Since my article "Covenant Community: A failed promise" was picked up by Cultic Studies Journal several people have asked whether I thought that covenant communities such as People of Praise, The Word of God, Alleluia!, Sword of the Spirit, etc. are cults. Even though there seem to be 'cultish' aspects to them, I doubt that they are. Members are free to read the papers, go to the church of their choice, vote Republican or Democrat, work for secular firms, and join Rotary or Kiwanis. There is no physical restraint.
The restraints are spiritual. Members fear spiritual consequences if they leave -- loss of faith, falling into the hand of the devil, the moral corruption of their children, and so on. (And many legitimately fear the loss of friendships if they leave.)
The problem is not that these communities are cults but that they are founded on a heresy, specifically an ecclesiological heresy. I don't say that they teach heresy. Because these communities don't teach any Christian doctrine, they don't explicitly teach anything heretical. What they do teach, however, is based on a false understanding of the Church, the people of God. In fact their failure to teach any doctrine, heretical or orthodox, is one sign of the underlying heresy.
What is this heresy? The covenant communities falsely believe that the people of God, the Body of Christ, is constituted by the decisions of individuals to join into a 'fellowhip of the perfect'. They do not claim, of course, that members are perfect, but they do believe that Christian perfection—holiness—is achieved by living fully the life of the community under the direction of charismatic leaders, leaders whose authority flows not from ordination but from their own gifts (See Steve Clark's book Unordained Elders and Renewal Communities).
We see this manifested in a variety of ways. Steve Clark once stated (in writing) that members of the community can be holy only to the extent that their leaders are holy. The Word of God in Ann Arbor was named so because they believed that their community was to a just that—God's word spoken to the state of Michigan and to the whole Church. Paul DeCelles, overall coordinator of the People of Praise, said in 1984, in response to the questions 'who are we and what is our work?': "We are the People of God. Our work is to renew the face of the earth." These are claims only the Church can make. In his community's publication The Vine and the Branches, he once explained that he did not want the oversight of the local bishop, because it would not be helpful to have an "outside organization" involved in the life of the community. The Church is an "outside organization"?
So the fundamental problem with these covenant communities is not that they are cults but that they are heretical.
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29 comments:
I think that's a great definition. Was my covenant community (Lamb of God) an out-and-out cult? No. But it definitely had hallmarks of cult-like activity, especially spiritual. And there was plenty of groupthink going on in non-community affairs, especially politics.
Steve Clark . . . #shudder# I never met the guy. I hope I never do.
Lamb of God is familiar. I used to know who the head coordinator was and I may even have seen of met him. My impression had been that they were a pretty good group. I'm sorry (but not too surprised) to learn that they aren't much different.
There is a lot of group-think in these organizations. In 1992 Marie and I were talking with a woman in Steubenville--former member of that community--who intended to vote for Clinton just to protest against the community's political group-think!
I agree with Adrian that the problem is that, for Catholics, the problem is heresy. For Protestants, this is course would be an open question based on their denominational ecclesiology and faith tenets.
While many or most of these groups are not cults in the classic sense, there is a somewhat similar affect on the individual. Fear, anxiety, inability to make personal decisions,over-emphasis on submission to the leadership of the group, excessive subordinate role of women, secrecy about some teachings (reserved for those who have reached a 'higher'degree of perfection), secrecy about community finances, etc.
We have also noted that it is difficult for people to leave, however, unlike in a classic cult situation, your life or physical well being is not jeopardized as with some more classic cults. Everyone is usually free to leave. The barriers are in one's own mind.
I would like to recommend a book to anyone interested in this whole question. The book is by Father James J. LeBar and called "Cults, Sects, and the New Age". It was published by Our Sunday Visitor in 1989. Father LeBar has a section on the Shepherding and Discipliship Movement with a brief section on the Sword of the Spirit and the Lamb of God Community. In Appendix VII of the book, there is a letter from Johannes Cardinal Willebrands, who at that time was the President of Secretariat for Christian Unity. The letter is to Archbishop Peter Gerety, Archbishop of Newark, NJ. The letter is an explanation of the proper relationship of Catholic people who are members of non-Catholic organizations to their bishops.
