hangin' back

[Hope 98]

Hi Folks,

I've been hit & miss for a while here because of so much that's going on in my 3-D sort of life :D There seems to be something of a struggle going on - but it's hard to figure out coming in late in the game.

I have a question though...

Does anyone here have any experience with YWAM (Youth with a Mission)? Someone I know is in training with that organization, and I'll a little put off by some of things in a letter they have recently written.

If this is "too hot" a topic for the forum at large at this point in time, please feel free to send me a private message or email. sundernana@hotmail.com.

Peace Y'all :)

[Willow]

Hope,

If you do a google search on YWAM shepherding, it reveals a lot!

Amy

[Hope 98]

Thanks Willow - that was helpful.

The letter from the friend talks about the awful sin of pride. I can't find a lot of fault with that in itself, but when she starts pointing out the sins that have the underlying root of pride, it gets a bit excessive: impatience, selfishness, laziness, indifference, and even low self-esteem. The point - the focus is all on ourselves instead of Jesus, whom we need to love more than our things, time, sleep, ourselves. It's giving up our rights, putting others ahead of ourselves...

Why does this distress me? Because this person is probably one of the gentlest, most caring people I've ever known. I get the sense from what she says that she feels that she has to work very hard to be MORE obedient. She talks about taking in God's grace & freedom, but seems to be in a situation that measures her performance on a scale that makes it totally impossible to actually do.

It always helps to see that I'm not the only one being "rubbed the wrong way".

[dwilliams]

I read up on ywam today...

Pretty scary stuff! Forceful indoctrination, leadership evading questions. Recruits taught to stay away from family and friends unless under the direct supervision and in the presence of the "sheperds". Not allowed to watch TV, not allowed to have any relations with others of the opposite sex, except by permission from the leadership, not allowed to own an automobile if single, not allowed to leave general areas of lodging and/or project work unless permitted by leadership...
Actually founded by Assemblies of God organization in 1966...is currently endorsed by Benny Hinn ministries...

Numerous cases of ex-members who have continuing psychological problems years after...
...scary stuff.