We’ve been talking about why the impossibly high standards at Teen Mania are so unhealthy. But, I can already hear the objections. “Many people can and do live up to these standards!” you say. Many people live up to these standards for a while. I know I did. I can think of several reasons why people […]
Why Standards are Evil Read More »
ESOAL starts tomorrow. I just want to encourage any current interns who will be participating that there is NO SHAME in ringing the bell (or not even starting in the first place). Often, the environment at the Honor Academy makes you feel like you don’t measure up as a Christian unless your meet all of
Let’s talk some more about Dave’s post that I highlighted here. Take a quick read to refresh your memory. When it’s all said and done, this way of living is just more works, more flesh, more striving dressed up to look like Christian spirituality. And it results in more pride for the successful and more despair
Two Fruits of the HA: Pride and Despair Read More »
It’s no secret that Teen Mania has a fascination, perhaps even obsession, with the military. In a blog post from 2006, Dave Hasz talks about where some of this fascination comes from: (2021 Update: blog has since gone down) This summer I experienced some interesting shifts in my relationship with God. These started after I visited Jeff
Jesus Wasn’t in the Military Read More »
I’ve addressed this head on by examining how the environment at the Honor Academy squares against typical cult characteristics. You can read the posts here: Is Teen Mania a Cult? Part 1 Is Teen Mania a Cult? Part 2 Is Teen Mania a Cult? Part 3 Is Teen Mania a Cult? Conclusion Update Nov. 2010:
Is Teen Mania a Cult? An Overview Read More »
Keep those stories coming. I will be publishing them as we go. I think it’s helpful for others to read these and realize they are not alone. Some of these stories may be controversial because many former interns have left the faith. Though you may disagree with their current faith status, I would encourage you
This email was sent in by Mike. If you would like to share your story, you can send it to recoveringalumni at recoveringalumni dot blog. Feel free to change your name and/or other identifying details if you prefer to remain anonymous. Hi. My name is Mike. I’m 31 years old. I was involved with Teen
What is with this fascination with military imagery and training? I really don’t get it. Does Jesus reflect this in his ministry? The only time Jesus ever got confrontational was with the Pharisees. He didn’t rail on and on about the evils of his day. He didn’t villify people. There are so few references to
Teen Mania’s Military Fascination Read More »
More firsthand accounts of disturbing experiences at ESOAL written by interns. Here are a few “highlights” from a blog post written by an intern. Read the whole thing here. (2021 Update: Blog has since gone down.) Picture yourself in a concentration camp and you’ll get a taste of what I experienced. We were nothing, nobodies, lesser
ESOAL: Firsthand Accounts pt. 2 Read More »
That’s pretty much what I think of every time I hear about ESOAL. For those of you who are uninitiated, ESOAL stands for Emotionally Stretching Opportunity of a Lifetime. The interns call it “torture camp” for short. In reality, it should probably be called EABTNG or Emotionally Abusive Brainwashing and Torture in the Name of
Are They On Crack?? Read More »
Sorry for the long hiatus in posting. I went on summer vacation and business has been booming ever since I got back. Of course, it was also nice to go a stretch without having to think about and deal with my Teen Mania issues. Stay tuned and I will be attempting to cover 2 very
This is part 3 in the Grieving Series. Part I is here and Part II is here. There were several factors that contributed to my depression. Of course, there is the normal depression associated with the grieving process – grieving the losses I experienced at the Honor Academy. But, for me, there were also some other factors that
The Grieving Process: Depression & Loneliness Read More »
Molly over at Adventures in Mercy had a great post today.. “Jesus didn’t lace his relationships with expectations and he refused to be trapped when others sought to put expectations on him. He disappointed Mary and Martha by delaying his trip to Bethany when they begged him to come and heal their brother, Lazarus. He didn’t tell people all
Jesus Didn’t Manipulate Read More »
When I was an intern, the topics of legalism and performance came up quite a bit. In that environment, it was always a struggle to know where the line was. Now I see that although Ron Luce or Dave Hasz talk about grace and trust in Jesus, the overwhelming attitude presented to the interns is
The Pressure of Performance Read More »
These are just some of the things I’ve been called for bringing the serious problems of Teen Mania and the Honor Academy into the light. In fact, I’m not bitter. I generally give very little thought to Teen Mania in my regular, daily life. But after talking with so many other people who have gone
Bitter, Rebellious or Just Plain Disobedient Read More »
According to Wikipedia Ron Luce has both a bachelors and masters degree in psychology. Now, I have absolutely no training in that field (although I’ve been to my fair share of counseling because of Teen Mania’s influence) but why would he name his ministry Teen Mania? Mania is not a desirable psychological condition, and as
Teen “Mania” – Freudian Slip? Read More »
Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant always honorable, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all adhere to a strict code of honor. Mark 10: 43-45 (re-mix)
The Bible According to Teen Mania #5 Read More »
It is a devastating thing to feel that God has failed you. That the promises you trusted Him to keep turned to ashes in front of your eyes. That the prayers you so desperately prayed go unanswered. That the purpose, destiny, calling, whatever – hasn’t come to pass. When many of the things I was
When God Fails You Read More »
One of the more cruel abuses of the Honor Academy is blaming the victim. If you are depressed, sick, can’t seem to feel God’s presence, or any other hard situation – it’s usually because you don’t have enough faith, aren’t seeking God enough or you are in sin. Head on over to itunes and check
Blame the Victim – Ron Luce Does! Read More »
Copied from Spotlight Ministries: Do you feel that no matter how hard you try, the ‘good deeds’ you perform for your group are never quite enough? As a result of this do you often feel plagued with feelings of guilt? What are you motivated by? Is it genuine love for God and the group etc.,
A Quiz for Current Interns and Alumni Read More »
I had to borrow this one straight from Alan Knox: Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual trained should restore him in a spirit of gentleness superiority. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted that person, because he is likely to fail again. (Galatians 6:1 re-mix)
The Bible According to Teen Mania #4 Read More »
I’d like to talk about one of the comments this blog received this week: And at the same time I did have plenty of experiences where people served me at TM and I was able to serve them. I remember one specific instance actual “foot washing” went on and in fact, I just posted a
Response to a Comment Read More »
The first sign of spiritual abuse is control-oriented leadership. Let’s talk about how this trait plays out at the Honor Academy. Here are some of Dave Hasz’s own comments to illustrate. Click on the statement to see the source link: Question from an Intern: “Should you absolutely submit to your superiors even if you disagree
Control Oriented Leadership Read More »
I also found this list of abusive symptoms rather intriguing: Signs of an abusive church (edited for length). 1) Abusive church leaders in abusive churches are into power and control. Enroth writes, “The spiritual autocrat, the religious dictator, attempts to compel subordination; the true Christian leader can legitimately only elicit fellowership.” Within a church context
What is Spiritual Abuse? Part 2 Read More »
In his book, Churches That Abuse, Ronald Enroth points out that spiritual abuse can often be found in churches that are doctrinally sound, conservatively Christian, thoroughly Biblical, and zealously maintaining the fundamentals of the Faith. It’s a myth to think that just because an organization as fundamental or evangelical beliefs, that they are safe. He goes
What Is Spiritual Abuse? Read More »
