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{{Short description|Global church network founded in the USA}}
:''For the Potter's house church pastored by T.D. Jakes, see ].''
{{pp|small=yes}}
The '''Potter's House Christian Fellowship''' (aka, the '''Potter's House Christian Church''' or simply '''The Potter's House''') was founded by ] ] at ] in 1970<ref></ref>. They have created almost 1400 churches, under The Potter's House banner, in over 100 nations. The first ] church was established in the city of ] in 1978<ref></ref>. Their theology is best characterized as ]<ref></ref>.
{{for-multi|the church in Dallas, Texas|The Potter's House Church, Dallas|the church in Stoke-on-Trent, UK|The Potter's House Church (Stoke-on-Trent)|the Christian K-12 school in Kent County, Michigan|The Potter's House (school)}}
{{EngvarB|date=April 2020}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2020}}
{{Infobox church
| name = Potter's House Christian Fellowship
| fullname = Christian Fellowship Ministries
| other name = The Door, Victory Chapel
| pushpin map =
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| coordinates = {{coord|34|37|50.48|N|112|25|38.33|W|display=inline,title|name=Potter's House}}
| osgraw = <!-- TEXT -->
| osgridref = <!-- {{gbmappingsmall| TEXT}} -->
| location = ]
| country = United States
| denomination = ], ]
| previous denomination = ]
| website = {{URL| www.prescottpottershouse.com|The Potter's House}}
| founded date = 1970
| founder = Wayman O. Mitchell
| logo = Cfm-large.png
| logosize = 200
| logolink =
| logoalt = CFM logo
| embedded =
}}


The '''Potter's House Christian Fellowship''', commonly known as '''The Potter's House''', is a ] Christian organisation based in the ]. It was established in ], in 1970 by Wayman Mitchell. The Potter's House was a member of the ] until 1983 when they separated to form a new independent fellowship.
==Current church statistics==
As of January 2006, the Potter's House Christian Fellowship and its affiliated ministries (including The Door, Victory Chapel, Christian Fellowship Ministries and The Light House) claim approximately 1,365 churches world-wide, with 392 in the ], 60 in ], and the remainder internationally.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cfmau.com |title=Christian Fellowship Ministries Australia |accessdate= August 2006|accessmonthday= |accessyear= |author= |last= |first= |authorlink= |coauthors= |date= |year= |month= |format= |work= |publisher= |pages= |language= |archiveurl= |archivedate=}}</ref>


The church has also been criticised in a number of areas including high levels of control, extreme commitment requirements, and the mistreatment of former members. It has been labelled by many ex-members as a ]. {{R|"Pearly"|"Cult"}}<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.themirror.com/news/us-news/texas-mom-lured-cult-church-778594 | title=Mom lured into 'cult' church for two decades after trip to 'fun' haunted house | date=October 31, 2024 }}</ref>
The mother church in ] is headed by ]. Some of the fellowship churches have over 1,000 attendees and the Prescott Mother Church itself has over 800{{Citation needed}}. There are also newer churches with very few attendees. Expansion into new regions increases the number of smaller churches and thus brings the average across all churches down to about 80 attendees per service {{Citation needed}}.


==Church activity== ==Etymology==
The fellowship name the "Potter's House" derives from the biblical text ]:2 <ref>{{cite web |title=Bible Gateway passage: Jeremiah 18:2 - King James Version |url=https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jeremiah+18%3A2&version=KJV |website=Bible Gateway |publisher=Biblegateway.com |access-date=9 August 2023 |language=en}}</ref>{{R|"Etymology"}} <blockquote> Arise, and go down to the potter's house, and there I will cause thee to hear my words. </blockquote><p align=right> &mdash; ''Jeremiah 18:2 (King James Version)''</p>
The Potters House Christian Fellowship consists of members who identify themselves as being "]" Christians. The church has an ] program involving ], personal 'witnessing', rock/rap concerts, Christian movies, skits and dramas. These events are used to evangelize to non-Christians. While the Potter's House welcomes those from other churches, it does not actively participate in ] Christians from other evangelical groups (sometimes called transfer growth), but rather focuses on the conversion of non-believers.<ref name=od></ref>


==Beliefs==
Potter's House sermons are accessible online in and the
The Potter's House Statement of Faith contains the central beliefs of the church.{{R|"Beliefs"}} The ] are summarised as below:


• There is one true God, and He exists as a ]: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
==Church history==
The Potter's House stems from the ], a Christian revival that swept through America in the early 70's. ] originally began his churches under the affiliation of the ] and continued this affiliation until a disagreement with church leaders on ordination requirements for new ministers. Mitchell believed that a new pastor should be trained through ']' (mentoring) rather than by higher education, such as ]. By the mid-1980s Mitchell had a following of well over a hundred newly established churches, pastored by men who had been trained under him and sent out to minister without further formal education. Reluctantly in 1985 Mitchell gave up his official affiliation with the ] and took up a practice under Christian Fellowship Ministries (C.F.M.), the church he had established in Prescott. <ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.thedoornetherlands.com/about.html |title= The Door Netherlands |accessdate= August 2006|accessmonthday= |accessyear= |author= |last= |first= |authorlink= |coauthors= |date= |year= |month= |format= |work= |publisher= |pages= |language= |archiveurl= |archivedate=}}</ref> When Mitchell left the International Church of the Foursquare Gospel, most of his newer churches went with him, and name "The Potter's House" was adopted. <ref name=od/>

==Church doctrine==
Potter's House Christian Fellowship is a ] ] church. They believe in the ] of the ], with a particular focus on training and making ] (mentoring), along with an emphasis on building relationships in the church. There are specific standards for ] and the fellowship believes in teaching by discipleship. Much of the official Potters House ] adheres to the book "The Foundations of Pentecostal Theology" written by two Foursquare ministers, and published by ].
• God the Father created the universe and mankind. After man's fall He invited mankind back for reconciliation through ].
The church claims to hold to the following doctrines: they believe in the historicity of the ] narratives and an orthodox understanding of ], ] over ], that biblical standards apply to all members regardless of stature or position on the church , 'submission unto headship', hold a ] stance to ], emphasize 'Biblical moral standards in holiness', and proclaiming their message to those who are 'spiritually lost' and 'in danger of going to hell'. The church is classified Pentecostal' however the church does not participate in what they call "counterfeit themes", such as the ] or the ]. This suggests that the church is not greatly influenced by mainstream ] teaching, and thus could identify itself as ], but not ].
• Jesus Christ is eternally God. He was incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the ].
• The Holy Spirit is eternally God, given in completion to the Church at ] and works to empower, guide and align Christians to Christ.


• Baptism in the Holy Spirit, after conversion, is evidenced with the fruits and gifts of the Holy Spirit and ].
==Origins of the church name==
The name comes from an ] verse of the ]:
:'''Jeremiah 18:2''' ''Arise, and go down to the potter's house, and there I will cause thee to hear my words.'' (])


• The Bible is the infallible, eternal and final Word of God with ultimate authority. It contains the fullness of what is required to live a Christian life.
Because of its biblical origin, the name "]" is often used by other independent church groups besides those affiliated with ]. Particularly well known is The Potter's House, Dallas, Texas, a largely African-American ] founded and led by ].


