Pure Life Ministries in KY?

[nett]

While the church should be practicing restoration, and mentoring, there are very few churches that even know how to do that.

Leading with excommunication and shunning as the first response (the story upstream) probably isn't it.

It's better than doing nothing, because it protects the congregation from the sin.

[Josh]

I was familiar with someone going to PLM or a similar programme back in 2004; they were Wengers or Hornings or Pikers who were transitioning to Charity. (I had no understanding of plain people back then.)

Since then I have run into some people helped by the program. But it requires a total surrender. One person smuggled obscene material hidden in a tiny shampoo bottle. The issue was not the material itself (although quite wicked), but the lack of a total surrender. Many people fail at PLM due to a plan in the back of their mind to sneak back into old habits but not “go too far” when they get out. From what I hear, the people running PLM are very aware of this and warn of it.

[Valerie]

I was familiar with someone going to PLM or a similar programme back in 2004; they were Wengers or Hornings or Pikers who were transitioning to Charity. (I had no understanding of plain people back then.)

Since then I have run into some people helped by the program. But it requires a total surrender. One person smuggled obscene material hidden in a tiny shampoo bottle. The issue was not the material itself (although quite wicked), but the lack of a total surrender. Many people fail at PLM due to a plan in the back of their mind to sneak back into old habits but not “go too far” when they get out. From what I hear, the people running PLM are very aware of this and warn of it.

So so typical of behavior of people with numerous "Strongholds".

I became involved with a ministry at my church in 2007 called "Overcoming Strongholds". I started going because of a co-worker of mine and her addiction to prescription pills. However I felt a strong calling to help out in the ministry and so did for a few years. People could join this ministry with any kind of Life controlling issue so I heard of all kinds. There are two men and one woman that had addiction to p***. I really at the time felt they should be in a more confidential setting related to their specific sin and stronghold. However in this kind of ministry you really begin to have a real understanding of how the enemy works, how your flesh works, how your mind works, when entangled with these sins. I remember we told the one husband and father he had to get rid of his computer, kind of along the same lines as Jesus saying the cut off your hand or pluck out your eye. He did not do it eventually his family was destroyed. The woman had her computer connected somehow to someone else's to prevent her from being able to go to sites she should not. These are such strong strong addictions & destroy people.

The Bible says Satan goes about like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour. So true.

Oh, I remember one of the two leaders of our ministry ended up trying to help a woman with her stronghold, but he ended up in grievous sin with her and it almost destroyed him! Walk Circumspectly-

[Ken]

While the church should be practicing restoration, and mentoring, there are very few churches that even know how to do that.

Leading with excommunication and shunning as the first response (the story upstream) probably isn't it.

It's better than doing nothing, because it protects the congregation from the sin.

Since everyone is a sinner, won't that approach quickly reduce every congregation down to zero?

[nett]

Leading with excommunication and shunning as the first response (the story upstream) probably isn't it.

It's better than doing nothing, because it protects the congregation from the sin.

Since everyone is a sinner, won't that approach quickly reduce every congregation down to zero?

Are you actually asking? I assume you know the Bible well enough to understand the biblical standards of excommunication. This thread was started to have a useful discussion. If you're intending to fill it with your deconstructionist nonsense, it's not worth any response other than scorn.

[Joy]

I know three men who lost their whole families and ministries due to porn. One of them, who was a pastor, is currently at PLM; but I hesitate to ask his mother how he is doing, as it is obviously such a painful topic. She has told only one other person about him, but she wanted fervent prayer for him.

[JimFoxvog]

I knew a church elder who was addicted to phone sex. He went with the church's encouragement to Pure Life Ministries. When he came home he returned fairly quickly to his addiction. His wife was deeply hurt and they have been separated for years.

It doesn't seem they are able to deal with the real issues of the heart that underlie the addiction.

[Soloist]

I knew a church elder who was addicted to phone sex. He went with the church's encouragement to Pure Life Ministries. When he came home he returned fairly quickly to his addiction. His wife was deeply hurt and they have been separated for years.

It doesn't seem they are able to deal with the real issues of the heart that underlie the addiction.

You can lead a horse to the water...

[JimFoxvog]

I knew a church elder who was addicted to phone sex. He went with the church's encouragement to Pure Life Ministries. When he came home he returned fairly quickly to his addiction. His wife was deeply hurt and they have been separated for years.

It doesn't seem they are able to deal with the real issues of the heart that underlie the addiction.

You can lead a horse to the water...

It was all very sad. The man was sincerely repentant, again and again, and again, and truly wanted to change.

[steve-in-kville]

Thanks for all the replies. Lots of great feedback.