Exposing the truth about Acts College Church, Acts 2 Network, formerly Gracepoint, formerly Berkland, and their related churches and ministries. Are they a cult? Does spiritual abuse occur there? Could you be in a high control group? Should you leave?
Friday, December 2, 2011
Gracepoint is Dangerous
Site is down for upgrade/redesign. Any new issues or questions about Gracepoint? Please comment below.
Hey not sure if anyone still reads this site, but I was hoping to talk to someone who's left Gracepoint. I'm currently attending the church and am feeling a lot of things are wrong, but am finding it difficult to leave. This blog has been really helpful for articulating the issues I felt but didn't know exactly what seemed harmful about it.
Hi Anonymous. Seems like Gracepoint is Dangerous is down. That would have been the best place to find someone who might have been able to help you. I attended a long time ago and don't know how things are there nowadays. Good luck.
Hey anonymous, I know it's been awhile, but if you're still looking for someone to talk to, I'd be happy to talk with you. Unlike John, I left more recently. "gracepoint.reject" at gmail.com
You are not the only one out there. If you already don't feel like you completely fit their glove, the sooner you leave the better. True friendships will last. Good luck.
Thank you for making this information still available. A couple years ago I was nearly lured to this church (actually the Boston spinoff) by all the friendliness. I saw lots of red flags popping up in the behavior of the leaders/reactions of the congregation but wasn't sure if I should/could trust my own gut instinct.
Thanks to blogs like these - which I Googled when I got scared enough by what I was seeing, even though no one had personally treated me badly - I realized I wasn't just "seeing things" and should trust myself more. I stopped attending immediately. These blogs were a life-saver.
Recently I thought about this church again and googled it, and was sad and alarmed to see most of the blogs were gone. If I were a newcomer now rather than a couple years ago, I might not even have found this info. Especially since the Boston church changed its name from "Berkland" to "Antioch" and a newcomer probably would never connect the dots.
I currently attend this church, and I have read the blogs/negative reviews against it. Although I see and understand that they do things pretty differently, and it may be hard to accept, I've yet to experience/read anything that suggests that they are in any way wrong in the biblical sense. If they are biblical, I really can't have anything against them, other than personal preference.
There's a risk in ceding what is "biblical" to other people to decide. Just from all the different denominations that are out there, it's obvious that people use the Bible to argue for many different things. The common criticism here is that the senior leaders of these churches act as mediators between you and God, telling people what to do and how to do it. Where the Bible doesn't say something explicitly, it's understood we have freedom provided that we honor and follow what is explicitly written. By honing spirituality into such practical applications, these churches risk turning people into Pharisees, basically. Yes, freedom can lead to sin, but so can following leaders blindly.
I am a strong believer and I feel that GP is corrupted. I have a friend who is attending GP and is struggling with "obeying" the leader of her small group. I feel as if this is wrong on so many levels. This leader has turned her friends, coworkers, etc. against her because she will not abide by the leader's rule. This is not leadership, this is dictatorship, satan in disguise. I want to help her, but I don't know how since I do not live in North Cal.
I think the best way is for her to find a new church. To surround oneself with Christians that can help her get back on track.
The friend has changed alot since attending GP. No one should bow down and worship small group leaders, let alone mere humans. Is there any church recommendations?!!
Sorry, I am truly disgusted by this church, no this hideout for Satan.
Are you still blogging? I hope so. My brother goes there and he's a "lifer." I've been very concerned from the beginning since it's his only church experience and he was drawn in as a freshman in college. He's been at least 10 years going strong, and I've always been a opposer since I went there myself for a few months and saw what was really going on. Any advice for how to talk to my brother when he's so entrenched in the culture? I really appreciate it.
I went to Berkland for about a year in 1997. I am so glad I followed my heart and left. John Kim, whoever you are, I wish you and all "ex-Berklanders" out there a beautiful life.
