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 »
Continuing our series of lessons you will learn at the Honor Academy… #2 – Everything is your fault This not so subtle message applies to issues both big and small in daily life. – Car broke down and you were late? It’s your fault.– Flight delayed and your luggage was lost? It’s your fault.– Teen Mania didn’t
Honor Academy Lesson #2 Read More »
Today’s post is inspired by The Onion. 8 comments: katydid said… -Intense therapy.-Diving into scripture and letting the grace of the Lord wash over me..-Connecting with others who were also damaged/hurt and realizing that you’re not alone–and healing. August 27, 2010 6:59 AM heartsfire said… -running from “Christianity” for 10+ years-recovering from eating disorder-trying to get
How Are We Spending Our Post HA Lives? Read More »
We’ve examined several of the most popular teachings at the Honor Academy as given by Ron Luce, David Hasz and Heath Stoner. But we all know that lectures aren’t the only way we learn. In fact, I’d say we primarily learn about God, ourselves and others through the way we are treated. Lectures may give
Honor Academy Lesson #1 Read More »
How ministry placements are decided has always been a hot topic. During gauntlet week, the interns take a battery of skills and personality tests. At the end of the week, they are given their job assignments which range from cafeteria workers and janitors all the way up to Ron’s executive assistants. TM leadership constantly tells
Ministry Placements: God’s Will or Manipulation? 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 »
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 »
I have been reading through the RA site here and there, and in the beginning, I will be honest, my thoughts were something like, “Well, good for them. They are hurting and finding a way to work through it.” But I felt disconnected. It has been 15 years since I was part of TM, before
(2021 Moderator’s Note: Allie’s Story is part of The Vault, a series of drafts that were discovered in a backup file from 2011. These posts were not published for some reason but are now being published. If this is your story and do not want your story to remain published, please email me at recoveringalumni
The other major thing I got confronted about constantly was “rebellion.” Any opposing thought or belief not preached to us by our leaders was considered “rebellion.” Had I actually believed everything that people were confronting me about, I would have ended up hanging myself in the Back 40. Thank God (literally) there is grace. Without
Mariana’s Story: Part 3 Read More »
During Gauntlet Week, we had numerous interviews and personality tests. I didn’t know at the time that behind every curtain the Directors of Oz were hiding out listening to our conversations Big Brother-style so they could determine who they wanted for their team for our “ministry placements” (i.e. free youth labor). I had been majoring
Mariana’s Story: Part 2 Read More »
FYI: This story is a 3 part story. I was a sophomore in college when I was called to the Honor Academy. I was living with 4 guys and 2 other girls in a house we dubbed “The Real World.” The majority of us had never met and had found out through a friend-of-a-friend about the rooms
Mariana’s Story: Part 1 Read More »
Note from RA: I expect to hear back from the Board of Directors today. If I do, I will post a full update tomorrow morning. When I first started reading about the experiences at TM I was a little skeptical. It led me to think about my experiences at TM. I was a January intern
Ok, yesterday we talked about Teen Mania’s standards for women on campus so here’s a little something so that the men don’t feel left out. I’d love to give the context for this, but I have absolutely no idea what it is. Maybe someone can explain in the comments…Click the author’s feed to see a
Somehow with the second semester, all hell broke loose. I hadn’t realized how lonely I would become as the second semester worse on. Many of the people I really confided in had graduated at the end of my first semester. I began to feel very out of place. The powers that be moved me to
Shannon’s Story: Part 2 Read More »
First of all, I’d like to get it straight that I don’t hate Teen Mania. I don’t consider it a cult. I don’t regret having been a part of it. I don’t love Teen Mania. I don’t put it on a pedestal of spiritual perfection. I regret a lot of my choices during the internship
Shannon’s Story: Part 1 Read More »
This thought is only partially developed, and its a little rough around the edges. Stick with me and maybe you can help me fully flesh it out in the comments. Firstly, actions speak louder than words. If you tell me that God is love when you are filled with hate – which lesson do you
Sadly, the common thread that I see in almost every former intern I talk to is shame. Shame about who they are, shame about not measuring up, not being enough, not fitting into the Christian mold they were taught. And yet, all the while, God created them to be themselves, to honor Him by walking in their uniqueness.
Break Out of the Mold Read More »
Isn’t it ironic that Teen Mania will travel across the world to reach a tribal witchdoctor but befriending a local bartender is considered scandalous? Isn’t it ironic that TM teaches that the honorable, the statesman-like and the disciplined are blessed, but Jesus said that the broken, the hungry, and the poor in spirit are blessed?
(2021 Moderator’s Note: Allie’s Story is part of The Vault, a series of drafts that were discovered in a backup file from 2011. These posts were not published for some reason but are now being published. If you are Bobby and do not want your story to remain published, please email me at recoveringalumni at