I think that part of the dynamic that makes the effects on individuals similar to those of the more classic cult is that there is usually a charismatic leader or leaders who, through their ability to connect with people, gain their trust and admiration. In religious cults (their are other ones, too), this person is usually seen as the messenger of God, a saint or some other more highly spiritually evolved being who has a clearer understanding of the truth and God's will. The charismatic leader often has new revelations that God is sharing only with this person for the purpose of enlightening those priveleged enough to be part of "what God is doing now". Failure to listen and obey could put one's very immortal soul in jeopardy. In other words, God gets pulled into it and God is then used as the hammer to keep people in line.
Adrian has given me permission to share this experience of his as, I think, it makes my point.
Adrian was at one point (among many) having a difficult time with the appointment of new coordinators in the community. He was placed under one of the new coordinators, a Lutheran. It was strongly "encouraged" that one be in "full life submission" to the person placed over you (your "head"). Adrian asked his new "head" why he hadn't also been chosen to be a coordinator as he had been a good and faithful member of some time. His head responded: "It isn't us that have rejected you, Adrian, it's God who has rejected you." Pretty powerful stuff.
It should also be noted that, for a Catholic, full life submission to a Protestant is part of the ecclesiological heresy.
Anyway, the covenant community may not be a cult, in the classic sense, but the effects on the individual are similar. This is much like the similar effects of eating bad Mexican food and having an intestinal virus. Same outcome, different cause.
Marie
Well, Marie and Adrian, this sure is pretty "powerful stuff" as you say--and so full of error I would not know where to begin. What an incredibly harmful thing to say. I would imagine that it was at this point that you began to question the validity of "headship" and the pastoral structure of POP (if not before). Would you care to comment?
Actually, this comment did not play a big role in weakening the POP hold on me. It had to do with humility. I was perfectly aware that I had weaknesses. I believed that I was not ready to be a leader.
What is truly humiliating -- something I still find embarrassing -- is that for so long I accepted such men as our community leaders as teachers, that I believed they had wisdom to give me. Now I can see that they really did not have any particular religious wisdom. In many ways, they were poorly formed. All along I had a sounder understanding of the faith. But I followed them. believing that God really had chosen them to lead the people of God in this area.
Perhaps I should do a post in a couple of days on what it was that actually drove me out of the People of Praise.
(Note that I say "I" and "me". Marie smelled the corruption long before I did.)
Mr./Mrs./Miss "I",
Care to give any specifics and not just a whitewash of what Adrian had to say? You said you didn't know where to start. Well, find someplace; there's plenty of room here.
Meanwhile, I concur with Adrian; The covenant communities were definitely in error with their teachings. I still remember Dave Nodar in 1991 having a hissyfit at a Lamb of God community gathering at which he said, "Let the leaders lead" (translation: "Don't question us"). And I, like a dummy, praised him for it in a letter. A few months later, when I'd had enough of LOG, I retracted that letter.
Actually, Cygnus, I am agreeing with what Adrian was saying. The "harmful" thing that was said was to Adrian by his "head". "God is rejecting you?????" I can see in rereading that my post could have been misinterpreted. Sorry.
In response to "I", I (not in quotes, but my personal self) put up a post on this site with what it was that led me out of POP. My "head" comment about God's rejecting me was not one of the immediate causes of my leaving. Perhaps I should be ashamed of that (rather as Cygnus is ashamed of his letter supporting Nodar). Clearly it was an arrogant and false thing to say.
These groups are destructive, in part because they subvert our rightful freedom as God's children.
In response to "I", I (not in quotes, but my personal self) put up a post on this site with what it was that led me out of POP. My "head" comment about God's rejecting me was not one of the immediate causes of my leaving. Perhaps I should be ashamed of that (rather as Cygnus is ashamed of his letter supporting Nodar). Clearly it was an arrogant and false thing to say.
These groups are destructive, in part because they subvert our rightful freedom as God's children.
