I attended the so loved conference… To be honest I was disappointed. The focus should have been Jesus love…not ubf and the mission. Ben, I agree with you on all points of this article. Ubf is in fact numbers driven, pride driven, mission driven …but is it Christ driven?”
– See more at: http://www.ubfriends.org/2013/05/15/my-concerns-about-the-international-conference/#comment-18489

Just for the record and for some counterperspective, I have friends who have been in ubf for over 3 decades who dislike and disagree with much of what I wrote in this article.

Or they may have just seen the title and immediately disliked it. Or they already have such strong negative sentiments and emotions that much of what I’ve written would be quite distasteful, nauseating and anger inducing to them.

My hope, if it ever arrives this side of heaven, is still to discuss this point by point with anyone who is willing. But then again, it might simply be regarded as a total waste of their time to do so, because this is NOT Bible study, not evangelism, not discipleship training, not message preparation, not conference preparation, etc, etc, etc.

I felt my 10 years became more and more robotic. Jesus! You are so good Jesus! For bringing me out into the sunlight and letting me follow you Lord. May you lord have mercy on everyone in my chapter and pen their eyes and bring change …let them love each other lord. Amen.

I attended the so loved conference, but I didn’t see th focus of it. To be honest I was disappointed. The focus should have been Jesus love…not ubf and the mission. Ben, I agree with you on all points of this article. Ubf is in fact numbers driven, pride driven, mission driven …but is it Christ driven?

In my experience diretors responsible for training people to deliver a message (testimony) or even compose it in some cases are too busy reinventing the wheel. The last message I struggled to write was dismissed and I consequently read through a manuscript which was not personal for me at all. In addition the director insists he is God of message writing and testimony writing.

What a crock! It is the five paragraph essay! The man is so proud that he discovered the five paragraph essay that is taught to elementary and middle school as a template for essay writing. Oh, but I forgot, he uses some pseudo theology to discuss his contribution to the world.

That being said, I have also had many pleasant experiences that cannot be understated. Don’t expect much to change any time soon in terms of grand public display. And wouldn’t you guess, but I am married to the moooooooooooooost…..beau-ti-ful woman of God! *enter name here*

My most disappointing observation was regarding the so-called work of God that was being done. Chapters being omitted in countries, people being omitted in countries. For all that was mentioned there was much that wasn’t. I think it is a shame. I wrote in a personal message to Ben:

“Everyone wants to be somebody famous. UBF is no different. It makes an exclusive art out of it. If we can revere historical Christian figures for the efforts that they made then why can’t we also recognize our own. Do we have to be sure they are really trying to spread the gospel? Why are we so paranoid? Why can’t top leadership trust in the Holy Spirit and just allow pioneering leaders to act according to their faith? Why does everything in UBF require some pompous ceremony in order to become official? It is really far from Christ and the Holy Spirit.

When someone says they are going to pioneer I generally believe they are. However, when leaders enforce the direction of pioneering on someone it may lead somewhere else – but we don’t need to ask ‘Why?’ – the Holy Spirit reveals that those examples are generally from men.”

(1) Let’s say it’s a group of Christian psychologists to lessen the potential offense.

(2) message training which apparently included making every person at the podium begin their performance with a “Helllllooooo!” while waving their arm in the air

As far as I understand, that’s the whole point of the conference. People who only saw their small chapter at home shall see how large UBF really is, be impressed and get “vision”. That’s why Samuel Lee even faked photos by adding cloned audience to make it appear even larger. I also once attended an ISBC. Even though I refused to go because I did not understand why I needed to waste so much money for the trip, my chapter leader pushed me until I went. Of course it worked as my chapter leader planned, I was impressed. Until then I had never been in America and sure I was impressed. (Coming from a small country to America will always leave a big impression no matter how good or bad the conference is.) You start to believe that UBF is a great thing with international importance.

“Other than that this ISBC is better than the other smaller conferences, like Easter BIble Conferences. Less pride, more Glory to God.”

