Is the Wirral Christian Centre really a Bible based church? Are the concerns some have raised regarding its practices fair? Is it even right for Christians to question the actions or motives of other Christians, especially their leaders? And is there ever a point where asking questions becomes unacceptable?

In it's history of more than thirty years, the Wirral Christian Centre has found itself the focus of many discussions regarding the way leadership has conducted itself and its dealings with others.

The church has seen an unusually high number of people come a go over the years, some quietly, some very publicly, and of that number an alarming amount seem to have left in somewhat controversial or bitter circumstances.

The senior Pastor, Rev. Paul Epton, has led the church from the start with a vision from God to build a church in the Wirral area that would seat five thousand people. That vision and a subsequent vision, in which the Wirral Christian Centre would grow to have a congregation of thousands across the region, have never come to pass. Surely it's not unfair to ask why these visions have not been fulfilled?

In his 1988 book 'Love in Action,' Rev. Paul Epton once said. "We are going to build a Christian community of such integrity, such quality, such authority, that society will have to take notice of it." No one can criticize such an ambitious goal, yet after years of trying to archive that goal it still seems a long way off. Wirral Christian Centre membership has steadily declined over the years leading people to ask ask why so many people left or disappeared (or been thrown out) from congregation. More to the point, where are those people now?

 

A NEW FALSE START

Today attendance figures continue to decline despite the recent acquisition and impressive renovation of the Oxton Congregational Church. Surely it's not unfair to pose the question; why is it that the Wirral Christian Centre so utterly ineffective within the community its meant to serve?

The Wirral Christian Centre needs change! They need to stop shouting at the few remaining people still sitting in the pews and start listening to the community and engaging with it as a church that is invested in its congregation and surroundings. The current leadership should step aside and allow fresh energetic people with new ideas to take the WCC in a new direction.

 

SPIRITUAL ABUSE

The Wirral Christian Centre has been accused of being a spiritually abusive church. Abusive churches are usually characterised by strong, control-oriented leadership. These leaders use guilt, fear, and intimidation to manipulate members and keep them 'in line.' The questioning of leadership is often seen as being disobedient or disruptive and is rarely encouraged. People who don't follow 'the rules' or who threaten exposure are often dealt with harshly and with very little obvious love of mercy. Disfellowshipments (excommunications) from the church are common. For those who leave, or who are asked to leave, the road back to normality is often difficult.

The following is a collection of links related to the problem of spiritual abuse that some people may find helpful or, at the very least, interesting. The links should help you learn more about the subtle problems and effects of spiritual abuse.

What is Spiritual Abuse?
Wikipedia.

The Signs Of Spiritual Abuse
By Steven Lambert, ThD.

Elements of Spiritual Abuse
An examination of some common traits of spiritual abuse.

A Pastors Authority
A examination of the authority of a Pastor by Raymond Charles Stedman.

The Abuse of Authority by Leadership
By Peter E. Openshaw.

Leadership in the Church
By Paul Winslow.

Authority Unlimited : Questioning church leadership
By Mary Alice Chrnalogar, author of the book Twisted Scriptures.

Cultism in the Church
By T. Pierce Brown.

The Cult Church
A look at 'good churches' that turn into cults and neo-cults by Marlene Jones-Skurtu. (Also available in PDF.)

Abusive Churches
By Pat Zukeran of Probe Ministries.

Uncovering Churches That Abuse
Questions that help determine whether or not a church is abusive. From Dr. Ronald Enroth's book Recovering from Churches That Abuse

Authoritarianism in the International Churches of Christ
By Dr. Ronald Enroth.

Eight Distinctives of an Aberrational Christian Group
From the NEIRR (New England Institute of Religious Research).

Elements Of Spiritual Abuse
Overview of the seven characteristics of shame-based relationships as presented in "The Subtle Power Of Spiritual Abuse".

Is Your Church Free From Cultic Tendencies? - a Checklist
From the October, 1991 Spiritual Counterfeits Project Newsletter.

The Power Abusers: When follow-the-leader becomes a dangerous game
Dr. Ronald Enroth takes a look at "shepherding" and "discipling."

Stop Spiritual Abuse
Focusing on the issue of spiritual abuse in Bible based churches.

Recovery from Spiritual Abuse
By Sharon Hilderbrant, M.A.

Spiritual Abuse Recovery
Resources and support for people recovering from spiritual abuse.

Voices From The Fringe
Former members report the tragedy of churches that drift into the distorted behaviour more expected of a cult. By Dr. Ron Enroth.

What do (Abusive) Churches and Cults Have in Common?
Adapted from The Subtle Power of Spiritual Abuse by David Johnson and Jeff VanVonderen.

Myths and Facts About Cult Involvement
Reprint from the Sep/Oct 1995 Free Minds Journal.

Fear and Guilt: Recovering From Performance-Based Relationships
From churchabuse.com

Abusive pastors found in all denominations
By Craig and Arla Ford.

Biblical faith vs Blind faith
By by Kerry Gilliard.

Christians Criticizing Christians : Can it be Biblical?
By Bob and Gretchen Passantino.

Why I left Elim
By Bryan Muirden.

East Targets
A blog post written about an experience involving pastor Karen Inman of the Wirral Christian Centre.

 

Churches have been known in some cases to take dramatic action against members of their congregations. Members who are seen as troublesome are often 'muscled' out of the Church using intimidating methods such as public or membership meetings which involve parties reading statements and presenting 'facts'.

Often these meetings are used to present an image of openness and honesty on behalf of the Church, but such meetings are deeply intimidating and more often show a lack of love for those involved. Another method that is commonly abused, especially by Pentecostal churches, is disfelloshipment, whereupon someone is cast from the body of the Church with little explanation or prospect of return. [More]

Disfellowship - Why?
What exactly is it? Who does it - and how? What's it for?

Disfellowship - Biblical outlines
An examination into its use and circumstances.

Disfellowshiping (Shunning)
A Biblical study about the practice of disfellowshipping.

Disfellowship - and how to deal with discipline in a church
Explaining the Biblical approach to the process of disciplining someone within church.