Adrian, I have a different take on the challenge of being Catholic in a covenant community. There are some members for whom the community is experienced as their church. Their experience of the Catholic Church was so empty that the experience of community was so much more spiritually effective that for all practical purposes church=community. But that is not true for many members such as myself. My involvement in covenant community was a major factor in becoming a Catholic 35 years ago. I love the Church and see my community involvement as one among many ways in which I live out my Catholic faith. It is an expression of the 'spiritual ecumenism' that Cardinal Kasper writes about. I relate respectfully, but not blindly, to my leaders. The community doesn't tell me that it is the Body of Christ. It tells me that we are one local expression of the Body of Christ, but then so is my parish and Archdiocese. But in reality, we are a group of clergy and laity who have joined together for several specific purposes. I am involved in a number of groups where clergy and laity have joined together for specific purposes. Each of them is an expression of the Body of Christ.
Of course they are not all the same, not all in the same relationship with the Catholic Church, not all eucharistic, not all directly connected to the hierarchy, but unless we are claiming to be the fullness of the Body of Christ (which we are not), none of these groups are a problem.
All of the above is only addressing your concern about the ecclesiology issue.
I fully grant you that many people have had a very negative experience of covenant community and for some of them it was so bad that they lost their faith in God or in the Church. This does not automatically invalidate the covenant community movement just as the clergy sex abuse crisis which has produced exactly the same results in some people doesn't invalidate the Catholic Church. But it is tragic nevertheless.
Colin LaVergne
People of Praise member
and sometimes internal critic
Minneapolis
i met stephen b clark in 1976 & hie little trick was to remember everyone's name. he's a little guy, like nodar, somekind of napoleon complex or something
got ahold of them both as they are major control freaks. btw LOG was a cult. belonging led to becoming and colored all of conscoiusness, or, as my friend michael miller used to put it when you walked down the steps into the basement of st joe's parish hall in texas, md in the late 70~~~Walk Down Those Steps And It's A Whole Different World !!!~~~there are many, many strange and horribly twisted tales of those who thought themselves leaders or wounded followers. we were stupid spiritually, for there is no spiritual authority, and SPIRITUALLY and CONTROL have no relationship. truth is a pathless land, and LOG turned the razors edge walk of the polgrim into a lighted stroll down a well worn path. the destruction these two spiritual idiots caused taught all who even touched their handiwork~~~how NOT to live. in essence my experience in the log taught me the ways of the world.
at best? just negation. definately NOT the Way.
This in response to Colin: I must disagree. Although Colin may never have heard the claim that the POP was the Body of Christ, I did. In late spring of 1984, during a special set of meetings on the community's direction, Overall Coordinator, Paul DeCelles stated: "We are the Body of Christ. Our mission is to renew the face of the earth." The covenant of the POP is that members agree find within the community "the essential core of out life in the Spirit." These are strong ecclesial claims.
I provide further support for this position in my Not Reliable Guides, at http://nd.edu/~areimers/Reliable.pdf.prn
To my mind, most of the other problems people have had in POP flow from the flawed leadership implicit in a false conception of Church.
So, sorry, Colin, but I disagree.
ok, so I know this is a long shot this this was posted so long ago, but does anyone know about the Lamb of God in Maryland durring the 80's? I don't know if we're tlaking about the same lamb of God. If anyone knows anything about it or where I could find something about it please help, thanks!
Anonymous,
Get in touch with Cygnus who is a regular here as he was in Lamb of God.
To "anonymous:
Cygnus has a comment on the very topmost post in this blog, and his comment is linked to his own blog, which tells a lot about Lamb of God. So you might check that out.
I came upon this blog after searching the internet on some info about The Sword of the Spirit as a cult. My parents were covenant members of the Work of Christ in East Lansing for a number of years, which is a satellite group of Sword of the Spirit. In fact, they met as a part of University Christian Outreach, the campus group for Sword of the Spirit. In typical 'women are subservient to men' style, my mother was pressured into marrying my dad, and although I'm happy that they were married (I'm alive today as a result) to me that situation represents just one of many ways in which that covenant community acted in a cult-like manner.
Similar to how Adrian describes the pressure to believe things happened because God didn't want them to or how he wasn't chosen by God, the Work of Christ repeatedly told people how to live their lives, in very specific ways, because it was "God's will" for them. It was for this reason my mother left college early and did not finish her education. Each family had a pastor who made spiritual and other decisions about the family with the husband...imagine being a wife and not having a say in matters that concern your family while another man has been given authority to do so? You'd think that she would have done something about it, except that everything was being fed to her as "God's will". And when you're in a community of people that you trust and have been placed on a pedestal of authority and insight to "God's will", who might even "prophecy", it's a little bit more difficult to disagree or believe otherwise. She did finally disagree and do otherwise, and she and my father both left the group in 1993 and 1995, respectively.