Doesn’t this contradict what we said above? Isn’t showing all the “greatness” of UBF also a sign of pride? Sure, outwardly, they wrap it as “all the Glory to God” and appear to be humble, but in reality, all this glory goes to UBF.

I’m one of the attenders of this UBF ISBC. I really think that this conference is a really blessed one. Maybe because I never been to a UBF International conference, this is my first time. I observed that UBF seems to be a big organization. They showed us videos that showed the work of UBF around the world. Other than that, To be honest, the testimony sharers and the messengers were very unnatural to the way they deliver their messages. They almost sounds the same and same tone of speech. Maybe I’m accustomed to listening to pastors and preachers without them having to read off from a written message. My other observation is that people seem to mention the word “training” a lot in this conference. Other than that this ISBC is better than the other smaller conferences, like Easter BIble Conferences. Less pride, more Glory to God.

I decided not to go to my church’s GLS this summer and go to this one because I want to experience this big conference and God’s working thru the UBF ministry.

And why are these numeric goals are mentioned in all ubf prayers?!

I read an article by a Russian missionary to Canada. Someone told him, “Let’s pray for raising (a number) new churches in North America nex year!”. He at once answered that he would not pray for any “numbers” and would be very careful when someone suggests such numeric prayer topics. So there is such a temptation in churches to have numeric goals and prayer topics. Healthy churches don’t give them a way. But ubf shows clearly what happens when all this numeric stuff is of the highest priority.

also time was allowed for comments: of course some stalworths defended God/Jesus from overemphasis on Holy Spirit, but others strongly spoke up for Spirit gifts/fruit/courage/help/freedom/etc; a dialogue started

if churches spent more time in such dialogue, God could work much better;
too much time is spent in monologue (listen to one point of view repeatedly/adnauseum, without opportunity to respond)

i think Bereans digging out the word of God in their time would be ashamed of the repetitive rehashing in our time:) but what else can we do by human effort? that’s why we need to forsake man’s spiritual bullying which comes from lack of Spirit help, & seek freedom of Holy Spirit working/guiding/flourishing all who are willing! HALLELUJAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

pledge is ok if general to follow Christ & as He personally leads in one’s life; but specific is wishful presumption, unless God guides/enables over time

Corrected link to Joshua’s article on the Gospel of Mission

Ben, I think you were mostly right on with your concerns.

I note that the late founder and his American partner seem not to be mentioned as frequently as they used to, though it was disconcerting to hear her being introduced on opening night by that stupid “Mother Barry” title. I think with the lessened emphasis on hagiography, there’s also less of the “Look at us! We’re UBF and we’re notable!” self-glorification. But if hagiography were truly dead I wouldn’t have had to hear some Ukrainian guy praising his leader for giving him run-to-McDonald’s-while-shouting-slogans training. Seriously, WTH?!

To my untrained eye, it doesn’t look like the place is overflowing with members. Maybe they didn’t emphasize numeric goals nearly enough. But why is it that these still formulaic “life testimonies” get the biggest audience reaction when they mention having a large number of Bible studies per week? Why are these numeric accomplishments mentioned in life testimonies at all?

As predicted, the theme and emphasis is “mission.” I hear the Gospel of Mission being frequently preached with a spirit of urgency. I hear the gospel of Christ being preached with that usual obligatory spirit that ends with that usual perfunctory “Amen!” They have it backwards, and they don’t seem to know it.

It seems that I witness at least one act of spiritual abuse at these conferences. This time it was some senior Korean chewing out some helpless conference technical staff, right in the middle of the auditorium with the audience seated all around. Sigh.

GOD’S HOLY SPIRIT ALONE SHALL REIGN.

change doesn’t happen, we happen: inspired by God we incur man’s wrath until God’s slow change always comes..:)A.H!

did not the wall in Germany finally come down (not so much because of our prayers but because of increasing West/East sufferings, cries to heaven, & those bold enough to advocate right for All!

likewise the separating walls of religion (hierarchy/privilege, denomination, inordinate benefit) must, will come down, so help us God-Amen (even if our efforts are persecuted & our blood spilled someday, even if we pass on not seeing earth change to God’s way in our time, we still welcome it from afar knowing man’s ways will not prevail, God Alone will Prevail & His people will be set free to Worship Him Alone & serve Him by helping one another along the pilgrim way: A. H!