• Christ's death on the cross made full ] for the world's sins. Atonement also provides healing of body, soul, and spirit.
==Church conferences and Revivals==
Conferences are a major part of the church's practice and administration. A conference is mainly aimed at instructing pastors but all believers are encouraged to attend. Most countries hold them once or twice per year and they can consist of up to 17 sermons by various fellowship pastors and ].
:*''']''': '']'':- A conference is held twice per year with approximately 2500 claimed attendees.{{Citation needed}}<br>
:*''']''': '']'':- A conference is held twice a year with approximately 1500 claimed attendees.{{Citation needed}}<br>
:*''']''': '']'':- A conference is held once per year in March with approximately 1400 claimed attendees.{{Citation needed}}<br>
:*''']''': '']'':- A conference is held once per year with approximately 900 claimed attendees.{{Citation needed}}


• ] is given through the death of Christ and is received through faith toward Christ and repentance toward God.
Revivals usually occur in most CFM churches every two to three months and consist of usually five services over four consecutive days from a visiting speaker.

• Christians are to live a life separated and dedicated to God. "The shortcomings of the individual are because of the still progressing ] of the saints".
• The Church is the Body of Christ consisting of those who are born of the Spirit. The work of the church is to fulfil the Great Commission.
==Church stands==
===Bible schools, Church planting and discipleship===
• Water ], done in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, is a sign of the believer identifying with the death, burial and resurrection of Christ.
The Fellowship rejects ] as a vehicle for ]. The following are a few reasons given for this:<ref>Simpkins, Ron (1984). ''We Can Take the Land (A Study in Church Planting)'', pp. 275-276. Prescott: Potters Press. ISBN 0-918389-00-3</ref>
# Bible schools are claimed not to be biblical, and are viewed as a ] institution left over from ], and are used in imitation of the world.
# The church posits that Bible schools are unable to do the job of world evangelism. The world population is growing at a rate of seventy million people a year. That means that every day 194,444 people are added to the population, over and above those who die. The cost of training workers by traditional methods is prohibitive. Even if finances were available, the Bible school method is slow and inefficient that the church is not even able to keep pace with the rising population, let alone reach the world.
# The Bible school isolates the man of God from practical experience, which is meant to come through the church. For most students, the school begins to take the place of church commitment and worship. This leads to bad habits of discipline and isolates them from the very people they are preparing to minister to.
# All attempts to mass produce disciplines will ultimately fail. Men of God must be hand crafted.
# The requirements of Bible schools eliminate many who God would use. The requirements of ], previous education, and age would have stopped Jesus and the ].
# The Bible school system puts the church on a standard of "mind" not "heart" rewarding wrong motives, and creating an elitist mentality of really having paid too high a price to reach the poor.
# Bible Schools tend to put those who can't pastor into the role of pastor trainers.
# The system builds into the church a clergy-laity mentality that denies the priesthood of the believer, and develops a mentality that some people need to be really committed, and others just need to be saved.
# Bible schools rob the church of dignity it was meant to have in the preparing of workers and reaching a lost world.
# They violate the indigenous principle.
# Practical experience while pastoring, tied to regular Bible conferences is a more effective use of God's money.
# Bible schools while not evil in themselves are not God's best method.


• The ] is done to commemorate the death of Jesus and is a sign of "participation in Him".
== Church culture ==
Like many ] or ] churches, members of the Potter's House claim to have undergone religious experiences that have deeply influenced their lives. Members describe how their 'relationship with God' has changed their lives for the better, and that they are now saved and were once lost. Almost all members would have their own personal testimony that they feel compelled to share with others. Many people claim to have been cured of ], ], and untreatable diseases.
• The ], millennium and final judgement.


• The ] will be the final determination of the eternal state for all mankind "determined by their relationship to Jesus Christ".
Because the church has its roots in the ] of the 1970s, it does not have much of the culture or attitudes of traditional ] or ] churches from the ] in the U.S. South. As a result, the church embraces all nationalities and classes and has no overt discrimination against any person based on race or social status. The church also has a special focus upon outreach to the poor and lower classes (also typical of other churches that have their roots in the Jesus Movement).


==History==
== Criticism of the church ==
===Beginnings: 1969–1989===
Among the critics of the Potter's House are <ref></ref>, <ref></ref>, and <ref></ref> for example. The gives a more measured critique <ref></ref>. A variety of newspapers and television stations have reported on the group over the years; controversial cult expert ], while not making a statement himself, hosts a series of articles critical about Potters House. <ref></ref>
In 1969, Wayman Mitchell asked for a ministerial position and was appointed to serve as the minister of the Foursquare church in Prescott, Arizona. Mitchell promoted personal witnessing which saw much church growth, primarily from the youth of the ] and resulted in an overflowing church by the early seventies. Mitchell began to establish new churches which were originally called The Door (and later, these churches were called the Potter's House), first within Arizona and interstate, then overseas. Mitchell discouraged his disciples from attending bible schools due to his own negative experiences in them so the men who he sent out did not receive full ordinations from Foursquare. According to Nathaniel Van Cleave, Mitchell permitted only his own style of primitive and militant evangelism, isolated his disciples from other Foursquare ministers and as a group, they walked out of conference meetings that they disagreed with. Although Mitchell was the state superintendent, he only focused on his own churches, excluding all other Foursquare churches that were under his care. Over time, this caused resentment among the excluded congregations and at least one church left the denomination as a result.{{R|"Vine"}}


At the 1983 Foursquare convention, a large number of pastors brought complaints against Mitchell to the executive council meeting. Mitchell made no attempt to respond to the complaints. Instead, he and his followers left the conference. A special meeting was later held with Mitchell in an attempt to establish understanding and continued fellowship but this attempt was unsuccessful. Within weeks, Mitchell and the churches which he had planted severed their ties with Foursquare and became an independent fellowship.{{R|"Vine"}}
Potter's House advocates dismiss the critics' claims as unfounded. They suggest that critics are non-credible, small in number, and highly vocal. Rick Ross is a controversial figure himself and has attracted criticism.<ref></ref> Further, supporters of the Potter's House allege that some critics have ulterior motives and have engaged in deceptive tactics to inflate their apparent numbers on the internet <ref></ref>. Potter's House advocates suggest that the church's militancy and outspokenness, which are not in and of themselves improper, are partially to blame for the negative reactions of those not used to such methods.

===Since 1990===
In 1990, approximately 100 churches split from the Potter's House. Larry Neville stated that the split was partially due to restrictions which prevented them from maturing and enlarging their expressions of faith.