This kind of community is harmful because although my mom's physical well-being was never compromised, her spiritual and emotion well-being were thrown down the toilet. The WoC required members to donate time and money, so my family gave more and more each time they asked. Was it to help the poor? The needy? The sick? No, it was for the "community". The teaching's were a load of crap too- the leaders were given leadership by God and no one else could contradict them. Rules were made, such as women had to wear dresses or skirts (my mother had just given birth when that one came out), certain foods were restricted (at one point we didn't have any sugar in our house), my family was required to request and seek approval for any absence from the community, even if it was for vacation or a family visit. My mom even missed her father's funeral- craziness! Like many covenant communites, the WoC replaced God with itself- the community became more important that God. Loving the community became more important that loving one's family, and responsibility was for the community, even if it meant long hours away from ones family. Such was the case with my father...in order to run the yearly summer camp, he spend hours and hours away from my family, all because it was his "duty".
The definition of a Christian becomes skewed as well. After my parents left (literally and figuratively, since the WoC required members to "cluster" and my parents bought a house they could not afford because it was required and took in young singles to create a "household"), I fished some papers out of the trash that they had thrown away. I was curious...after all, much of this I had only heard. At that point I knew what I had experienced, such as not being allowed to have hardly any friends outside the community, being made to wear skirts instead of pants on certain occasions, being separated from boys on many occasion, including for different worship times (even at a young age), having instilled in me the idea that times reserved for the community, especially worship, was of utmost importance. This held even if I was sick with the flu and running a fever (perhaps it was for my own good...not being able to pray aloud in tongues with the other members while certain people prophesied and were slain in the spirit just that one time would have had an averse affect on my spiritual life and relationship with God no doubt, even if I was just youngster and a wee too sick to pay attention).
So when I knew my parents were throwing away old manuals and papers I went dumpster-diving. One of the pamphlets that I remember the most was written the neighbor family's dad, and it was for men on the topic of "How to Know You're Being a Good Christian". Inside were different categories, and included ridiculous things like remembering to bring one's pencil and paper to bible meetings, being on time to worship. Other things were more serious, such as making sure that one gave the appropriate amount of money to the community, that one controlled one's wife, that one rebuked her with scripture if she challenged one's authority, that one controlled one's children, etc.
I think being a "good" Christian is acknowledging that I'm a sinner and accepting Christ's suffering and death on the Christ as payment for my sins. By doing this my relationship with God is righted and I am free to love Him as his child and the Holy Spirit lives in me and helps me grow. One of the things that strikes me most about covenant communities is that many times they are so inward focused that they don't reach out. Obviously they want to recruit new tithers and bring more people into their "elevated knowledge" of God (or rather, the leader's special knowledge since they are typically the ones with special gifts like prophecy and withhold certain information from the general community). Yet I found that they community was a very closed knit group and did not share itself with anyone else. The great commission wasn't about forming special communities that are so "special" that one must make a covenant to join, and while I understand that we must love each other and have Christian fellowship to grow covenant communities often take this idea to the extreme and close themselves off from the world.
The issues were not just related to my parents, however, as there was a mass exodus of those in the communities around the time my parents left. Some had left before, and I remember my mom's regret at treating some of those that had left before her as she was treated when she left, with disgust, disapproval, and an accusation that they were no longer following the will of God. Because they had broken their covenant, they were sinners. In fact, my older sister was in the 5th grade when my mother left, and her best friend told her that my family would be outside of God's protection should we leave the Work of Christ. Whhaaaatttt??? Chances are she overheard or was told that by her parents, and it is the very mind-set that makes covenant communities so dangerous...if you're in you're under the protection and blessing of God. If not, then God save you from breaking your vow.
One last thought...the old leader of the Work of Christ in the 80's, Greg, lost his license for practicing psychology in the state of Michigan after he was taken to court for abusing some of the women he counseled. Many of these women were a part of the "single-women" households held up by the community for those who were "called" to lead lives of singleness...that is before the community leaders decided to marry them off. Seeing the rottenness that was growing in this particular leader's life, I am curious to know what other "rotten" things went on behind closed doors. All shall be revealed on judgment day, no doubt.