The ISBC seems the same as always: a big show; some individual testimonies and sincere/heartfelt announcements. When ubf puts on its best show, it looks rather spectacular, and they will always find a way to “make quota” in terms of numbers. ubf will indeed plow onward.

I have no doubt that God is doing something in the lives of the individual testimony sharers. I just hope they don’t end up in the Ohio river someday :(

“It is a painful fact indeed to realize how poorly prepared most Christian leaders prove to be when they are invited to be spiritual leaders in the true sense. Most of them are used to thinking in terms of large-scale organization, getting people together in churches, schools and hospitals, and running the show as a circus director. They have become unfamiliar with, and even somewhat afraid of, the deep and significant movements of the Spirit.” Henri Nouwen, The Wounded Healer

For sure, local retreats would be a far more economically efficient and productive way to welcome new believers or seekers.

I think it would be more helpful if these intl conferences were only for chapter directors. Leaders of churches need to continuously check and align their doctrine. No chapter should be in isolation for too long, for there are always other influences whether local or from the internet creeping in and one can start deviating slowly.

But if the purpose is to reach out to newcomers or seekers, why should anyone spend so much on a plane ticket. It’s better to have local retreats.

Andreas Hassani (Heidelberg, Germany) gave the 1st message (Jn 13:1-38). He spoke forcefully, passionately and very precisely.

Samuel P. (India) gave a life testimony: “From an Outcast to a Kingdom of Priests.” He shared how he was changed from a low caste person and one who was not accepted to be a trainee priest to become a shepherd and Bible teacher.

Sarah Neusa shared a life testimony: “From a Samaritan Woman to a Woman of Faith for Portugal.” She shared her life of being sexual abused, and her change through Bible study to be a mother of prayer for the nations.

Greg Lewis gave some business announcements (10 min).

Teddy gave the the prayer topics and announcements very naturally and graciously (4 min): Jesus loves you.

This seems to be a much better way for an introvert like me to attend the conference!

The broadcast will be during our general sessions (all are Eastern Standard Time in the United States):
Thursday, August 1st: 7:00 – 8:30 PM
Friday, August 2nd: 9:00 – 11:30 AM; 6:30 – 8:30 PM
Saturday, August 3rd: 9:00 – 11:30 AM; 6:30 – 8:30 PM
Sunday, August 4th: 10:30 AM – 12:30 PM

I might give it a shot since UBF has never done live streamming before. At 7:20 pm, eastern time, Aug 1st, the link still does not work.

I heard “things are changing” for 24 years. And things were changing. Yet nothing changed.

Strangely, I have been feeling somewhat down and sad since yesterday in that I am not attending this conference. I think it is because my entire Christian life of over 3 decades has been so closely intertwined with UBF, and that I have always fully participated in “UBF’s big events.” But this time I am not because of the concerns that I have addressed in this post.

I have been told by many UBFers that “things are changing.” Surely, they are. But sometimes I wonder if the change is a genuine broken “inside out” change. Or is it just a change of expediency, simply because of external pressure, and/or because of the need to change in order to keep the controls over UBF at large?

All this to say that I am sad and feel bitter sweet in that I am not able to fully jump into this big UBF celebration.

Still, I truly do pray that God will abundantly bless the conference so that God is indeed glorified, and that many hearts will be renewed and refreshed by the Holy Spirit for the glory of God!

I think the purpose of the ISBC is just the same.

Source: http://www.ubf.org/content/taipei-ubf-will-have-first-summer-bible-conference-vietnam

I am confident that you will not have to write or share anything about John 17 :<

btw, holy contradiction batman! How many here have read "Your Church is Too Small“?

This book is amazing. I have to resist the urge to quote the whole thing here. As I systematically review the 12 point ubf heritage, I see contradiction after contradiction with “mainline Christianity” and historical Christian doctine.

