From Trev Larsen
To the Church
I’m sending this to 64 people, all people who have or still go to meetings. If you are receiving this directly from me it is because you are someone that I felt should know that I am the one who sent this, and that it is unedited. Some of you are my close friends, some I have or currently go to meeting with, some are workers, and some names that jumped out at me when I was searching old e- mails for addresses – a good reminder to always use Bcc on group e-mails. There were others I thought of including, but had no e-mail for. You all have my permission to share or post his letter anywhere that you see fit. I am comfortable with my name being attached to this message.
To the church, whether or not you attend meetings,
All my life I have preferred to stay out of the spotlight, to quietly try to fill my place and do my part. Unfortunately, there sometimes comes a time where it is necessary to be willing to stand for what is right while others sit silently by. I recently went to Hermosa convention with a testimony burned on my heart. For days I wrestled with it, prayed and meditated on it. Asked if it could come from someone else, asked if I could give the testimony and the words be remembered, but not the speaker. Sometimes the answer that we receive is no, and that was my answer. I will not deny the message that God has put on my heart. I will not stand idly by while evil and self-interest pervades God’s people. I stood in the first meeting and spoke my message. As close as I can recall it:
“I have come here with a message upon my heart, and I will have no peace until I share it. David committed a terrible crime. He used his power to take that which was not his, and then used his power to cover it up. He was forgiven, but there were consequences, and he became unworthy to build God’s temple. There will be a day when forgiveness is absolute, in eternity forgiveness will have no consequences and no loss of worthiness. But we are not in eternity, and while we are on earth there are consequences and there can be a loss of worthiness. Lately we have been hearing stories of those who used their power to commit terrible acts, and stories of those who used their power to cover those acts up. There can be forgiveness, but there are consequences and there is a loss of worthiness. Some have become unworthy of having fellowship in our homes – especially ones with the most innocent and vulnerable. Some have become unworthy to be a part of God’s ministry. Every year we hear from the platform about that desperate need in the harvest field. There is a need, but that need might not seem so desperate if the worthy ministers were not unevenly yoked with the unworthy and with wolves.”
This is not a message I feel worthy to speak on but is a message that I must share. There seems to be a thought amongst some that the only way to be saved is to attend meetings. That casting people from our fellowship homes is relegating people to hell. That is not true. We do not need meetings to be saved, we need a close personal relationship with God. Abusers that are truly repentant will see that they are a danger to the meetings and accept that they have lost worthiness. They will accept that there are places that they cannot go, that there are positions that they are unworthy of. The ones who fight against those consequences are the ones who are not repentant.
Growing up reading the bible I was aware that there were going to be false ministers, that there were going to be wolves in sheep’s clothing hiding among the flock. So, when the stories originally came out I was sad, but not surprised. What did surprise me were the stories that kept coming out about all of those who used their position to sweep things under the rug. To tell victims of terrible abuse that they needed to forgive their abusers and to not involve the law. Hearing of workers, who were known to be abusers, moved to a different state rather than removed from the ministry and arrested. I cannot begin to express the hate that has raged in my heart since hearing those stories. We are to be like God. To love the things that God loves and to hate the things that God hates. God hates the abuse of his little ones. God hates that the abusers are allowed to remain in his ministry. God hates that ministers in positions of power would prefer to do that which is easy to that which is right.
It’s easy to pass off the blame. It’s easy to tell victims that they need to forgive their abusers. It’s easy to allow people to remain in meetings, to allow ministers to remain in the ministry. None of it is right. Mathew 23:24 “Ye blind guides, which strain at a gnat and swallow a camel.” Why is there such a strain to tell survivors to forgive those who are not even repentant. Why is that the gnat that causes such consternation. You have swallowed the camel that is sexual assault. You have swallowed the camel that is abuse. Mathew 23:25 “Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess.”
I will name no names in this letter. I do not know who the righteous are and who the unrighteous are. The overseers and the workers know who among them is unworthy. The elders and meetings know who among them is unworthy. They know who clings to power. They know who (Matthew 23:26) “love the uppermost rooms at feasts, and chief seats at the synagogues.” Cast them out.
