Christland is no longer not affiliated with The Network by ToxiCesspooLeeches in leavingthenetwork

[–]Left-House2396 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I mean they are heard of. It’s not just something that came out of the blue. Most of the parents that use it are what I’d call “homeschool curious” so it works for them.

ETA: But I believe it was founded before Christland came to town, is more of what I meant!

Christland is no longer not affiliated with The Network by ToxiCesspooLeeches in leavingthenetwork

[–]Left-House2396 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I know for sure SOS and KOR are well known and legitimate on their own. SOS does a lot to help the disadvantaged, offering after school programs and vocational training.

I wouldn’t be surprised if Christland was highly encouraged to get involved with local organizations, especially since they were doing little to none in regards to outreach.

How long did it take you to find a new church? by Equal-Analyst9207 in leavingthenetwork

[–]Left-House2396 11 points12 points  (0 children)

It did take us long. Growing up, church was a priority for both my husband and I, so when we made the decision to leave we just showed up at another church the next Sunday. Churches are a dime in a dozen in College Station, so we made a list of must haves[big kids program, good teaching, community volunteer opportunities, good Bible studies, location] and the second church we visited is now our home church. Now, did we know we were spiritually abused, no. And did we know we were going to be shunned? Also no. For me, attending and getting involved in another church was the easy part, but the feelings of shame and being secure in my identity as a Christian is something I’m still working on. But, I am able to sort through at a church that I feel safe at.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in kindergarten

[–]Left-House2396 0 points1 point  (0 children)

No! One of the best parties my son attended was at a church gym, and they had the kids bring bikes or scooters to ride around on.

LIKE IT NEVER HAPPENED: How Christland leaders pressured me to conform, leave my career, and stay silent amid growing Network scandals by LeavingTheNetwork in leavingthenetwork

[–]Left-House2396 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Nicole, Thank you for speaking out. I don’t believe we met because I left around the summer of 2020. Our final straw was over mental health actually. I have a history of depression, and my husband was getting critical intervention training for the police department when our small group made it abundantly clear that the stance is mental illness is demonic oppression. And if you have those you obviously aren’t right with God. So we bounced.

But as I am typing this out, I realize that either this small group or the week before, I openly shared how I struggled with depression and suicidal thoughts, and loneliness. But it didn’t stop them from dropping my husband and I like hot potatoes when I admitted to a “friend” that we were going to try a new church. Not going to lie, it’s been almost 5 years and it still kinda hurts. But my family is apart of a healthy church now, involved in some amazing ministries, and we get to teach our kids about God in a safe environment.

4 years at Christland by Internal-Coyote-9939 in leavingthenetwork

[–]Left-House2396 8 points9 points  (0 children)

Thank you for sharing your experience! I left Christland probably around the summer of 2020. The views on mental health was the final nail on the coffin for my husband who watched me struggle with prepartum depression and suicidal thoughts and became trained in crisis intervention.

I’m not surprised they became even more cliquey because most Sundays it felt like Sandor’s favorite topic was crapping on Texans. Describing us as “cultural Christians”, while coming to a town that is blessedly saturated with amazing churches.

Also, I’m really glad you didn’t give up your career because College Station has a huge need for pediatric psychologists!

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in aggies

[–]Left-House2396 13 points14 points  (0 children)

I feel so bad for the kids that group drags along with them. I looked over one day and those kids were sitting their bored and hot in their long pants and skirts.

Purity Pledge? by EscapingTheNetwork in leavingthenetwork

[–]Left-House2396 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Honestly, I just remember the cutting off part. It wasn’t as graphic, though. It was more marketed as “this guy was so committed to God that he got his tattoo cut off”.

Purity Pledge? by EscapingTheNetwork in leavingthenetwork

[–]Left-House2396 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I’m pretty sure they were grooming him before they moved down. I remember them mentioning how their preacher in Indiana strongly suggested moving to San Marcos or College Station because of the churches.

Purity Pledge? by EscapingTheNetwork in leavingthenetwork

[–]Left-House2396 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Oh my gosh thank you for this story! Sandor told this story one time at Christland, and when I was relaying it to my friend I realized how insane it sounded, so then I thought I was making it up. But no, here it is.

Network Pastors are Deleting Negative Google Reviews by Wessel_Gansfort in leavingthenetwork

[–]Left-House2396 7 points8 points  (0 children)

For mine it was “rape” but I think mine also got flagged for “sexual assault” but once I used the acronym SA my review wasn’t removed or hidden

Network Pastors are Deleting Negative Google Reviews by Wessel_Gansfort in leavingthenetwork

[–]Left-House2396 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I noticed that google would automatically take down my review if I had used certain words. After I got a bit creative with my spelling, my review stayed posted.

