Foursquare Church- Is it a cult?

I've attended a foursquare church my whole life. Foursquare is a pentacostal 3 step church. Its not a cult, the "cultic" aspects people see in it is speaking in tounges. Thats just the pentacostal nature. To those who say it is a cult, im just curious, what is it that is cult like? The foursquare church of today is focused on spreading God's word. Just like every other christian denomination we believe we are saved by grace. That is the main thing we believe. We believe in the trinity, and we also believe that Jesus was not only son of God, but God incarated. If your interested in the history of foursquare go to the foursquare website, the history is right there.

If it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck it must be a mongoose.

Alot of the Foursquare church doctrine is unscriptural.

I'd have to say it's a borderline cult.

Every Religion is a cult, just bigger.

I can't speak to your experience, but I attended Church on the Way when Scott Bauer was Senior Pastor and kept going until shortly after he passed away. I stopped attending that church after he was replaced by a pastor that I just didn't agree with.

I can tell you that I probably saw people talk in tongues 3 times. The second time Pastor Jack Hayford (who is the founding pastor of COTW and also was Scott Bauer's father in law) rebuked the woman as being disruptive. I've never seen the laughing thing, or rolling around either.

I only stopped attending once I felt that I just didn't feel right about the pastor who replaced Pastor Scott.

Is it a cult? Not the church I attended. They were very clear on anything and everything needing to line up with scripture.

At first FalseSquare Church encourages people to speak in tongues, laugh and roll around like retards and then Jack Hayfords rebukes em.... doesn't make sense at all. The reason the lady could roll around and laugh is because the church has been allowing it and probably encouraging it and now somebody comes in telling to stop it after all the encouragements of allowing people to laugh and get bark.

And also, FalseSquare teaches the false doctrine that healing is promised in the atonement (Charisma, June 1992). This doctrine is a total lie that is very dangerous since the truth is not who calls for healings even through great faith will not be healed. God heals and not heal according to His purpose and plans and not according to our own will.

We don't control God but He does for all.

I know a FalseSquare pastor's wife who died believing in the lie of this false religion. She had cancer but believed that if she had enough faith God will heal her so she didn't go to the hospital for treatment. I mean her faith was strong till the end but guess what.... even her great faith didn't heal her.

This is a false doctrine that needs to be rebuked and repented by that Denomination although I doubt they will admit their wrong.

Again, stay away from this false religion or else you might end up like the pastor's wife.

Quote..."If your interested in the history of foursquare go to the foursquare website, the history is right there."

This is exactly what I'm talking about. This FalseSquare denomination has been covering up their cult leader's sin's and scandals till her death till now.

Go to FalseSquare website history page and you'll see nothing but lies and beautification of Aimee McPherson's life and doesn't say anything about her sexual scandals, divorce, abuse of church money, violence towards people and her own mother breaking of her nose and finally her suicide.

It's a religion that white washes the outside of their tomb but inside its full of rotten corpses.

This denomination is filled with compromised unbiblical Fad teachings, new doctrine comes in and old ones goes out. This man made false teachings is always focused on pleasing and tickling the flesh of men.

The real Christ centered Biblical teachings doesn't become old. The real biblical teachings doesn't become like a fad that comes in N' out. It is the same yesterday, today, and forever and it's always focuses in Christ and His cross.

Looks like you got your answer.

Any and all are suspect ...

but I believe that most of the religions are based upon myth.

Not just Christianity but Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, and the rest.

First hand experience with this Church organization:

It is demonic that a person or a church would choose to participate in such an act of Satan, half truths, lies, deceit, manipulation, schemes, plotting and role playing. It is hard to accept or overcome when so many people in todays society in and out of church cannot see that they are being brainwashed to think it is good not evil to participate in mind control programming which invades the private thoughts of a person. Remembering that vengence is of the Lord, not me, I continue to ask the Lord to help me to find forgiveness for this religious group and let the Lord have control of the rest.

The following is a clip from a website that I found very interesting on mind control.