In 2001, a second split occurred, with around 160 churches leaving the fellowship.{{Citation needed|date=September 2023}}

Wayman Mitchell died on September 21, 2020, in Prescott, Arizona.{{R|"Obituary"}}

==Statistics==
As of July 2023, Christian Fellowship Ministries has over 3460 churches worldwide.{{R|"Map"}}

== Conferences ==
Annual week-long conferences are a feature of national leadership churches throughout the fellowship with 55 recorded conference centres as of 2022.{{R|"Conference"}}

==Doctrine and practice==
The Potter's House Christian Fellowship holds Pentecostal beliefs with a strong emphasis on ], ], and ].{{R|"Vision"}} Doctrines include ], the ], ], and the ] of Jesus Christ.{{R|"Beliefs"}}

A program of evangelism is promoted with regular outreach events scheduled including, but not limited to, ], music concerts, movie nights, and ]s, with the intention of ] people and increasing church membership.{{R|"Dead"|"Wakefield"|"Opens"|"Booming"|"Simple"}}

A major goal of the church is the establishment of new churches, commonly referred to as church planting. This is achieved through the in-house training of pastors who are then sent to start a new church. Local congregations, both new and established, have no say over who leads the church.{{R|"Wakefield"|"Booming"|"Abuse"}} Pastors in the Potter's House do not receive any formal theological training as this is considered a waste of time and bible college is believed to cause those wanting to become pastors to lose their passion for the church.{{R|"Pearly"|"Simple"|"AnswersToNoOne"}} Instead, the church uses a process called discipleship, a type of on-the-job training where men wanting to become ministers are mentored by their pastor for three years before starting their own church.{{R|"AnswersToNoOne"|"Rollers"}} These new pastors then go on to repeat the process by training their own disciples to start new churches.{{R|"Booming"}} Women in the church are not encouraged to pursue careers as the church believes their place is in the home supporting their husbands.{{R|"Pearly"|"Commitment"}}

Faith healing is another belief held by the church, which holds faith healing meetings and invites the public to attend. According to Kenneth Whelan, people can be healed if they forgive all sins committed against them and become Christians. Meetings generally consist of singing, a request for donations, a sermon, and an ], which is a request for people to come to the front and repent. After this, people are called to the front to be prayed for healing.{{R|"Ceremony"|"Desert"}}

The church believes that participating in sin can result in physical problems. Homosexuality can cause deafness, and idol worship can cause problems with eyesight.{{R|"Miserable"}} Breast cancer is linked to hatred of husbands, unforgiveness and gossip, and cervical cancer is linked to the "curse of promiscuity".{{R|"Seeing"|"HealingBooklet"}}

Financial support for the church comes from the collection of ]s from its members (donating 10% of a member's gross income) and each church in turn also pays a tithe. Financial offerings over and above the tithe are also encouraged.{{R|"Pearly"|"AnswersToNoOne"}} According to an investigation by Chris Hayes, the church financial structure is set up in a pyramid structure, with each church sending 5% of its offering back to its Mother church and another 5% back to the head church in Prescott.{{R|"Hayes"}}

==Criticism and controversy==
The Potter's House has received much criticism throughout its existence and has been labelled by many as a cult.{{R|"Pearly"|"Cult"}} Major areas of criticism include the level of control exerted over its members, the intense level of commitment required, and the shunning and mistreatment of those who have left the church.{{R|"Abuse"|"Fear"|"Grady"}}

=== Controlling behaviour ===
Lee Stubbs, a former fellowship pastor, stated that the church uses a subtle form of conditioning. "It's not some maniacal thing of someone demanding blood, but the leaders have a very persuasive power over people. There was a system of things in place that directed our lives."{{R|"Fear"}}
While new members are given love and attention to make them want to stay in the church,{{R|"Fear"|"Help"}} many former pastors and members have stated that church techniques are designed to keep those in the congregation submissive, employing fear tactics, public ridicule, and shunning to ensure compliance.{{R|"Pearly"|"Fear"|"Encyclopedic"}}
Members are told not to question the pastor's leadership and those who do so are considered rebellious.{{R|"Abuse"|"Fear"|"Encyclopedic"}} According to Stubbs, loyalty to the pastor is equated to loyalty to God.{{R|"AnswersToNoOne"|"Fear"}}
While the church has stated numerous times publicly that people are free to leave if they choose, former members have stated that pastors create a fear that if they do leave, they will be out of the will of God, their lives will fall apart, and they will go to hell.{{R|"Pearly"|"Cult"|"Abuse"|"Fear"|"Support"}} In one case, the parents of a former member were killed in a car accident shortly after she left the church. The church blamed the deaths on the ex-member for leaving.{{R|"Help"}}

=== Level of commitment ===
The church requires an intense level of commitment from its members and uses psychological and emotional pressure to enforce that commitment.{{R|"Cult"|"Deprogrammer"}} Stubbs stated that commitment to the church is constantly reinforced with phrases such as, "Every time the doors are open, you need to be here. You need to stay on fire for God. You need to be involved. You need to be committed. You need to be loyal."{{R|"AnswersToNoOne"}} Members will spend up to seven nights a week at church in their commitment to the fellowship and have reported getting in trouble for leaving services early.{{R|"Pearly"|"Abuse"}}

=== Shunning and mistreatment ===
According to numerous former pastors and members, anyone leaving the church is considered to be a rebel and a backslider. Current members are told not to have anything to do with them and they will often be condemned from the pulpit.{{R|"Abuse"|"Fear"|"Grady"}} This can include not just the shunning of friends but the turning of family members against each other.{{R|"Fear"|"Help"|"Encyclopedic"|"Deprogrammer"|"Fight"}} In cases where interaction does occur, former members have reported receiving harassing letters and phone calls, and being slandered through rumours.{{R|"Abuse"|"Fear"|"Fight"}} In one case, church leaders were instructed to publicly renounce a pastor who had left the group.{{Citation needed|date=September 2023}}
Former members have consistently reported that time in the church has led to traumatic experiences both to individuals and to families.{{R|"Fear"|"Deprogrammer"}} A therapist described the symptoms of one couple who had left the church as similar to those who suffer from ].{{R|"Fear"}}
A court prevented a man from taking his 5-year-old daughter to the church after she was diagnosed with PTSD as a result of being traumatised by the pastor. The pastor had dressed up like the devil and placed the girl's hands into a bucket of fake blood with a cow's heart in it and yelled at her that she would never get her hand out. The pastor did not deny the event and stated that it was good to have some fear in your life.{{R|"Cult"|"Hayes"|"Encyclopedic"}}
Others stated the church had robbed them of self esteem and independence, and left them feeling spiritually shattered, while others said their involvement with the church led to divorce.{{R|"Pearly"|"Fear"}}

=== Lack of pastoral training ===
Former pastors of the church have noted that not only do pastors have little experience when they are sent out but because the church does not send men to bible school, they are also poorly equipped in understanding the bible which leads to indoctrination in Potter's House methodology rather than having a bible-based background.{{R|"AnswersToNoOne"}}

=== Cult ===
The intensity of involvement and indoctrination by the church has led to many former members labelling the group a cult.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.themirror.com/news/us-news/texas-mom-lured-cult-church-778594 | title=Mom lured into 'cult' church for two decades after trip to 'fun' haunted house | date=October 31, 2024 }}</ref>{{R|"Pearly"|"Cult"|"Dead"|"Fight"}} The church has been accused of brainwashing its members resulting in the blind following of church beliefs and the division of families.{{R|"Pearly"|"Support"|"Deprogrammer"|"Fight"}} Any doubts or questioning of the church is attributed to lying spirits and the voice of the devil, and is considered akin to doubting God.{{R|"Fear"|"Help"}} ], a cult expert with extensive experience dealing with former Potter's House members, stated that while he does not consider the church to be a cult, it is a destructive group very close to being a cult.{{R|"Cult"|"Fight"}}

