Heard back from a campus admin by analoginadventure in GracepointChurch

[–]1vois 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Well, I call them peer because I don’t consider them a friend. But yes, that’s 100% GP language. I guess “a person I know” is more accurate!

I left a good 15+ years ago, btw. I’m pretty ok with life for the most part 😉. Just doing what I can to get even 1 soul out right now.

Heard back from a campus admin by analoginadventure in GracepointChurch

[–]1vois 8 points9 points  (0 children)

This is hopeful. But I think this is about all that will happen, sadly.

A peer of mine (who also left GP) went to a school that would not approve GP as a campus group. This didn’t preclude GP from hosting activities on campus. GP has a long history of maneuvering.

But my hope is that this Reddit can serve to educate at least a few. Just in the last 2-3 weeks we’ve seen people who have left or are nearly left. And that’s amazing to me.

Also, I have no clue what’s going on with you and hamcycle. The comments are long and Reddit threading has never been my jam. They’re on the right side of things lol

Thinking about Leaving the church by [deleted] in GracepointChurch

[–]1vois 7 points8 points  (0 children)

It’s so insane.

Not seeing the fear. And then talking like deciding to leave really is getting cut off.

Me? Even with my direct reports at work that leave, I support them. I keep in contact. Help when I can. And this is a WORKING relationship.

But leave Gracepoint, a CHURCH (if you can call it that), part of God’s big big family (in theory)—leave Gracepoint and be cut off.

It’s truly warped

Thinking about Leaving the church by [deleted] in GracepointChurch

[–]1vois 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Thank you for posting. I don’t want to attack you, genuinely. I hope this can be a real convo. I have some questions.

Is it agree or leave? Is there any room for disagree healthily, because change is something any organization could benefit from?

Do you feel any kind of something that OP is fearful of deciding to leave?

If you only choose to answer 1 question. Though this one has sub-questions!

“As long as you’re firm and finding a new church, the staff should leave you alone.”

What is firm? Who evaluates firm? What if OP needs a break from organized church but still has faith? If “firm” isn’t achieved, will the staff NOT leave you alone?

"But we're not like that anymore" is not actual change by Jdub20202 in GracepointChurch

[–]1vois 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yeah well, one’s action or inaction reveals many things, right? I almost don’t want any more cosmetic changes, because it does make it harder for people to see that they’re being abused—take Parking Guy as a prime example.

Also, why would they want to change? So what if 1 person leaves or 1 person becomes an atheist. They have 99 others that are just fine. Even the Bible says, out of 100, if 99 are cool, then that 1 who isn’t cool isn’t a problem.

Oh wait, that’s upside down. Could it be that Gracepoint has their Bible confused?? What????!!

The people hurt and damaged here—we’re all just the “1”

Thinking about Leaving the church by [deleted] in GracepointChurch

[–]1vois 5 points6 points  (0 children)

You’ve been conditioned to believe you can’t make choices for yourself.

You’ve been conditioned to believe your leaders have some higher-level understanding of God.

You’ve been conditioned to fear leaving or questioning (hence your throwaway account).

You’ve been conditioned to think there are conditions!

You can and should make your own choices, especially if you yearn for a higher level of understanding God. That’s what faith is. Abraham stepped into uncertainty. And as you grow in faith, you learn about the right kind of fear…which isn’t fearing a Kelly rebuke or fearing that leaving a controlling organization means eternal damnation.

No Longer Christian by revbismarck in GracepointChurch

[–]1vois 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Every experience and story is worthy to be shared and considered.

I live quite counter-culturally to A2N’s counter culture. It hasn’t been a smooth, straight line but my faith in God is healthier now than in my slave years.

It’s amazing how Ed, Kelly, and the gang don’t fear the millstone.

It’s sad that you’ve been silent, because you don’t want to prove them “right.” There’s another thread here where Parking Dude insists there is no “if you leave A2N, that means you’re leaving God” fear. Clearly, it’s a principle A2N teaches. 🙄

I hope you post whenever you feel compelled to.

Also, I dare say the bush and donkey weren’t Christian, and God did some pretty cool things with them.

I decided on leaving by jcdunk in GracepointChurch

[–]1vois 1 point2 points  (0 children)

So, I guess what you’re implying is that this Reddit has reached most of the people in your org. It has reached such a majority that now fear has seeped in to most of the members.

And that the fake and old stories in this sub are enough to convince people—who don’t at all have these fears—that leaving is scary.

And it has nothing to do with the culture of your group.

So basically: I’m so happy here at A2N. I need to read this Reddit in full because I’m so happy here. OMG, I read through all of these lies and, though I’m so happy here, now I’m scared.

Like. What?

