And neighbors of the new school on Orchard Avenue share video, photos that show traffic problems and pickups in areas GCC leaders said there wouldn't be
This is some of his most insane doctrine yet. Not explicit, but very coded in misogyny and western chauvinism. I think back to other cult leaders in my lifetime who were just begging for a fight from the big, bad government. The followers suffer the most, after they’ve lost all their family, friends, money, and sometimes their lives following their cult leader. With this new academy, families can now spend nearly their entire waking houes to live, breathe, and pay Josh McPherson—the ultimate “taker.”
The traffic issue is merely a distraction and not a battle worth fighting.
Well, this explains why an ex-cop who, I am pretty sure attends GCC, called me "a taker" twice last week, because in his opinion, most people are and I have never "served", thus done nothing for my country...even though he knows nothing about me other than I am a woman.
GCC: Misogynist. Supremacist,. Christian Nationalist.
Josh is taking his hateful sermons to a whole other, very dangerous level.
There is no way in hell I would have my child in that militant, toxic and, yes,...abusive...school. Nor would I allow anyone from GCC, most especially Josh, near my children.
Someday, the kids are going to tell their horror stories. I wish we could help them now. I can only imagine what kind of abuse some of them go through.
This Christian Nationalist movement, using religion to justify the underlying motive of control and perversion of the teachings of Jesus. It’s dangerous, disgusting and dystopian. It’s simply another cult, just like David Koresh, James Jones and so many other cults that have come and gone. I pray there are enough people who can see beyond the smoke and mirrors to the weirdness and meanness behind the curtain. We’re not in Kansas anymore.
The misogyny and abusive child teachings should be making headlines. Yet, a good segment of people seem to worship such misguided Catharsis while everyone turns their head. It's alarming and quite eye opening the cultish behavior in our backyard.
I have been doing a slow-roll evaluation of GCC because I have an increasing number of friends who attend there. My wife and I found ourselves quite unexpectedly in the middle of a church split recently, so we needed to find a new church home. We visited GCC, but eventually chose to go elsewhere. I don't wish to discuss my reasons right now, let's just say that ultimately we felt God did not want us there.
I am saddened to find myself leaning towards agreeing with voices I previously felt were somewhat hysterical in their antipathy toward McPherson and GCC. The whole "Church to Burch" thing--and worse, the attitude around it--has me very concerned. The "no chick will teach my boys" statement, philosophy (and attitude) has me even *more* concerned.
All of that aside, I have one question for which I have found no answer with substantive evidence: Does McPherson and/or GCC subscribe to something called the "7 Mountain Mandate" (7MM) ?
For those unfamiliar with the term, the 7 mountains are the pillars of western culture, namely government, media, education, etc. Adherents to the 7MM believe Christians are called not just to influence the culture, but rather to dominate and/or control the 7 mountains in order to prepare the world for the return of Christ. That last bit, preparing the world for the return of Christ, is the critical piece.
I didn't think there was any chance GCC believed this way because the 7MM started in pentecostal/charismatic circles; I know GCC is not from that doctrinal lineage. But the appearance of things hints that they want to do more than be the salt of the earth and go into all the world and make disciples (Jesus mandate describing the purpose of the church). I agree with McPherson that politics is part of being a follower of Yeshua. But it is merely a part, the black olives in your burrito, so to speak.
Their stance on the 7MM is an important thing to understand about GCC, at least for me. My friends who attend have never heard the term. There are lots of reasons why leadership may not want to use it.
I would be grateful if someone can point me to any sermon videos, web pages, or documents that touch on the subject of WHY GCC members believe they should run for office, be in the media, etc.
This is subtle; in this case, the motivation is the key part of it, not only because of doctrinal concerns but also because the "why" greatly influences the "how". Please note that I'm not looking for opinions or trying to incite rants. Y'all don't need any help there (c'mon, that was funny). :-)
Asking about the 7MM stuff is near the top of my list of questions for McPherson and co, should I ever get the chance to interview him. That came from an interview I did with a man who grew up in GCC and started attending when it was still a living room church in Cashmere called Grace Covenant Church.
That man is an adult now and said talk of 7MM was always kept close to the vest and never discussed in mixed company. And you're right, it does seem to be more in vogue in Pentecostal and NAR circles. However, McPherson's mentor and inspiration is Mark Driscoll and some of Mark's teachings veer well out of Reformed church territory and into Pentecostal/NAR land, specifically around topics like prophecy, exorcism and "spiritual warfare." If you're looking for a sermon in which McPherson lays out why they believe in the 7MM you're not going to find it.
They might have stopped teaching it altogether to be more palatable to more mainstream Christians, they have changed major positions in the past, but at least one man who grew up in GCC circles remembers it being discussed because he told me about it and I had never heard of the concept before that day. In fact, I blew it off as too ridiculous to believe and it wasn't until months later that I came across the term again in a documentary about Hillsong that I started taking it more seriously.
Also black olives have no business being in a burrito.
"If you're looking for a sermon in which McPherson lays out why they believe in the 7MM you're not going to find it."... Ah, bummer. OK, thank you. Probably saved me some time, anyway. On my rare off-hours I will have to focus on the current state of dominion theology, then.