My concerns:

— the family unit and the toll on them…children neglected at home and forced to attend…leaders pressuring young believers to attend….poor families and large families strapped in debt and running up credit card debt….life testimonies are they real…messages are they scripted and messengers own words…other church involvement….hectic and unbalanced schedule that promotes ubf not love…….bible studies are they open or driven by one word….koreans are they making this their conference only for connections….abuse and shunning for those who dont go…love driven or work driven…traveling and safety for families..will there be real openness and trasparency…real prayer…rumors and false reports like Big Bear is working for the devil because he left ubf…will the truth be told …. will abuse be addressed openly…willl change come to protect families and students..will God be gorified or abuse and ubf

“my prayer is that God abundantly blesses our upcoming international conference” (prayer!:)

“In the end I don’t think your words here are serving to build any one up–not even those who will agree.”

In my case, my goal is not to build up anyone here, nor is my goal to tear down anyone. My goal is to find what’s real and to share my honest reactions and thoughts. I am seeking to recover from my decades in ubf and this community helps me do that. If someone doesn’t like something I share, call me out. Swear if you have to but for the love of God share something! At least this blog ends the infuriating silence so many of us former members experience!

This gets my vote for heritage point #13.

From my observations over the years directors demand initiative to go to campus and invite anyone who is willing to just come. Such activity is done so that memebers are always busy and concerning about the conference as much as possible until the actual date. In many cases the remaining month is crucial until about the last week to do this.

The problem I have always found with the strict effort to invite newcomers to the conference in this way is rather simple – UBF always comes off as a cult to most people who have a first introduction through the conference. We meet many brothers and sisters who came, but afterwards – run for the hills.

I know everyone has given some insight into this in the context of building numbers, but I can just imagine the reality in many chapters right now – that everything has stopped so that the campus may be visited to bring people to the conference.

It is much better to build up a relationship first. But that being said – conference programs must be reviewed all around. I am in no way suggesting a more sinister approach to gaining loyalty and commitment from people when they would eventually smell a rat.

But these days I prefer to release the Kraken, it’s higher proof.

I drink now though, casually. I intentionally have a beer several times a week and sometimes visit the Captain just to remind me never to go back to ubf and to ensure almost no ubf person would want to come near me :)

In a sense, I’m glad your director took you out for a beer. They would make a lot more friends if they did so out of genuine love and friendship.

I hope it is not just me feeling this way, but more widely experienced by all UBFers.

secondly, the internal policeman (the gut feeling of right/wrong) is helpful in discerning what’s good from God (if it seems right it probably is, if it seems wrong it probably is:) think back in life/religion, when we continued on into trouble it was usually because we didn’t heed the internal alarm from God, we listened instead to a different part of ourselves, or friends, or respected authoritities/etc

may God guide us into all truth, & away from all pitfalls. HALLELUJAH!

Actually I think the math works out to about 8 daily breads per day for 3 years or 24 daily breads for 1 year.

I feel like I write that much myself alone! And if I didn’t have to eat or sleep, I would be blogging non-stop.

Yes, I noticed my capacity to ingest and comprehend information, and also to express and articulate my thoughts, increased at least 100 fold since leaving ubf. All those condemning voices and spears of guilt were ssapping my mind!

And also I no longer speak, think, act, eat, sleep or feel like a Korean, but as an AMERICAN! Koreans can be Korean and that’s fine. Just LET ME BE an American.

(And I think we should talk to Chris and other Germans for “high quality” beer :)

295 articles in 3 years is like writing 2 messages/sermons a week every week for 3 years!

9,000 comments in 3 years is like writing or listening to 170 testimonies a week every week (or 24 Daily Breads every day) for 3 years!

Can anyone in UBF beat that? Woops, I defaulted to my ultra-competitive UBF mode, or rather my sinful depraved one-upmanship mode!

And just to stroke everyone’s ego, especially yours Ben, thanks for pushing us over 9,000 comments in 3 years!