John, thank you for keeping this blog up. The countless advice in your blog has saved many of my friends from the grips of legalism and their controlling leaders. I hope you do not plan on closing the blog down as other blogs like gracepointisdangerous did, as it can save many people from Gracepoint in the future.
Hello John, I was apart of the Austin, TX church plant for a while and thankfully found the strength to leave. I have not yet recovered from leaving fully yet, and fear it will take longer than I thought. Since I was quite involved, my leaving led several to come to me in private to ask why I left as they also questioned the church. I want to help them leave and encourage their relationship with God to grow stronger because of this.
Do you know of any other blogs or any places for ex-members to communicate, encourage, etc. such as this which relate more to Austin's church?
No, I am not aware of such a blog. For a while, there was one by an ex-Davis person but that blog no longer seems to be available.. as are many other blogs that used to exist.
if anyone has questions u can email me. zackerylovesthelord at gmail dot com. Used to go to Gracepoint Church plant but left over the Summer and got plugged in elsewhere.
Are there any other sites/forums where ex-GPers or relatives of GP-ers can talk and encourage each other? My brother has been there for almost 15 years and I've always known that GP uses cultish tactics. We used to get into huge fights about it, until I realized I can't talk about church with him. Now, he's still entrenched and I feel like I need to do something about it, and need to talk to others to understand the mindset there.
I have a family member in the church. I have a feeling the church is more like a cult, but can't seem to get much information about the church at all. Can anyone who left the church give me more information on it and share their experience with me? Can we contact through email?
You can try to obtain access to the twistedgracepoint wordpress site. I was given access to it roughly 3 or 4 months after my initial request. I know that's not the best time frame if you have an urgent matter, but just wanted to let you know about the option.
Hey not sure if anyone still reads this site, but I was hoping to talk to someone who's left Gracepoint. I'm currently attending the church and am feeling a lot of things are wrong, but am finding it difficult to leave. This blog has been really helpful for articulating the issues I felt but didn't know exactly what seemed harmful about it.
ReplyDeleteHi Anonymous. Seems like Gracepoint is Dangerous is down. That would have been the best place to find someone who might have been able to help you. I attended a long time ago and don't know how things are there nowadays. Good luck.
DeleteHey anonymous, I know it's been awhile, but if you're still looking for someone to talk to, I'd be happy to talk with you. Unlike John, I left more recently. "gracepoint.reject" at gmail.com
DeleteThat's so nice of you! Thank you for offering to talk to this person.
DeleteHey Anon Apr 5, 2012 01:54 AM
ReplyDeleteYou are not the only one out there. If you already don't feel like you completely fit their glove, the sooner you leave the better. True friendships will last. Good luck.
Thank you for making this information still available. A couple years ago I was nearly lured to this church (actually the Boston spinoff) by all the friendliness. I saw lots of red flags popping up in the behavior of the leaders/reactions of the congregation but wasn't sure if I should/could trust my own gut instinct.
ReplyDeleteThanks to blogs like these - which I Googled when I got scared enough by what I was seeing, even though no one had personally treated me badly - I realized I wasn't just "seeing things" and should trust myself more. I stopped attending immediately. These blogs were a life-saver.
Recently I thought about this church again and googled it, and was sad and alarmed to see most of the blogs were gone. If I were a newcomer now rather than a couple years ago, I might not even have found this info. Especially since the Boston church changed its name from "Berkland" to "Antioch" and a newcomer probably would never connect the dots.
So glad this blog helped prevent heartache and pain. I had no idea Boston church changed their name to Antioch. Thank you for sharing!
DeleteI currently attend this church, and I have read the blogs/negative reviews against it. Although I see and understand that they do things pretty differently, and it may be hard to accept, I've yet to experience/read anything that suggests that they are in any way wrong in the biblical sense. If they are biblical, I really can't have anything against them, other than personal preference.
ReplyDeleteI wonder if you still feel the same. I accept no church is perfect.
