Cult-Mindedness: The True Story of Evan and "Bob"

The true story of "Evan" and "Bob". Bob is a Jehovah's witness who was out one day, "evangelizing" one of the ladies that attends church with "Evan". The lady couldn't bring herself to being unsocial and asked "Evan" to come when the man had come in for another "bible study". "Evan" told the lady to call him and he would drop in and handle the situation for her. So, Saturday came around and sure as flies like stink, "Bob" Shows up...and begins to talk about the new world etc. "Evan" was called and he drove to her house and began a conversation with Bob about the doctrine in which he was trying to teach his fellow church member. After a 20 minute "debate" as it were, Evan and Bob decided that it was best to end the conversation. Evan asked Bob if he could ask Bob some questions about his "faith". Bob gladly agreed...I mean....it is WONDERFUL that someone would "come to the truth". So, Evan wrote down Bob's address and took some of Bob's magazines..."for analyzing purpose only".

Evan began asking simple things, and Bob responded with more articles and copy and paste references. Evan asked Bob to respond with his own words...not with the words of others. Bob could not comply.

So, Evan changed gears and asked Bob to explain more detailed questions. Bob answered with articles and clippings from his magazines.

Evan asked more DIRECT questions....no answer.


Evan began to TELL Bob what he believed and why he saw it as the truth. Bob no longer corresponded with Evan...and refuses to call, answer, or acknowledge Evan.


This is a true story.


Now, using that as an illustration...a cult minded person is one who thinks they have all the answers...and cannot be taught. And, if there ever comes a time where you disagree with them....they cut you off...and "ignore" any communication.

They "invest" time, resources, "friendship", and anything they can to "pull" thier "contacts" to thier side. And, when and if they "think for themselves" they immediately claim victim. They immediately draw back...recoil as it were...into thier "corner" and eliminate ALL chances of contact with that person.

They mark that person they have "befriended" as an apostate...as an EVIL person...as a hazzard to thier life. (physically or Spiritually).

They do so under the guise of "biblical seperation" or "discipline". They cut off anyone who nay-says them. They are Cult-minded.


These types of people reside in ALL walks of life. In ALL denominations...in ALL churches.



They are CULT MINDED.


Beware....they are EVERYWHERE.

The Shameful Shepherd: Pastors Who Pamper

Have you ever met a Christian who needed to be coddled in order to maintain a somewhat normal level of Christianity? You have seen it, I have seen it, countless others have seen it. In today's society, and especially in American Churches, the members constantly need to be pampered in order to serve. They come up to the pastor and inform them of what they did that week for the Lord. "Reporting" what they said to their neighbor and of how their neighbor was rude to them for their attempts of witnessing. They make sure they tell everyone how they cleaned the toilet or restocked the toilet paper. They need to hear "good boy" as it were in order to feel accomplished.


I realize that everyone likes to be noticed, and appreciated in some form or fashion. However, the Pastor that pampers one of these believers leaves a bucket-full of problems for a Pastor who is trying to lead them to Spiritual Maturity. For whatever reason, the pastor who pampers the member (whether newly saved or saved for years)causes the next guy to get a migraine.

The pastor calls for a work day. instead of getting all of the work done in a timely fashion, the pastor is halted by people informing them of every detail. "Pastor, I took out the trash!!" "Pastor, I refilled the hand soap!" "Pastor, I just exhaled!"

Why does the Pastor need to be told what they did or did not do? Their reward is in heaven.

Then, the next work day, the pastor forgets to "praise them" for their Work As unto the Lord and they get offended. The pastor is then "ungrateful" and unloving. There must be a fine line between edifying and pampering.


Baby Christians need lots of encouragement. I agree. Church members who are brand new to the faith or recently returning from a life of disobedience need lots of attention. So do seasoned saints in their time of need. How does a pastor balance it?

Pastors who continually pamper the people and nurture them on praise rather than teaching "as unto the Lord" are doing a disservice to those who follow his pastorate.


Giving grace is one thing, but pampering is another.