THE CONTROLLING ATTRIBUTES OF A CULT
Commentary by Danny Macdowell
Below are the CONTROLLING ATTRIBUTES OF A CULT. Not every point is objectionable, but in the whole, this is what it is like to be a part of a CULT. If you find yourself captive to such harsh restriction, and especially if you discover your soul over whelmed with unbearable grief-----it is time for you to seek counseling from a true Man of God. Keep in mind----the BIBLE is the ultimate authority in the church and NOT THE PASTOR. You are the TEMPLE OF GOD and the HOLY SPIRIT DWELLS IN YOU----if any man shall defile God's Temple, HIM will God destroy----for God's Temple is HOLY-----which Temple YOU ARE. This is the stern warning to those Pastors who would corrupt God's House.
1 Tim 2:5
5 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;
Below is an actual list of rules written by a well known CULT LEADER here in the U.S. This man was convicted of CHILD MOLESTATION in U.S. courts and only avoided a lengthy jail sentence because of the Judge's determination that he was too old to serve out his appointed sentence. Should God's people blindly follow after a man like this-----the answer is "only if you were to follow after this Church MANDATE". We are compelled to be knowledgeable in the Word of God and to hold those responsible who corrupt the Church. If this had been done in this particular congregation, those young girls would have retained their innocence.
Tom Jolly
Tom Jolly, a former leader in the G.A.C. movement in St Louis Missouri. He was an associate of Lloyd Goodman and a follower of William Sowders.
1. Attend all church services.
2. Take part in all church activities because they provide experience and training for your future work.
3. Contribute to the financial burden of the church.
4. Bear your part of the spiritual burden in worship services, church activities such as choir, ushering, bible school, visitation, church maintenance, and etc.
5. Avail yourself of every opportunity to get experience in ushering, offerings, praying with people at the altar, conducting funerals, and visiting the sick and shut-ins.
6. Make yourself an example of humbleness and obedience.
7. Your life should be above reproach and your reputation should rate very high in the local church as well as "The Body".
8. If you are gifted with a talent, you should use it and never feel too important to fill any place you are called to fill.
9. Laymen should not promote new doctrines, methods, or systems of operating a church. The pastor will introduce new doctrines, methods and ideas.
10. A good layman does not have all the answers but depends upon the pastor to constantly give him direction.
11. A good layman is a keen observer and reporter. He keeps the pastor informed about any conversation or information that would be helpful to the pastor in diverting trouble in the church.
12. A keen observer is a profitable person, but this does not mean that he should be nosing in people's affairs.
13. The layman should not hold any type of fellowship gatherings, socials, or other activities such as dinners, outings, etc. This would tend to give laymen influence over one another outside the jurisdiction of the pastor.
14. The laymen should not hold bible discussions with groups of people in the church. It is never wise to fill the role of bible teacher unless the pastor has given you this authority. "You need that another teach you".
15. A good layman is a "lover of the saints." He must not cater to any age group or class group.
16. A layman cannot be independent of other workers in the church. Recognize all of the student ministers and workers in their place.
17. Don't think more highly of yourself than you should.
18. Love, honor, respect, recognize, support and cooperate with your pastor.
19. Start no projects.
20. Assign no responsibilities to others.
21. Do not look for improvements in the system, but be an admirer of the order in which the church was planted.
22. When you are in charge of a service, never try to contrast your meetings with the rigid teachings of the pastor when he is there. If the service is lively, you should always remind the people that the "rain follows the planting of the seed by the minister." Never take credit to yourself. Give God the glory and the pastor the honor due him.
23. When you are in charge of a service, never call for special services such as dedication services for families, children, groups, activities or bible school.
24. Give no advise. Counsel with no one. You are to handle the simplest of needs and this only in case of an emergency, and only if you have been authorized to do so. Always ask yourself, "Should I answer this question?" "Does this decision have to be made before the pastor returns?"
25. A doctor can prescribe medicine, but laymen can only offer a glass of water.
26. If you are qualified to handle serious problems you should apply for the place of a pastor.
27. Keep the words and messages of the pastor alive. Do not try to be original.
28. Never talk longer, louder, or more authoritatively than the pastor.
29. You should never have a different judgment on any issue than the pastor. You should know your pastor's attitudes and methods of working and then support them.
30. Study your pastor. What are his methods of working in a service, with individuals, and different categories of people?
31. Never show any more mercy or tolerance to people than your pastor shows. If you do you will draw people to you and away from the pastor, and thereby work iniquity.
32. Never assign responsibilities, delegate authority, or change personnel in the church.
33. No one has the authority to make purchases for the church without authorization from the pastor.
34. If you have been given a responsibility by the pastor, fulfill it to the best of your ability in the manner he directs you.
35. If the pastor sees fit to make a change in personnel of the church, methods or systems, it is your responsibility to support him.
