Suggestions for IAGM

Of course the first person I would offer is David Henke, founder of Watchman Fellowship, www.watchman.org. He has wonderful insight and wisdom and he is willing to assist and also make available to you some esteemed colleagues in this particular field. His email is: dhenke@watchman.org. I would also like to offer Pastor Phil Strout's assistance. He was a TBS pastor and took the first team to Chile in the early eighties. He is now the pastor of a Vineyard church which has 800 members. His email is: pstrout@adelphia.net, and the church web site is: www.vcflewiston.org. He is on the national board (overseeing 1,500 churches) which puts him in a position in which the Vineyard has had to hammer out similar issues over the years. He has many connections and resources, plus the experience of transitioning out of GG and into the Christian community. He already has been in contact with some of the GM pastors. Another thought would be contacting the Worldwide Church of God. They have traveled the road you are on. They talked with theologians from Fuller Seminary who were not out to destroy the WCG but to help those with integrity do the right thing. There was no opposition mindset between the WCG and the theologians they were talking to. It was respectful, intellectual, encouraging, etc. That provided the space for the WCG leadership to consider the issues without the complications of "feeling the heat." They, with extraordinary candor, lay out the whole thing, good and bad, on their web site and have made this reform a big part of their story: http://www.wcg.org/lit/AboutUs/history.htm It would also be wise to consider an exit counseling seminar for the pastors of the IAGM. The truth is the IAGM pastors are exiting and it is helpful to gain insight into the process from the experts in the Christian community. Jeff VanVonderen is the author of "The Subtle Power of Spiritual Abuse," he also conducts workshops. His website: http://www.innervention.com, and his email and phone number are: Email: jeff@innervention.com Voice: 1-888-JEFF-911. Another good contact is Steve Arterburn, the author of "Toxic Faith" His website is: http://www.newlife.com.  If you, the pastors, are able to gain understanding, you can in turn, minister to others with greater success. You will be able to help your wives and families process this great loss in all our lives.