=== Rape ===
In 1984, church member Debbie Christensen told her pastor, Paul Campo, that she had been raped by another church member. Christensen stated that when she told Campo about the rape, he told her she probably deserved it and not to tell anyone else about it.{{R|"Help"|"Deprogrammer"}} Campo responded in a letter to '']'' stating that after Christensen told him about the alleged rape, he spoke with the accused rapist who convinced him that the sex was consensual. Christensen's mother also spoke with Campo about the alleged rape, who told her it was Christensen's fault and there was nothing he could do.{{R|"Rape"}}
Church founder Wayman Mitchell contradicted Campo's claim in another letter to ''The Arizona Republic'', stating that Christensen had not told Campo that she had been raped as he would have told her to go to the authorities and press charges. Mitchell stated that Christensen claimed she was raped because she was bitter and vindictive.{{R|"Rape"}}

=== Homophobia ===
The church holds a homophobic position in relation to the ] community and has screened anti-gay movies to the public. In a 2009 interview with the '']'', Scott McGrath stated that although it was still considered a sin, the church had softened its stance on homosexuality and would accept gay, lesbian, and transgender members.{{R|"Dead"}} However, in 2018 founder Wayman Mitchell was recorded using a homophobic slur while preaching in Guam, referring to homosexuals as "little faggots" and claiming that the gay community was miserable. Mitchell's use of derogatory remarks from the pulpit had been previously noted in a report by Charisma magazine.{{R|"Miserable"}}<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jNeVh8ABqAY&t=1193s | title=Finding out it was a CULT | website=] | date=July 23, 2024 }}</ref>

=== Intellectual property theft ===
In August 2022 a Texan church performed a rewritten version of the stage show '']'' over two nights without obtaining the rights to do so. Representatives for ''Hamilton'' were made aware of the production and issued a cease-and-desist letter for unauthorized use of intellectual property.{{R|"HamiltonWP"}} The ], who represent playwrights, composers and lyricists, condemned the church for the unauthorized performance.{{R|"HamiltonDG"}} After speaking with ''Hamilton''{{'s}} lawyers, the church was allowed to proceed with its Saturday evening performance on the condition that it was not live-streamed or recorded, that photos and videos were not posted, and no further productions were performed. However, at the time the ''Hamilton'' team was unaware of the changes to the lyrics or the anti-LGBTQ+ sermon presented at the end of the show. A spokesman for ''Hamilton'' said they were "in the process of reviewing the unauthorized changes made to the script to determine further action."{{R|"HamiltonNYT"|"HamiltonCNN"}} In late August, Roman Gutierrez, the church's pastor, issued an apology to ''Hamilton'''s creator, ], promising to destroy all images, video, and sound recordings of their production and agreed to never stage the performance again. The church also agreed to pay damages for their actions.{{R|"doormcallenIG"}} ''Hamilton'' representatives stated all damages would be donated to the South Texas Equality Project, a nonprofit coalition supporting the LGBTQ community.{{R|"HamiltonNBC"|"HamiltonCNN1"|"HamiltonGuardian"}} The church had previously performed an unauthorized, rewritten performance of Disney's '']'' in 2018.{{R|"HamiltonOSB"}}

=== Police fatalities ===
On April 22, 2020, four ] police officers were killed when truck driver Mohinder Singh ran off the road and into the officers who had stopped another vehicle. Prior to leaving the depot, Singh had informed his supervisor, Simiona Tuteru, that he was too tired to drive, was "seeing things" and had been cursed by a witch. Rather than sending him home to rest, Singh stated that Tuteru, who was a pastor and missionary for the Potter's House church,{{R|"Seeing"}} searched Singh's car for voodoo dolls, then put his hand on Singh's head and prayed for him to have the curse removed. Tuteru then told Singh he was "right to go" on the delivery and could go home afterwards. The fatalities occurred a short time afterwards.{{R|"Prayed"}}
Tuteru was initially charged with four counts of manslaughter, but these were later dropped in favour of heavy vehicle charges.{{R|"SupremeTrial"}} A judge later put the case permanently on hold due to "oppressive" misuse of court processes.{{R|"Woeful"}}
David Vicary, former head pastor of the Australian Potter's House churches, said in an interview that although the church had good people in it, it was a bad system that led people to hold extreme positions. He further stated that the church leaders were not accountable to anyone outside of themselves which led to tragedies such as this.{{R|"Seeing"}} In 2023, '']'' investigated the links between the fatalities and the church. Their investigation was aired in April 2023.{{R|"60minutes"}}


==References== ==References==
{{Reflist|refs=
<references/>

<ref name="60minutes">{{cite news |author1=Amelia Adams |title=Inside an American cult-like religion linked to a deadly freeway crash |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6sQmZX52nmU |access-date=12 May 2023 |work=60 Minutes Australia |date=23 April 2023 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20230512085438/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6sQmZX52nmU |archive-date=12 May 2023}}</ref>

<ref name="Abuse">{{cite book |last1=Enroth |first1=Ronald M. |title=Churches That Abuse |date=1993 |publisher=Zondervan |isbn=9780310532927 |pages=197–200 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=nasHAAAACAAJ |access-date=1 October 2020}}</ref>

<ref name="AnswersToNoOne">{{cite news|last1=Poley |first1=Sean |title=Christian Fellowship founder answers to no one |work=Cape Cod Times|date=December 10, 1995}}</ref>

<ref name="Beliefs">{{cite web |title=Beliefs |url=https://www.prescottpottershouse.com/what-we-believe |website=The Potter's House Christian Fellowship Church |publisher=Prescott Potter's House |access-date=26 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200926121204/https://www.prescottpottershouse.com/what-we-believe |archive-date=26 September 2020}}</ref>

<ref name="Booming">{{cite news |last1=Gust |first1=Dodie |title=Church oriented to young people is booming |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/164674058 |access-date=8 October 2020 |work=Arizona Daily Star |date=4 January 1986 |page=5 |language=en}}</ref>

<ref name="Ceremony">{{cite news |last1=Masliah |first1=Alberto |title=Healing ceremony raises spirits and skepticism |url=https://yaledailynews.com/articles/view/11249 |access-date=1 August 2007 |date=15 September 2004 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071228174644/http://www.yaledailynews.com/articles/view/11249 |archive-date=28 December 2007}}</ref>

<ref name="Commitment">{{cite news |last1=Bullock |first1=Karen M. |title=Current members believe God wants complete commitment |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/516340024 |access-date=6 October 2020 |work=Arizona Daily Sun |date=2 Oct 1988 |page=15 |language=en}}</ref>

<ref name="Conference">{{cite web |title=Conference |url=https://www.prescottpottershouse.com/_files/ugd/660e1c_8534f7e86fff484baf76104fd07bbe4e.pdf |website=The Potter's House Christian Fellowship Church |publisher=Prescott Potter's House |access-date=8 August 2023}}</ref>