Terminology aside, I would very much like to know if McPherson's teachings ever touch on the motivations undergirding political action. As I said previously, being the salt of the earth is a whole different enchilada than taking over the government (see what I did there?) LOL
You are right about Driscoll being a wildcard. McPherson's affinity for Driscoll still bothers me. I understand that you don't abandon a personal friend, which is McPherson's stated defense on the subject of Driscoll. But that doesn't mean you need to make him a featured speaker at things.
Charlie Kirk is a supporter/promoter of 7 Mountain Mandate
"At the Conservative Political Action Conference in February 2020, Kirk promoted the “seven mountains,” an idea associated with the dominionism movement, which argues that Christians should be involved in seven spheres of influence: government, media, education, business, arts and entertainment, church and family. According to Right-Wing Watch, Kirk, referring to President Trump, said, “Finally we have a president that understands the seven mountains of cultural influence.” Kirk has continued to promote Christianity at political events and speaking engagements."
Good info about Turning Point, but still no smoking gun regarding GCC specifically. Still, I appreciate the effort because it gives me a new search term, the "dominionism" movement. I ran into it via a financial guru name of Gary North some 20 years ago. I considered that theology a heresy that ran its course since I've not heard of it since. Maybe it is still around.
GCC folks were among those who attended the Charlie Kirk GOP dinner. Who pays over a hundred bucks for a meal to hear someone unless they agree with and support them?
Mike Morrison, for one. And I would, too, depending on the speaker. Although I could not be more the opposite of Bernie Sanders and AOC, if they came to Wenatchee, I'd pay to hear them.
You speak for only yourself. It seems to me you are desperate to prove what will support what you need and want to believe. Believe as you wish. As for me, personal experiences have sharpened my discernment, taught me to pay attention to red flags, trust my gut and have even saved me.
Can't say as I recall ever claiming to speak for anyone else, so I don't really understand that comment. As for my desperation to prove what I want to believe... I've been a follower of Jesus for over 50 years. If had any serious doubts they would have surfaced long ago.
What I am *interested* in discerning is actual GCC doctrine and practices for the purpose of advising my friends who have asked my opinion about GCC. That's pretty much it. I don't have an axe to grind with GCC and I'm happy to leave them alone.
This is some of his most insane doctrine yet. Not explicit, but very coded in misogyny and western chauvinism. I think back to other cult leaders in my lifetime who were just begging for a fight from the big, bad government. The followers suffer the most, after they’ve lost all their family, friends, money, and sometimes their lives following their cult leader. With this new academy, families can now spend nearly their entire waking houes to live, breathe, and pay Josh McPherson—the ultimate “taker.”
The traffic issue is merely a distraction and not a battle worth fighting.
Well, this explains why an ex-cop who, I am pretty sure attends GCC, called me "a taker" twice last week, because in his opinion, most people are and I have never "served", thus done nothing for my country...even though he knows nothing about me other than I am a woman.
GCC: Misogynist. Supremacist,. Christian Nationalist.
Josh is taking his hateful sermons to a whole other, very dangerous level.
There is no way in hell I would have my child in that militant, toxic and, yes,...abusive...school. Nor would I allow anyone from GCC, most especially Josh, near my children.
Just confirms what I keep saying, churches need to be taxed out of existence. What a bunch of fascists.
Someday, the kids are going to tell their horror stories. I wish we could help them now. I can only imagine what kind of abuse some of them go through.
This Christian Nationalist movement, using religion to justify the underlying motive of control and perversion of the teachings of Jesus. It’s dangerous, disgusting and dystopian. It’s simply another cult, just like David Koresh, James Jones and so many other cults that have come and gone. I pray there are enough people who can see beyond the smoke and mirrors to the weirdness and meanness behind the curtain. We’re not in Kansas anymore.
How many teachers are women? Isn’t that something Josh was against?
"McPherson said those on the “take side” might seem benevolent and even Biblical, but really it’s just a ploy to seize power."
Interesting that he would rat himself out. Or was he just testing the hypnotic level of his subjects (givers).
The misogyny and abusive child teachings should be making headlines. Yet, a good segment of people seem to worship such misguided Catharsis while everyone turns their head. It's alarming and quite eye opening the cultish behavior in our backyard.
I have been doing a slow-roll evaluation of GCC because I have an increasing number of friends who attend there. My wife and I found ourselves quite unexpectedly in the middle of a church split recently, so we needed to find a new church home. We visited GCC, but eventually chose to go elsewhere. I don't wish to discuss my reasons right now, let's just say that ultimately we felt God did not want us there.
I am saddened to find myself leaning towards agreeing with voices I previously felt were somewhat hysterical in their antipathy toward McPherson and GCC. The whole "Church to Burch" thing--and worse, the attitude around it--has me very concerned. The "no chick will teach my boys" statement, philosophy (and attitude) has me even *more* concerned.
All of that aside, I have one question for which I have found no answer with substantive evidence: Does McPherson and/or GCC subscribe to something called the "7 Mountain Mandate" (7MM) ?