Ben, you get the prize for making the 9,000th comment (the prize is a beer from me :)

So just a note of advice to all you silent ubfers reading this… next time someone tells you “ubfriends is so predictable and boring” or “nobody wants to read that stuff” or “ubfriends is slowing down”, just ask them:

“Then why does ubfriends have 9,000 comments? Why did they publish 295 articles in those 3 years? Why have the comments been increasing in 2013? Why have dozens of current and former members contributed to ubfriends from all over the world?”

(then you might want to run for cover…:)

In my experience, pride does not develop when someone is legitimately recognized and appreciated for their hard work. Consider that even in Jesus’ parable, the master said, “Well done” to his servant. Rather, pride develops when we consider our own contribution as better than others, when we measure and compare contributions, efforts, and successes, and when we credit ourselves for our accomplishments. Any honest person in UBF would have to agree that such measuring, comparing, and self-congratulating is very common, and often routinely encouraged in pre- and post-conference meetings.

Rather, I think it would take a huge degree of humility on the part of organizers to fully recognize and commend the efforts of volunteers. It would show vulnerability. It would imply that the leadership was served by the regular members, which violates their fantasy of endlessly sacrificing and serving for ungrateful sheep. It would imply that the leadership isn’t everything, and that the regular members really have something important to contribute, which would diminish the stranglehold on power and authority at the top. And so, in my view, when the small guy isn’t acknowledged, its not his pride that’s the issue, but rather that of the big guy.

I have no doubt that God will bless such as these.

“Will the (shameless, cowardly) attempt to remove the “entire Controversy section about UBF” be accepted?”

> Yes, that is part of the Internet Committee’s job. From time to time some ubf do-gooder (like I used to be :) will try to remove some negative material about ubf. This is still happening, for example I published the 2011 email I got instructing ubf leaders to dislike some negative article

“How does Wikipedia decide what changes to adopt or reject?”

> The Wikipedians enforce the policies. Basically it is an honor system built on mutual accountability and academic exercise. Many PhD’s and professors are Wiki Admins. Don’t mess with them :) They hate “fancruft” and “self=praise” and “self-promotion”. So bascially you can’t really submit an article about yourself. Wikipedia is meant to only publish from reliable sources. And guess what? Reliable sources say ubf is a cult. Erasing whole sections, as ubf keeps trying to do, earns you a ban eventually.

> Oh and by the way, I’ll repeat something I’ve said before here about Wikipedia: I REPENT! I am so ashamed that I accepted advice and direction and quotes from SB and her team to “clean up” the ubf Wikipedia article. The Wiki Admins (who never heard of ubf) slammed me for doing so.

Will the (shameless, cowardly) attempt to remove the “entire Controversy section about UBF” be accepted? How does Wikipedia decide what changes to adopt or reject?

Can we start a new Wikipedia section on “UBFriends”? How?

I may be wrong but MBF stands for Middle (school) Bible Fellowship, I think. I’m not sure where the age division is.

So CBF means Childrens’ bible fellowhip, HBF means Highschool bible fellowship. What is MBF?

And I would also check into why someone with an IP address in Seoul, Korea tried to remove all controversies from the ubf Wikipedia article? This is getting a bit ridiculous. Don’t they know everyone can see what they are doing?

Check out slide 29. Thought I was kidding?
Check out slide 30. Nice stats.

>”When I read some of the online content, particularly the comments, I wonder how much of it actually comes from the Holy Spirit and not the flesh.”

This is a hard question. In my experience, I’ve observed this type of question frequently covers a troubling reluctance to listen to what others say. I echo Brian’s comment: how can you define or tell what comes from the Spirit? John 3:8 comes to mind. Also, what does “flesh” mean? A sinful motive? How can one really distinguish the motives of another? Only God who can read another person’s heart. It is very easy to disregard exUBFers by saying, “I don’t have to listen to them because what they’re saying is from the wrong motive–from the flesh.” It provides an excuse to keep the same mindset and direction. So by making a judgment of the motive of the “provocateur”, the person or group under discussion excuses themselves from having to listen to the content of the provocateur’s message.

