

"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

Truth Defender on Here’s Joe Gautreau’s letter of withdrawal…where do I start?Part 5, and final The women have been trained that their opinions, carefully cultivated by propaganda, are to be always respected or that's some kind of "abuse," which is one of the most subjective wo…
Truth Defender on Here’s Joe Gautreau’s letter of withdrawal…where do I start?Part 4 Let us always remember what Solomon said about brawling and contentious women in Proverbs 21. He is talking about every woman who raises her hand and shares in a Bible class in Stanton. Thank y…
Truth Defender on Here’s Joe Gautreau’s letter of withdrawal…where do I start?Part 3 And when the women are allowed to speak in church, they now weaken and emasculate every man in the church. Because a righteous man CANNOT AND WILL NOT respect a man who is controlled by his wif…
Truth Defender on Here’s Joe Gautreau’s letter of withdrawal…where do I start?Part 2 You know the vast majority of the women in Stanton, especially the ones with college degrees, and the ones who revere Merie, and often the single women, who were never properly taught, will rev…
Truth Defender on Here’s Joe Gautreau’s letter of withdrawal…where do I start?Part 1 Any time you disagree with the leadership in Stanton, you will hear the furious rebukes about "Humble yourselves and receive instruction." Should a man heed and obey those who God has placed ov…
Craig Cusick on Here’s Joe Gautreau’s letter of withdrawal…where do I start?Hi Lynn, I’m doing great!! Thank you very much. Life has never been better since I stopped attending functions of Merie’s cult. Kicking myself for 20 wasted years being around such a corrupt people fi…
Truth Defender on Here’s Joe Gautreau’s letter of withdrawal…where do I start?From Akzed on Gab. Profound comment. “True, it’s not about knowledge though but intelligence. The smarter someone is, the more doubt he experiences, according to Dunning-Kreuger, because of his awaren…
Truth Defender on Here’s Joe Gautreau’s letter of withdrawal…where do I start?Parts 3 & 4 Stanton is straining at the gnats of sexual sins that EVERY MAN IN STANTON HAS COMMITTED AT SOME POINT IN HIS LIFE, LIKELY ENOUGH, while swallowing the camels of women speaking in the…
Truth Defender on Here’s Joe Gautreau’s letter of withdrawal…where do I start?Part 2/4.
Truth Defender on Here’s Joe Gautreau’s letter of withdrawal…where do I start?Part 2 won’t post, so will take pictures. There are four, so four posts will be necessary.
Truth Defender on Here’s Joe Gautreau’s letter of withdrawal…where do I start?Did you know Jews were instrumental in the popularity of comic books and are responsible for Batman, Superman, Captain America, MAD magazine, and many more comics? Every…..Single…..Time It’s no cohenc…
Truth Defender on Here’s Joe Gautreau’s letter of withdrawal…where do I start?There are far bigger issues that need to be addressed other than women in Stanton rebelling against God’s commands for them for 50 years. However, danger rarely can be confronted when wives refuse to…
Truth Defender on Here’s Joe Gautreau’s letter of withdrawal…where do I start?Part 1, as the entire post was apparently too long, and wouldn’t post. Part 2 will come on Friday. Many teachers in Stanton use the tactic of justifying any church discipline they take, ranging from r…
Truth Defender on Here’s Joe Gautreau’s letter of withdrawal…where do I start?According to Stanton, Acts 2:38 means you must be baptized for the remission of your sins. [38] Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the…
Truth Defender on Here’s Joe Gautreau’s letter of withdrawal…where do I start?A historical tour guide at the original California State Capital of Benicia becomes irate over the fact that Talmudic Jews control the world. A good friend had invited me for lunch in the lovely city…
Truth Defender on Here’s Joe Gautreau’s letter of withdrawal…where do I start?What a beautiful post on Gab. For anyone who is on social media, Gab is the best social media out there, though it has infiltrators as well. It’s the only media that doesn’t censor criticism of small…
Truth Defender on Here’s Joe Gautreau’s letter of withdrawal…where do I start?I will always be grateful for the women in Stanton who raised me. They did a fabulous job. It seems a paradox. TD, how can you oppose women speaking in the church yet be grateful for the women who rai…
Truth Defender on Here’s Joe Gautreau’s letter of withdrawal…where do I start?How can a church obey God when women are in leadership positions and speaking publicly? The sad fact is it can’t. You can’t have women disobeying God’s order to be silent in the church, and spineless…
Truth Defender on Here’s Joe Gautreau’s letter of withdrawal…where do I start?Can’t post the link, but this was posted by a telegram account, “The Catholic State” It’s true. It’s for the men who see Jewish treachery, but since Merie, paid by a Jew, taught non-violence and women…
Truth Defender on Here’s Joe Gautreau’s letter of withdrawal…where do I start?Who controls the media that we were all exposed to from our birth? Same people pushing feminism and the idea that women are equal to men in roles. Funny, when you Google “women speaking in church,” we…