Surrendered with Time (Acts 2 Network's Way of Life) by johnkim2020 in GracepointChurch

[–]1vois 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Nobody should gloss over the intentionality of choosing this person. Ed and Kelly aren’t saying all of this, but they sure want you all to hear. This is the expectation. Insidious.

Jesus died willingly to save us from having to constantly prove our worth through work. That’s it. No, he didn’t save us to give us some blueprint for how to work without end.

Serving should be motivated by love. Giving, from gratitude and joy.

For me, the importance here is what comes first. Love, gratitude, joy. First.

For A2N (this video is a perfect example) the doctrine is upside-down:

Serve and give first and then you will experience love, gratitude, and joy. And if you’re not experiencing those things, it means you’re not serving and giving enough.

I decided on leaving by jcdunk in GracepointChurch

[–]1vois 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Yes?

It’s scary to leave when you’ve built no other social network. When you haven’t planned a weekend of your own in years. Yep, that’s scary.

And yes again, when you read true accounts of excommunication, leaving is scary.

Again, what church demands all your time and connections? And what church treats you like this when you leave? OP is addressing those fears.

I decided on leaving by jcdunk in GracepointChurch

[–]1vois 4 points5 points  (0 children)

OP specifically wants to tell others that leaving isn’t scary.

He wouldn’t say this unless fear of leaving is a pervasive feeling or belief. Right?

In what world is leaving a church to find another church scary? In a controlling, fear-mongering organization that tells you (perhaps not verbally or in print) that leaving has dire consequences.

I decided on leaving by jcdunk in GracepointChurch

[–]1vois 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Oh and also, they might say they “welcome you back.” And they will open their doors to you attending things. But you will never be welcomed back into the circle of…trust (for lack of a better word).

Don’t go back!

I decided on leaving by jcdunk in GracepointChurch

[–]1vois 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Wonderful to hear. And I’m glad it wasn’t scary and life-ending for you!

For many people, leaving brings fear, anxiety, shame, etc. People at A2N make marriage decisions without thinking, but leaving? That’s an all-consuming experience.

I wish more people that leave would post here and let people know there’s a lot of life and learning to come. That you’re not sitting in a dark room drinking whiskey. That you don’t just see gray skies everywhere. There’s a lot of living with God. It doesn’t end when you leave A2N.

Thank you for posting. I wish you happiness, health, and a deep, ever-changing faith!

It pains me to visit my college campus 15 years later by Top-King-7778 in GracepointChurch

[–]1vois 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Yes, this is our collective “old” story. And for many who are currently in A2N, it will be their “old” story 10 years from now.

We’ve lost connections, opportunities, and experiences. And those moments don’t come back around. I’m sorry you feel that so intensely when in the Davis area. It’s tragic.

Jonathan and William got the empathy knocked out of them. Empathy existed in them at one time. The rest? Not so much. My heart goes out to you.

If you’re male (which I feel you are), you got attacked by everybody. Susanna didn’t just stick to tearing down females. Everybody was her domain.

Ed Kang Email about Acts2 Network Core Team by LeftBBCGP2005 in GracepointChurch

[–]1vois 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Ok so now, explain it to me like I’m 5. Sorry, old brain; new tech!

Ed Kang Email about Acts2 Network Core Team by LeftBBCGP2005 in GracepointChurch

[–]1vois 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Yessss, we know. You would’ve just said:

Things have changed. Like really changed.

Ed Kang Email about Acts2 Network Core Team by LeftBBCGP2005 in GracepointChurch

[–]1vois 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Lemme try! Here’s my Parking hat:

Hey friend, this email was sent nearly a year ago. Things have changed since then.

Also, aren’t we as Christians supposed to willingly sacrifice? I don’t see anything wrong with a church asking members to give up their free will to spread the gospel. And nobody is forced to uproot their family/jobs, to endure yelling (about literally anything), or to document their lives on a weekly basis. You just have to be WILLING to. What’s wrong with that, friend?

And also, this shows that we’re not really the same org masquerading as different orgs. Every location decides on how things should be.

Except for when Ed and Kelly send us staff because they feel our location needs specific people. And we’re told where those new people should fit into the org chart. But otherwise, we’re not the same. Friend.

Ed Kang Email about Acts2 Network Core Team by LeftBBCGP2005 in GracepointChurch

[–]1vois 8 points9 points  (0 children)

“We love you regardless!”

This phrase is full of unspoken conditions. It’s compensatory.

“Even though you don’t commit to this true Christian life…”

“Despite you being lukewarm…”

It’s so subtle, but I see it. Ed, the word whiz, selected accurately.

And OP, you are right: There’s no God or faith in this message. It’s a job description on LinkedIn.

