Submitted by Laura1084 (not verified) on August 24, 2009 - 3:41pm.
I have been a member of a Christ following church with the G12 vision for almost 9 years now and I too can say this article depicting G12 as a "false doctrine" is false in itself. Like the other commentors, I too can say that my life was lost until I started attending this church. I first received salvation in a Baptist church and then felt a hunger for more, for the solid food of the Word, and came to this church.
I too can say that the Encounter weekend was something powerful for me and it was a life-changing experience. I can truly see that eyes from the "outside" can see things very different from those on the "inside". The Encounter, for instance, is not a "controlling" event. Obviously, new converts who attend need to be focused and free from the distractions of life to focus and draw near to Christ. This is something "suggested" in order to better their experience.
Also, when referring to Christians not being "possessed"...this is simply misunderstood in this article. The deliverance section of the encounter is for those who are possessed and oppressed by evil. This is because the Encounter is mainly for new believers but also consists of some more mature Christians who are attending to hear the Word and strenghten their faith walk. Some are brand new believers who obviously need to be set free from generational curses, addictions, etc., while others perhaps need freedom from oppression. And THIS is something MANY, many churches should be providing for their congregation. It is sad to see so many church-going christians sitting in church every sunday morning with bondages and not having any ministerial leadership who is equipt to set them free.
In all my years in this ministry, I have never seen the "control" as written in this article displayed in our church. I too have NEVER seen or heard anything in my 9 years about a "journal" that members need to write in about their whole life. There is a "Devotional" that the church motivates each member to have, which is simply a means to having a more personal relationship with the Word on a daily basis. This was also something I was never taught in other churches. I was never truly taight how to read the Word for my own, personal life and how to apply it to my life, which the Devotional does. You simply read text each day and write down what you feel the Lord spoke to your life and how to put it into action in your life.
Again, like another commentor said, every church is different...all have their strengths and weaknesses. Some are more developed than others. But there is one thing I know is true about the G12 church and its founders: they truly love Christ and long to enlarge His kingdom, which is rare to find in churches today. What I felt was twisted in this article was that the G12 Vision "replaces" God. This is extremely far from the truth. The G12 vision is simply a "strategy" to bring the lost to Christ and work with them to help them to mature in Christ. That's it. Nothing else. It's also obvious that one pastor, the senior pastor, of a church is not able to work closely with every single member of his/her church, therefore, forming a team of leaders with mature faith and life of holiness can help execute this task. As another commentor said, I too felt completely looked over and disconnected in every other church I went to previously. No one knew my name, and no one really was curious at all. No one cared if I was having struggles in my walk with the Lord or cared to SHOW me how to walk with the Lord. I, personally, read these types of articles and ask myself, "Would I be someone who was deceived/brainwashed into a cult for the past 9 years?" And then I think about my life and the expereiences I've had for these years and all I can say is that I've seen God's hand upon my life in these years; I've been led to become more intimate with Christ and His Spirit in a truly deep way. I have seen my family restored through answered prayers, my heart healed, and most important of all: I've come to initmately know Christ! I have fallen in LOVE with Christ in my time in this ministry. I have not been controlled nor have I worshiped leaders and their "vision". I have truly been formed, molded, loved, prayed for, strengthened in the faith, befriended by others, and much much more.
Derek Prince has even said that the best way for a Christian to receive deep character formation is by close fellowship with others in small, initmate group settings. This is exactly what takes place in the cell groups, among other things. I have made great, like-faith friends in this ministry and have learned the vital necessity of putting my love for God into action by sacrificing my will in order to be of blessing to others. This church has helped many to simply take their eyes off of their own needs/life and reach out to others. I truly believe that Christ would approve of the G12 vision because it was inspired by Him and is used to ultimately GLORIFY Him above all else, which should be the motive of all we do as Christians.
Is the G12 church perfect? No. Can some aspects of the church be misunderstood and seem strange to those who are not members of it or who look for errors and short-comings in it? Yes. Does the heart of the G12 church ultimately beat for God, Christ, and His children? Yes. Does it bring others to salvation, maturity, freedom and service? Yes.
