I thought we’d have a little fun today by finishing the sentence “You know you are brainwashed when…” You feel guilty because you are hypothermic during ESOAL. You question your salvation after feeling intense desire to kiss a member of the opposite sex. You pay for the privilege of working full time. You admire leaders […]
You Know You Are Brainwashed When… Read More »
I want to start this by saying that I don’t hold any unforgiveness or bitterness towards any of my friends or staff members at Teen Mania. I just want to share the story of what happened to me during my undergrad year starting August 07. A lot of the people involved in the situation, I
The final installment in Erin’s story – her GI year. I did this new program called the G.I.I.E.T. (You’ve heard of I.E.T.? Intensive elective training? That was another thing started my year. This was the G.I. version.) MORE intense. Requires MORE dedication. It was totally promoted that if you could make it through the G.I.I.E.T.
Erin’s Story, Part 4 Read More »
In this now defunct video, David Hasz tells the interns that in order to be a leader, you have to pass a test called the “integrity check.” One of these tests is making restitution. If you have stolen something, you must make restitution with the owner. That sounds like a good idea to me. But
More Gross Distortions of the Gospel Read More »
The article below, found here, discusses an individual’s experience in the aftermath of leaving a cult. Though I do not consider the Honor Academy a full blown cult, (updated June 2011 – I do now!) I think that many of these characteristics apply to interns as well. I reprint it here in its entirety: After
Life in the Aftermath of Teen Mania Read More »
Just came across this post by one of my faves, the Internet Monk, and I just had to share. Its long, but worth reading. Here are 2 excerpts: Why are we, after all that confident talk of “new life,” “new creation,” “the power of God,” “healing,” “wisdom,” “miracles,” “the power of prayer,” …why are we so weak?
Why We Must Never Be Good Christians Read More »
Can someone who is well versed in SEO or google page rankings explain to me why a google search of the term “Honor Academy” does not display my blog? I’ve mentioned those keywords a ton, plus its in the URL. This blog doesn’t register for those search terms, while intern blogs who only mention it
Dear Current and Recent Interns, I hate to burst your bubble, but by and large, there is no “line.”* I know you’ve been told that you are joining the ranks of people who are committed to a life of integrity, honor and legalism. You’ve been told that you are free to confront us on any
The Myth of “The Line” Read More »
If you are a frequent commenter, would you consider adopting a name? You can call yourself a letter of the alphabet, like commenters ‘z’ and ‘h.” Or make up a clever name like Nunquam Honorablus. Or whatever floats your boat – no need to give up your anonymity. It would be so helpful in getting
A Suggestion for Commenting Read More »
In this talk, Dave Hasz spends the first 15 minutes counseling interns to be like the Bereans by studying the Word to find out if what he is teaching is truth. He encourages them to be critical thinkers instead of just trusting whatever he says with regards to theology. He also takes the time to
Freedom to Disagree or Just a Smokescreen? Read More »
I never expected this blog to grow as quickly as it did. Now, with over 100 posts and over 6,000 hits we’ve got quite a little community growing. I like to think of this blog as a little support group. We all benefit from each other’s wisdom and experience. I would like to sincerely thank
To My Readers: Here’s to You Read More »
One of the great things about the Honor Academy, according to Dave Hasz, is that you will be much more mature before you go to college and you will have direction for your life. Because of this, you won’t have to change majors all the time and waste your time in college. I find this
God Can Speak Without the HA (Gasp!) Read More »
I graduated the HA in 2008, and returned to participate in CCM in January 09, because I was so sure I was being called there (to a point where I blatantly disrespected my parents’ wishes and had a friend come and pick me and my stuff up, with $800 to my name that I was
Lindsay’s Story: On Leaving Early Read More »
I once heard Dave Hasz say something along the lines of, “I’m not Calvinist, I’m not Arminian, I just believe the Bible.” As if neither of those camps believe, study and follow the Word of God as they interpret it. Unfortunately, a lot of Christians like to simplify their faith by saying “God said it,
God Said It, I Believe It, That Settles It Read More »
I’d like to finish responding to the excellent question on this post: As I view your above processing and how you are granting others permission to go through the grief process, anger and bitterness are allowed. However, I do not find bitterness the standard process of recovery. Could you post any biblical backing that allows
Overcoming Sin the Gospel Way Read More »
A commenter posed an excellent question which I think deserves its own post. On this post, they asked: As I view your above processing and how you are granting others permission to go through the grief process, anger and bitterness are allowed. However, I do not find bitterness the standard process of recovery. Could you post
Ladder on the Wrong Wall Read More »
In October of this year, Teen Mania held a Battlecry event in Uganda. Also a part of the event was Ugandan Pastor Martin Ssempa, referred to as Ron Luce’s “longtime friend and Ugandan ministry partner.” In addition, as recently as October, Teen Mania was planning to start a branch of the Honor Academy in Uganda
Teen Mania Ministry Partner Supports Human Rights Violations Read More »
I was an intern from 07-08. This is but a small glimpse of my experience at Teen Mania. One issue of concern was the stigma of exercise (which I’m fairly certain RA has already touched on). The attitude at the HA is that everybody is capable of the exact same workout regimen, and anybody who
Lindsay’s Story: Corporate Exercise, Injury and Shaming Read More »
The number of injuries and illnesses developed at Teen Mania is shockingly high and totally unnecessary. I’ll be posting a story tomorrow that touches on this topic. In the meantime, send me your stories relating to health and safety at Teen Mania. Did you get unnecessarily injured? Did you receive adequate medical care? Was your
Health & Safety Issues Read More »
For someone who is so adamant that we pursue wisdom and good judgment, Dave sure does not seem to highly regard the rules of logic. In this video, instead of actually addressing the arguments I’ve put forth, he misdirects by casting suspicion on me, misquoting me and misrepresenting me. Let’s take a closer look at
The Emperor Has No Clothes Read More »
Andrew (not his real name) sent in this amazing story. It really outlines the double standard within the leadership at Teen Mania. They teach that your word is your bond and that you should always be honorable, yet they routinely lie and break their word. And they will continue to do so with total impunity
Fulfilling Biblical “requirements” does not make you extra Christian (just ask the Pharisees). You can’t be a “better” Christian than someone else. You might acknowledge your own poverty more and allow the Lord in your life more – but even that is a result of God’s mercy and grace and grants you no license to
Being Extra Christian Read More »
In the anger stage we start placing blame. We might be angry with ourselves, angry with God, angry with other people, angry with Satan. Personally, I know that I have felt most angry with God over my experience. And not just once, but at many different times. While feeling angry is not sinful, we can
The Grieving Process: Anger Read More »
I’m slowly going through the book, The Subtle Power of Spiritual Abuse, and I can’t recommend it highly enough. I hope the author won’t mind me excerpting a page here that really speaks to the idea that sometimes things are not always as they appear. I know many people, myself included, wonder how something that looks
Things Are Not Always What They Seem Read More »
The stages of grief are not an exact science. We do not move neatly from one to another in progressive order. We often go back and forth and sometimes we even experience more than one at a time. Once again, it is important to interpret the stages loosely, and expect much individual variation. There is
The Grieving Process: Denial, Shock, Pain & Guilt Read More »