There are few things that Jesus said that are said in multiple gospels. One thing that was said in Mathew, Mark, and Luke was deemed important enough to be included in 3 of them. Mark 9:42 “And whosoever shall offend one of these little ones that believe in me, it is better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he were cast into the sea.” That verse isn’t just for the people who have perpetrated abuse. Not just for those who swept it under the rug. That verse is also for those who sat idly by. Those who, through their lack of standing against evil, caused offence. In testimony we also heard at Hermosa that in the parable of the good Samaritan that it was the fault of the thieves that the man was in a ditch on the side of the road. But that as soon as the Levite and priest saw and did nothing, they were why that man was still in the ditch.
John Stuart Mill wrote “Bad men need nothing more to compass their ends, than that good men should look on and do nothing.” Too many have done nothing. Too many have walked on the other side of the road while the wounded were dying. Too many have trusted that others knew best. Do not deceive yourself. You know what is best, you know what Jesus would do. He would cast the evil out.
I have seen many letters from those who have stopped coming to meetings, explaining why – the wrong that they saw in the church. This is my letter as to why I have stayed. It is not because I need the fellowship. Never have I learned or grown more in my personal relationship with God, than during Covid when we had no fellowship meetings. I stayed, because I love the friends. It is because I believe that this is the closest thing to what Jesus taught. I have stayed because I believe that change must come from within. I am unafraid of being asked not to share. I am unafraid of being asked not to attend. Mathew 10:28 “Fear not them which kill the body but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.”
I have seen the pride that people have in what family people come from. People revering “good families” as if the next generation inherits the testimony of the prior. I have seen people looked down on because they aren’t from the white middle or upper class. I have seen the pervasion of tradition being treated as scripture. I have seen people create rules and treat them as if they are the law. I have not been blind. I have tried to do everything I can to push back on those wrongs, but now I publicly state the feelings of my heart on these issues.
Some of the worst offences we have seen are by those who come from a “good family” and “made a mistake”. That attitude is what allows repeat offenders to continue their offences. A lot of the offences are pushed under the rug because they are committed on those that are seen as on the fringes of the flock. Offenders can sense who the most vulnerable are. They can sense who the flock does not fully welcome. They target them and go free, because people don’t care as much about them. I will not dance around the issues with niceties and platitudes. Often it is the poor, the ones from broken homes, and the minorities who get no consideration. When they face abuse and cry out, they are the most likely to be told what happened was their own fault. There is an issue with racism. There is an issue with classism. There is an issue with elitism. There is an issue with sexism. There is an issue with tradition. God’s way is perfect, but men are trying to walk it imperfectly. These are the imperfections. These are the reasons that it took so long for these issues to come to light. Unless I am asked not to, I will consider myself a part of this way, but I will not accept the wrongs that are pervading it.
It may feel less important than some of the terrible wrongs that have been happening, but it is also important to stamp out the littler things. The tradition of it being evil or wrong for women to wear pants or have their hair down is something that should have been left in the past. The continued control of how women look, and dress is about control and shame. There is no reason that people dress in a specific way to go to fellowship meetings. How many people who would have happily shared fellowship with us have been turned aside by something that is not biblical and is treated as if it is. It is not because they are unwilling, it is because they see something that is not of God. It is easier to blame others than look within.
Do what is right, not what is easy. Look within the fellowship, cast out traditions, prove the ministers, and live for God.
Trevor Larsen
Fargo, ND
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Thank you, Trevor!
Thank you for sharing this, Trevor! I agree with everything you said.
Trevor, what you wrote is real, gripping and thought provoking. If what you stand for, is what this religion was based on, there would be none of the problems of child sexual assaults, sexual assaults, the “gems”, or gimmicky filled sermons heard from the platform at convention, or the need for the ” outward form” of the bun and skirts to fit in. You said, “We do not need meetings to be saved, we need a close personal relationship with God”. You are passionate for Christ Jesus and that is obvious. But, you also said, “I have stayed because I believe that change must come from within”. This is the only thing I found in your letter where you are wrong. What your said actually, is absolutely correct, to fix what is broken and move on. I want to applaud you for your desire for change. The reality, it is NOT going to change. The system in place has been in place since this group was founded and the leadership and organization will not change. I found that how entrenched the ” system ” was after a horrific event happened to me personally, and with my family in this organization. And believe me, Trevor, you are looked as a very small “blob”, and nothing to consider in this organization. This organization is going to roll on with, or without you. And, believe me, it is an organization! Trevor, you are wanting something different to be of something that won’t be. You want a pig to become another animal. Trevor, I like you and want the best for you. Having said that, you will experience more pain, because you have not realized what you are up against. Someday you will and you will leave the organization. Trevor, always keep true to Christ Jesus!
