Never gave this much thought until today. The lead pastor thinks people are dumb and will stand at the front of the church and make this known…. Imagine what is said behind closed doors.
Unfortunately, I can confirm that as an Overseer/non staff DC Pastor, I participated in regular closed door sessions where we systematically talked about individuals. For those people who were deemed as a threat to the church, were asking questions, or were deemed as “extra grace required”, we talked about ways to limit their influence even up to the point of asking some to leave. I am so sorry for participating in such despicable behavior.
I’m sorry you’re at this crossroad. I was there in 2021 and it took me over 6 months of praying and weighing the outcomes. I had never been apart of a church like this before and felt that I had made such deep friendships. Turned out some of those were, but most weren’t. Even as I began to distance myself and family a bit I could feel the friendships crumble.
Jacob, I don’t know who you are, but as I was needing more in depth Bible teaching I searched online and found this church out in Ontario, Oregon. This pastor teaches from the Bible chapter by chapter verse by verse. His wife also has great resources of Bible studies for women. I ordered one of her studies for a few women here and we are almost done with that study through the book of Colossians. It has been so helpful fixing our eyes back on Jesus and finding our stability in God. I will send you the link. I’m not sure how far away this church is from Boise, but this pastor may have some good recommendations for churches out there.
Thank you for sharing! I appreciate the recommendation and I will check out this church as it is about an hour away and might be worth checking out one Sunday.
This is one of the sad parts as you point out Tony. They sit in positions of power, blame everything on one person (me), but hide behind a false humility by refusing to engage in any conversation with anyone outside their inward focused group. It’s easy throw out “prophecies” behind closed doors to your followers. But how about a response in engagement for all those who are hurting? They say that the Bible calls them to turn the other cheek as a defense for not responding to the a public call to action signed by over 600 people/19 former leaders, noted Christian leaders like Dr. Tracy, and stories written by 27 people. But what does the Bible say about taking care of those in need? What does the Bible say about when multiple witnesses call them to account? To turn the other cheek in this situation rather than responding is only heaping more abuse upon people. We plead with the leaders to stop, reflect, pray and please engage. If you are angry at me, fine, don’t engage with me. I will step aside. But at least engage with the many others crying for help. Surely an independent group could help reconcile.
Whenever the website was discussed at Joshua Church, it was an “attack from the evil one”. These people here on Reddit were a few disgruntled ex-members and they only wanted to try and tear down, plus they were completely anonymous and not interested in having a discussion with anyone from The Network. That was the story told within JC and likely everywhere else.
Note: I’ve wanted to ask about the following for a while now. This thread seems like a good place for it. It it takes away from the OP, please let me know.
I wish I could say I was 100% sure in this, but I think it was Brian that read it. I remember the overseers I spent a majority of time around talked like it was so profound what Brian had wrote. They said it wrecked them all when he read it privately to them and Steve. The hype was so much that when he read it to the church, I didn’t really get how they thought it was so inspiring.
To anyone that thinks, “Nah, that wouldn’t happen to me.” That is the exact thought a lot of us had, it did and unfortunately, unless you are contributing to their church (not just the Big C), you are useless to them.
I can’t speak for Death Valley as it is at the top of my list, but Canyonlands is great. The Western US parks are out of this world. Nice thing about Moab is you can visit Arches and Canyonlands within the same trip.
Eh, I felt I was failing as a dad and husband, my best friend had been killed, I left a job I liked for one that was or should have been more stable but mind numbing, I worked two jobs, and I fell into a deep depression. A very, very deep dark depression. Naturally the church handled it the way a big machine handles things like that that don’t fall back into line. It is what it is. I’ve had every accusation thrown my way, and my kids mom is very happily remarried… and I feel she deserves nothing but the best. As far as the rest I’ve had every accusation thrown at me.
I’m really sorry this is how you were treated and cast out. The way you are speaking about it here sounds like you’ve seen the grace of God (even though it wasn’t modeled by these leaders) and you’ve extended that to these leaders in The Network. Even though you weren’t worthy from their perspective.
That’s very kind of you to say. Thank you. Initially it was very shocking. Hearing about the church being a safe place for so many broken people but then here I am… the lost cause. I sought medical help because it really bothered me hearing the words “handed over to Satan”. My life could be movie worthy, but Jesus said to love everyone so if I did nothing else right I wanted to do that. From there life began to look up, and it’s made a world of difference.
