This is an old revision of this page, as edited by Syrthiss (talk | contribs) at 14:25, 11 September 2009 (rv back to referenced version). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.
Revision as of 14:25, 11 September 2009 by Syrthiss (talk | contribs) (rv back to referenced version)(diff) ← Previous revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff) | This article does not cite any sources. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. Find sources: "Bethel Church, Mansfield Woodhouse" – news · newspapers · books · scholar · JSTOR (Learn how and when to remove this message) |
Bethel Church is a Christian religious organization based in Mansfield Woodhouse, England once headed by John Hibbert and Jean Spademan. Spademan, known as "Syro" to church members, claimed to have the "gift of prophecy"; her words were infallible and believed to be directly from God. Jean Spademan died in England in 2007. It is unclear who has taken over the role of "prophet" of this controversial group.
Bethel is currently headed by John Hibbert, Stephen Jeffs, and Spademan’s grandson, Christopher Jenkinson.
There are dozens of churches around the world known as Bethel churches. They are known for their emphasis on faith healing.
Distinctive Teachings
Murmuring
Murmuring is to air some sort of grievance with another person, either within the church or even worse, outside. The grievance itself could be something very minor, or some resentment about treatment by the ministry. It supposedly has the effect of poisoning the heart of the other person, which if they are an outsider is particularly bad since it could stumble them and thus prevent them receiving salvation. It is often preached against, and held up as one of the reasons the church does not reach its potential in the world. From a control point of view, those leaving the church have often eventually seen this teaching as a control mechanism. This alone is one of the main reasons many in the church do not see the depth of control being used. Those disciplined behind the scenes in harsh ways are often reluctant do discuss what has happened to them, seeing it as murmuring to do so.
God's Perfect/Permissive Will
This is an important teaching in the church. Basically, God has a perfect will for a Christian's life. The Devil constantly tries to hamper that plan. Each time a Christian commits sin, the Devil has an automatic right to contest God's will for that person's life. God is absolutely just, so the Devil gets what he's after. This is where God's permissive will comes in. God will turn the mistake around to something good in the end, but the result will never be as good as God's original plan for that person's life. The same happens in the church as a whole. Each time a church member commits some sin, the Devil gains entrance into the church and is able to hamper what God wanted the church to do. The result is that the congregation will frequently be 'blasted' in a message from the platform. They will be told God wants to work miracles within the church, but he cannot until sin is removed. Murmuring (see above) will often be mentioned here, and held up as one of the reasons God cannot do what he wishes to do.
King's Chapel
A sister church, originally known as King's Chapel, is located in Norwich, Connecticut, in the United States. King's Chapel, led by Sam J. Wibberley, under the guidance of John Hibbert and Jean Spademan, is a controversial organization that incites strong reactions from those affected by the church and those who are participants. While anyone is free to leave the church, many ex-members describe practices rampant with mental abuse, charlatanry, and dominance. Detractors claim that those who leave the church spread lies out of revenge or misguidance. Parishioners are discouraged from speaking to those who have left, so as not to catch a spirit of doubt. To doubt is a major sin, obedience is a must. The church in Norwich has changed its name to the Peniel Church.
Alleged Instances of Mental Abuse
May 31, 1984, Wayne Wibberley, aged 20, adopted son of Sam Wibberley, pled guilty to second-degree sexual assault and risk of injury to a minor. This was after Syro accused him of inappropriate conduct while babysitting, and all-night "counseling" sessions with church pastors, who pressured him to confess. His criminal record shows that the arrest by Jewett City’s former police chief, Thurston Fields, occurred almost three months after two alleged assaults, yet there is no warrant in his court record to explain the charges. No name is given for Wayne’s attorney, and there is no description of any crimes. Fields says he cannot recall the incident.
December 19, 1987, Ronald Allen of Preston, CT committed suicide through carbon monoxide poisoning in his car. Allen had begun counseling shortly before his death but had been discouraged from seeking help with 'outsiders'. The church had been pressuring him to sell his home on Amos Lake in order to move closer to other church members and to donate profits from the sale to the church.
December, 1994, Martha Davis attempted to commit suicide by an overdose of painkillers. She had been forced by the church to take care of the McPhaul family, including providing shelter, food, and cleaning for them. Martha felt controlled and abused and as though she had no control over her life. Her son was sent on a trip to England to stay with members of the Bethel Church, which eventually led her into a deep depression, coming to a head as an attempted suicide. After she was released from the hospital, she asked church elders and Sam Wibberley for time off of caring for the McPhauls and for her son to come home so she could be with him. Wibberley responded by saying that she should apologize to the McPhauls for scaring them and that her son could not come home as her suicide attempt had ruined much of what they had accomplished with him. In the year 2000, Martha successfully committed suicide.
September 14, 1996, Joshua K age 21, confessed to allegations of child abuse to local authorities, after an all night session of "counseling" by Sam Wibberley and other church elders. Josh recanted his story 48 hours later after two full days of constant pressuring and harassment from church members: he stated that brainwashing and suggestion had compelled him to tell such a story to the local police.
In the early 1990s, James L of Mansfield Woodhouse confessed to allegations of child abuse to local authorities, also after numerous sessions of "counseling" by pastors of the Bethel Church. James, in his mid-teens at the time, had earlier been sent to stay with pastors of the Connecticut sister church for several months to receive "help" there. After his return to his home, the counseling intensified. Following one late-night phone call to say "the team" were again coming over to see James, he threw himself from an upstairs bedroom window in an attempt to escape. However the "counseling" continued, and he eventually broke. After his confession, James was placed into care with the social services for several years. The case against him was later dismissed after experts who had seen James testified in court that it was their opinion his confession had been the result of brainwashing.
In the mid-1990’s, Christopher Jenkinson was not attending the church, but was dating a girl in King’s Chapel. He allegedly raped her, but no charges were brought up against him because he is Syro’s grandson. He later married one of that girl’s friends, also in King’s Chapel, and is currently a pastor of Bethel Church in England.
Wibberley Tire
Sam J. Wibberley owns a tire shop in Danielson, Connecticut, which has been accused of using forced labor of church members to support it. Church members from England are said to work there from time to time for no pay and without working visas. Local church members have been said to work there for either a stipend or no pay in order to atone for sins committed. Ex-members in the past have reported such abuses to the IRS but the only legal action that has ever really been taken was when an ex-member sued for back wages. Despite working for 3 years without pay, Glenn Bissonette only received 60 days of back pay because the statute of limitations had expired. Church members would be asked to contribute to "love offerings" in order to keep the business afloat when Wibberley claimed it was having a tough month. Goals were set, The offerings would be counted, and more would be asked for, even at the same church service. Parishioners would be known to offer grocery money, rent and mortgage money, even wedding rings up for these "love offerings".
Further reading
Bethel Interdenominational Church - Religious cults and sects, doctrines and practices