RESOURCES
Essays & Experiences
This page has a collection of essays of
personal commentary and experiences by people affected by the Pentecostal
/ Charismatic denominations and congregations. Some links, if
denoted by an asterisk (*), will take you to off-site commentary.
External links will open in a new browser window. Should a link open
within the same window please use your browser left arrow to return to AFP once reading such
commentary.
My
Experiences with AoG Churches My story
isn't as dramatic as most of the others, but has affected me to the point
that I never want to go to another church again.
My Experience with Benny Hinn
NEW
You can chose to believe me or not. That is your option. These words are
what I experienced and I believe what I know to be the truth. After
talking to other Charismatic Movement Survivors, I have found that I am
not alone in my experience.
A Woman in Life's Journey, Post Apostolic Involvement NEW
I suppose the best place to begin is at the beginning. I wasn’t raised in
one church. My dad moved us from church to church… to church. I remember
that after each church service, no matter what church we had gone to, he
would sit us down and tell us what was wrong with what the pastor had said
and tell us what we should believe instead.
Forgiveness - My Story
NEW
Isn’t that what it’s really all about?
Forgiving one another? I’m slowly learning this. I’m slowing trying to put
the past behind me. I’m slowly trying to forget all that’s happened, but
it’s so darn hard to do sometimes.
Woman Recalls Physical Abuses,
Arson at Former Church
This will
be my first time talking about the abuse we personally witness first-hand
in (a local UPCI church*). Most of the abuse that took place was
destructive in nature, hurtful and some even physical and causing bodily
harm to the party involved.
Man Discovers Self, Leaves
Bigoted Congregation
I would
like to share with you my experience with the UPCI. I began going to the
local congregation in my small Southern hometown after my algebra teacher
in high school "witnessed" to me.
Ex-Pentecostal Recounts
Spiritual Journey A former Pentecostal Church of God Member recounts
her experience growing up in the faith, dealing with the inconsistencies
and fears of her faith, and her eventual spiritual destination.
Preacher's Kid Addresses the United Pentecostal Church,
International
- A former member criticizes the governance and money
handling of the world's largest Oneness Pentecostal denomination, and
touches on some of their "standards" teaching. This anonymous perspective
is one of a preacher's kid (now a grown man)
Reflections of
being "in church" - A former member of the Oneness
Pentecostal movement (UPCI) speaks out about what it really means to be
"in church".
Dominion Experiment: The Shepherding / Discipleship
Movement by
Robin Arnaud. The struggle of a man and his family after surviving a
particular troublesome sect of the Charismatic movement.
Tithing Issue Frees PAOC Member - A former member of the Pentecostal Assemblies of
Canada finds freedom from Pentecostalism over disagreement on the issue of
tithes.
Karen's Song
- Woman recounts how Pentecostalism failed her marriage, and how she
learned to find God in new and unusual places.
The Jawbone
- Woman recalls a wild night at church filled with physical violence and
property damage and being involuntarily disfellowshipped.
Off Site Essays
Pentecostal
Missionary's Kid Recounts Life, Emerging from Faith* - A long, reprinted article
recounting life as a Pentecostal missionary's child in Taiwan, then as a
young Christian in the US. It meanders a bit, but offers some powerful
insights.
PAOC Teacher Quits for Anglican Church* - Journal
article based off of an interview with a teacher from a Pentecostal
college who explains why he's leaving the Pentecostals for more structured
worship.
Disfellowshipped!* -
Former UPCI member tells of her emotional turmoil after being
disfellowshipped by her former pastor.
Why I Walked Away from the UPCI*- Former member remembers inappropriate behavior from pastor and the
harassment that ensued when she left her congregation.
Fear, Fear,
Fear!* - Young man
recounts issues that lead him away from his former church, some which led
him to the brink of suicide.
Losing
Everything After Giving All* - A woman recounts positive and negative experiences in the UPCI, then
shares of how she gave everything she could to the church, only to be
"cursed" when she decided to leave, losing her family and possessions in
the aftermath.
Family Tortured by Death When the Healing Failed* - A man recounts his family tragedy
and the emotions they faced due to their "programming" by a
"faith-healing" Charismatic-style church.
Pastor Forbids Marriage, Man Discovers Truth*- After his Apostolic pastor
refused to marry him to his fiancé (he had been married once before), this
man earnestly studies the Bible to discover the falsities of the Apostolic
sect.
From Krishna to the Charismatics: Man Recounts Spiritual Journey* - Story of a man's spiritual
journey that lead him from Christian Science, through being a member of a
Hare Krishna group (and an awful bout with bulimia from that experience),
to finally "settling down" down in a Charismatic church complete with it's
own set of problems. Interesting insights.
Former A/G Church Musician Recounts Experience* - Former convert to an Assembly of
God church in Portugal recounts his experience, including an interesting
account of the "power" of church music in Pentecostal churches.
Placing Faith in the Baptizer, not the Baptism*
A minister's journey out of the UPCI.
How God Opened my Heart to the Gospel*
Another minister's journey out of the teachings of the UPCI.
Why I Left the Pentecostal Church* One
man's journey out of the Pentecostal faith into traditional Christianity.
Lists many Pentecostal errors.
A Short Review of Personal Experience within the UPC*
One former member's trials while in the UPC. Details the infamous
"blacklisting" that goes on between Oneness Pentecostal pastors.
NOTE:
Do you have an experience you'd like to share concerning
your past experience with the Assemblies of God, UPCI, Vineyard, or other
assorted Pentecostal/Charismatic denominations or independent churches?
If so, please send an email
entitled "Experience," and it will be added at our next scheduled update.
Help us help others with YOUR
story of overcoming!