For Christ: We are very humbled to hear of your abuse. Yes, it is “horrific” to learn the reality of their “hidden unmasked hatred”! And their ability to cover as the move in minutes to the next ‘bed and breakfast’ with heart breaking lies concerning HOW BAD YOU ARE!
Elaine S explains yours and ours experiences of the “after” process; as Stages of Grief.
This system is based on a false foundation of being built exactly as the 12 apostles ministry.
Now, the emphasis seem to have changed to Jesus’ New Testament Ministry and the Gospel of God’s Kingdom. And true to your analogy: “HOG WASH”!
We have been amazed with the ability of Hundreds and Hundreds to fall in line-in because of their honest desire to be a “minister” in God’s true Way.
Yes, we know they are very sincere. 2 Corinthians 11:13 – :15 gives us goose-bumps as we have seen the deception and honest sincere yielded souls are destroyed like a fly on the Wall if they so-much-as-question. Yes, satan has the ability to be “as an angel of light”. :13 no marvel if ‘false apostle” are.
What is a way to protect ourselves? As only the ‘abused’ know – we do need protection! BUT they give none.
God has given and has and even now does provide the only way we can protect ourselves. BUT WE NEED to learn and be willing to use that protection.
Ephesians 6:10 – :17 :11 Put on the Whole Armour of God..that YE MAY BE ABLE TO STAND – against the wiles of the devil! What? That is our responsibility? AND not the responsibility of the deceiver?
Yes, and what is so GREAT is: It is something we can DO and even have great satisfaction and joy as we PUT-ON :17 the “helmet of salvation” provided in Our Holy Bible. :17 and the “sword of the Spirit”
which together ((Yes, you grab this)) IS the “word of God”! As in Hebrew 4:12!
Yes, I know! BUT please just open your Bible and read this. Then do it again.
2 Peter 3:15 Peter points to Paul and explains to the Jewish believers ((who had been scattered “Acts 8:” from Jerusalem))
2 Peter 3:15: account the “longsuffering of our Lord (to Israel) is ‘salvation’; even “also According to the Wisdom-given unto him” hath written unto you.
3:16 Yes – Peter’s Words: it is hard to understand.. But is your armour!
You read the Gospel Paul was given in Ephesians 3:1-:9. and in all his Epistles.
Just knowing How Jesus sent his 12 apostles in Math. 10:5,6 and knowing what Jesus told them to preach :7- :8 would have saved us from the wiles of satan.
And Math.15:24 would have informed us that Jesus only ministered to Israel.
John 20:21 would have explained Jesus sent his 12 as His father had sent him.
Acts 2:42:-:47 would have told us the 12 apostles “Doctrine”.
AND :44-:45 would have explained “all believers” sold ALL???? Yes!!! 4:32-:37
AND :46 would have told us to follow the 12 apostles: We would need to continue Daily in the “”Temple””: like the 12 did in Luke 24:53;
and Acts 3:1as in Law of Moses – at the hour of prayer;
and still in Acts 5:40 – “:42” then as late as Acts 21:18 James declares :20
Yes, this is the Armour God has given us. His very word! Let’s use it.
Well said. Many of us are coming to terms with a new reality. The system has become destabilized. This is the first necessary precursor to meaningful change. Hopefully, there will be enough of a shift in perspective and expectation that the system will be forced to shift as well.
Daniel Zal, the system has NOT become destabilized. The “SYSTEM” is as strong as ever, if not stronger. The head workers, and the BIG THREE SUPERIORS above the head workers that run the show, will makes sure the system remains strong and air tight. The only meaningful change and shift in perspective is within you, and within others like you. That change in perspective within you does not matter to the system, and the position the system has taken from the beginning, a little over 100 years ago, will not change. Either love the system that is in place, or leave it, because what you now see, with your eyes opened, is what you get going forward. “The way” established, not much more than a century ago, is the system that will remain. Be loyal to the system, or get out. Christ Jesus and His beautiful, easy to follow way is waiting, outside the system.