>”Hopefully through our Spirit-filled prayers, words and interactions we can see the day that “they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts and turn and be healed.”

Amen. And not only through Spirit-filled words and prayers, but through all the words and prayers and interactions and dialogue. We can move forward when everyone makes a concerted effort to just listen without making judgments about each others’ motives.

I agree with Brian, asking such questions is not really helpful. If something truthful and Biblical has been said, you should consider it carefully, no matter by whome or from which motivation it has been said. Check the content of what has been said, not the person who said something, or the motivation you are imputing to someone, that is the only way to find out whether it is Biblical and right. Check against the facts, use rational thinking and empathy, use your conscience and common sense and check against the overall teachings of the Bible.

“So how do we know if we should take initiative in something? How are we to know if it’s the right thing to do or the wrong thing to do? After learning what kind of an evil man Hitler was, Bonhoeffer, along with many of his friends, decided to plot how they could assassinate Hitler. Bonhoeffer was a Christian. How could he commit murder? According to the video, he believed that God is the God of the Scriptures. It was his absolute faith in God, that helped him take the initiative. He believed in his heart that this is what God wanted him to do. Bonhoeffer believed that if we obey God, even if we make mistakes, it’s okay. He believed that it was better to do something for God than to run away in fear. But, his plot was eventually found out and Bonhoeffer was hanged. Bonhoeffer wasn’t able to complete his mission, but yet, he still showed courage in taking initiative in something that he believed was right to do.”

Your general comment isn’t so helpful to us. How would you suggest we tell the differnce between a “provacateur” and a “prophet”?

You write: “I wonder how much of it actually comes from the Holy Spirit and not the flesh.”

This is like asking, how many school teachers really teach from a spirit of love for children and how many are just control-freaks. Such a broad statement is of course based on a true observation. Some words here (including mine) are sometimes from the Spirit and sometimes from the flesh. It would be far more helpful to explain how to tell the difference. And I should point out that word from the flesh are not automatically bad or evil.

How can we know if something comes from the Holy Spirit or if it is coming from the flesh? Is the flesh so evil? Thoughts anyone?

I respect/admire what you and other leaders are doing as I observe from a distance. I do visit the UBFriends website occasionally and enjoy the articles. I firmly believe that provocateurs are crucial in moving any organization forward. But in a church, true provocateurs are filled and led by the Holy Spirit. That is why there is a difference between those who merely provoke and those who have a truly “prophetic” voice through God’s Spirit.

When I read some of the online content, particularly the comments, I wonder how much of it actually comes from the Holy Spirit and not the flesh. Because that will make all the difference in terms of spiritual impact–otherwise the leaders will be “hearing but never understanding, seeing but never perceiving.” Hopefully through our Spirit-filled prayers, words and interactions we can see the day that “they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts and turn and be healed.”

That is why UBF chapters throughout the world is for all intents and purposes “the same.” Strong and dominant Korean cultural elements in UBF does not welcome, permit or embrace indigenous local expressions of the Christian faith.

UBFriends critiques UBF spiritual abuses. But some UBF leaders view this as UBF bashing, negative, complaining and being ungrateful. They do not like HOT or SHOT. It is the evidence that they want to control UBF top-down from behind the scenes.

Nice, gc. Yes, music is another thing I have discovered on my search for reality. Music is real.

I want to always encourage younger readers to contribute. You can share anything experienced in UBF. Without the contributions from younger people it is unclear whether or not anything has really changed. And, yes, another generalisation, but without that I would have to isolate each chapter and each person.

If we fear anyone who is a leader in UBF many things may happen. We start to cut friends from our life, because we cannot have them as Bible students or because they are ungodly. Whose to say we cannot be a good influence to them even if they never have desire to come to UBF? We can fear where we live, because everyone in UBF lives close. Now, this makes a little sense for families because of practical matters, but a come-and-go student should not be pressured into “common life” as a sign of their faith. Even jobs are a concern, as I think Big Bear had expressed. Being pressured to do church activities when there is a possibility of being fired from your job is not a test of faith it is just wrong.

