Deconstructing your belief system is a difficult, painful task. It is however one of the healthiest and most beneficial tasks anyone can do. Are my beliefs able to stand up to criticism? That’s what I ask at the end of my book.
“UBF shepherds are taught that they must feed sheep because it is God’s calling for their life. At the same time, they are taught to consider sheep a burden in their life. This dichotomy of serving sheep being both God’s mission and a burden results in dysfunctional miserable shepherds. Sheep are considered burdens because they do not obey absolutely, they are not immediately committed to UBF, and because shepherds must work hard to raise the sheep from a terrible, selfish person to a UBF shepherd. Jesus’ call for the disciples to feed his sheep does not include considering sheep as terrible burdens. It is God’s grace that we are saved from our sins and have an opportunity to preach to others about Christ. The problem is that UBF shepherds are taught that they must do some great work to raise disciples. In reality, no one can raise disciples. Jesus said that unless compelled by the Holy Spirit, no one can come to Christ. UBF shepherds are asked to do what only God can do.”
–Anonymous, former Akron UBF member