This letter is one of the ‘Seven Stages of Grief’. The author has yet to realize that the 2×2 organization CANNOT make any meaningful changes that would meliorate all the ugly warts it currently has on display, because making the fundamental necessary changes would completely undermine the very reason for the existence of the 2×2 church. The fact is that most 2x2s WANT to be exclusive, WANT to think of themselves in the One True Way (it’s called ‘The Truth’ for a reason). In order to reduce all of the abuse and corruption, the 2×2 church would have to get an official governance structure (board of directors, redress processes, financial transparency, constitution, ministerial admittance requirements, etc), which would then alienate all of the 2×2 hardliners who cling to the ‘New Testament Ministry’ hoax of homeless untrained same-sex celibate pair ministers – aka the Irvine Experiment. So, the current 2×2 leadership is going to make some small changes (do an online certification of Ministry Safe course, remove convicted pedophiles from the ministry, etc), but nothing more than that, because it cannot without risking the total collapse of the 2×2 congregation.
If you want serious change from the 2x2s, then the change must be made in yourself – you must find another church which does things as you wish them to be done. It is pointless to think that the 2×2 church is going to make fundamental changes that are hazardous to its own very existence. At the moment, you are just trying to negotiate with the 2×2 church, but your voice is meaningless and your power is zero. The only realistic thing you can do is save yourself by going to another proper church.
Elaine S.: We recognize your expertise. The clarity with which you speak indicates experience “IN The Trenches”. AND I want everyone to know and recognize that her reality will save endless problems and years of struggles. The ability to cut-to-the-chase: and recognize reality is very difficult.
The degrees of commitment to this system; indicate the degrees of immense personal trauma ahead as that determines the reality of the 7 stages of grief.
Trevor: We hear your pain. We hear your sorrow. We hear your solution. However, our heart aches for you as you deeply desire to fix. As the reality of “what we thought we had” and “what it really is” IS EXPOSED accidentally, little by little: that ‘gut punch’ will only get more intense. The solution to fix all the problems; has back-fired. When it takes “a listening meeting” to inform our “Overseers” of the actions of a known ‘molester’ who had access to an illegal Date Rape Drug!!!; and no one knows who paid her medical bills for reconstructive surgery! You can be assured the “wool of your fleece” has been pulled over your eyes of understanding.
Our desire for you as you struggle with your struggle to “keep the closest thing to what Jesus taught” is that you be honest enough with yourself THAT you
will actually read WHAT is actually recorded and printed in Black and White in Our Holy Bibles. We realize that “grief” is usually associated with LOSS in some form or another. It helps if we are able in some way to control or help by limiting or easing the loss.
You are able to be realistic about the conditions that presently exists. Are you able to protect yourself from some of the trauma of loss by actually Learning What and How Jesus actually ministered and taught and to whom.
Matthew records Jesus coming as the King of the Nation of Israel; to bring God’s chosen Nation — back to God. God had promised and also made a covenant with Israel that they would be His people and he would be their God.
That promise of a “perfect Kingdom of Heaven on Earth” was Jesus message to Israel. Book of Mathew explains Jesus ministry to Israel. Jesus chose 12 apostles to “sit on 12 thrones; judging the 12 tribes of Israel” in their promised, perfect Kingdom. That is Jesus’ Gospel to Israel.
Matthew 10:5 – :7 explains to whom, and what Jesus taught. AS does 15:24.
Luke records Jesus from the aspect of Jesus as “a man” — the son of man.
Luke 1:1-5 Introduces Jesus relatives. Next is his 2nd cousin, John the Baptist. Luke weaves in many facts: they were Jews; they were of tribe of Aaron: there fore they served in the Temple following the Law of Moses; and fulfilling prophecy. The angel Gabriel informs Mary in 1:30 – :33 about her son.
He shall have the throne of his father David and reign over the House of Jacob forever. The book of Luke is the very record of what Jesus taught in his ministry to Israel. It ends with his 11 apostles in the Temple praising and blessing God.
John records Jesus as: God, the Son. John 1:1, :14. And again records Jesus earthly ministry to bring God’s chosen Nation of Israel “back” to himself. That very government would NOT. As a result, all three men record Jesus preparing his 12 apostles TO continue to preach the Kingdom Gospel to Nation of Israel.
Acts 1: thru 7: is the record of the 12 apostles ministry to Israel.
Acts 2:42 – :46 is the Apostles’ Doctrine. as is Acts 4:32-:37 and 5:41-42
Is this the workers ministry and their Doctrine?
Yes, we realize this sounds too simple to just read. BUT remember I said LEARN: understand each word – ask why, when, where, what and to whom.
