In the ubf context, there is some of this to be sure. But this is not the main issue at ubf and I think we should clarify something.

ubfers know exactly why they life the ubf lifestyle. We wanted to please God. We wanted to show our love for Jesus. We wanted to create a utopian KOPAHN society among all the nations of the world. And we were wiling to do just about anything to accomplish that goal.

So the ubf problem is not that people don’t why they promote UBFism, the problem is that UBFism itself is not questioned and properly critiqued.

I agree. Keep asking questions. I was reading an article on the danger of fundamentalism. I define fundamentalism as doing things religiously without knowing why. For example, a lot of people eat up everything their Pastors say, once the Pastor stands at the pulpit, no one questions anything. I am not saying be rude, but be aware.

Also as you say, Jesus’ example of leadership is humility. The trinity is in a hierarchy of service. The leader serves the servant. This is how the trinity, the divine dance, moves, each serves the other.

Note that the leaders of the Discipling/Shepherding movement in America repented and shared publicly how wrong they were. When will ubfers joins them?

What is UBF style “heavy shepherding?”

“Heavy shepherding” (also referred to as the “Discipleship Movement”) is a method of psychological control used by abusive churches and cults i.e UBF, jehovah witness etc… “heavy shepherding” came out of the Shepherding Movement of the 1970s. The International Churches of Christ from the Boston Movement is perhaps the most well-known group that practices heavy shepherding. Another infamous group to come out of the Shepherding Movement was Christian Grown Ministries in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Heavy shepherding churches and cults can be identified by the following practices:
• Submission to “missionaries” or “shepherds” and those in authority
• Obligation to confess sin to “discipleship partners” or “shepherds”
• Unquestioning loyalty and obedience to all those in authority
• Obligation to intensively recruit others to join the movement
• Authoritarian leadership and group experience
• Conformity to the movement’s standards
• Spiritual manipulation and intimidation
• Hierarchical system of accountability
• Legalism and control over members
• Prohibition against reading any literature not approved by the leadership
• Whistle-blowing on members suspected of being nonconformists
• Total dependence on the movement and the leaders for approval
• Fear of punishment or humiliation for questioning the leadership

UBF leaders are false leaders:
Any leader who demands blind obedience and submission is building on a false basis of authority. True authority comes only from God and cannot be seized by men who simply seek power and authority over others, who want to be in charge and admired. If a group or a person assumes authority based solely on role, office, or position, then he is abusing his position. Heavy shepherds are religious power brokers who control others through fear. They preach about authority, submission, judgment, prosperity and end-times. These false shepherds present themselves as the source of all knowledge and authority. They punish people who do not meet a certain standard and ostracize them as not earning God’s approval. They ignore the fact that Christians already have God’s approval through the shed blood of Jesus Christ – no person can “earn” God’s approval.

There is a biblical basis for structure within the church. Hebrews 13:17 tells us to obey our leaders and submit to their authority because “they keep watch over you as those who must give an account. Do this so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no benefit to you.” But when leaders tell their flock not to think, not to ask questions and to ignore problems, they are abusing their position. When people who think, ask questions and confront problems are branded as un-submissive, unspiritual or divisive, then they are being abused by false prophets who “come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves” (Matthew 7:15).

A church modeled after dictatorship not Jesus the Good Shepherd:
John 10:1-18 shows that the church should be modeled on Christ Jesus, who is the good shepherd. When He calls His sheep, they recognize His voice and follow Him. And, most importantly, Jesus says, “I lay down my life for the sheep” (verse 15). A good shepherd leads his flock to safety and guards them from predators that seek to hurt them.

Jesus instructs His disciples to obey His commands, just as He obeyed the Father. But there is nothing heavy-handed about this command! “I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you… I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. You did not choose me but I chose you, and appointed you to go and bear fruit… This is my command: Love each other” (John 15:9-17). Nowhere does Jesus suggest that we have to blindly submit to men. Instead, we must submit to Christ, who is the head of every man (1 Corinthians 11:3). And in all things, we must obey God rather than men (Acts 5:29).

This is how shepherding should be done: “Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, serving as overseers – not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not greedy for money, but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. . . . All of you, clothe yourselves with humility towards one another, because ‘God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.’ Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him, because he cares for you” (1 Peter 5:1-7). A heavy shepherding pastor is the exact opposite of the humble servant-leader whom Peter endorses.