Where the heck is the guide book-thanks for your post. So similar to life in Alleluia! Helps one to keep realizing that it really did happen and was not just me who imagined it that way. There really ARE misguided people out there leading others down a primrose path. I was one of the misguided ones. But some who were leading me, I believe, were not misguided. They knew exactly what they were doing. They seemed very concerned with attracting and keeping community members with a dependable paycheck coming in and/or who would have clout in the community (thus giving the community a good image by association). More later...
This in response to "Where-the-Heck...":
I am familiar with Work of Christ. In fact I remember meeting a young couple about 15 years ago who told my wife and me about their arranged marriage and coping with the facts that (1) they were now married and intended (as good Catholics) to remain so, and (2) left to their own devices, they would never have married, never having been in love.
I remember hearing from a WoC leader about their 'smart' approach to campus evangelization (at MSU). Basically it involved deceptively representing themselves as simply doing a sociological survey on religious attitudes.
I checked out your own blog. It looks as though you are getting on well with your life. Good for you! Auguri!
I think People of Praise is best recognized as a cult. I don’t think the criteria of freedom to read the newspaper, freedom of political views, etc. and the lack of physical restraint are significant enough to conclude that the POP is not a cult. If these criteria are sufficient, than many groups such as Scientology and other notorious groups could not be identified as cults. The ICSA (International Cultic Studies Association) offers the following definition of a cult:
“A group or movement exhibiting a great or excessive devotion or dedication to some person, idea, or thing and employing unethically manipulative techniques of persuasion and control (e.g., isolation from former friends and family, debilitation, use of special methods to heighten suggestibility and subservience, powerful group pressures, information management, suspension of individuality or critical judgment, promotion of total dependency on the group and fear of leaving it, etc.), designed to advance the goals of the group's leaders, to the actual or possible detriment of members, their families, or the community.”
POP member Colin LaVergne, who has previously posted on this blog and has contributed to the POP Wikipedia page has himself offered the above definition and conceded that the POP at times has been a cult and other times has not. I think that if we accept this definition we have to conclude that for certain people and at specific times the POP has met the criteria for a cult and at other times and for other individuals they have not met the criteria. I really dislike taking a relative stance on the issue but I think we have to until a valid and reliable scientific tool for indentifying cults is developed.
For instance, the POP board of governors is a charismatic unit that has ultimate authority and control over the community, tactics of manipulation such as, guilt and fear arousal, excessive persuasion, dissonance, pressure to conform, etc. have been consistently employed by lay leaders within the community and this has caused psychological distress and has spiritually mislead members of the community. Therefore, although mostly benign, the People of Praise is a cult.
This in response to "RecoveringPOPer":
You might be right. Not being a sociologist, I can't present a strong argument against you. In any case, I don't think it's the central issue. When we were thrown out of the POP, we realized that one of our principal tasks was to repent. Nobody is completely a victim. Yes, we were lied to, but we wanted to believe. This was my chance to be "God's man of faith an power", to be on the cutting edge of what God was doing in the world. I wanted to believe the leaders who told me that I had an important part in God's plan. (I do, actually, but it has more to do with being a good husband and father, friend, teacher, etc.)
Quite independently of each other, Marie and I took our membership in POP to confession. (We just heard that someone from POP recently told our bishop that he belongs to the group, to which Bp. D'Arcy replied, "You should go to confession.") It was praying the rosary, reading the Vatican II documents, and drawing closer to the Church the got me out and healthy. This is, ultimately, what I have to recommend to anyone else.
With this, I bid "farewell" to visitors to this blog. All I really have to offer is this one truth: To find a healthy, vibrant life, draw close to Christ in his Church.
The information here is great. I will invite my friends here.
Thanks
Thank you, Anonymous. We'll keep it around as long as we need.
Hi guys, i was a part of one of the Sword of Spirit communities in Europe. Anyone has an opinion on those?
I was part of The Lamb of God Community for 4 years in the late 80's--we had a good time together.There was definitely some spiritual pride. However, my pastoral leader was awesome--she merely served as a listening board--I made all my own decisions about career moves, money, and marriage. I will say that some people took the community way too seriously but I don't blame the leaders for that--I blame the individuals who didn't know how to set appropriate boundaries.q
I am a member of the Sword of the Spirit community in Belfast. I'm 19 years old and currently doing a gap year in the community in London and living with the Servants of the Word, the covenant community of single men which is essentially where the Sword of the Spirit came from.