DeleteAnonymous,
ReplyDeleteThere's a risk in ceding what is "biblical" to other people to decide. Just from all the different denominations that are out there, it's obvious that people use the Bible to argue for many different things. The common criticism here is that the senior leaders of these churches act as mediators between you and God, telling people what to do and how to do it. Where the Bible doesn't say something explicitly, it's understood we have freedom provided that we honor and follow what is explicitly written. By honing spirituality into such practical applications, these churches risk turning people into Pharisees, basically. Yes, freedom can lead to sin, but so can following leaders blindly.
Help
ReplyDeleteI am a strong believer and I feel that GP is corrupted. I have a friend who is attending GP and is struggling with "obeying" the leader of her small group. I feel as if this is wrong on so many levels. This leader has turned her friends, coworkers, etc. against her because she will not abide by the leader's rule. This is not leadership, this is dictatorship, satan in disguise. I want to help her, but I don't know how since I do not live in North Cal.
I think the best way is for her to find a new church. To surround oneself with Christians that can help her get back on track.
The friend has changed alot since attending GP. No one should bow down and worship small group leaders, let alone mere humans. Is there any church recommendations?!!
Sorry, I am truly disgusted by this church, no this hideout for Satan.
There are lots of churches in and around Berkeley. Best way to tell is to try it out and see.
DeleteAre you still blogging? I hope so. My brother goes there and he's a "lifer." I've been very concerned from the beginning since it's his only church experience and he was drawn in as a freshman in college. He's been at least 10 years going strong, and I've always been a opposer since I went there myself for a few months and saw what was really going on. Any advice for how to talk to my brother when he's so entrenched in the culture? I really appreciate it.
ReplyDeleteSorry, no words of wisdom about that. Ultimately, we cannot control other people's choices.
DeleteI went to Berkland for about a year in 1997. I am so glad I followed my heart and left. John Kim, whoever you are, I wish you and all "ex-Berklanders" out there a beautiful life.
ReplyDeleteJohn, thank you for keeping this blog up. The countless advice in your blog has saved many of my friends from the grips of legalism and their controlling leaders. I hope you do not plan on closing the blog down as other blogs like gracepointisdangerous did, as it can save many people from Gracepoint in the future.
ReplyDeleteIf this blog goes down, you'll know that it's because it's been hacked. I do not plan on taking it down.
ReplyDeleteHello John,
ReplyDeleteI was apart of the Austin, TX church plant for a while and thankfully found the strength to leave. I have not yet recovered from leaving fully yet, and fear it will take longer than I thought. Since I was quite involved, my leaving led several to come to me in private to ask why I left as they also questioned the church. I want to help them leave and encourage their relationship with God to grow stronger because of this.
Do you know of any other blogs or any places for ex-members to communicate, encourage, etc. such as this which relate more to Austin's church?
No, I am not aware of such a blog. For a while, there was one by an ex-Davis person but that blog no longer seems to be available.. as are many other blogs that used to exist.
Deleteif anyone has questions u can email me. zackerylovesthelord at gmail dot com. Used to go to Gracepoint Church plant but left over the Summer and got plugged in elsewhere.
ReplyDeleteAre there any other sites/forums where ex-GPers or relatives of GP-ers can talk and encourage each other? My brother has been there for almost 15 years and I've always known that GP uses cultish tactics. We used to get into huge fights about it, until I realized I can't talk about church with him. Now, he's still entrenched and I feel like I need to do something about it, and need to talk to others to understand the mindset there.
ReplyDeletethere is some activity on http://twistedgracepoint.wordpress.com/
DeleteProtected?
DeleteI guess that site is down now. You can communicate via comments on this blog. Sorry, not the best way.
DeleteI have a family member in the church. I have a feeling the church is more like a cult, but can't seem to get much information about the church at all. Can anyone who left the church give me more information on it and share their experience with me? Can we contact through email?
DeleteYou can try to obtain access to the twistedgracepoint wordpress site. I was given access to it roughly 3 or 4 months after my initial request. I know that's not the best time frame if you have an urgent matter, but just wanted to let you know about the option.
Delete