Models of Mind Control www.MindControl101.com
(also see: www.lonestarconsultinginc.com)

[(also see: [link to endritualabuse.org]

If mind control is about controlling the thoughts, emotions and actions of others there are several functional models that will help you do that.

To find out just how mind control creates the degree of compliance that one wants let's consider some common models of mind control.

Behavioral Modification/Conditioning Model
As with every case of mind control the controller knows what he wants people to do and wants them to do it willingly and for, what they think, is there own reasons. The Behavioral Modification/Conditioning Model works by a system of stimuli in the form of rewards and punishments based on the behaviors of the subject. So in much the same way one would train a dog to do tricks you can train a person to willingly take part in some action.

Behavioral Modification/Conditioning requires a series of steps that reward good behavior and punish bad behavior.

But let's say you want your subject to steal some candy from a store (or worse). Using the behavioral modification model you would first reward them for “thinking creatively” outside the norm of social ethical behavior. After they have gotten used to thinking out side the norm, and you reward them at every turn for it, it's time to move to
the next level. At this next stage rewards are given to for taking actions outside the norm but sanctioned within a social structure or group. College hazing is a good example. Each act the the subject performs that is outside the norm (but protected within the group) is rewarded, perhaps with a slap on the back or toast in their name. With the proper conditioning at the final stage the subject is then told to go steal some candy. And when completed a rousing party is held in their honor. It wouldn't take much more than several of these exercises to have them do something even more malicious. As for a punishment when an action is not taken. This could be something as mild as having members of the group scoff in disdain. They will also be given a choice to deal with the consequences of not acting as requested. This creates the illusion of free will.

To use the Behavioral Modification/Conditioning model skillfully and with stealth the controller must make the rewards huge and the punishments mild but memorable. This will prevent the subject from believing they were coerced in any way. Scientology has a very thorough behavioral conditioning process they refer to as “The Training Routines” or “TRs”. The TR's are presented as a communication training at the very beginning of someones interest in Scientology. The TRs are a progressive set of exercises that lead the subject to instantly respond to a command that is given in what is called a “tone 40” voice. Once the subject learns to respond as asked in this way they can be easily told to take out their check book and enroll in the next training.

Hardwired Model
In much the same way that a doctor may tap your knee and it reflexes with a jerk of the leg so too are there certain things we as humans are hardwired to respond. While this will be covered in more detail in the section titled Appealing to Basic Human Responses, two examples of this are The Need to Be Special and The Scapegoat. An example of The Need to be Special is in telling a subject that they are uniquely qualified for a task and appreciated for their skills and knowledge. The hardwired human response to this is one of agreement and a feeling of satisfaction. The Scapegoat is the basic human need to know that our problems are not our fault even if in fact they are. There is a great deal of talk among the human potential movement to “take responsibility for your life” and on a conscious level it makes complete sense. If we look at our life as something that we are in complete control of we feel more empowered, will tend to act more decisively and be happier people simply because we choose it. Nonetheless, the world has other plans and will often throw us a curve ball that we didn't expect; people we trust will rip us off, we'll
deal with bills and financial concerns and loving relationships will end. In all of these cases it's still a relief to know “it's not our fault”. We will gladly take sides with strangers who will support us throwing stones at our enemies. I was discussing this with a friend who eagerly agrees in the concept of “complete personal responsibility”. When the topic turned to a problem he was having with a client I responded by lambasting the client expressing how it was all the clients fault and he was not responsible for the troubles. My friend was instantly appeased and showed his appreciation in my concern. I then told to him how I was using The Scapegoat on him and he immediately understood it's power. The Need To Be Special and The Scapegoat are just two of the examples that show how we are hardwired to respond.

