The Honor Academy website now features a page entitled “Recovering Alumni Information.” I’d like to discuss it point by point. – Many stories and claims publicized by the group are done so in anonymity, which makes it challenging to verify facts or engage in a resolution focused conversation. Which of my factual claims are anonymous? […]
Honor Academy Offical Response to Recovering Alumni Read More »
This week the Honor Academy interns will start the event known as the PEARL (physical, emotional and relational learning). In past years, this even was known as ESOAL (emotionally stretching opportunity of a lifetime). Because of a spate of bad press and many damning ESOAL videos being posted to YouTube, Teen Mania made minor changes
PEARL 2011 (Formerly ESOAL) Read More »
Today, Dave Hasz announced “big” changes to ESOAL. It will now be called the PEARL LTE, the Physical, Emotional and Relational Learning Event. Lest you assume that this means substantial changes to ESOAL, please note he says they will “retire with honor the name ESOAL.” So, first off they are giving honor to ESOAL. FULL
Honor Academy Announces ESOAL 2.0 Read More »
Perhaps one of the greatest things we need to unlearn after our time at Teen Mania is our destructive attitudes towards ourselves. This practice of devaluing every intern is so commonplace at the Honor Academy that we internalize the self-criticism and it actually becomes part of our inner Christian life. Being hard on yourself is
Self-Abuse or Self-Compassion? Read More »
After the HA, I went home for 2 years. I worked really hard to save money for school, served at my youth group, and took some Jr. college. The second year I was home, I began to have an intense burden for the interns who are placed in Facilities, specifically Custodial, like I was, and
Teen Mania prepare an annual report to give to donors and potential donors in order to persuade them to open their wallets to Teen Mania Ministries. This annual report provides some interesting information, some sketchy information and some outright lies. For the latter, I’d like to direct your attention to the graphic comparing Honor Academy
Teen Mania’s Annual Report or “Let’s Just Make Stuff Up” Read More »
On Being a Worldchanger: Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands, just as we told you. I Thess. 4:11 On Confrontation: Do not entertain an accusation against an elder unless it is brought by two or three witnesses. Those who sin are
Verses You Won’t Hear at Teen Mania Read More »
(Moderator’s Note: A Teen Mania alumnus recently posted his story. It’s quite long so I’ve summarized the main points. Everything in italics is a direct quote. Even though the following story is about a mission trip, it is very pertinent to the Honor Academy. Read all the way through and you will see why…This is
During his Week of the Ring sermon this week, Heath Stoner preached about honesty and telling the truth no matter the cost. (Kind of like a lecture from Bernie Madoff about fiscal responsibility.) Any who, Heath used a clip from the movie “Les Misérables” to emphasize his point that you should “swear to your own
Ignoring Context = Sloppy (and Wrong!) Preaching Read More »
Well, I’ve put off writing this post for weeks. Honestly, it seems silly to dignify the accusations by refuting them here, but I guess the rumors have spread far enough that I should address it, especially for people who might be new here. As you may remember, in the fall, Teen Mania commissioned a lawyer,
If You Can’t Beat ‘Em, Lie About ‘Em Read More »
The Honor Academy recently posted this video recapping a recent chapel service preached by Emmie Harper, long time staffer at Teen Mania who now serves as Director of Operations for Global Expeditions (the missions department of Teen Mania). With regards to foreign missions, Emmie says: 00:54 – We’re not sending enough people. If you ask
You Should Probably Be on the Mission Field Read More »
Then God Hates You. Well, at least that’s what Dave Hasz teaches. And I have proof. Within their first week on campus, every new intern sits through a teaching given by David Hasz about the importance of keeping your commitment. This teaching is designed to get interns to commit to staying at the Honor Academy
If You Leave the Honor Academy Early…. Read More »
A day or two after I got back home, ESOAL finished and Heath Stoner called me. He asked me why I left the HA and said that because of our previous meeting he thought we were, “on the same page.” Of course, when you isolate me in a room all day by myself and then
Hannah’s Story: Part 3 Read More »
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
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 »
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 »
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 »
Continuing our series based on the Heresy of Mind Control. All paragraphs below are from chapter 3. Have you seen any of these behaviors at the Honor Academy? #3: The Demand for Purity This is a demand which goes to the extreme of labeling certain thoughts, feelings and actions as “sins” which really are not
8 Cult Techniques, pt. 3 Read More »
If you are new here, it is important to understand how Teen Mania has responded to the many concerns we have raised here on the blog. As you will see in the synopsis below, I have done everything in my power to facilitate constructive dialogue and move towards reconciliation. At every turn, Teen Mania has
Teen Mania and Recovering Alumni: A Synopsis Read More »
Today, we are continuing our series examining the 8 tactics of cults and other authoritarian/abusive groups from book “The Heresy of Mind Control.” The second tactic is called “Mystical Manipulation.” The paragraphs below are taken from the book and explain this technique. Have you ever seen this at the Honor Academy? In summation of “Mystical
8 Cult Techniques, pt. 2 Read More »
Many former interns can verify the environment of suspicion and mistrust cast upon any intern that doesn’t fully subscribe to the party line. As I was reflecting upon my experiences there, I noticed an interesting parallel that might help convey this reality. Each spring, the interns must train to run the Tyler 10k. To be
Suspicion & Mistrust Read More »
Teen Mania has told so many lies about ESOAL and the physical health and safey of interns, I thought it was worth summarizing. These lies are even more egregious because they come from a ministry that continually stresses integrity, honesty and “doing the right thing no matter what the cost.” I’ve limited the list to
Teen Mania’s Many Lies Read More »
I’m not really sure why the Honor Academy thinks it is exempt from so many New Testament teachings. Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God. Romans 15:7 You, then, why do you judge your brother? Or why do you look down on your brother? Romans 14:10
Exempt from Scripture? Read More »
There is no doubt that Teen Mania leadership is authoritarian and controlling. Even the fans will admit that, though they say it’s in service to a good cause. However, can top-down control ever really effect heart transformation? Can spiritual growth really come from a forced obedience to a set of external rules? Lately, I’ve been
Leadership and Authority Read More »