<ref name="Cult">{{cite news |last1=Crehan |first1=Ryan |title=A Cult in Prescott? |publisher=Prescott College -The Word|date=December 8, 1998}}</ref>

<ref name="Dead">{{cite news |title=Dead pastor's past haunts church |url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/waikato-times/news/412158/Dead-pastors-past-haunts-church |access-date=30 September 2020 |work=Waikato Times |date=31 January 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200105040417/http://www.stuff.co.nz/waikato-times/news/412158/Dead-pastors-past-haunts-church |archive-date=5 January 2020}}</ref>

<ref name="Deprogrammer">{{cite news |last1=Perkes |first1=Kim Sue Lia |title=Deprogrammer shepherds lost lambs |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/121251633/ |access-date=8 October 2020 |work=Arizona Republic |date=30 July 1988 |language=en}}</ref>

<ref name="Desert">{{cite web |last1=Berg |first1=Jeff |title=Amen-uh to All That |url=https://www.desertexposure.com/200707/200707_tw_revival.php |access-date=1 August 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181227230729/http://www.desertexposure.com/200707/200707_tw_revival.php |archive-date=27 December 2018}}</ref>

<ref name="doormcallenIG">{{cite web |title=Apology |url=https://www.instagram.com/p/ChmpLlqOA3G/?ig_rid=af392de7-b69e-41b5-990b-d841725a8955 |website=Instagram |access-date=25 August 2022 |date=23 August 2022}}</ref>

<ref name="Encyclopedic">{{cite book |author1=Larry A. Nichols |author2=George Mather |author3=Alvin J. Schmidt |title=Encyclopedic Dictionary of Cults, Sects, and World Religions: Revised and Updated Edition |date=23 February 2010 |publisher=Zondervan Academic |isbn=9780310866060 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=_ZlnhfcwbMkC&q=potter%27s+house+bylaws&pg=PT79 |access-date=1 October 2020}}</ref>

<ref name="Etymology">{{cite book |last1=Bustraan |first1=Richard |title=The Jesus People Movement |date=2014 |publisher=Wipf and Stock Publishers |chapter=5 |url=https://ereader.perlego.com/1/book/879337/12?element_originalid=u8b25ffe6-a352-475f-84ec-9f4f19b42b94 |access-date=9 August 2023}}</ref>

<ref name="Fear">{{cite news |last1=Polay |first1=Sean |title=Part I : A fellowship of Fear |work=Cape Cod Times|date=December 10–13, 1995}}</ref>

<ref name="Fight">{{cite news|last1=Enge |first1=Marilee |title=Mother fights church group for her son |work=Anchorage Daily News |date=23 March 1989}}</ref>

<ref name="Grady">{{cite book |last1=Grady |first1=J. Lee |title=What Happened to the Fire?: Rekindling the Blaze of Charismatic Renewal |date=10 July 2019 |publisher=Wipf and Stock Publishers |isbn=9781532680113 |pages=86–87 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=saWhDwAAQBAJ&q=wayman&pg=PA10 |access-date=25 September 2020 }}</ref>

<ref name="HamiltonCNN">{{cite news |author1=Scottie Andrew |author2=Sandra Gonzalez |title='Hamilton' team responds to Texas church's unauthorized performance |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2022/08/08/entertainment/hamilton-unauthorized-production-texas-church-cec/index.html |access-date=11 August 2022 |work=CNN |date=10 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220810160400/https://edition.cnn.com/2022/08/08/entertainment/hamilton-unauthorized-production-texas-church-cec/index.html |archive-date=10 August 2022}}</ref>

<ref name="HamiltonCNN1">{{cite news |author1=Scottie Andrew |title=Texas church that performed 'Hamilton' without permission apologizes and says it will pay damages |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2022/08/24/entertainment/hamilton-texas-church-apologizes-cec/index.html |access-date=25 August 2022 |work=CNN |date=24 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220825143245/https://edition.cnn.com/2022/08/24/entertainment/hamilton-texas-church-apologizes-cec/index.html |archive-date=25 August 2022}}</ref>

<ref name="HamiltonDG">{{cite web |title=DG Statement on The Door McAllen Church's Unauthorized Production of "Hamilton" |url=https://www.dramatistsguild.com/news/dg-statement-door-mcallen-churchs-unauthorized-production-hamilton |website=Dramatists Guild |access-date=25 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220825132641/https://www.dramatistsguild.com/news/dg-statement-door-mcallen-churchs-unauthorized-production-hamilton |archive-date=25 August 2022 |date=9 August 2022}}</ref>

<ref name="HamiltonGuardian">{{cite news |author1=Steph Harmon |title=Texas church issues apology for unauthorised 'Christian' Hamilton that rewrote bawdy raps |url=https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2022/aug/24/texas-church-issues-apology-for-unauthorised-christian-hamilton-that-rewrote-bawdy-raps |access-date=25 August 2022 |work=The Guardian |date=24 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220825144217/https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2022/aug/24/texas-church-issues-apology-for-unauthorised-christian-hamilton-that-rewrote-bawdy-raps |archive-date=25 August 2022}}</ref>

<ref name="HamiltonNBC">{{cite news |author1=Nicole Acevedo |title=Texas church apologizes for 'unauthorized' 'Hamilton' play comparing being gay to drug addiction |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/latino/texas-church-apologizes-unauthorized-hamilton-play-comparing-gay-drug-rcna44611 |access-date=25 August 2022 |work=NBC News |date=25 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220825140553/https://www.nbcnews.com/news/latino/texas-church-apologizes-unauthorized-hamilton-play-comparing-gay-drug-rcna44611 |archive-date=25 August 2022}}</ref>

<ref name="HamiltonNYT">{{cite news |author1=Daniel Victor |author2=Jesus Jiménez |title='Hamilton' Team Protests After Church Production Adds Christian Themes |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/08/09/us/hamilton-protests-christian-production.html |access-date=11 August 2022 |work=The New York Times |date=9 August 2022}}</ref>

<ref name="HamiltonOSB">{{cite web |author1=Chris Peterson |title=Texas Church Illegally Performs 'Hamilton' with Anti-LGBTQ Messaging |url=https://www.onstageblog.com/editorials/2022/8/6/texas-church-illegally-performs-hamilton-with-anti-lgbtq-messaging |website=www.onstageblog.com |access-date=11 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220810110614/https://www.onstageblog.com/editorials/2022/8/6/texas-church-illegally-performs-hamilton-with-anti-lgbtq-messaging |archive-date=10 August 2022 |date=6 August 2022}}</ref>

<ref name="HamiltonWP">{{cite news |last1=Bella |first1=Timothy |title=Church's altered 'Hamilton' is followed by sermon comparing homosexuality to addiction |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2022/08/08/hamilton-texas-church-gay-addiction-edited-scenes/ |access-date=11 August 2022 |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=8 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220810160006/https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2022/08/08/hamilton-texas-church-gay-addiction-edited-scenes/ |archive-date=10 August 2022}}</ref>

<ref name="Hayes">{{cite news |last1=Hayes |first1=Chris |title=The Door: A Church or a Cult? |work=KPHO TV|date=February 23, 2004}}</ref>