UBF pride vs Jesus’ love and humility
Jesus told His disciples, “The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who exercise authority over them call themselves benefactors. But you are not to be like that. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves” (Luke 22:25-26).

Christian leaders are under obligation to follow Jesus’ example of humility and compassion. “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light” (Matthew 11:28-30).

Beware of any religious group that practices “shepherding,” “submission” and “covering” concepts. We have been bought by the precious blood of Christ Jesus and “brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God” (Romans 8:21). “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery” (Galatians 5:1).

Add in 52 Sunday services, 52 Sunday meetings, 52 Monday meetings, 52 Tuesday meetings for your spouse, 52 Friday meetings, 52 Saturday meetings, about 30 Saturday messenger meetings and a couple hundred daily devotion meetings, plus weeks of daily conference practice and prayer meetings….

I really admire you and your books. You inspire me to write, blog, share my story and speak up.

When I think about conferences I think about “Revolution in World Missions” by K P Yohannan, (anyone can get this book for free online.) Anyways, he talks about how the church in the West is overfed. We have 100’s of Bible translations in English. We have conferences and Christian concerts. We have ice cream socials and books on every topic possible. But there are others who are also our sisters and brothers in Christ who don’t even have the Bible in their own language.

Conferences are so expensive and often mismanaged. How much money was spent in the conference for 800 people when only 600 went? How can we use our money wisely? That’s what gets me. There is so much time and energy spent producing something that looks the same year after year. Like forests said, he liked hanging out with his friends, he liked the music and GBS. We could’ve done that stuff in Chicago or St. Louis and saved $400.

BUT in 2011, for the first time ever, I shared my honest opinions of the conference. I shared in my report how I did not received “one word” from any of the messages, which were un-inspiring to me. And that was viewed as an “attack” and then suddenly I found myself being labeled as possibly “demon-possessed”. WTF!?

This is the classic Sisyphus phenomenon where everything changes but nothing changes. I know why this happens, and I explain it in my 7th book.

I agree with you completely forests. And you weren’t even there on Thursday. I was there 2 days before you. I still think it’s shocking how the moment you walked in, was the moment I walked out. Honestly, I could sit through half the lectures and half the testimonies. It was painful for me to hear people bare their heart. their deepest secrets to people who don’t even know them.

And yet at the same time, I also do not regret going because. 1.) WL paid for me. 2.) My boss gave me those days off even when I didn’t ask for them (I took it as a sign from God to go.) 3.) Relationships. I met a classmate from MBI and the drummer for VCB also studies at MBI with me. Plus I met up with friends from Russia, Ukraine, and all those people who raised me.

Basically, sitting there the opening night. I looked around and thought these people are people who God loves. They are the church and if we don’t get along now, how are we going to spend eternity together? There’s so many things I can’t stand about UBF, but there are so many people in UBF I love.

I don’t regret going to the conference at all either. But if I had had to pay 400$ for it, I definitely wouldn’t have gone. (I can’t believe families with kids had to pay 1000+ $ for it and the food even ran out.) And I told that to the conf planners ahead of time. That it is too expensive. There were good things, but as usual with UBF, why do we have to make things harder for ourselves and put people through so much difficulty. The conf was 7am -10 pm with no time to process anything.
Anyways, just my 2 cents.

“So Packer offers a solution. Focusing in what Jesus said John 16:13-15, he states that the ministry of the Holy Spirit is centered on Jesus Christ. The Spirit never promotes himself or draws people to himself. His purpose is to further the Father’s pleasure by glorifying the Son. While the ascended Jesus is enthroned in heaven, the Spirit will work to proclaim the gospel of Jesus, to draw people to faith in Jesus, to help us to obey Jesus, to promote the knowledge, adoration and love of Jesus – in short, to make it possible for us to have a vital relationship with Jesus until he returns in power and glory. Wherever Jesus Christ is being followed, proclaimed, worshiped and glorified, the Holy Spirit is present to actively direct and support that work. – See more at: http://www.ubfriends.org/2011/01/31/is-this-an-authentic-work-of-the-holy-spirit/#sthash.SP0beLEV.dpuf

So we just have to ask who was glorified through this conference? When they thought about “follow me”, who is the “me”? your ubf shepherd or God?

