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 »
All our righteous acts are like filthy rags what make us perfect; we all shrivel up like a leaf,and like the wind our sins sweep us away form a team of spiritually elite leadership who can never fail. Isaiah 64:6b (remix)
The Bible According to Teen Mania #3 Read More »
Recovery from spiritual abuse is a long road. Experiencing betrayal by someone you trusted spiritually is an agonizing thing. The last place you expect to be wounded is in the Body of Christ. The emotions are intense and brutal: confusion, hopelessness, hurt, abandonment, depression, despair, and suicidal thoughts are just some of the things we’ve
Recovering from What? Read More »
In 2 posts dated Jan 28 and Jan 30, 2008, Dave Hasz started this dialogue on his blog (which has since gone down): In other words if you were going to let someone speak into your life about your spiritual condition or your pursuit of God what would “qualify” or “disqualify” them from speaking. This could get
The Sin That Disqualifies You Read More »
John 13: 3-5 Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. After that, he poured water into a basin and began
The Bible According to Teen Mania #2 Read More »
This quote is taken from the blog of Dave Hasz from his post on Feb. 27, 2006 (Blog has since gone down) Tonight in the Honor Academy I am going to share a message out of Hebrews and tell the interns how delighted God is over them. They are so Godly, and filled with Faith, I
God Loves You… If You Love Him Read More »
According to the handbook, there are 4 Honor Academy pillars. They are: VisionDiscplineWisdomLeadership I would certainly agree that these are emphasized throughout the year. However, when its all said and done, you are left with something very different. I submit to you that the actual pillars of the Honor Academy are: FearGuiltShameArrogance How can I
Pillars of the Honor Academy Read More »
Everyone familiar with the internship understands the basic rules you are required to follow, i.e. no secular music, no R rated movies, no dating. But there are many other behaviors that are strongly recommended by David Hasz and the group peer pressure is enormous. Exercise 4 times per week, one hour quiet time per day, learn new
This series is inspired by Alan Knox’s Scripture…As We Live It series. John 8: 3-11 The teachers of the law and the Pharisees Honor Academy staff brought in a woman caught in adultery. They made her stand before the group Honor Court and said to Jesus, Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. In the Law Honor Academy handbook, Moses Dave
The Bible According to Teen Mania #1 Read More »
If you thought the Honor Academy was only about getting to know Jesus Christ more and to be more like him, you were wrong. It is also about attaining “the Aura of a Statesmen.” In recent years, this has become a very important cause for Dave Hasz. Dave gets this idea from 2 Cor. 5:20
Aura of a Statesman Read More »
In a post on December 1, 2008, David Hasz, director of the Honor Academy, said: In this spiritual battle, it is crucial that you remember who provides the strength to win the battle. Satan’s conquests are only successful over ignorant individuals who don’t have the strength or understanding to resist him. Only Christians without complete armor
The Dangerous Doctrine of Dave Hasz Read More »
This is part 2 in examining the characteristics of a cult in relation to the Honor Academy as listed by the International Cultic Studies Association. My comments are in italics. – The leadership dictates, sometimes in great detail, how members should think, act, and feel (for example, members must get permission to date, change jobs,
Is Teen Mania a Cult? Part 2 Read More »
This is part 3 in examining the list of cult characteristics from the International Cultic Studies Association and how it relates to the Honor Academy internship. – The group teaches or implies that its supposedly exalted ends justify whatever means it deems necessary. This may result in members’ participating in behaviors or activities they would have considered
Is Teen Mania a Cult? Part 3 Read More »
UPDATE JUNE 2011: For the first 2 years of this blog, I was not willing to call Teen Mania a cult. I instead referred to it as “cult-like” or a “spiritually abusive group.” However, after reading literature about cults and attending a cult recovery workshop, I now see that Teen Mania is a cult. Internationally
Is Teen Mania a Cult? Conclusion Read More »
Is Teen Mania a cult? Is the Honor Academy brainwashing teens? What really goes on during the one year internship program? I spent 2 years in the Teen Mania Honor Academy. The first as an “intern” and the second as a “graduate intern.” The purpose of this blog is to share my experience with those
The Purpose of this Blog Read More »
This question has come up time and time again. As an intern, we joked about how the townsfolk nearby thought we were a cult. It was funny, because of course we weren’t a cult! It wasn’t until several years later, when I came across a long list of cult characteristics that I began to seriously
Is Teen Mania a Cult? Part 1 Read More »
If you want to revisit the first part of Erin’s story, links are below. Tomorrow will be the final installment about her GI year. Erin’s Story, Part 1Erin’s Story: Part 2 I didn’t grow up in a Christian home AT ALL. I was raised Agnostic with a Christian tilt, very liberal and pretty much God-less.
Erin’s Story, Part 3 Read More »