And we will still struggle and sin unfortunately, we will always be broken in the world, but Jesus came for everyone. He was for you now and he was for you then. The church isn’t just for the “perfect” or “people that have it all together” (also, they don’t have it all together, they have their blind spots and idols as well).
the entrance names may be different than what I'm calling them. the entrance on the east side has a tunnel with a beautiful view upon exit from the tunnel. you will not get the same experience entering the park from the south side or driving through the tunnel the opposite direction. first impressions are important, the east entrance will give you the best firat impression...you won't regret it.
I’m so sorry to hear about your sports injury. I think so, there are plenty of walking paths (paved and unpaved) that will let you get outside and enjoy the sights.
Curious if you’re familiar enough with the area to know what it will be like in a few weeks? I’ll be in Zion & Bryce 3/10-3/14 and have been wondering how much snow/sub-freezing temps to plan for.
Since Bryce is 8000 ft of elevation I would still plan on snow and temps between 15-40 degrees on average depending on if you are out there as the sun is rising or midday. Zion is much warmer, but you are in a canyon with the sun only providing so many rays during a day. I doubt snow will be an issue in Zion as temps will likely range from 35-50.
Never gave this much thought until today. The lead pastor thinks people are dumb and will stand at the front of the church and make this known…. Imagine what is said behind closed doors.
Unfortunately, I can confirm that as an Overseer/non staff DC Pastor, I participated in regular closed door sessions where we systematically talked about individuals. For those people who were deemed as a threat to the church, were asking questions, or were deemed as “extra grace required”, we talked about ways to limit their influence even up to the point of asking some to leave. I am so sorry for participating in such despicable behavior.
Appreciate the thoughtful response!
That video looks like Michael Scott made it
I’m sorry you’re at this crossroad. I was there in 2021 and it took me over 6 months of praying and weighing the outcomes. I had never been apart of a church like this before and felt that I had made such deep friendships. Turned out some of those were, but most weren’t. Even as I began to distance myself and family a bit I could feel the friendships crumble.
This was one of the biggest red flags for me as we started to put 2 + 2 together about The Network.
Jeremy Hill
I watched a worker just cough into his hands the other day and keep preparing the samples… haven’t grabbed samples since I was a kid 😂
What altcoin is the largest percentage of your portfolio?
ETH and it isn’t even close
Jacob, I don’t know who you are, but as I was needing more in depth Bible teaching I searched online and found this church out in Ontario, Oregon. This pastor teaches from the Bible chapter by chapter verse by verse. His wife also has great resources of Bible studies for women. I ordered one of her studies for a few women here and we are almost done with that study through the book of Colossians. It has been so helpful fixing our eyes back on Jesus and finding our stability in God. I will send you the link. I’m not sure how far away this church is from Boise, but this pastor may have some good recommendations for churches out there.
Thank you for sharing! I appreciate the recommendation and I will check out this church as it is about an hour away and might be worth checking out one Sunday.
Miss you guys 💛❤️🫂
Miss you too! Come visit the 🏔️⛰️🌄
Huckleberry Food Truck 🔥
Great video of the gorgeous mountains in Hot Springs National Park… please everyone go there this summer 😎
This is one of the sad parts as you point out Tony. They sit in positions of power, blame everything on one person (me), but hide behind a false humility by refusing to engage in any conversation with anyone outside their inward focused group. It’s easy throw out “prophecies” behind closed doors to your followers. But how about a response in engagement for all those who are hurting? They say that the Bible calls them to turn the other cheek as a defense for not responding to the a public call to action signed by over 600 people/19 former leaders, noted Christian leaders like Dr. Tracy, and stories written by 27 people. But what does the Bible say about taking care of those in need? What does the Bible say about when multiple witnesses call them to account? To turn the other cheek in this situation rather than responding is only heaping more abuse upon people. We plead with the leaders to stop, reflect, pray and please engage. If you are angry at me, fine, don’t engage with me. I will step aside. But at least engage with the many others crying for help. Surely an independent group could help reconcile.