<ref name="HealingBooklet">{{cite news |author1=Simone Fox Koob |author2=Amelia Adams |author3=Laura Sparkes |title=Healing booklet excerpt |url=https://www.smh.com.au/interactive/hub/media/tearout-excerpt/15803/1967_001.pdf |access-date=1 August 2023 |work=Brisbane Times |agency=Sydney Morning Herald |date=23 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230801133007/https://www.smh.com.au/interactive/hub/media/tearout-excerpt/15803/1967_001.pdf |archive-date=1 August 2023}}</ref>

<ref name="Help">{{cite news|last1=Bearden |first1=Michelle |title=Support group helps those hurt by bouts with fringe churches |publisher=The Phoenix Gazette}}</ref>

<ref name="Map">{{cite web |title=Christian Fellowship Ministries map |url=https://www.cfmmap.org |access-date=13 September 2019}}</ref>

<ref name="Miserable">{{cite news |title=Religious leader: Guam's gay community "miserable" |url=https://www.kuam.com/story/37508243/2018/02/Wednesday/religious-leader-guams-gay-community-miserable |access-date=21 June 2020 |work=Kuam News |date=February 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180215031208/https://www.kuam.com/story/37508243/2018/02/Wednesday/religious-leader-guams-gay-community-miserable |archive-date=15 February 2018}}</ref>

<ref name="Obituary">{{cite web |title=Obituary: Wayman Othell Mitchell |url=https://www.dcourier.com/news/2020/sep/26/obituary-wayman-othell-mitchell/ |website=dcourier.com |date=September 26, 2020 |publisher=The Daily Courier |access-date=27 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200927122112/https://www.dcourier.com/news/2020/sep/26/obituary-wayman-othell-mitchell/ |archive-date=27 September 2020}}</ref>

<ref name="Opens">{{cite news |title=Pastor opens new church |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/219919253 |access-date=6 October 2020 |work=The Times |date=18 September 1983 |language=en}}</ref>

<ref name="Pearly">{{cite news |author1=Ted Bartimus |author2=Karen M. Bullock |title=Potter's House: Pearly gates or prison walls? |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/516339958/ |access-date=6 October 2020 |work=Arizona Daily Sun |date=2 October 1988 |page=1 |language=en}}</ref>

<ref name="Prayed">{{cite web |author1=Simone Fox Koob |title='Prayed in Jesus' name': Killer truckie told boss he was too tired to drive and seeing witches, court told |url=https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/pray-in-jesus-name-killer-truckie-told-boss-he-was-too-tired-to-drive-and-seeing-witches-court-hears-20210713-p589fp.html |website=www.theage.com.au |publisher=The Age |access-date=22 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211202171143/https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/pray-in-jesus-name-killer-truckie-told-boss-he-was-too-tired-to-drive-and-seeing-witches-court-hears-20210713-p589fp.html |archive-date=2 December 2021 |date=14 July 2021}}</ref>

<ref name="Rape">{{cite news |last1=Perkei |first1=Kim Sue Lia |title=Cleric disputes ex-member's allegations of rape |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/121270902 |access-date=7 October 2020 |work=Arizona Republic |date=27 August 1988 |language=en}}</ref>

<ref name="Rollers">{{cite news |last1=Munroe |first1=Ian |title=The holy rollers |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/122954729/ |access-date=6 October 2020 |work=The Sunday Age}}</ref>

<ref name="Seeing">{{cite web |author1=Simone Fox Koob |author2=Amelia Adams |author3=Laura Sparkes |title=Seeing witches: The cult-like church and the crash that rocked Victoria |url=https://amp.brisbanetimes.com.au/national/victoria/seeing-witches-the-cult-like-church-and-the-crash-that-rocked-victoria-20230410-p5czcw.html |website=brisbanetimes.com.au |publisher=Brisbane Times |access-date=22 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230422125403/https://amp.brisbanetimes.com.au/national/victoria/seeing-witches-the-cult-like-church-and-the-crash-that-rocked-victoria-20230410-p5czcw.html |archive-date=22 April 2023 |date=22 April 2023}}</ref>

<ref name="Simple">{{cite news |last1=Kirby |first1=Sharon |title=Pastor hopes to spread the simple gospel |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/320732721 |access-date=8 October 2020 |work=Tampa Bay Times |date=22 June 1985 |page=9 |language=en}}</ref>

<ref name="Support">{{cite news |last1=Bartamus |first1=Ted |title=Support group tells others of life after Potters House |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/516340315/ |access-date=30 September 2020 |work=Arizona Daily Sun |issue=55 |date=3 October 1988|volume=43 }}</ref>

<ref name="SupremeTrial">{{cite web |author1=Karen Sweeney |title=Supreme trial for cop crash trucking boss |url=https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/8007120/supreme-trial-for-cop-crash-trucking-boss/ |website=www.canberratimes.com.au |publisher=The Canberra Times |access-date=22 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221206144356/https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/8007120/supreme-trial-for-cop-crash-trucking-boss/ |archive-date=6 December 2022 |date=5 December 2022}}</ref>

<ref name="Vine">{{cite book |last1=Van Cleave |first1=Nathaniel |title=The Vine and the Branches: A History of the International Church of the Foursquare Gospel |date=September 2, 2014 |publisher=Foursquare Media |isbn=978-1621366645 |pages=150–153 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=naBVBAAAQBAJ&q=wayman+mitchell&pg=PT159 |access-date=2020-03-31 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200331154909/https://books.google.com.au/books?id=naBVBAAAQBAJ&pg=PT159&lpg=PT159&dq=wayman+mitchell&source=bl&ots=_MR-p_pC0O&sig=ACfU3U10osybWy46Gkx-3jkoeisCDoQVuA&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwi1jbyOhsXoAhWTA3IKHQTdB584UBDoATACegQIChAB#v=onepage&q=wayman%20mitchell&f=false |archive-date=2020-03-31}}</ref>

<ref name="Vision">{{cite web |title=Our Vision |url=https://www.prescottpottershouse.com/our-vision |website=The Potter's House Christian Fellowship Church |publisher=Prescott Potter's House |access-date=26 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200926130248/https://www.prescottpottershouse.com/our-vision |archive-date=26 September 2020}}</ref>


<ref name="Wakefield">{{cite news |last1=Eberhard |first1=Monika |title=Houses of Worship |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/357283636 |access-date=30 September 2020 |work=Austin American Statesman |date=17 April 2004}}</ref>
==External links==
:* An online 'meeting point' for The Potter's House members as well as other 'Born Again' Christians.
:* A website with copious amounts of Potter's House material.
:* Contains online books written by Mitchell and about the Potter's House Church.
'''Church Directory'''
:* Contains a comprehensive church directory, news, contact information and a formal Statement of Belief.


