by Van Robison

There is no greater way to control people than through organizations and mind control. Human governments often control people through force and violence, but mind control is far more formidable in long term consequence. We find this very interesting observation in Genesis 11:4 "And they said, Go to, let us build us A CITY and A TOWER, whose top may reach unto heaven; and LET US MAKE A NAME, lest we be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth." Whether this "tower of Babel" was literal or symbolic, it is nevertheless food for thought about life on earth. Human beings have always built their "towers" to control others and to cause men to be awed by "tower power." The world is full of "towers" in terms of countless human governments throughout the world, and many are the kingdoms of men that rise and fall. Human symbolic towers come in many forms, both in the secular world and in the world of religions. Read more...

by Van Robison

In our day and age, and through time, many have come, calling themselves "pastors", which from reading the teachings of Jesus Christ, is totally contrary to what Jesus taught. Jesus never referred to anyone other than Himself as SHEPHERD. If Jesus Christ wanted Peter to be a "pastor", why didn't Jesus call Peter--Pastor Peter? Why didn't Jesus call John--Pastor John? No, what Jesus said is that you have ONE SHEPHERD, ONE MASTER, ONE FATHER and all of us are simply "brethren." Virtually all "pastors" see themselves as "under-shepherds" to Christ, but Jesus Christ never called anyone "under-shepherds." Read more...

Update: Please see this thread in the forums on the recent SPAM that was being sent to forum members:

http://www.batteredsheep.com/forums/viewtopic.php?id=71

Someone wrote in recently asking for more information about Van Robison. Unfortunately, I accidentally deleted her email before I could reply to her.

Anyway, in response to her email, I've updated the About Us section of our website to include some background info about Van. I hope this answers her question.

by Van Robison

In the Old Testament, God told Israel that she was a "harlot" (Jeremiah 3:6). The reason she was a "whore" is because she betrayed God and went whoring after other gods. Anyone will find by checking in the Strong's Exhaustive Concordance, the words "harlot", "whore", "adultery", "whoredoms", "whoring" and "abominations" in various verses throughout the prophets, as applied to Israel, Judah and Jerusalem. Ezekiel chapter 16 and many other parts of the Old Testament prophets, are an incredible indictment against ancient Israel, Judah and Jerusalem. Originally, Israel was committed to obey God Almighty the Creator as the one and only God and was to have no other gods (Exodus 20:1-3). God even says of ancient Israel, that He gave her a "bill of divorce" at Jeremiah 3:8 because she was a backslider and committed adultery. Read more...

Request Letter No. 1: Request for Help for Potential Participants

Hi Everyone,

My name is Barb Orlowski. I am on the Doctor of Ministry program at A.C.T.S. Seminaries in Langley, B.C., Canada. In order to conduct the research necessary to complete my dissertation, I could use your help. I am conducting a survey among Christians who have experienced emotional and spiritual distress under authoritarian and controlling church leaders and have recovered from this experience.

Here are the criteria that I am looking for in participants:

1. Christians who have experienced emotional and spiritual distress under authoritarian and controlling church leaders and who have ceased to be associated with those congregations;
2. Christians who subsequently have recognized and processed their spiritual grief and pain and have experienced spiritual recovery;
3. Christians who are willing to share how they have processed their negative experience and have recovered spiritual harmony; those who can share what has happened since this painful episode. Christians who can answer this question: What factors have helped you to restore your confidence in God and His people?

If people feel that they fit the criteria for this study, please contact me. I will give you further details about this study, and then I will send you the questionnaire along with the consent information. The responses given by those participating will be kept confidential. Your responses will be put in anonymous form and may be kept for further use after the completion of this study.

Thank you for your interest and participation in this study. I appreciate the time and effort that it takes to complete a questionnaire.

In Him,

Barb

Barb’s contact email: churchexitersq@telus.net

• Comments and questions are welcome.
• When you respond to this request by emailing me--please let me know which site you saw this information. Thanks.

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Request Letter No. 2: Request for Help from Pastors

Greetings,

I am student enrolled in the A.C.T.S. Doctor of Ministry program in Langley, B.C., Canada. In order to conduct the research necessary to complete my dissertation, I need the assistance of pastoral leaders. I could use your help with my research. I realize that you probably receive frequent requests to fill out surveys, but I would invite you to take a few minutes, complete a questionnaire and return it to me. This would be a significant help.

I am looking for pastors who have endeavored to provide spiritual guidance and help for the following people:


There are many Christians who have faced the untimely distress of this particular yet widespread phenomenon. Many have simply left the church, while others have made an effort to reintegrate into a local church setting. It has taken courage for them to desire to reconnect with a pastor and seek their assistance in processing their grief and disillusionment with previous church leaders.

I would appreciate hearing how you, as a pastor, have provided spiritual guidance and encouragement for individuals who have faced this type of emotional and spiritual pain at the hands of those that they had trusted as their spiritual leaders. I believe that your insights would provide pertinent and helpful data for this study.

The information you give will be kept confidential. Any use of your responses in my dissertation will be put in anonymous form, but may be kept for further use after the completion of this study. If ever needed, I will ask for your permission to quote you.

Thank you for your interest and participation in this research. I appreciate the time and effort that it takes to complete a questionnaire.

Thanks,

Barb

Email Address: churchexitersq@telus.net

• Comments and questions are welcome.
• When you respond to this request by emailing me--please let me know which site you saw this information. Thanks.

by Van Robison

Almost anyone today is very familiar with the movie Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. Many modern day prosperity preachers are a lot like the "Chocolate Factory", who promise all sorts of goodies, including the "Everlasting Gobstopper" (the miracle candy that never diminishes and lasts forever). Willy Wonka's Chocolate Factory is, of course, pure fantasy. Prosperity Candyman Preachers are just like the fantasy chocolate factory--a world of make believe. It has become amusing how certain television "Christian" networks seem to solely exist to have their "everlasting fundraisers". While they do so, they promise all who partner with them "everlasting gobstoppers". Prosperity preachers would have people believe that somehow they are the "Candyman". They make claims that sound delicious, appetizing and irresistible. Many are the gullible who stand in line for their "Financial Chocolate Bar". Prosperity preachers promise you a "Golden Ticket" to prosperity if you only buy their candy. Read more...