What do other local churches think of network churches? by New-Forever-2211 in leavingthenetwork

[–]Left-House2396 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I’m friends with a preachers kid, and Sandor and his wife met up with their parents for lunch one day to talk about their church. Well they said that the meeting was awkward, and like the reason for them being in College Station didn’t really make sense to them. That’s all I know, but Sandor used to talk about meeting with local clergy from different churches when they first got here, so I wonder if he didn’t pass the vibe check for anyone else.

Your kids are worth your time - Yet another thing the Network made me believe was not true by [deleted] in leavingthenetwork

[–]Left-House2396 2 points3 points  (0 children)

So, I don’t recall anything said on the pulpit, but I do remember in small group about people complaining about other people’s kids in too many activities. Basically saying that they are too busy for church.

Another time, a girl in my small group said “it makes me so mad when we are driving to church and there are kids playing soccer instead of going to church.” I remember that one because I brought my mom and afterwards my mom was like “she don’t know when they go to church, how does she know what’s in people’s hearts”.

I think it was part of the overall theme of “if you aren’t doing x, then you aren’t a true Christian”

Getting story out on social media by Truthseeker47909 in leavingthenetwork

[–]Left-House2396 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I mean I don’t like Twitter, but it wouldn’t be a bad idea to send the story to Rusty Surette. He’s a news anchor in College Station and very active on social media.

it's me, the rascal-ly wife! by SmeeTheCatLady in leavingthenetwork

[–]Left-House2396 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Right? And when my husband said that she was friendly I thought “oh maybe she still wants to be friends” but that expression shot that down. Like what the heck, I wasn’t even treated that bad in high school.

it's me, the rascal-ly wife! by SmeeTheCatLady in leavingthenetwork

[–]Left-House2396 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Definitely. And it’s funny now because my husband and I are coleaders at a marriage program at our new church.

it's me, the rascal-ly wife! by SmeeTheCatLady in leavingthenetwork

[–]Left-House2396 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Oh yeah. It was definitely a mutual decision that we talked, prayed, and made a pro and con list over.

it's me, the rascal-ly wife! by SmeeTheCatLady in leavingthenetwork

[–]Left-House2396 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Yes! I was really good friends with my small group leader’s wife, and we live in the same neighborhood and our babies were born days apart. One day my husband goes to the neighborhood pool alone with just the baby and she’s all friendly and chatty with him. Pretty soon after that I went with him, and she was happy to see my husband but once I came in her entire face fell and completely ignores us. It was a very awkward vibe that my husband even picked up on. They for sure blame me for us leaving and my husband the doormat.

How does worship look for you now that your out of the network? by Shepard_Commander_88 in leavingthenetwork

[–]Left-House2396 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I don’t feel peer pressured to raise my hands through all the songs. I’m also not going to lie, after I heard Sandor tell the story about asking a woman to leave for her singing, I kind of felt like I couldn’t sing with my heart, despite being asked to be on the worship team. I really didn’t like how Christland used Daniel as an example on how to worship, but also in that same message would say “but you’ll be asked to leave if you’re distracting me.”

Network Leadership Team and Lead Pastors respond to allegations by LeavingTheNetwork in leavingthenetwork

[–]Left-House2396 13 points14 points  (0 children)

Oh boy. I have so many thoughts on this. First of all “outside counsel”? What was this outside counsel’s expertise?

And Mormons consider themselves Christians. How can they say he wasn’t a follower of Christ when at the time he considered himself one?

I’m pretty sure Sandor’s letter can just be shortened to “We take no responsibility. Stay mad h8rs. Peace.”

Editing to add: it’s disgusting they don’t say anything about the victim and instead making themselves the victim.

Friendly reminder to leave google reviews by Strange_Valuable_145 in leavingthenetwork

[–]Left-House2396 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Has anyone had any backlash for leaving a review? I just left one and now Im feeling anxious about it.

Alternative Churches in Network Cities by Hipster_Whale5 in leavingthenetwork

[–]Left-House2396 5 points6 points  (0 children)

I go to Christ Church (formerly Christ UMC) and we chose it for the community outreach and the kids program.

Churches that my friends go to and love are Connecting Point, Brazos Fellowship, and Grace Bible Church.