To Whom it may Concern,     

     I believe in believers' baptism by immersion though being
interdenominational, I do not deal with the individual texts that
BCC raise without my understanding and hermeneutic being taught
simultaneously. I'll do this on a one to one, if I tell the student
beforehand that we (IVCF) are diverse on non-essentials as per the neat
little IVP booklet on Baptism. You may also find that booklet helpful.

A more Sociological Perspective on those "christian" 
        (note the quotations) cults.  They have:

1. "Pet" doctrines or teachings. (And they won't be justification
        by faith or the gospel. Rather it will be baptism, gifts,
        apostleship, blood, godhood, etc).
2. Relationships with other denominations, ministries. (NOT! Either
        they are exclusivistic, or highly paternalistic).
3. An approach to the member's extended families. (Not! Seen not as
        emotional health but as potential convert/functionaries only.
        Minimal contact allowed or even encouraged, seen as adversary).
4. An approach to (spiritual) guidance. (Not private prayer, but
        rather through new revelation(s), or through leadership or your
        shepherd/discipler.  Teachable means you can only receive
        teaching through one primary person in a chain of "authority")
5. Implementation of "accountability." (disciple is not making
        disciples of Jesus, but rather of ________. Discipling = control.
        Time in group events = spirituality. Money is heavy handedly
        controlled via guilt, and a storehouse in the "in" group only
        mentallity.)
6. Relationships of the (leader, discipler, shepherd) to the Led.
        (Often co-dependant. NT disciples were "of the Lord" except for
        the use in Acts 9:5 only, and this is not a clear commendation,
        but in these groups, the fullest sense of co-dependancy takes
        shape in these relationships. Both need each other to acheive
        spirituality/group approval.)
7. Double standards. (Commands and exhortations are given by
        apostles to followers but are not maintained among leadership,
        this is especially true regarding the use of free time, $$, and
        access to free thought and reading/study materials).
8. Disciple Abuse and the Relationship to former members.
        (ostracism, shunning and ... see below...)
9. The use of Shaming and Anger. (Public knowledge of private
        confidences. Sin confessing is explicit and allegedly
        confidential until someone is seeking to leave the group,  then
        "it could be that such and such, and such and such are affecting
        your judgment  and so I feel I'll need to share these with your
        entire  circle of friends as a prayer request, IF you do not stop
        doubting (God), e.g. the group).
10. Rationalizing crisis and Confusion. (There will come times of
        increasing rationalization that reaches crisis proportions and
        confusion that the group is not meeting all the needs it is
        suppose to be able to meet. Though this 'need meeting'
        expectation is unrealistic, that is not consciously realized).

Overhead #2:

What to say to those who ARE involved.

1. Do not persecute as this can entrench. Do not debate too
quickly as you may not really know the level of their
entrenchedness.

2. Affirm their search for God, eternal life, truth, purpose,
authority, community...share your testimony in regard to these.

3. Assess beliefs concerning; Jesus (all of #2 above), and note
the level of conviction for each belief.

4. Assess the intensity of assimulation into the pressure groups'
community. Do they have ANY other close friends they trust.

5. Invite to an EBS, IBS*, or 1:1 with you. Do not do a 2 on one
you think with their discipler unless you are strong
psychologically, and biblically. Generally I'd advise against it.

        *IBS stands for an Investigative Bible Study.

6. Stay centered on Jesus, the Cross, the Empty tomb, and faith.

7. Study. Do not fear thinking and do not fear the truth.

8. Confront dehumanizations of the person (your friend), via
socio-structures seen on earlier overhead. The puppet syndrone of
disciplers, apostles, organizations, and the lack of independant
critical thought.  Be specific with what they tell you, not what
you 'think' happens in the group.  It will become obvious if you
listen closely to how it affects their circle of friends etc.

9. Confront exclusivities, be they for the "true" group or the
"most spiritual" group, or the new revelation or apostleship...

10. Introduce to former members who have been freed carefully,
and in a progression of interventions as outlined above.
Introduce to other, strong Christians who are aware of these
principles, but do not introduce them to new, less stable
Christians because they and their discipler are quite quick at
"sheep stealing", and harm can result.

Hope this helps.                   Joe Whitchurch
                                   jbw7@earthlink.net