One fear that I had to face was leaving my home chapter to go to another by circumstance (meaning there was nothing in ministry leading me to a specific alternative). I was later asked in detail by a brother who was making the same move how to handle it. Actually, you always get this feeling that you are letting everyone down, but each one of us has their own path. We cannot always fulfill the goals established by leaders – who sometimes it seems are playing with toy soldiers.

I remember the first conference after I left I was treated okay, but with contempt. I even experienced the leaders boldness when they told me to look at all the people they brought to the conference. Well, to turn that around, it is good to see that you can rebound and bring many people to the conference – don’t cry over me, I have my own path.

I reviewed something just now. Will some UBF leaders call a lack of fear “individualism”? A lack of fear can be seen as self confident. It has no connection to the people pleasing “yes” man approach. It’s the * you approach. I think Rage Against the Machine wrote a song about that. Not to compare free thinkers to secular humanists, but in the ministry such people are often seen that way.

A very unhealthy pervasive atmosphere of UBF that has been created over 50 years is to plant the fear of man in the name of respect toward older Korean leaders. I will categorically say that this is unbiblical and unhealthy for any church.

By fearing your chapter director or any older leader, you insult God who is above the head of the chapter director you fear (Prov 29:25).

By fearing your chapter director you actually aid, abet and assist him to continue to be spiritually abusive, controlling and unaccountable. This has practically and virtually caused all of the problems of UBF.

I am not advocating disrespect or anarchy, but I am addressing fearing any man, who is a human being who uses the washroom just like yourself.

Are you still going to fear your UBF leader, chapter director, missionary, elder???? That if you are single, he won’t allow you to marry? That if you are married, he still has authority to control how you run your own family and your children? That if you are a young UBF leader, he would not honor, recognize, affirm and approve of you? That your sense of your own self worth is entirely dependent on the assessment and evaluation of your leader?

And James is not a chapter director, and does not display the reform and reconciliation attitude here like several of Wesleys comments did.

“- To comment, you have to register an account with this blog which consists of giving out your email address and creating username/password.”

> Correct. From a technical perspective, we need to prevent sploggers (spam bloggers). Chris’ points above match my other reasons.

“- This blog is controversial and people that are currently involved in UBF probably don’t want their real identity attached to this website in fear of being judged.”

> Judged by whom? Isn’t that telling? So either ubf is a deeply unhealthy church or it is a cult.

ubfnomore, I think that’s not something bad, bad something good. We don’t want it make easy for anonymous trolls to comment here, we want real people with real opinions, and people who care. If it is too much work for somebody to create an account, then this indicates that he or she does not take the issues seriously enough. Creating a small hurdle is not so bad.

“Many people will not want to register and give out personal information.”

You don’t need to use your real name, only a nickname. Your email is not shown to the public, and it’s easy to create an anonymous email account for discussions.

I would argue the opposite way around. I call UBF a cult because I know that non-healthy chapters exist in Germany, like my own chapter in Heidelberg and the one in Bonn, and how UBF top leadership dealt with these chapter leaders, namely by promoting them to national directors. I also know that healthy chapters existed in Germany, and I know how UBF top leadership dealt with them, namely by officially expelling the from UBF in 2001 and 2002. Not to speak about he founder of UBF and what happened in the headquarters. No tree can be healthy if the stem (the founder and his practices and teachings) is not healthy. And if there is a pattern of supporting the unhealthy branches and pruning the healthy branches.

Maybe UBF is less cult-like today than it was in the past, but unless UBF clearly admits its cult-like past and clearly distances itself from the sins and teachings of the past, it will continue to be a cult. When I see people wining that we “generalize” I can only conclude that they haven’t understood what we are talking about. I you join or remain in an organization where the founder and top leader ordered abortions, beat people, misapproporiated money, has been completely unaccountable, where severe spiritual abuse happened over decades in many chapters, and no kind of corporate repentance had happened even aftr 50 years, then you need to live with people challenging you about that and “generalizing” their experience to all of UBF. Do something about that instead of wining and complaining that people are “generalizing”.