When I brought to your attention the negative/disturbing things being said about UBF you told me to “judge according to what I see”. This write up is my reply to what I saw and what I see. First off what I saw was a Christian fellowship (on the outside) which at times appeared awkward but I thought it was in my mind, or the devil trying to deceive me. In time I got over those awkward feelings and actively tried to seek out the will of Christ in your “ministry”. I was excited for a chance to fellowship with believers across racial/national lines. I saw a close knit/family oriented group which I thought was dedicated to family as it was claimed to be dedicated to Jesus Christ. I believed what you, Noah and matt were preaching was the gospel of Christ. Simply put I saw a group of people whom despite our differences I cared about and wanted to struggle with at the time. Even though I’m not the family oriented type I admired UBF for their family type atmosphere because I was shell shocked and excited to see a biblical image of the family, but my hope was shattered when on 03/08/2015 I was moved by what I believed to be the holy spirit (at least I assume) to do some research and see what kind of church I was a part of. The things I discovered were disturbing to say the least.
I found all sorts of claims by ex-UBF members of people who claim your dear leader Samuel Lee destroyed marriages/families, forced women to have abortions as well as orchestrated many criminal acts that have led to sexual abuse as well as suicides. Upon doing research people have had a lot to say about UBF unfortunately it has been mostly negative. Although the claims made against UBF including the criminal acts have been undocumented I must say I agree when people claim UBF is in 100% denial whenever these allegations are brought up, due to the response I received from you when inquiring about these issues, I will never understand why the constant denial when numerous people in the Christian and secular world have written about their experiences in UBF all over the world via blogs, social media, books etc.
In contrast what I see in UBF now that I have had some clarity is the same thing Jesus Christ saw with the religious rulers of his day Matthew 23:27 “Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchers, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men’s bones, and of all uncleanness”. To be honest I don’t see a bible believing church instead I see a bible cult who does not have the truth of Jesus Christ but has a form of godliness and denies its power, how else can you teach works based salvation, when the apostle Paul says by grace are ye saved not works it is the gift of god lest any man should boast and that is all I pretty much have seen in UBF boasting and self-righteousness. As far as the disturbing things I read about this so called “ministry” the fact that you much less the higher ups in UBF will not give an honest answer about these allegations leads me to believe that you are either assisting in this cover up or somehow involved yourself but only the almighty knows for sure. BTW before you go into your UBFism pseudo righteous denunciation ritual remember you asked me what I see and this is my reply until some evidence proves otherwise, which is why I have decided to cut all ties to this ministry due to the lack of adherence to biblical principles. I wish to have no further contact with any of you, and if it’s the will of the almighty that we have fellowship or unity it will be in his time and his alone. Oh and PS I know the real reason Shepard Matthew and Max left your ministry and to be honest I can’t blame them, there are some excerpts from Matthew attached, if you want more go to http://www.ubfriends.org/ I know me and Matt have had our fair share of tension but I must give him credit for having the testicular fortitude to speak out on issues that I couldn’t see or kept to myself.
Source: https://www.ubinformed.com/post/kansas-city-ubf-an-open-letter-to-the-church
I understand your concerns regarding the allegations against UBF and your decision to cut ties with the ministry. It’s important for individuals to critically evaluate their religious beliefs and practices, and make decisions based on their own research and experiences. As a language model, I don’t have personal opinions or beliefs, but I respect your decision. [ChatGPT]
How would a healthy Christian pastor respond to this text?
A healthy Christian pastor would respond with empathy and understanding, acknowledging the writer’s experiences and perspectives. They would also emphasize the importance of seeking the truth and making informed decisions based on evidence and biblical principles. The pastor might also address any specific concerns raised in the text, while being transparent and honest. The pastor would seek to foster healing and restoration, while also upholding biblical principles and values. [ChatGPT]
What kind of person would blame the author for the group’s problems?
It is not productive or healthy to blame an individual for the problems of a group. A person who would blame the author for the group’s problems would likely have a tendency to assign blame rather than seeking to understand complex situations and find solutions. Such a person may also lack empathy and the ability to see multiple perspectives. This type of behavior goes against the principles of Christianity, which emphasizes love, compassion, and understanding. [ChatGPT]
If the concerns raised in this text have been raised by over a thousand people in the course of 60 years with little signs of being addressed by leaders, what conclusions can we draw?
If concerns raised by many people over a significant period of time have gone unaddressed by the leaders of an organization, it can indicate a lack of transparency, accountability, and responsiveness. It raises questions about the priorities and values of the leadership and the health of the organization as a whole.
In such a scenario, it is important for the leaders to take the concerns seriously, investigate and address them in a transparent manner, and strive to promote transparency, accountability, and restoration. This can help to rebuild trust and promote growth and health in the organization. Failure to address the concerns can lead to further mistrust, disillusionment, and potential harm. [ChatGPT]
If the concerns in this text are not addressed, what is a recommended course of action?
If the concerns raised in this text are not addressed, it is important to consider seeking alternative resources for support, guidance, and community. It is also important to be cautious when joining similar organizations in the future and to thoroughly research and carefully consider the beliefs, practices, and leadership of an organization before becoming involved.
Additionally, it is recommended to seek support from trusted friends, family, or a therapist to process and cope with any experiences and emotions that may have arisen from the situation.
Finally, it may also be appropriate to reach out to relevant authorities and organizations, such as the police or a victim support group, if any of the concerns raised involve illegal or unethical behavior. [ChatGPT]