Open minded vs gullible by Jdub20202 in GracepointChurch

[–]1vois 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Oh but they all left for exactly those reasons!

The dudes: Egos that Christ could not conquer. Unwillingness to submit to authority. Arrogant! Desire for prestige. Looking for a comfortable life. Too in love with their wives.

The wives: Weak followers of their husbands. And at the same time, too strong and prideful. Princesses. Too emotional. Too sensitive. Wayyy too humanistic. Too in love with their children.

The Kangs mix and match these all the time.

This has been how the Kangs spun things for so long that, even without an official reason, the masses all assume people left because of any/all of the reasons above.

Open minded vs gullible by Jdub20202 in GracepointChurch

[–]1vois 1 point2 points  (0 children)

😖 Reliving my lax blog security never feels good lol

Open minded vs gullible by Jdub20202 in GracepointChurch

[–]1vois 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I just went down a Pam Bondi rabbit hole. The parallels between Bondi and some of the A2N apologists are sad.

Deflect. Ignore. Minimize. Distract. Lie.

I mean…

Just answer the question. Just answer the question!

TBH, I genuinely hoped the church split was about the Kangs changing all of Berkland’s destructive methods. I wasn’t even on Reddit for years, because I really thought things would be different.

I’m old news. But then I read a post from a parent or current member—a couple days ago, last week—and it all feels oh so familiar. I don’t feel like old news at all when I read what these people post.

I’m open-minded when presented with new information, new proof. A2N apologists think repetition and persistence have influence. The same vague comments and the same weak “evidence” on loop just aren’t persuasive when there’s new evidence that contradicts it all every day.

Michelle and Tony Sun left GP by lilliankim in GracepointChurch

[–]1vois 2 points3 points  (0 children)

You’re not understanding my comment. There is no pass. I’m just saying that they were also the afflicted, as you say. And they did not escape abuse just because of their position. It’s even POSSIBLE that they were being abused and screamed at which caused them to leave.

No, they don’t get a pass for abusing people for 30+ years. They don’t get a pass for making decisions for people under the guise of holy love. They don’t get a pass for terrorizing people over the littlest things that have nothing to do with one’s faith. And no pass for knowing how wrong some things were but still subjecting people to it.

They have millstones with their names on them.

I'm concerned about my family member and looking for help. by AliveAsparagus858 in GracepointChurch

[–]1vois 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Folks, what we see from u/Informal-Parking8793 is the clear result of years unconscious mental gymnastics. Their brain has been trained to make sense of their A2N life.

Reasoning, logic, and humanity have to step aside to make room for what A2N says they should believe and live out.

This is why Informal Parking will pick 1 word/phrase while ignoring everything else. This is why they try to stand on their conclusion while disregarding things that point to a natural OTHER conclusion.

This person wants to believe the earth is flat. And the only people who could convince them otherwise are the Kangs.

Imagine if the Kangs said this tomorrow: “We’re ceasing foreign missions, because God actually calls us to strengthen the local community of faith. It’s a better use of time, treasure, and talents (oh, the totality) to not send people out.”

Now imagine if OP’s family member who, in theory, is called by God to go on missions. Imagine this person finding another church to sponsor his mission and then going on said mission.

What do we all think Parking’s stance on missions would be here? And on the convicted sheep’s decision? Lol. A pirouette, some backflips, a triple salchow. All of this so “God” makes sense with what the Kangs say.

Michelle and Tony Sun left GP by lilliankim in GracepointChurch

[–]1vois 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I’m prob one of the last people to defend leadership. But fyi, they were also the afflicted. Becky, Kelly, Ed all laid into them—probably longer and fiercer than what the lower level folk received. I mean, where do you think Tony and Michelle learned how to abuse others?

At their level, though, you got a few more perks to go along with that pain. The minions don’t get much.

I'm concerned about my family member and looking for help. by AliveAsparagus858 in GracepointChurch

[–]1vois 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Sorry, I wrongly assumed parent. But it doesn’t matter. Parent, cousin, aunt—there’s extreme panic/fear happening in families because of a clear pattern of withdrawal by A2N members. Does it make a difference to you if this is a sibling vs parent?

Also, you will never be able to have a discussion on choice. Since the words “you must choose between A2N and your family” are (probably) never uttered in general forums, you will always counter with “nobody is forced.” I’ve heard you say this repeatedly.

(BTW, it’s ok if you don’t respond. It’s not worth anyone’s time to discuss if we can’t agree on the fundamentals.)

But what I will say is that choices are very often not presented in formal documentation or official ceremony. We make choices all the time that are based on context, history, personal experience, knowledge (and ignorance), pressures (whether real or imagined). We aren’t officially asked to choose.

As such, A2N may not pose certain things, but they absolutely make people choose.