The theology of ubf is steeped in dualism. It is a Spirit-less theology because ubf shepherds/missionaries get the glory. It is a Spirit-less theology because when they use the term Holy Spirit, they speak of Him as a force or magical power, not as a Person. Thus the phrase “full of the Holy Spirit” is loaded language for “full of spiritual energy” and many see this as “full of the spirit of Lee/ubf”.

If something had gone off script too much, they would mention “Satan’s attack”. If there was some negative energy, they would say an “evil spirit” is in place. Such dualism is not of Christ. The triune nature of the Christian faith escapes the missionaries so they keep doing the same things over and over. They come from a Confucian/Buddhism background where god is like a Father/son combo.

This is all clearly evident in the 50th Anniversary blue book. Before reading my books, this blue book is a must for every new student.

“They are the hope of God as a new generation of spiritual leaders.”

The wording is also misleading. He says that “we learned/were deeply moved…” as “we listened” as if he and many others did not know what was going to be said by the speakers, which isn’t true.

My experience with conferences was largely that they were not about the work of the Holy Spirit, but people conforming to the UBF lifestyle. Whether a conference was deemed successful or not came down to whether people made decisions to live as UBF shepherds, and to the honoring of senior Korean missionaries.

Some of the most spiritually damaging work at the group is drama training and dance training. It seems ok at the time, but year after year, this training breaks down your personal boundaries and you accept intrusions into your life as normal.

There were quite a few leaders gasping when this happened: “I was asked to preside and was emailed with instructions to give a short life testimony and a description of where I was with God. As I started to read my testimony I was strongly convicted that this was the wrong thing to do.” It seems the script was not interrupted too much.

Joe is right. When the Spirit does work, you know it. My favorite memory of one of the only times I ever saw the Spirit work was when Joe went off script at a staff conference message. I could see jaws hitting the floor! And yet it was the most inspiring sermon I had heard in many many years.

I won’t speak in the Spirit’s place, but I just have to wonder if the Spirit will ever disrupt the status quo there… it seems He has simply left the building. Is there anyone at the group left who will listen to the Spirit’s voice and obey it?

The Holy Spirit is not someone to be trifled with.

I am no expert is pneumatology. But one thing I do know: When the Holy Spirit truly shows up and works among God’s people, the result is anything but scripted and predictable. He works in ways that are unanticipated, often shocking, even troubling. The Spirit upsets the status quo..

I have seen the Holy Spirit work powerfully at a handful of UBF conferences during the last 6-7 years. In each case, it caused deep consternation and backlash by some ubf leaders. The work of the Spirit was not fanned into flame, but quickly snuffed out. I say that with deep regret and with great sorrow.

http://www.livescience.com/47220-will-robots-take-your-job-by-2025.html

Most of the conference program (messages, presiding, LTs, …) could have been automated years ago. Executing the conference by robots would allow people to relax more and enjoy themselves.

“Life testimonies were shared by Yaejin Park (UI), Vin Nguyen (Milwaukee), Ben West (Minneapolis), and another person who cannot be named.”

The ubf report of the conference is the same as always. This report could have been written in 1961. It is the same always:

“From the beginning of conference preparation, we have prayed for 120 undergraduate students to attend this conference, hear Jesus’ voice, and follow him as his disciples. All together 136 came, including exactly 120 from the Midwest region. As we listened to their testimonies during and after the conference we learned that the word of God has worked in their hearts and the Holy Spirit lives in them. They are the hope of God as a new generation of spiritual leaders. We continue to pray for them and want to work with them to make disciples of Jesus on their campuses in this upcoming fall semester.” (source)

Everything seems so perfect right? It is a little too perfect in fact. Those 100 or so undergraduates are not the hope of God, they are the hope of ubf. ubf missionaries are desparate to rebuild after trashing the lives of hundreds of the same “hope of God” type people the last few years. They threw out the “junk sheep” like me and hope to start all over again. Makes me sick.

On the bright side, my book is poised to make a real difference in opening people’s eyes. The hope is that these new generation people all know all about arranged-marriage. The hope is that these new students know what they are getting into and have refused to agree to submit to their ubf shepherds for the rest of their life. The hope is that these new students will obey the Holy Spirit more than ubf leaders and will not succomb to wasting their life sitting on folding chairs every night for the next 20 years.

Will any of them read ubfriends or my books and take heed?

The standard is this. If you are a woman, then losing weight is good, provided that it was a direction given to you by your shepherd or chapter director. If it was your own idea, then it is sinful.