<ref name="Woeful">{{cite web |author1=Karen Sweeney |title='Woeful': Judge's rare move in case of trucking boss charged over death of four police in Eastern Freeway tragedy |url=https://www.9news.com.au/national/eastern-freeway-crash-update-case-against-trucking-boss-simiona-tuteru-permanently-put-on-hold/9e85481c-980d-4dd5-88f4-45ffa6ead77b |website=www.9news.com.au |publisher=9 News |access-date=22 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230415042113/https://www.9news.com.au/national/eastern-freeway-crash-update-case-against-trucking-boss-simiona-tuteru-permanently-put-on-hold/9e85481c-980d-4dd5-88f4-45ffa6ead77b |archive-date=15 April 2023 |date=3 March 2023}}</ref>
'''European Links'''
:*
:*
:*
:*
'''Australasia Links'''
:*
:*
:*
'''American Links'''
:* The headquarters of CFM
:*
:*
:*
:*
:*
Critics:<br>
:*
:*
:*


}}


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Latest revision as of 01:29, 30 December 2024

Global church network founded in the USA

For the church in Dallas, Texas, see The Potter's House Church, Dallas. For the church in Stoke-on-Trent, UK, see The Potter's House Church (Stoke-on-Trent). For the Christian K-12 school in Kent County, Michigan, see The Potter's House (school).

Church in Arizona, United States
Potter's House Christian Fellowship
Christian Fellowship Ministries
The Door, Victory Chapel
34°37′50.48″N 112°25′38.33″W / 34.6306889°N 112.4273139°W / 34.6306889; -112.4273139 (Potter's House)
LocationPrescott, Arizona
CountryUnited States
DenominationNon-denominational, Pentecostal
Previous denominationFoursquare Gospel Church
WebsiteThe Potter's House
History
Founded1970
Founder(s)Wayman O. Mitchell
CFM logo

The Potter's House Christian Fellowship, commonly known as The Potter's House, is a Pentecostal Christian organisation based in the United States of America. It was established in Prescott, Arizona, in 1970 by Wayman Mitchell. The Potter's House was a member of the Foursquare church until 1983 when they separated to form a new independent fellowship.

The church has also been criticised in a number of areas including high levels of control, extreme commitment requirements, and the mistreatment of former members. It has been labelled by many ex-members as a cult.

Etymology

The fellowship name the "Potter's House" derives from the biblical text Jeremiah 18:2

Arise, and go down to the potter's house, and there I will cause thee to hear my words.

— Jeremiah 18:2 (King James Version)

Beliefs

The Potter's House Statement of Faith contains the central beliefs of the church. The articles of faith are summarised as below:

• There is one true God, and He exists as a Trinity: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

• God the Father created the universe and mankind. After man's fall He invited mankind back for reconciliation through Christ.

• Jesus Christ is eternally God. He was incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the Virgin Mary.

• The Holy Spirit is eternally God, given in completion to the Church at Pentecost and works to empower, guide and align Christians to Christ.

• Baptism in the Holy Spirit, after conversion, is evidenced with the fruits and gifts of the Holy Spirit and speaking in tongues.

• The Bible is the infallible, eternal and final Word of God with ultimate authority. It contains the fullness of what is required to live a Christian life.

• Christ's death on the cross made full atonement for the world's sins. Atonement also provides healing of body, soul, and spirit.

• Salvation is given through the death of Christ and is received through faith toward Christ and repentance toward God.

• Christians are to live a life separated and dedicated to God. "The shortcomings of the individual are because of the still progressing sanctification of the saints".

• The Church is the Body of Christ consisting of those who are born of the Spirit. The work of the church is to fulfil the Great Commission.

• Water Baptism, done in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, is a sign of the believer identifying with the death, burial and resurrection of Christ.

• The Lord's Supper is done to commemorate the death of Jesus and is a sign of "participation in Him".

• The second coming of Christ, millennium and final judgement.

• The final judgement will be the final determination of the eternal state for all mankind "determined by their relationship to Jesus Christ".

History

Beginnings: 1969–1989

In 1969, Wayman Mitchell asked for a ministerial position and was appointed to serve as the minister of the Foursquare church in Prescott, Arizona. Mitchell promoted personal witnessing which saw much church growth, primarily from the youth of the hippie movement and resulted in an overflowing church by the early seventies. Mitchell began to establish new churches which were originally called The Door (and later, these churches were called the Potter's House), first within Arizona and interstate, then overseas. Mitchell discouraged his disciples from attending bible schools due to his own negative experiences in them so the men who he sent out did not receive full ordinations from Foursquare. According to Nathaniel Van Cleave, Mitchell permitted only his own style of primitive and militant evangelism, isolated his disciples from other Foursquare ministers and as a group, they walked out of conference meetings that they disagreed with. Although Mitchell was the state superintendent, he only focused on his own churches, excluding all other Foursquare churches that were under his care. Over time, this caused resentment among the excluded congregations and at least one church left the denomination as a result.

At the 1983 Foursquare convention, a large number of pastors brought complaints against Mitchell to the executive council meeting. Mitchell made no attempt to respond to the complaints. Instead, he and his followers left the conference. A special meeting was later held with Mitchell in an attempt to establish understanding and continued fellowship but this attempt was unsuccessful. Within weeks, Mitchell and the churches which he had planted severed their ties with Foursquare and became an independent fellowship.

Since 1990

In 1990, approximately 100 churches split from the Potter's House. Larry Neville stated that the split was partially due to restrictions which prevented them from maturing and enlarging their expressions of faith.

In 2001, a second split occurred, with around 160 churches leaving the fellowship.

Wayman Mitchell died on September 21, 2020, in Prescott, Arizona.

Statistics

As of July 2023, Christian Fellowship Ministries has over 3460 churches worldwide.

Conferences

Annual week-long conferences are a feature of national leadership churches throughout the fellowship with 55 recorded conference centres as of 2022.

Doctrine and practice

The Potter's House Christian Fellowship holds Pentecostal beliefs with a strong emphasis on evangelism, church planting, and discipleship. Doctrines include salvation by faith, the infallibility of the bible, faith healing, and the second coming of Jesus Christ.

A program of evangelism is promoted with regular outreach events scheduled including, but not limited to, street evangelism, music concerts, movie nights, and revival meetings, with the intention of converting people and increasing church membership.

A major goal of the church is the establishment of new churches, commonly referred to as church planting. This is achieved through the in-house training of pastors who are then sent to start a new church. Local congregations, both new and established, have no say over who leads the church. Pastors in the Potter's House do not receive any formal theological training as this is considered a waste of time and bible college is believed to cause those wanting to become pastors to lose their passion for the church. Instead, the church uses a process called discipleship, a type of on-the-job training where men wanting to become ministers are mentored by their pastor for three years before starting their own church. These new pastors then go on to repeat the process by training their own disciples to start new churches. Women in the church are not encouraged to pursue careers as the church believes their place is in the home supporting their husbands.

Faith healing is another belief held by the church, which holds faith healing meetings and invites the public to attend. According to Kenneth Whelan, people can be healed if they forgive all sins committed against them and become Christians. Meetings generally consist of singing, a request for donations, a sermon, and an altar call, which is a request for people to come to the front and repent. After this, people are called to the front to be prayed for healing.

The church believes that participating in sin can result in physical problems. Homosexuality can cause deafness, and idol worship can cause problems with eyesight. Breast cancer is linked to hatred of husbands, unforgiveness and gossip, and cervical cancer is linked to the "curse of promiscuity".

