1. Guilt. Call people American dream chasers, lazy, greedy, worldly, immigrants (not missionaries), not true disciples, and people who need to learn to sacrifice more.
2. Renew false hopes and values. Tell people that their labor in the Lord is not in vain and they’re precious living stones shining the light of salvation in the world although the while ignoring all of the other problems and burdens.
3. Make a call to faith in God. A passage such as, with man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible, to inspire action to challenge the situation and lack of fruit at the campus or in your fellowship and give even more of yourself than before.

What was not accepted? Suggestions to stop the conferences and trainings and pushing (as they were), and to take the time to earnestly listen to people, especially those who felt burdened and tired.

In part it showed how influential are those who have been accepted as spiritual leaders, teachers, seniors and servants of God. And yet those who voiced these kinds of approaches the loudest were those who were more well off financially, had the bigger houses and nicer cars, and who had seemed to be living the dream while showing a face of spirituality and handwork. Not to say that they didn’t work hard on the campus as well, but the message was confusing.

Yes, when your life is all about campus mission, it is hard. You don’t get to know your neighbors. You ignore the churches down the street from you because you are trying to start your own. You tell yourself that everyone at those churches is a compromised, worldly, substandard Christian, not mission centered like you. You ignore the community where you live, because your loyalties lie elsewhere. You feel like an alien and a stranger, because you behave like an alien and a stranger. You act weird and have no room in your life to welcome people, unless those people are willing to become your sheep and join you in your quest to build a UBF colony (unlikely). We tried that for almost 20 years. It’s a bizarre and unnatural way to live. So glad we stopped.

Well I am keenly aware of any song or media that portrays reactions to undue influence. Sara’s song reflects that in a big way. She is singing about a boyfriend relationship, I think. But since UBFism teaches shepherds to “fall in love” with sheep, her song works well in a shepherd/sheep breakup, which is very very similar to boyfriend/girlfriend breakup. Or when the shepherd/sheep relationship progresses (as in my case) the shepherd/sheep break resembles a divorce.

Katy Perry has SO many songs that speak to this, probably because she grew up with “born again” parents. For example: I used to sit quietly…you’re gonna hear me roar”

Let me suggest some errors of those who think they are the shepherds and saviors of others:

* Thinking they are indispensable. That without them the whole world is going to hell in a hand basket.

* Disregarding the fact that God might already be working in them, but NOT through them.

* Wanting to save others with a spirit of conquest and domination, rather than with the spirit of humility, respect and gentleness.

* Promoting conformity to be like them, rather than allowing them to discover their true selves by the work of the Holy Spirit.

Of course, not everyone is like the above. But sadly there are those who are. Sadder still, this is rarely ever, if ever addressed. So it is likely to continue.