NLP Model
NLP stands for Neuro Linguistic Programming. It's field of study that developed in the late 70's with two scientists, Richard Bandler and John Grinder. They wanted to discover why certain therapists could deal with their clients and get very rapid results where other therapists seem to take months and years. In doing this they discovered that there are certain mental processes we all go through to make decisions and to make changes. If someone (anyone) knows anothers process for making changes they just have to conform to that process and change will occur. It's essentially having the road map to someones mind. With it you can guide the person to do a whole myriad of things without them even knowing what you're doing. As a result many people have applied NLP to sales and persuasion while others have applied it to seductions. What makes NLP unique as a model of mind control in that it treats people as distinct individuals, not as a mass of hardwired robots. Meaning that each person has their own processes for change and these processes are unique to them. The central key in using NLP as a mind control tool is to find ways to elicit peoples individual processes. These processes can be in the form of beliefs, personal assumptions, tendencies and values as well as their strategy for making decisions. Once you discover an individuals unique processes the doors are wide open for mind control.

Environmental Control Model
The Environmental Control Model can be a lot of fun and a lot of work. It requires that the controller take into account everything that the subject will experience so that they will naturally conclude exactly what the controller wants and, as a result fulfills the controllers objective without considering any other possibility or option.
It truly requires seeing a much bigger picture about what is happening. Think of how magicians control the environment to have you believe the effect. A good magician won't tell you “This is an ordinary deck of playing cards.” instead he will fan them for you and even have you handle them so that you conclude, on your own, what he wants you to believe. All the while the deck could marked, rigged or a prop of one sort or another. To use the Environmental Mind Control model consider this phrase: “No one can resist what they can't detect.” The Environmental Control Model is also a favorite of con men. If you are in a hospital parking lot and a man in a white coat with a stethoscope dangling out of his pocket, a name tag that says “Samuel Wallis, MD, Urology” asks for jumper cables to start his car you naturally assume he is a doctor. More importantly, you don't assume he is not a doctor. The pentacle of the Environmental Control Model is movie “The Matrix”. For the people who lived connected to the Matrix everything was just as they thought it was with the worries and desires of everyday life. All the while they were protected from discovering they were nothing more than AA Batteries used to power a global machine. To use the Environmental Mind Control model effectively, you must first ask what you want your subject to do and what to believe and then create the environment that will naturally make them conclude what you want. Doing this on a large scale can prove difficult because of the numerous variables one must control. On a smaller scale however it can be quite simple. Take the example of going to a religious retreat. The participants are isolated from the rest of the world. No TV or newspaper. No cell phones or computers. They are then asked to remove their shoes and be silent when in certain locations as a sign of reverence. After doing this for a period of time it does not take much for them to begin to believe what they are told to believe. A con man will also use isolation by making sure their mark is constantly occupied by their com man collaborators who's job is to make certain that the mark's attention is continually directed exactly where they want it. These are merely models of mind control not the techniques and tactics. As models they provide hint at the possible strategies that make mind control possible.

The response from When UR Dead UR Dead, I can only assume to be the site originator changed my user name to Coward on the first posting I have ever made which was reply about mind control information. This lets me know that this site is not a legitimate site. Any posting that may in anyway represent the truth they flag, and they do not want the technics of mind control to be known.

No, it's not a cult.

Religion=spirituality for dummies

I have visited (unknowingly) a Four Square Church that did not mention anything on their website about being Four Square and it appeared to be a bible-based, friendly and spirit-filled Church. What I need to know is how do you Four Square Pastors explain your founder, Aimee Mcpherson to be anywhere near a righteous individual. She not only faked her own death, numerous adulterous affairs and caused a fellow church member to jump in the ocean to find her believing she had drowned and he himself drowned - BUT to this day, admission is charged to visit her house in LA which is a shrine to her. She is being idolized there. Where, oh where, is our SAVIOUR in this picture? What would Jesus have to say about this? Idolatry?
I think what confuses and throws so many people off is that their appearance is so friendly and warming - something lacking in so many churches today. Also, being spirit-filled is a wonderful experience - and I am speaking about sensing and knowing the presence is right there - not the speaking of tongues. We all need passion in our worship.
I would like to ask the Pastors of FourSquare to answer why you do not denounce your Founder and why you idolize her?

in 2007 i attended a foursquare church for a while, in their young peoples' ministry.

it was very cultish. the people there would only hang out with people from church, and they were very weird about dating. it had to be in the church. also, they told a young man who enjoyed partying that he had to leave their church.

there also seems to be some pentecostal practices there that do not follow the guidelines given in 1st Corinthians.