I was a conference planner for years in the LA chapter. Many, many conferences were designed to “help” or “train” those given roles–that is why they were given roles. I spoke against it often because it’s deceptive and so not beneficial. Those who were being trained or helped were not (as much as I know) fully aware of the reasons for them having been chosen for the roles given. They thought they were serving the larger body attending. But the larger body attending was doing so to encourage those being trained–ugh! No matter how the conference planning committees were split on designing specific and focused conferences, they always ended up about training and helping “disciples” through tasks and treating the gospel as something just to promote the UBF agenda. After reading these reports by MJ and forests, I’m so glad to be done with it.

Many do, yes. In fact they do step back and look at things. And the conferences are just the way they want them to be. The leadership is not ignorant. They are not naive, innocent little ones. They are directing the ministry activities exactly the way they want. They are losing control of people’s lives, the conferences are their last resort, the last thing they can control.

At some Easter conferences we’ve tried to focus on these topics, especially resurrection of course. But the treatment was so superficial that I’m not sure that it helped anyone in the long run, though i could be wrong. I recall suggesting to the leadership that we go deeper on these subjects and perhaps focus on one topic at a time, but they felt it would be too complex for students to grasp. There was also a strong element of anti-intellectualism that pervaded the ministry. I think they felt that any kind of in depth study would be distracting, divisive or confusing. I would have to echo Brian’s sentiment in that making a confession of faith and taking on the identity of Shepherd X is at the forefront of most people’s minds.

Milieu Control
-What I read was controlled. I was not allowed to go on ubfriends and ridiculed for anything I posted there

Mystical Manipulation
-I was not allowed to leave the city. I was on the university futsal team and I couldn’t go on trips with the team because I wouldn’t get to church on Sunday. I also had money to go on a 3 week trip with a friend, but I was not given permission. It was the weekend of my bday, but since I did not have any one to ones, I was not allowed.

The Demand for Purity
When I began to lose weight, I was accused of “trying to get a husband.” Any desire to talk with guys was deemed as flirting.

The Cult of Confession
When I shared my testimonies weekly, they were scrutinized. Once I was not able to translate the daily bread from english into turkish, because I was a full time student and working, I was criticized for laziness. When my sister stood up to defend me she was verbally abused and burst into tears.

The “Sacred Science”
When I had disagreements I was not allowed to talk to my parents about it. I was directed to go to a corner and cry to God.

Loading the Language
“Deny yourself!”
“Repent”
“Feed Sheep”
“Humble yourself”
“Be a shepherdess”

Doctrine Over Person
I don’t know about this one. I always remained myself. That’s why I had so many issues.

The Dispensing of Existence
With this one too, I wasn’t sucked in all the way.

It’s really scary reading about the Lifton Red Flags and resonating with each one.

Does anyone else see the blatant logical fallacy?

It is the “right thing to do” in the ubf system. The system is not rooted in building relationships, it is rooted in producing a product, i.e. house churches. In such a system, you can believe any gospel you want, as long as you help pass on the heritage by establishing house churches.

The ubf system might be called BYOG-bring your own gospel. Ask the missionaries about the gospel. What do you find? They don’t care, in the end, what you believe about the gospel, just go recruit someone into the system because that is what matters.

Bible study/ church is better than non church based actions. Therefore we must never do non church based actions. It reminds me of this:

“The good and the pure are of course those ideas, feelings, and actions which are consistent with the totalist ideology and policy; anything else is apt to be relegated to the bad and the impure. Nothing human is immune from the flood of stern moral judgments. All “taints” and “poisons” which contribute to the existing state of impurity must be searched out and eliminated.

The philosophical assumption underlying this demand is that absolute purity is attainable, and that anything done to anyone in the name of this purity is ultimately moral. In actual practice, however, no one is really expected to achieve such perfection. Nor can this paradox be dismissed as merely a means of establishing a high standard to which all can aspire.”

If a college student with no knowledge of Jesus had been taken off the street they would have left knowing they should follow Jesus and that they would have life, but no idea of who he is, what he is (beyond “The Lord”), why he is. They would know that following him leads to eternal life, but not why this is to be desired. They would know nothing of his great commands, nothing of the resurrection. They would know nothing of the Holy Spirit. So in that sense I feel that these (to give our conference creators the benefit of the doubt) were assumed to be known, and so this conference was for those who were given roles in the conference.