Whenever the website was discussed at Joshua Church, it was an “attack from the evil one”. These people here on Reddit were a few disgruntled ex-members and they only wanted to try and tear down, plus they were completely anonymous and not interested in having a discussion with anyone from The Network. That was the story told within JC and likely everywhere else.
Note: I’ve wanted to ask about the following for a while now. This thread seems like a good place for it. It it takes away from the OP, please let me know.
I wish I could say I was 100% sure in this, but I think it was Brian that read it. I remember the overseers I spent a majority of time around talked like it was so profound what Brian had wrote. They said it wrecked them all when he read it privately to them and Steve. The hype was so much that when he read it to the church, I didn’t really get how they thought it was so inspiring.
Ask your friends and leaders at JC if they’ve blocked, unfriended, or unfollowed any of their friends after they’ve changed churches.
To anyone that thinks, “Nah, that wouldn’t happen to me.” That is the exact thought a lot of us had, it did and unfortunately, unless you are contributing to their church (not just the Big C), you are useless to them.
How would you compare Canyonlands to other western US parks? Debating between this and Death Valley
I can’t speak for Death Valley as it is at the top of my list, but Canyonlands is great. The Western US parks are out of this world. Nice thing about Moab is you can visit Arches and Canyonlands within the same trip.
I attended Judah Smith’s Church Home in Seattle before moving to Austin, TX and finding Joshua Church. I’m on a hot streak 🥴
Eh, I felt I was failing as a dad and husband, my best friend had been killed, I left a job I liked for one that was or should have been more stable but mind numbing, I worked two jobs, and I fell into a deep depression. A very, very deep dark depression. Naturally the church handled it the way a big machine handles things like that that don’t fall back into line. It is what it is. I’ve had every accusation thrown my way, and my kids mom is very happily remarried… and I feel she deserves nothing but the best. As far as the rest I’ve had every accusation thrown at me.
I’m really sorry this is how you were treated and cast out. The way you are speaking about it here sounds like you’ve seen the grace of God (even though it wasn’t modeled by these leaders) and you’ve extended that to these leaders in The Network. Even though you weren’t worthy from their perspective.
That’s very kind of you to say. Thank you. Initially it was very shocking. Hearing about the church being a safe place for so many broken people but then here I am… the lost cause. I sought medical help because it really bothered me hearing the words “handed over to Satan”. My life could be movie worthy, but Jesus said to love everyone so if I did nothing else right I wanted to do that. From there life began to look up, and it’s made a world of difference.
And we will still struggle and sin unfortunately, we will always be broken in the world, but Jesus came for everyone. He was for you now and he was for you then. The church isn’t just for the “perfect” or “people that have it all together” (also, they don’t have it all together, they have their blind spots and idols as well).
Love the way you use the arch to frame the (first) picture.
Thank you so much!
the entrance names may be different than what I'm calling them. the entrance on the east side has a tunnel with a beautiful view upon exit from the tunnel. you will not get the same experience entering the park from the south side or driving through the tunnel the opposite direction. first impressions are important, the east entrance will give you the best firat impression...you won't regret it.
Could not agree more!! Did it the south the first time and East the second visit. Way more impressive!
where was the first shot taken from? It's gorgeous
Canyonlands - That is the Shafer Road that you see dropping into the canyon.
It’s so funny to me just how little justice a photograph provides. And these are good pics!
1000% agree!! Photos just don’t do these places justice
Keep up the DCA - I keep buying BTC, ETH, with a sprinkle of MATIC
How'd you get this photo when photos from the bridge are illegal?
Question for you: I love Zion and haven’t been there in 20 years. I have a reservation at the Lodge in March.
I’m so sorry to hear about your sports injury. I think so, there are plenty of walking paths (paved and unpaved) that will let you get outside and enjoy the sights.
Curious if you’re familiar enough with the area to know what it will be like in a few weeks? I’ll be in Zion & Bryce 3/10-3/14 and have been wondering how much snow/sub-freezing temps to plan for.
Since Bryce is 8000 ft of elevation I would still plan on snow and temps between 15-40 degrees on average depending on if you are out there as the sun is rising or midday. Zion is much warmer, but you are in a canyon with the sun only providing so many rays during a day. I doubt snow will be an issue in Zion as temps will likely range from 35-50.
Do they shovel the walking paths?
Walking paths they did, the trails have snow compact and ice so I would advise micro spikes