These people will say whatever they can to pull you in, and once they do, they will try to change your beliefs and everything about you.

Stay away.

I usually do not get into these kinds of dog fights, but since I used to be a member of the Foursquare denomination, I have first hand experience with them.

For those who say their a cult, I'm not sure what church you went to, but the ones I've attended were very nice and non-clickish as some have said. YMMV.

Again, I used to a member, but quit, not because they were a cult, but like almost all Protestant and Catholic churches they are preaching error and false doctrines like these...

1) You go to Heaven or Hell when you die... Not True...
2) You NOW have an immortal soul... Not True.
3) You burn in Hell for Eternity... Not True.
4) The faithful will be Raptured before the Tribulation... Not True..

I could go on, but won't. I found that these doctrines have no Biblical foundation and are misinterpretations from the church. Also, most are errors that crept into the church from the Mother of all Christian churchs, the Catholic church, and have Pagan origins. Do your research, don't just believe me... The Bible does not truly teach the above...

Also, remember, if you're going to wear a Christian label, you need to follow the Bible, not Man's religous creations.

Here are a few links to my website to back up what I am saying here... Whether you believe it or not is your business.

The State of the Dead:
[link to www.roadtobetterliving.com]

The Truth about Hell:
[link to www.helltruth.com]

I'll stop here, if you're interested in more info check out my website...

[link to www.roadtobetterliving.com]


And no, I'm not wanting a dog fight, just wanting to voice my opinion on the FS church as others have done here...

Also, if you're interested in knowing why I left the FS church, here is a link to my reason... Note: Some reading my reason may be offended, but do continue reading to why.

[link to www.roadtobetterliving.com]

Take care,
Dennis

Remember, belief has NO affect on Reality.
roadtobetterliving.com

Last Edited by dlt123me on 05/23/2011 09:23 PM

I have attended a Foursquare church for over twenty years. Each church, while following the Foursquare principles, becomes what the pastor and parishioners determine the needs of the community to be. If they are following God, He has a BIG say in it, also. Some are display charismatic worship, some do not. The important thing is that you determine for yourself if God is there and if that is where He wants you to worship service. No one can or should make that decision for you. Our pastors vision, when we started, twenty years ago, was to serve in an affluent side of town. God had other plans and we have grown to a congregation of 400 plus serving in the southeast (economically disadvantaged) corner of town.
On any Sunday you will find piercings, ties, tattoos, jeans, suits, shorts, heels, dresses, coffiered heads next to dreads sharing chair rows and worshiping together caring for each other. It all depends on the leading of God, the pastor and members, on what happens in a church. Foursquare, as are Methodist, Presbyterian, Baptist, etc. lends the guidelines of accountability followed to serve god and each other.
As for boring dress, I like to think I dress pretty cute and I love sitting nest to Dylan, who's long curly hair puts mine to shame.
Come on, wake up, quit talking about something you know nothing about! Judge for yourself, through God's eyes. If you don't know God, how can you even begin to understand what goes on in His house?

I have attended a Foursquare church for over twenty years. Each church, while following the Foursquare principles, becomes what the pastor and parishioners determine the needs of the community to be. If they are following God, He has a BIG say in it, also. Some are display charismatic worship, some do not. The important thing is that you determine for yourself if God is there and if that is where He wants you to worship service. No one can or should make that decision for you. Our pastors vision, when we started, twenty years ago, was to serve in an affluent side of town. God had other plans and we have grown to a congregation of 400 plus serving in the southeast (economically disadvantaged) corner of town.
On any Sunday you will find piercings, ties, tattoos, jeans, suits, shorts, heels, dresses, coffiered heads next to dreads sharing chair rows and worshiping together caring for each other. It all depends on the leading of God, the pastor and members, on what happens in a church. Foursquare, as are Methodist, Presbyterian, Baptist, etc. lends the guidelines of accountability followed to serve god and each other.
As for boring dress, I like to think I dress pretty cute and I love sitting nest to Dylan, who's long curly hair puts mine to shame.
Come on, wake up, quit talking about something you know nothing about! Judge for yourself, through God's eyes. If you don't know God, how can you even begin to understand what goes on in His house?

