This is an old revision of this page, as edited by Academic Challenger (talk | contribs) at 01:13, 29 May 2008 (→Instances of Mental Abuse: removing this very POV section, that deals with controversies in only one Bethel church.). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.
Revision as of 01:13, 29 May 2008 by Academic Challenger (talk | contribs) (→Instances of Mental Abuse: removing this very POV section, that deals with controversies in only one Bethel church.)(diff) ← Previous revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff)Bethel Church is a Christian religious organization based in Mansfield Woodhouse, England headed by Rev. John Hibbert and Jean Spademan.
Spademan, known as Syro to church members, is claimed to have the "gift of prophecy"; her words are infallible and believed to be directly from God.
There are dozens of churches around the world known as bethel churches. They are known for their emphasis on faith healing.
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.
Gods Perfect/Permissive Will. This is an important teaching in the church. Basically, God has a perfect will for a Christians life. The Devil constantly tries to hamper that plan. Each time a Christian commits sin, the Devil has an automatic right to contest Gods will for that persons life. God is absolutely just, so the Devil gets what he's after. This is where Gods 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 Gods original plan for that persons 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 known as King's Chapel is located in Norwich, CT, USA. King's Chapel in Norwich, lead by Sam J. Wibberley, 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, charlantry, and dominance. Detractors claim that those who leave the church spread lies out of revenge or misguidance.
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 have 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.
Recent developments
It is rumored that the church in Norwich, CT, has changed names to the Peniel Church.
See also
Jean "Syro" Spademan passed away in England in 2007. It is unclear who has taken over the role of "prophet" of this controversial group.
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