Flipping through an old journal, I found this entry that I thought was worth sharing. I’m interested in respect. It doesn’t seem like the “church” respects individuals and their decision making process. I want to be treated with respect, not because of what I do, my “spiritual walk” or anything like that, but just because […]
(and at Teen Mania, too) I love the resources at Steve McVey’s Gracewalk website. He has a video series on “101 Lies Taught in Church Every Sunday.” The first time I came across his list of lies, I was shocked. These are standard, basic theologies taught in nearly every Protestant church in America! Could they
101 Lies Taught in Church Every Sunday Morning Read More »
Predictably, some commenters on Monday’s post felt the need to specify that you know, grace isn’t cheap. We can’t get forgiven unless we really mean it, etc. God, I’m so tired of that message. Anytime someone tells you that you can only receive grace IF you do/feel/say xyz…they are feeding you bull excrement. (Sadly, well-intentioned
Don’t Piss on the Party! Read More »
Holy Freakin Crap. I can’t believe David Hasz actually wrote this on the internet for all to see. Wow. In an Open Letter to the Honor Academy January Class of 2010, he said: Remember it is when you are repentant and living whole heartedly, this is when you are forgiven your sins by God, so
Dave Hasz Said WHAT?! Read More »
Every time this song comes on the radio, it reminds me of the Honor Academy. Sing along in freedom. 🙂 Who cares if you disagree?You are not meWho made you king of anything?So you dare tell me who to be?Who died and made you king of anything? You sound so innocent, all full of good
One of my favorite blogs is the Naked Pastor. No, he isn’t physically naked. The title of his blog refers to being emotionally honest with ourselves, God and other people. Its a refreshing oasis in a sea of Christian commercialism and fakery. This cartoon of his perfectly captures the environment of Teen Mania: 10 comments:
Its Not Brainwashing, It’s Self Control! Read More »
FYI, Teen Mania started several new blogs recently. Will they be posting regular content? We shall see….Here are the addresses (I don’t want to give direct links.) 1) A New David Hasz Blog: www dot honoracademydirector dot com 2) www dot Honor Academy Alumni dot com 3) www dot esoal dot org 11 comments: Maurice
Teen Mania Enters the Blogosphere? Read More »
I don’t get it. Have you ever noticed how many “Christian” leaders are plagued by scandal, yet STILL thrive on the support and offerings of the Christian masses? I just don’t get it. This isn’t about forgiveness and second chances – I’m all for that. But many of these people have NEVER confessed that the
Why Are Christians So Gullible? Read More »
Over the past few years, the Honor Academy has put in place several new avenues for interns to give feedback to the staff. Everything from the food they eat, to how much sleep they are getting to workplace issues are supposedly covered in these new surveys. However, I believe these surveys do not really uncover
Why Interns Don’t Speak Up Read More »
Many an intern has had dysfunctional romantic relationships because of Ron Luce’s fear-based teachings on marriage and courtship. In his character development class, Ron Luce teaches the Honor Academy interns the “godly” way to have a romantic relationship. He presents a several step process (I quit listening after #6) based on the formula of friendship
Ron Luce: The Relationship Talk Read More »
A 2009 intern sent me a copy of the Honor Academy accountability card. Although the accountability system seems to change slightly from year to year, the basic idea is a checklist that each intern fills out weekly to assess if they have complied with the requirements of the Honor Academy. Depending on how many requirements
Honor Academy Accountability Cards Read More »
If you attempt to post my personal contact information, I will get your IP address. You will be in violation of Internet Harrassment and Cyber Stalking laws: A person commits an offense if the person sends an electronic mail, instant message, text message, or similar communication that references a name, domain address, phone number, or
Internet Harassment Read More »
We’ve heard a lot about spiritual growth and the Christian life at both the Honor Academy and in American evangelicalism. But what exactly does spiritual growth look like? What are the marks of a mature Christian? What does it mean to “be filled with fullness of God”? Is it an intense discipline to rid ourselves
What is Spiritual Growth? Read More »
1) Via Don Miller I don’t believe the aim of the devil is to get us to masturbate, as is taught in so many churches, but rather to get us to project a righteous identity. And The next time you want to impress your friends with your religious devotion, count it as false religion. And
We are continuing our series on common tactics used by cults. If you haven not already, you can read part 1 and part 2. A common practice in cults and other abusive groups is a routine coerced public confession of specific sins. This is one attribute I have never seen or heard about at the
8 Cult Tactics, pt. 3 Read More »
One thing I’ve struggled with for a long time is feeling betrayed by God. Since I was wholeheartedly seeking God and wanting to serve Him, why would he allow me to go into such a spiritually abusive and damaging environment? Have you ever felt that way? This has been a tough one for me. Maybe
The Cult Awareness and Information Library (2021 UPDATE: website is now on Wayback Machine) is an invaluable resource in understanding the emotional and psychological issues we face in recovering from our time at Teen Mania. Even TM supporters or people who may not think of them as a cult might be surprised to find their
Stages in Recovery Read More »
I don’t think we’ve talked very much about the severe disorientation that occurs when you leave such an intense, spiritually abusive group. As you begin to uncover how the group has affected you, a profound sense of confusion and betrayal can overwhelm you. Realizing that things you believed in so strongly may not have been
Pushing Jesus is blog focused on recovery from spiritual abuse. For me, the content is hit or miss, but I really appreciated this post which is reprinted below. (Bold emphasis is mine.)Refer to STEP 6: I made a commitment to turn away from my pride and refused to become just like those who abused me.
Christian Narcissism Read More »
THE WAR Teen Mania had a bit of a crisis half-way through my undergraduate year. 9/11 had occurred, and numbers were down. Parents were hesitant to send their kids overseas on mission trips. Youth groups were backing out of ATF. The Aug. class of 2003 was shaping into an embarrassingly small one. TM wasn’t making
Jamie’s Story: Part 4 Read More »
SEXISM My Intern Advisor was also the Dean of Women. She was on staff for only one year before she and her husband moved on to something else. At our very first focus group, she passed out that dreadful list of rules along the lines of “How to be a Godly Teen Mania Woman”. By
Jamie’s Story: Part 3 Read More »
My biggest liability was that I was physically tired almost all the time. I have had this problem my whole life, but it got a lot worse after I’d been at the HA for a while. My biological clock got so messed up that I would crash in my dorm room after work and classes
Jamie’s Story: Part 2 Read More »
PROLOGUE I came to the Honor Academy with issues. I brought a lot of baggage with me, as does every intern that has had to make their way in this broken world for 17+ years. I don’t think that the leadership at the Honor Academy fully understands this. They say they do, but the infrastructure
Jamie’s Story: Part 1 Read More »
KLTV just ran a story on the ESOAL Oversight Committee. Unfortunately, they did not mention that the majority of the people on this committee already have ties to Teen Mania and its senior leadership, as I discussed here. Jamie Holder, Deputy Superintendent of Lindale Schools, has withdrawn from the committee for personal reasons. UPDATE: There
ESOAL Oversight Committee: Update & News Story Read More »
1) Via the Internet Monk (2021 Update: Blog has since gone down. Link points to Wayback Machine.) I wonder how many Christians believe the center of the Gospel is their own efforts at being “fully surrendered” or obedient? 2) Via Steve McVey: Resting in Abbas Arms Jesus didn’t just come to deliver us from sin. He also