Major fake cult!!!! Your brain washed for no good!

Fake!!! dont even let them in!! i was in it for years!! ruined my life!1

[youtube]

I have attended several different churches before I landed in a foursquare church. Immediately I believed the Lord gave me a total peace about attending this group of believers. Hebrews 13:8 is the banner scripture. "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever". We were taught to read the bible and to test what we learn or hear based on our own relationship with God and what the bible teaches. Consult many counselor/teachers. Just don't take the word of any man. We were taught that the Pastor is just another believer, no more special than the rest of us.He is called All services were conducted in an orderly manner. If anyone came in and disrupted service by drawing attention to themselves they were ushered out. Our pastor would invariably begin to teach on why acting out like that is wrong. We are to focus on Jesus not man. Most leaders have been humble, loving, and gifted in teaching. There will always be someone who appears to be something that they are not, because they want and need acceptance and approval. Look around your own churches or places of work, teams your on, whatever. I believe if you care about that person you will pray to make them a better person. In Christian circles most believers want the best for each person. Without Christ none of us can achieve God's best in us. Pray for people, learn from them and build each other up. Aimee Simple McPherson was a very gifted woman who loved God. She lived in a time in Hollywood, when God used her to draw non-believers (most hollywood actors) to take a second look at God. Her life was not perfect, just forgiven. She did teach TRUTH. Remember God will cause even a "rock" to praise Him (paraphrased), why couldn't he use Aimee Simple McPherson. "He who has no sin, throw the first stone." I have never been a puppet to any man or church. If I am brainwashed it only by the Blood of Jesus and the Bible. I am free, saved by the Grace of God and no other. I have friends from many denominations, Baptish, Methodist, Catholic, protestant and non-believers,etc. Not one member of the Foursquare Church that I know, is exclusive in thought,or action. If someone is growing and know God and His Son Jesus in a personal way and their Fruits will bear this. Don't judge them badly on how God is leading their walk, especially if it is Bible Based. I am proud to be associated with a Bible Balanced, Teaching the Foursquare church which is only a part of the greater Christian Church Body/Family. Like any living entity, Foursquare is growing and thriving because of the Fruits that are evident in their teaching. If anyone finds them in a Foursquare Church, Do Not Be Afraid. For those who blast the church for some wrong, Pray for those people who offended you, and reassess the greater picture of your situation. God Bless all of you.

The posts dated 12-2-2011 was actually posted by: NotPerfectJustForgiven

Of course it's a CULT.

ALL religions are CULTS. None base anything they have to say on any provable truths.

Posted by:NotPerfectJustForgiven


The following are different definitions of the word "Cult"
If you use "Cult" in a positive definition (outlined below" then Yes, most churches would qualify. There are of course a few churches that would fit in the negative sense of the word; and with devastating consequences.

Foursquare is one of the churches that would be positive.

You must have a personal relationship with Jesus. WITHOUT knowing God, His Son Jesus and being lead by His Holy Spirit and His Word, it is too easy to be lead into a negative church setting.