Just this past week Steve Clarke was staying in the house. I took some time to talk to him about the history, how things had started and about the big split that had happened in the 90s.
From the time spent with him i realised a few things. Number one is that he is a genuinely holy and decent man who has dedicated his life to serving God. His gentleness and willingness to serve is incredible.
Secondly he is an extraordinarily intelligent man, he knows the scriptures and has interpeted them well into practical life. This year i did the psalms course by steve, and the material is solid and formative, really good stuff.
Thirdly talking to steve it is apparent that some mistakes were made in the early days of community, but that is hardly unlike the church itself, which has made much more numerous and drastic mistakes than the Sword of the Spirit has in its short existance.
However the SOS is recognised by the catholic church as a legitimate body of followers who are living the call of christ to a different level than most church goers are in todays modern era.
From my own personal experience the Sword of the Spirit has been far more influential and formative in my christian growth. The church i grew up in was spiritually dry and was quite frankly boring. The life in community is pioneering and radical which is exactly like the call that is given to us by Christ.
This year i have been involved in student outreach. The approach promoted is relational evangelism. Getting to know people on campus instead of just thrusting the gospel in their face on the streets with a sandwich board on, which does more damage to the spread of the gospel than good.
It also promotes unity within Gods people. Something that christ and Paul call followers to but is something the church is absolutely horrible at following. The teaching and life in the sword of the spirit is scripturally sound, recognised by the church and led and lived by extraordinary men and women whom i am privileged to live along side.
The Work of Christ is a good place to live out your Christian Faith. It does have it's flaws like any church or Christian group. Some of the old school leaders like Rick Comstock have never matured in their personal life to be able to really love others. He is a leader whose time has come to step down from leadership. His legalistic approach to life has caused many good Christians to leave the Work of Christ group. It is refreshing to see younger leaders emerge. I hope the days of judging others because they make mistakes is over. Many folks in the Work of Christ have a superiority mentality. They do their best to look and act like a perfect Christian. However their personal lives don't often line up with their outword appearances and holier than thou perspectives.
We should pray for their members to grow and change.
I am part of a Sword of the Spirit Community in Mexico and I have talked several times with Steve Clark and to many other leaders of the Sword of the Spirit.
I don't know about what type of covenant communities or what Sword of the Spirit are you talking about, but in the Charismatic Covenant Community of the Sword of the Spirit is way different of what you are writing here.
I take all my decisions (financially, practical, state of life, you name it). All the catholics I know in our communities are well committed and radical members of their local parishes and archdioceses.
Steve Clark is great man and one of the humblests and holiests man I have ever met. All of his books (or many of them) have the "imprimatur" and "nihil obstat" approvements.
We have very close relationships with many priests and bishops. Many vocations to priesthood have come out from our covenant communities.
I have visited many communities around the world and all what I have seen is a bunch of free and mature men and women in Christ giving their life fully to him.
I know many people (even friends of mine)who have freely left community and are serving God in a different part of his Body. Well, those men and women, still love coventant communities.
I am part of a Sword of the Spirit Community in Mexico and I have talked several times with Steve Clark and to many other leaders of the Sword of the Spirit.
I don't know about what type of covenant communities or what Sword of the Spirit are you talking about, but in the Charismatic Covenant Community of the Sword of the Spirit is way different of what you are writing here.
I take all my decisions (financially, practical, state of life, you name it). All the catholics I know in our communities are well committed and radical members of their local parishes and archdioceses.
Steve Clark is great man and one of the humblests and holiests man I have ever met. All of his books (or many of them) have the "imprimatur" and "nihil obstat" approvements.
We have very close relationships with many priests and bishops. Many vocations to priesthood have come out from our covenant communities.
I have visited many communities around the world and all what I have seen is a bunch of free and mature men and women in Christ giving their life fully to him.
I know many people (even friends of mine)who have freely left community and are serving God in a different part of his Body. Well, those men and women, still love coventant communities.
Miguel, I am happy that your experience has been positive.
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