Your question will be; O.K., that is to Jews; WHAT is for us non-Jews.
Romans thru Philemon will answer that question for you. Yes, learning is serious.
We have left about a month ago and now wonder where we go? We plan to church shop as it doesn’t feel right to not be in fellowship anywhere. We were Baptist before going to meeting. We may have come full circle after wandering for 40 years.
Anon: August 14 :: We are aware of your journey. As it is NOT just a ho-hum change. It is a complete engulfing of our very living; and that even of Life eternal. As we began to see just little bit: like Acts 2:42 – 26 We questioned? THIS IS the 12 “apostles” Doctrine??? AND our Ministry follows exactly the 12??
So, of course we tried to ask question: BUT just come to Gospel Mtgs. God will tell you your answers. AND God sure did! They talked about Matthew 5:; 6:; :7
being the constitution of God’s very Kingdom. AND so, we studied, Yes, now we knew we had to know what God says. Matthew 5:21 – :24 We understood this is Jesus very standard for us believers and followers!
JUST HOW can we do this?
What should our gift Be?
Where is the “alter?
What if our brother who has aught-against me: wants to keep it that way?
They could not and would not help us sort this-out.
So, Anon: They did us a very big favor. We were able to actually read – study and learn: our Bibles are written in “plain and understandable English”.
We found they did NOT follow the 12; nor did they preach or FOLLOW Jesus as he preached in his fleshly ministry: What a problem? and What, Now?
We just kept reading and studying! There is light at the end of the ‘dark tunnel’
If you would like, ask Wings for my E-mail. God does bless our struggle.
Trevor — I continue to think about you and your story; the is very raw the way you feel. You most clearly, of anyone else that I have heard, pointed out the real truth of this religion. You nailed it. The first statement you made why you have not left a religion that has so many different problems was, “This is my letter as to why I have stayed. It is not because I need the fellowship…I stayed, because I love the friends”. Trevor, the real truth about this religion is, and something you have to face and think about much more — this organization is a cult. The BIG hook is community, belonging to “something “, being a part of something bigger than yourself. Jim Jones, Charles Manson, David Koresh, Warren Jeffs, and the list goes on; hooked people through the idea of “community”. That is the reason church conventions are such a lure, because they emphasize community. Seven Day Adventist (also a cult) hold similar events and “special days” to fire up its base that they alone will be saved (conventions are NOT Biblical). Acts 2:42–47 reveals that the original “Christian community” was known primarily for its devotion to the apostles’ teachings, to fellowship, to prayer, and to loving one another. Jesus Himself had promoted this sense of community: “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another” (John 13:35). A Christian community is marked by the way people treat each other, and the local church strive to model Christlike attitudes. Jesus says to love one another, not just those you have a fellowship meeting with. How often have you seen a worker talk about donating your time, or money to the people of this world? The answe: never. Why is it then that Jesus consistently donated His time, all His time, and then His life for the people of this world? Jesus was not about cults, or one religion having a monopoly on His beautiful teachings. Jesus wanted His teachings for EVERYONE! The Mormons (LDS), Jehovah Witness, and many other modern mainstream cults have the followers believe “they are the only way”. All these religions, including Christian Conventions, or ” the truth “, have the hook of community, or we have the way to heaven. They also all preach some form of Christ, but not all of Christ. When was the last time you heard and explained from the platform at convention, Romans 4:25, “Jesus was given to die for our sins, and he was raised from the dead to make us right with God”. I personally heard hundreds of workers sermons and heard many, many of their gimmicky ” gem talks”, but I have never heard anything about Jesus death and what that meant for us, who are the people of this world, and THEN what Jesus resurrection was all about!!! The “truth” religion has workers, in place of Jesus and His Apostles, and you fear them and not God. “Hide it from the workers and you are good”, my dear mom always taught me growing up, by what she did in her life. Wearing pants all the time, except around the workers, having hanging hair, except around the workers, sneaking this things so the workers wouldn’t see. Being afraid of humans? That is a cult. Jesus wanted followers of His life and teaching, not followers of some flawed human. That is a cult.
Thank you for expressing the thoughts and feelings that I have. You did much better job than I ever could have.
As you said, there is stratification along lines of pedigree, income, race, etc. that have led us to where we are. We have also stayed “inside” because of our love of fellowship.
Thank you.
Please feel free to reach out to us
tssikes at chartermi dot net.