World English Dictionary
-
cult (kʌlt — n

1.
a specific system of religious worship, esp with reference to its rites and deity

Not so much "rites" definitely deity as in God/Jesus/Holy Spirit then a resounding YES
2.
a sect devoted to such a system
Loosely defined - YES

3.
a quasi-religious organization using devious psychological techniques to gain and control adherents
Absolutely NOT


4.
sociol a group having an exclusive ideology and ritual practices centred on sacred symbols, esp one characterized by lack of organizational structure
Absolutely NOT

5.
intense interest in and devotion to a person, idea, or activity: the cult of yoga
Only intense interest to God the Father, Jesus the son and the Holy Spirit

6.
the person, idea, etc, arousing such devotion
Only God the Father, Jesus the son and the Holy Spiritcan arouse such devotion

7.
a.something regarded as fashionable or significant by a particular group
Absolutely NOT- Chrisitanity is not a passing Fashion

b. ( as modifier ): a cult show
Absolutely NOT

8.
( modifier ) of, relating to, or characteristic of a cult or cults: a cult figure
Absolutely NOT

[C17: from Latin cultus cultivation, refinement, from colere to till]
In the sense that Christians spread the good news - Diaspora then YES


Have you found the Love of Jesus yet?

Just a change up from all the previous discussion:
My daughter 'converted' to the 4square church where her Father and Mother –in- laws were both pastors. They talk about the man being the provider for the family, but her husband can't hold a job for more than a few months. On the side he’s a permanent student who is always ‘just ready to graduate’. She works hard and still makes time for her kids.
But the worst part of this 'church' is their cover-up of abuse. My grandson (at 8 years) went missing during a service and my son-in-law (jobless guy) found him in the back of the church (boarded up windows and all), with his pants around his ankles and a 15 year old guy starting to play w/ my grandsons privates. My daughter called us a few hours after he services and told us what had happened, and wanted to know what we thought she should do. My wife(not my daughter’s mother), being a mandatory reporter (she’s a nurse) , told her she had to report it to the authorities. She thought that was a good idea (at the time). Later that evening, my wife got a call from the mother-in-law pastor, demanding that we keep our nose out of ‘church’ business. After a long and heated discussion, the mother-in-law hung up on my wife. My daughter called back a bit later, and after talking to my wife, said ‘for the good of the congregation’ she wasn’t going to report it. My wife then told her either my daughter had to report it or she (my wife) would have to. After more ugly discussions, she promised to take my grandson to their primary care provider, who promptly sent them (daughter, son-in-law, and grandson), to the area child abuse facility at a local hospital. They went once and never went back.
Since then she’s been cold to us (and me in particular) and her in-laws treat us like crap. She accuses us of treating the grandson different than the other grand kids (not true). For such a ‘forgiving’ and ‘salvation’ oriented church they sure seem to miss the main point: Their child was sexually abused and the church covered it up for the ‘sake of the congregation’. What about the poor kid ?
My vote - CULT

Anyone who believes in reincarnation is believing not in God's word. I was looking up churches and a four square church popped up, but their mission statement doesn't even speak of thr trinity. Anyone who does not profess the trinity as true is not Christian denomination, but something else. Don't go as I won't go to this one either

Not a cult in the true sense of the word.
Was involved with this group for nearly a year, but that was some 20 years ago.
There is no forced evangelism, taking of money, or pressure on you not to leave - which is what other ""mind control"" groups such as Jehovah's Witnesses or Church of Christ do.
A little over the top for many mainstream Christians, with over mention of words such as Holy Spirit and the Enemy -which instills fear but that is the basis of many churches.
Left of my own accord, and whilst have no intention to ever become involved again, it served a purpose.

Served as a minister for ICFG for over 25 years for no salary. Once I had a problem in my life the supervisor's talked a nice "redemptive" talk, but once they got my resignation, I got maybe 1 or two phone calls over next few months. Promised help was not given. Dropped and forgotten. No respect for them anymore. Still get mailers from Jack Hayford, though, inviting me to this and that. I think that is funny. They used to talk about "front line teams." Well...they let at least one wounded soldier die. I wonder how many others?

That's funny, I attend a Foursquare church and I show up on Sunday wearing shorts and flip-flops.

I've been going there for a while. I've never been asked to become a "member." I don't know anybody that is a one.

I've been a Christian my whole life and I don't go in for the charismatic hype. This is an orthodox Christian denomination.

If your familiar with Jack Hayford, then you know what I'm talking about. If not, google a video or two to check him out. If you like what you see, then give the church a try.