For those unfamiliar with the term, the 7 mountains are the pillars of western culture, namely government, media, education, etc. Adherents to the 7MM believe Christians are called not just to influence the culture, but rather to dominate and/or control the 7 mountains in order to prepare the world for the return of Christ. That last bit, preparing the world for the return of Christ, is the critical piece.
I didn't think there was any chance GCC believed this way because the 7MM started in pentecostal/charismatic circles; I know GCC is not from that doctrinal lineage. But the appearance of things hints that they want to do more than be the salt of the earth and go into all the world and make disciples (Jesus mandate describing the purpose of the church). I agree with McPherson that politics is part of being a follower of Yeshua. But it is merely a part, the black olives in your burrito, so to speak.
Their stance on the 7MM is an important thing to understand about GCC, at least for me. My friends who attend have never heard the term. There are lots of reasons why leadership may not want to use it.
I would be grateful if someone can point me to any sermon videos, web pages, or documents that touch on the subject of WHY GCC members believe they should run for office, be in the media, etc.
This is subtle; in this case, the motivation is the key part of it, not only because of doctrinal concerns but also because the "why" greatly influences the "how". Please note that I'm not looking for opinions or trying to incite rants. Y'all don't need any help there (c'mon, that was funny). :-)
Thanks in advance,
-- Ross
Asking about the 7MM stuff is near the top of my list of questions for McPherson and co, should I ever get the chance to interview him. That came from an interview I did with a man who grew up in GCC and started attending when it was still a living room church in Cashmere called Grace Covenant Church.
That man is an adult now and said talk of 7MM was always kept close to the vest and never discussed in mixed company. And you're right, it does seem to be more in vogue in Pentecostal and NAR circles. However, McPherson's mentor and inspiration is Mark Driscoll and some of Mark's teachings veer well out of Reformed church territory and into Pentecostal/NAR land, specifically around topics like prophecy, exorcism and "spiritual warfare." If you're looking for a sermon in which McPherson lays out why they believe in the 7MM you're not going to find it.
They might have stopped teaching it altogether to be more palatable to more mainstream Christians, they have changed major positions in the past, but at least one man who grew up in GCC circles remembers it being discussed because he told me about it and I had never heard of the concept before that day. In fact, I blew it off as too ridiculous to believe and it wasn't until months later that I came across the term again in a documentary about Hillsong that I started taking it more seriously.
Also black olives have no business being in a burrito.
"If you're looking for a sermon in which McPherson lays out why they believe in the 7MM you're not going to find it."... Ah, bummer. OK, thank you. Probably saved me some time, anyway. On my rare off-hours I will have to focus on the current state of dominion theology, then.
Terminology aside, I would very much like to know if McPherson's teachings ever touch on the motivations undergirding political action. As I said previously, being the salt of the earth is a whole different enchilada than taking over the government (see what I did there?) LOL
You are right about Driscoll being a wildcard. McPherson's affinity for Driscoll still bothers me. I understand that you don't abandon a personal friend, which is McPherson's stated defense on the subject of Driscoll. But that doesn't mean you need to make him a featured speaker at things.
Charlie Kirk is a supporter/promoter of 7 Mountain Mandate
"At the Conservative Political Action Conference in February 2020, Kirk promoted the “seven mountains,” an idea associated with the dominionism movement, which argues that Christians should be involved in seven spheres of influence: government, media, education, business, arts and entertainment, church and family. According to Right-Wing Watch, Kirk, referring to President Trump, said, “Finally we have a president that understands the seven mountains of cultural influence.” Kirk has continued to promote Christianity at political events and speaking engagements."
https://www.adl.org/resources/backgrounder/turning-point-usa
Good info about Turning Point, but still no smoking gun regarding GCC specifically. Still, I appreciate the effort because it gives me a new search term, the "dominionism" movement. I ran into it via a financial guru name of Gary North some 20 years ago. I considered that theology a heresy that ran its course since I've not heard of it since. Maybe it is still around.
GCC folks were among those who attended the Charlie Kirk GOP dinner. Who pays over a hundred bucks for a meal to hear someone unless they agree with and support them?
Mike Morrison, for one. And I would, too, depending on the speaker. Although I could not be more the opposite of Bernie Sanders and AOC, if they came to Wenatchee, I'd pay to hear them.
But then again, I know I'm a very odd duck.
You speak for only yourself. It seems to me you are desperate to prove what will support what you need and want to believe. Believe as you wish. As for me, personal experiences have sharpened my discernment, taught me to pay attention to red flags, trust my gut and have even saved me.
Can't say as I recall ever claiming to speak for anyone else, so I don't really understand that comment. As for my desperation to prove what I want to believe... I've been a follower of Jesus for over 50 years. If had any serious doubts they would have surfaced long ago.
What I am *interested* in discerning is actual GCC doctrine and practices for the purpose of advising my friends who have asked my opinion about GCC. That's pretty much it. I don't have an axe to grind with GCC and I'm happy to leave them alone.
https://dominickb.substack.com/p/rightwing-media-star-charlie-kirk
https://dominickb.substack.com/p/the-seven-mountains-mandate-a-look
Thanks. I've seen this one. No real evidence in there.