36. Never challenge the authority, knowledge, or experience of the pastor. The Lord will take care of any deficiency on the part of the minister.
37. "Touch not thine anointed" "Do my prophets no harm" These bible quotations are referring to ministers.
38. Your wife is your help meet and has no voice in the affairs of the church. The man is the head of the woman, and the woman "ain't the head of nothing".
39. You should never be a part of a dissension group within the church. You will render your life useless. Never be a party to gossip, discontent, or confusion in the church.
40. Do not loan money to other saints. Do not borrow money from the saints. (Please note that all church members are referred to as saints)
41. If you are a business man, do not feel the saints are obligated to patronize your business.
42. Do not make a merchandise mart out of the church. Never sell items on the church property.
43. Be open minded on the ministry. Permit them to help you.
44. Your attitude, words and actions reflect your heart.
45. When you counsel with the pastor, keep his words confidential. Do not use the pastor's name like a rubber stamp.
46. Protect your pastor. Don't use his title for job applications and references.
47. Respect your pastor. Be considerate of his time.
48. Help your pastor. Willingly perform all duties he assigns.
49. Make yourself available to the pastor. Don't wait for him to come to you and ask you for help, but go to him and offer your time and talents to him to direct.
50. What do you owe your pastor?
51. Keep your pastor informed about your contacts with saints. Good reports are welcomed and needed by the pastor. Evil reports are also needed. Never harbor, or be an accomplice in a crime. Don't assume the pastor knows. Tell him.
52. Respect the pastor's authority and responsibilities. Don't challenge his right to tell you what to do or to pass judgment on what you have done.
53. Express your ideas before a decision is reached, but not afterwards. When you interfere with the pastor's authority, even passively, you interfere with his ability to handle his responsibility. He is responsible, not you.
54. Don't go around your minister. Don't cover a mistake to keep him from finding out who should receive correction for a fault. If someone deserves credit the minister should be informed so he can give it. Do not try to claim success others have earned.
55. Watch the pastor's timing. Learn his schedule so that you don't interfere with the necessities of his schedule. Call before you come to talk to him. Let him set the appointment according to his schedule, not yours.
56. See the minister when he likes to be seen. Don't stay too long. Many others are waiting for the opportunity you have now.
57. Find out how your minister likes to be contacted. Some prefer that you call before you come. Some like for you to transact your business by phone. Some prefer to have a portion of your visit in writing --- dreams, etc.
58. Know what you want to talk about before you call or come to see your pastor. Make an outline or check list of things you need to discuss.
59. When you have stated your cause, do not repeat it a second and third time. He hears you the first time.
60. When you ask the pastor a question, allow him enough time to answer it. Don't keep talking until you have asked a dozen questions, and then expect him to remember them.
61. Don't try to second guess what the pastor means by what he says, an expression on his face, or an action because you could be wrong.
62. Keep the pastor informed. See to it that you give facts exactly as you know them. Be ready to use names when you submit a complaint about the saints.
63. Hide nothing from the pastor either good or bad.
64. Be a friend to all of God's people.
65. Be an example in thought, word, deed, dress, appearance, manners, and conduct.
66. If your pastor assigns you a responsibility, first find out exactly what he expects of you. Then proceed to fulfill this responsibility to the letter. Remember, you represent him and his vision.
67. Never act independently of the pastor. Respect his advice.
68. Never challenge your pastor either privately or publicly. If you disagree with him on an issue, you owe it to yourself and him to discuss it with an open mind. Give him a chance to help you.
69. A minister is God's representative, God's messenger, God's interpreter of the bible and a demonstrator of God's methods.
70. Deep spirituality should be evident on the minister's countenance. He won't have a high and haughty heart.
71. Speak with humility because a minister is God's mouthpiece.
72. Have a high regard for the position of a minister.
73. Do not demonstrate self, but stand as an humble servant of God.
74. An attitude of belligerence has no place in the heart of a man preparing for the ministry.
75. Be cautious about instructing the congregation in such requests as having them stand or say, "Amen".
76. Never call a dedication service or direct a service in a manner differently than your pastor would direct it.
77. Don't request people to fulfill positions your pastor does not such as testifying, singing specials, or sitting on the platform.
78. Order the service as nearly like your pastor does as possible.
79. Be faithful, consistent, and dependable in attending services.
80. When the pastor asks you to speak, pray or fulfill any function during a service. Be quick to respond. Do not make it necessary for him to call people by name to get them to speak.
81. When a prayer service begins, just as soon as the minister moves toward the front, you should move to the front with him. Don’t wait for him to ask you to move.
82. Ask yourself if you share the work load of keeping the property well maintained and clean; if you come on a regular basis and help or do you leave it up to others to take care of the work. Have you ever cleaned or painted the church? Have you ever mowed the lawn or taught a class?
