Have you noticed that ever since the conference call we’ve had more combative comments and we are hearing less and less from those who are in the process of healing from their time at TM? That is bass-ackwards. Some people have mentioned that they don’t feel as safe anymore with all the new people in […]
This is a Refuge; Not a Debate Read More »
It’s been hard to force myself to commit some of these thoughts to “paper”. I don’t spend much time thinking about my Teen Mania days. I don’t really keep in contact with many friends from the internship… and the relationships I still maintain have a kind of depth that doesn’t depend on the Honor Academy
Even though what we’ve been through has been devastating, its nice to look back and realize the things that we have gained as a result. I came across this great post at What Really Matters that reminds us about the good things that can come out of our experiences with spiritually abusive groups. I would like to
Several questions were asked about ESOAL throughout the conference call. @ 15:55 – Dave says that ESOAL has changed dramatically. In the early years, the entire group stayed together, but “as a result of that way of doing ESOAL”, there were a lot of GIs and even staff member who got “power hungry” and acted like “drill sergeants.” However, now
Conference Call: ESOAL Read More »
Moderator’s Note: “Chase” contacted me because he was concerned that this blog was not helpful but instead might be causing division. He graduated in 2009 and loves TM. He wanted to share his “positive” story. Trust me, its worth reading. Stay kind in the comments. Although the Honor Academy is tough, hard, and needless to
I have been following your blog with much excitement since my wife (HA alumni-99) told me about it several months ago. Although I never attended the Honor Academy, I religiously attended ATF’s through out high school and also went on two TM mission trips. In fact, I talked my wife into going to the Honor
Legalism has long been one of the greatest issues at the Honor Academy. One indicator of legalism is adding to the Bible. Do we believe that the Bible is sufficient instruction for us or do we add rules to follow, that Jesus never gave us, in an attempt to be even “holier” or more righteous?
Conference Call: Moral Standards Read More »
I’m not interested in training to live an “honorable” and “disciplined” life. I’m not interested in fasting to get my “vision from God” or to make a 5 year plan. I’m not interested in watching my brothers and sisters lives so closely that I can make a list of whats wrong with them and confront
My Interests Have Changed Read More »
Over the next few weeks, we’ll be talking about different aspects of the conference call. Today, let’s look at the “popular” HA teaching – Beat your body and make it your slave. MY QUESTION: @ 1:18:25 – Through the overuse and misapplication of “Beat your body and make it your slave,” interns are conditioned to believe
Conference Call: Beating Your Body Read More »
My second year, I started out on the Ministry team. It was great; it was the family I had always longed – for something real. But halfway into that program, they basically told me that I was not working hard enough so I was kicked off. Basically, I felt they were telling me that I
Brandi’s Story: Part 2 Read More »
Moderator’s Note: “Brandi” prefers to retain her anonymity, but I am allowed to tell you that this story took place within the last few years. Two years before coming to the Honor Academy, I was saved from wiccanism at an Acquire the Fire. I didn’t know what to do with my life so I ended
Brandy’s Story: Part 1 Read More »
I was catching up with an old TM friend today. We had a beautiful time of sharing and the conversation inevitably turned to talk of mutual friends and acquaintances from our time at the HA. I was saddened, but not surprised, to hear of several friends who are unable to even talk about their time
The Stories That Are Never Told Read More »
This weekend we celebrate Independence Day. But an even more significant independence day occurred two thousand years ago. An excerpt from the Subtle Power of Spiritual Abuse: The Christian life begins with freedom from dead works, from religious systems, and from all human attempts 5 comments: Recovering Alumni says: July 3, 2010 at 10:37 AMReply
Celebrating Freedom Read More »
A number of TM supporters have made it clear how disgusted they were with my tone so I addressed their criticisms yesterday. Today, I’d like to discuss Dave Hasz’ tone. As a man of God that supposedly loves teenagers and wants to bring them closer to Christ, what do you think a proper response would
The Question You Should Be Asking Read More »
Let’s just get this question of tone out of the way and then we’ll dive into the substance of the call in the next post. A lot of people didn’t like the tone I took with Dave. People have called it bitter, disrespectful, angry, rude, etc. (Of course, many people already had their mind made
The Question of Tone – Let’s Settle This Read More »
I’m going to take a few posts to respond to the monster 2.5 hour conference call last night. In this post, I’d like to highlight what I appreciated and was glad to hear. At the beginning of the call, Dave listed several significant changes which I think will help prevent some of the problems we’ve
HA Conference Call: The Good Read More »
(2021 Update: The links in this post point to the Wayback Machine as the original sites have since gone down.) If you missed the conference call last night, you can click here for the audio. The first 90 minutes or so was a monologue from Dave answering questions that were emailed in. The last part is a
Conference Call Audio Read More »
Matthew 18:15-17 If your brother sins against you, go and show him his fault, just between the two of you. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over. But if he will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two
Thoughts for Tonight’s HA Alumni Conference Call Read More »
Since Dave seems to want all the questions emailed in prior to the call, let’s congregate them here so we can make sure that everyone’s questions are addressed. Put your question(s) in the comments. Here are mine:ESOAL: 1) What exact changes have been made to ESOAL and when?2) Have medical professionals, not affiliated with TM,
What Are Your Questions? Read More »
218-936-6581 Code–14601 The first line is full, but this one is open. 4 comments: Anonymous said… heath doesn’t know he is on the air June 28, 2010 9:37 PM Anonymous said… We have to have a link to the phone call recording!!!My question didn’t turn out so well. and my cell died (my only phone)
If Lines Are Busy, Call This Number Read More »
UPDATE: I suggest sending your questions in ahead of time to make sure they get answered. The email address is confcall@recoveringalumniresponse.com. In case you haven’t heard, Honor Academy leadership is hosting a conference call tonight at 8pm Central Time. I’d like to make a few suggestions. (If you can’t make it, they’ve announced they will publish an audio
Honor Academy Conference Call Tonight Read More »
A reader and fellow alumnus wrote this essay and sent it to me. I thought he made some great points and it was worth sharing here. Please keep the discussion civil. 🙂 1. Embrace actual doctrine: “For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate
8 Things Teen Mania Needs to Change Read More »
A reader and fellow alumnus wrote this essay and sent it to me. I thought he made some great points and it was worth sharing here. Please keep the discussion civil. 🙂 1. Embrace actual doctrine: “For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate
Eight Things Teen Mania Needs to Change Read More »
(Moderator’s Note: This story and the comments below briefly, and with minimal detail, mentions rape.) Life After the Honor Academy: Once home, I received one phone call from a guy friend to see how I was doing, then nothing. It was as if I never existed to TM or any of my friends. I was
Kate’s Story: Part 3 Read More »
I started the Honor Academy in January 1997 just after Teen Mania moved to Garden Valley. Things started out on the wrong foot from the get go. I was under Kim W’s supervision and she seemed to take an instant dislike to me. I later learned that this was partly because Kim was best friends
Kate’s Story: Part 2 Read More »