I have been a member of a Christ following church with the G12 vision for almost 9 years now and I too can say this article depicting G12 as a "false doctrine" is false in itself. Like the other commentors, I too can say that my life was lost until I started attending this church. I first received salvation in a Baptist church and then felt a hunger for more, for the solid food of the Word, and came to this church.
I too can say that the Encounter weekend was something powerful for me and it was a life-changing experience. I can truly see that eyes from the "outside" can see things very different from those on the "inside". The Encounter, for instance, is not a "controlling" event. Obviously, new converts who attend need to be focused and free from the distractions of life to focus and draw near to Christ. This is something "suggested" in order to better their experience.
Also, when referring to Christians not being "possessed"...this is simply misunderstood in this article. The deliverance section of the encounter is for those who are possessed and oppressed by evil. This is because the Encounter is mainly for new believers but also consists of some more mature Christians who are attending to hear the Word and strenghten their faith walk. Some are brand new believers who obviously need to be set free from generational curses, addictions, etc., while others perhaps need freedom from oppression. And THIS is something MANY, many churches should be providing for their congregation. It is sad to see so many church-going christians sitting in church every sunday morning with bondages and not having any ministerial leadership who is equipt to set them free.
In all my years in this ministry, I have never seen the "control" as written in this article displayed in our church. I too have NEVER seen or heard anything in my 9 years about a "journal" that members need to write in about their whole life. There is a "Devotional" that the church motivates each member to have, which is simply a means to having a more personal relationship with the Word on a daily basis. This was also something I was never taught in other churches. I was never truly taight how to read the Word for my own, personal life and how to apply it to my life, which the Devotional does. You simply read text each day and write down what you feel the Lord spoke to your life and how to put it into action in your life.
Again, like another commentor said, every church is different...all have their strengths and weaknesses. Some are more developed than others. But there is one thing I know is true about the G12 church and its founders: they truly love Christ and long to enlarge His kingdom, which is rare to find in churches today. What I felt was twisted in this article was that the G12 Vision "replaces" God. This is extremely far from the truth. The G12 vision is simply a "strategy" to bring the lost to Christ and work with them to help them to mature in Christ. That's it. Nothing else. It's also obvious that one pastor, the senior pastor, of a church is not able to work closely with every single member of his/her church, therefore, forming a team of leaders with mature faith and life of holiness can help execute this task. As another commentor said, I too felt completely looked over and disconnected in every other church I went to previously. No one knew my name, and no one really was curious at all. No one cared if I was having struggles in my walk with the Lord or cared to SHOW me how to walk with the Lord. I, personally, read these types of articles and ask myself, "Would I be someone who was deceived/brainwashed into a cult for the past 9 years?" And then I think about my life and the expereiences I've had for these years and all I can say is that I've seen God's hand upon my life in these years; I've been led to become more intimate with Christ and His Spirit in a truly deep way. I have seen my family restored through answered prayers, my heart healed, and most important of all: I've come to initmately know Christ! I have fallen in LOVE with Christ in my time in this ministry. I have not been controlled nor have I worshiped leaders and their "vision". I have truly been formed, molded, loved, prayed for, strengthened in the faith, befriended by others, and much much more.
Derek Prince has even said that the best way for a Christian to receive deep character formation is by close fellowship with others in small, initmate group settings. This is exactly what takes place in the cell groups, among other things. I have made great, like-faith friends in this ministry and have learned the vital necessity of putting my love for God into action by sacrificing my will in order to be of blessing to others. This church has helped many to simply take their eyes off of their own needs/life and reach out to others. I truly believe that Christ would approve of the G12 vision because it was inspired by Him and is used to ultimately GLORIFY Him above all else, which should be the motive of all we do as Christians.
Is the G12 church perfect? No. Can some aspects of the church be misunderstood and seem strange to those who are not members of it or who look for errors and short-comings in it? Yes. Does the heart of the G12 church ultimately beat for God, Christ, and His children? Yes. Does it bring others to salvation, maturity, freedom and service? Yes.
God bless.