Financial support for the church comes from the collection of tithes from its members (donating 10% of a member's gross income) and each church in turn also pays a tithe. Financial offerings over and above the tithe are also encouraged. According to an investigation by Chris Hayes, the church financial structure is set up in a pyramid structure, with each church sending 5% of its offering back to its Mother church and another 5% back to the head church in Prescott.

Criticism and controversy

The Potter's House has received much criticism throughout its existence and has been labelled by many as a cult. Major areas of criticism include the level of control exerted over its members, the intense level of commitment required, and the shunning and mistreatment of those who have left the church.

Controlling behaviour

Lee Stubbs, a former fellowship pastor, stated that the church uses a subtle form of conditioning. "It's not some maniacal thing of someone demanding blood, but the leaders have a very persuasive power over people. There was a system of things in place that directed our lives." While new members are given love and attention to make them want to stay in the church, many former pastors and members have stated that church techniques are designed to keep those in the congregation submissive, employing fear tactics, public ridicule, and shunning to ensure compliance. Members are told not to question the pastor's leadership and those who do so are considered rebellious. According to Stubbs, loyalty to the pastor is equated to loyalty to God. While the church has stated numerous times publicly that people are free to leave if they choose, former members have stated that pastors create a fear that if they do leave, they will be out of the will of God, their lives will fall apart, and they will go to hell. In one case, the parents of a former member were killed in a car accident shortly after she left the church. The church blamed the deaths on the ex-member for leaving.

Level of commitment

The church requires an intense level of commitment from its members and uses psychological and emotional pressure to enforce that commitment. Stubbs stated that commitment to the church is constantly reinforced with phrases such as, "Every time the doors are open, you need to be here. You need to stay on fire for God. You need to be involved. You need to be committed. You need to be loyal." Members will spend up to seven nights a week at church in their commitment to the fellowship and have reported getting in trouble for leaving services early.

Shunning and mistreatment

According to numerous former pastors and members, anyone leaving the church is considered to be a rebel and a backslider. Current members are told not to have anything to do with them and they will often be condemned from the pulpit. This can include not just the shunning of friends but the turning of family members against each other. In cases where interaction does occur, former members have reported receiving harassing letters and phone calls, and being slandered through rumours. In one case, church leaders were instructed to publicly renounce a pastor who had left the group. Former members have consistently reported that time in the church has led to traumatic experiences both to individuals and to families. A therapist described the symptoms of one couple who had left the church as similar to those who suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder. A court prevented a man from taking his 5-year-old daughter to the church after she was diagnosed with PTSD as a result of being traumatised by the pastor. The pastor had dressed up like the devil and placed the girl's hands into a bucket of fake blood with a cow's heart in it and yelled at her that she would never get her hand out. The pastor did not deny the event and stated that it was good to have some fear in your life. Others stated the church had robbed them of self esteem and independence, and left them feeling spiritually shattered, while others said their involvement with the church led to divorce.

Lack of pastoral training

Former pastors of the church have noted that not only do pastors have little experience when they are sent out but because the church does not send men to bible school, they are also poorly equipped in understanding the bible which leads to indoctrination in Potter's House methodology rather than having a bible-based background.

Cult

The intensity of involvement and indoctrination by the church has led to many former members labelling the group a cult. The church has been accused of brainwashing its members resulting in the blind following of church beliefs and the division of families. Any doubts or questioning of the church is attributed to lying spirits and the voice of the devil, and is considered akin to doubting God. Rick Ross, a cult expert with extensive experience dealing with former Potter's House members, stated that while he does not consider the church to be a cult, it is a destructive group very close to being a cult.

Rape

In 1984, church member Debbie Christensen told her pastor, Paul Campo, that she had been raped by another church member. Christensen stated that when she told Campo about the rape, he told her she probably deserved it and not to tell anyone else about it. Campo responded in a letter to The Arizona Republic stating that after Christensen told him about the alleged rape, he spoke with the accused rapist who convinced him that the sex was consensual. Christensen's mother also spoke with Campo about the alleged rape, who told her it was Christensen's fault and there was nothing he could do. Church founder Wayman Mitchell contradicted Campo's claim in another letter to The Arizona Republic, stating that Christensen had not told Campo that she had been raped as he would have told her to go to the authorities and press charges. Mitchell stated that Christensen claimed she was raped because she was bitter and vindictive.

Homophobia

The church holds a homophobic position in relation to the LGBTQI community and has screened anti-gay movies to the public. In a 2009 interview with the Waikato Times, Scott McGrath stated that although it was still considered a sin, the church had softened its stance on homosexuality and would accept gay, lesbian, and transgender members. However, in 2018 founder Wayman Mitchell was recorded using a homophobic slur while preaching in Guam, referring to homosexuals as "little faggots" and claiming that the gay community was miserable. Mitchell's use of derogatory remarks from the pulpit had been previously noted in a report by Charisma magazine.

Intellectual property theft

In August 2022 a Texan church performed a rewritten version of the stage show Hamilton over two nights without obtaining the rights to do so. Representatives for Hamilton were made aware of the production and issued a cease-and-desist letter for unauthorized use of intellectual property. The Dramatists Guild, who represent playwrights, composers and lyricists, condemned the church for the unauthorized performance. After speaking with Hamilton's lawyers, the church was allowed to proceed with its Saturday evening performance on the condition that it was not live-streamed or recorded, that photos and videos were not posted, and no further productions were performed. However, at the time the Hamilton team was unaware of the changes to the lyrics or the anti-LGBTQ+ sermon presented at the end of the show. A spokesman for Hamilton said they were "in the process of reviewing the unauthorized changes made to the script to determine further action." In late August, Roman Gutierrez, the church's pastor, issued an apology to Hamilton's creator, Lin-Manuel Miranda, promising to destroy all images, video, and sound recordings of their production and agreed to never stage the performance again. The church also agreed to pay damages for their actions. Hamilton representatives stated all damages would be donated to the South Texas Equality Project, a nonprofit coalition supporting the LGBTQ community. The church had previously performed an unauthorized, rewritten performance of Disney's Beauty and the Beast in 2018.

Police fatalities

On April 22, 2020, four Victorian police officers were killed when truck driver Mohinder Singh ran off the road and into the officers who had stopped another vehicle. Prior to leaving the depot, Singh had informed his supervisor, Simiona Tuteru, that he was too tired to drive, was "seeing things" and had been cursed by a witch. Rather than sending him home to rest, Singh stated that Tuteru, who was a pastor and missionary for the Potter's House church, searched Singh's car for voodoo dolls, then put his hand on Singh's head and prayed for him to have the curse removed. Tuteru then told Singh he was "right to go" on the delivery and could go home afterwards. The fatalities occurred a short time afterwards. Tuteru was initially charged with four counts of manslaughter, but these were later dropped in favour of heavy vehicle charges. A judge later put the case permanently on hold due to "oppressive" misuse of court processes. David Vicary, former head pastor of the Australian Potter's House churches, said in an interview that although the church had good people in it, it was a bad system that led people to hold extreme positions. He further stated that the church leaders were not accountable to anyone outside of themselves which led to tragedies such as this. In 2023, 60 Minutes Australia investigated the links between the fatalities and the church. Their investigation was aired in April 2023.

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