Lakeview Christian Life Church

Doesn't Recommend

thereislifebeyon d.

Joined 3 months ago

I have thought long and hard before posting, and I will keep my opinions, especially those of my personal exodus from the church at bay, while merely focusing on presenting the facts that have given me peace about leaving. The following are not my words, but those of a group that monitors the activities of cults. I will also not name any names, rather, just present these findings and allow you to come to your own decisions.

1. Church members must sign "covenants" stating that they will obey the church leadership.

2. To not submit is to rebel against God's will and condemn you to a barren Christian life outside the protection of the Super Apostles magical "umbrella of authority".

3.They practice "enforced giving", where tithes and offerings of church members are recorded. Members who do not give the "correct" amount are disciplined and held back from leadership.

4. People are banned from going to other churches and working for Para church organizations not under the apostle's control.

5. They control relationships, ordering people to stay away from friends and family outside the movement.

6. Some even demand Christian members seek permission to marry each other.

7. Church members are given the impression that they can only be saved by being part of the Super Apostles church. Churches outside the "kingdom" are fallen and dead. Not all of these apostles state this so blatantly, but this is the impression they cultivate within their churches.

8. These apostles and their families (nepotism is rife) receive significant incomes from their work. They drive expensive cars, live in luxury homes

If you have emerged from this church, this will feel familiar. If you are in this church and this strikes too close to home, maybe you should reconsider the Lord’s calling on your life. My prayers are with you all.

Doesn't Recommend

Free T.

Joined 4 months ago

Part of the Association of New Testament Ministries which also includes Northridge Christian Life Church in Cleveland, Christian Life Church of Westerville in Columbus, and Church of the Living Word in Maine. Practices shunning of former members (including fellow Christians who choose to attend church elsewhere). The leadership instructs members to sever ties with former members including parents, children, siblings, other family members, and friends. This review is not judgment or persecution, but information one may want to consider before getting involved in this church or association.

BlackListed X.

Joined 8 months ago

If you doubt how delusion these people are... here is a parting message from a "friend" when I decided to move away from the church...

"I'm sorry to hear this - Making a decision like this is quite a step, please just be sure for what reasons you are leaving and if they line up according to the Word of God. We are finding ourselves all in a intense time of dealing from the Lord and He is pointing out things in our lives that must change - for some this may be moving on from old habits or way of doing things, others it may be changing or ending ungodly relationships, perhaps its a complete change of life for some, and for others who knows.

At any rate - be careful that your reasons for leaving are not for an unwillingness to change or because you are leaving for someone else. These usually are the two main reasons why people leave, and I can say this with full assurance because I have been in that place and I have lost a lot of close friends and family for this reason.

Also, have we not heard in prophetic words and preached words that the Lord is sifting His people between those who would serve Him with their whole hearts from those who won't. He is sifting out those who want the best of both worlds - He doesn't want a people that will be lukewarm. I would ask you to examine yourself to see where you fall into this - do you want to serve Him with all that you are and receive all that He has for you - or are you willing to take the next best thing?

That's how serious a decision like this is - its not just "Oh, I'm going to serve the Lord somewhere else and this is just a church," we are talking about the Kingdom of God and His provision for you and for (girlfriend at the time). If you and (girl) truly love the Lord - then you need to be very certain that this is His will for you - I would venture to say that 99% chance that this type of move is not from the Lord - based upon events that have happened recently and the fact that a large portion of your family left. I don't know what the situation is there, nor is it my business - however - if any of them are living their own way and finding themselves in deceit - I would caution you to not allow yourself to be dragged down with them. How do you know they are or are not - you can tell by the fruit of their lives. Are they godly examples? Do they speak well of one another or others? Do they find themselves in God's Word and are they changing acordingly? etc.

What does the Bible say - Matt 10:34-39 and 19:16-22.

You also need to make certain - that if you for sure do leave - you are not only cutting off a part of a relationship with God, but also His people and thats why there is this whole issue of whether or not to fellowship with people that have left. You cannot have true fellowship with those who are not going in the same direction you are going, you loose your common ground once you make a step like this. I'm not saying this as a threating comment - but merely so that you understand - if you do really make the decision to leave -then you need to leave and not look back. You and (girl) will need to move on as well as all of us who are your friends here. It's a sad thing - but thats what happens when a relationship is broken off. Think of it this way - do you still hang out and be all buddy buddy with ex-girlfriends or ex-friends?? Its the same principle here - when there is a break in common ground - you cannot have the same relationship & its not fair to you or anyone else to try and hold on to these these relationships."

......

If you think this is righteous your compass is not pointing true North. The leadership at LCLC controls the sheep and makes them masters of taking scripture out of context. I pray some day God cures them of being brainwashed and they call us up to restore a relationship. I would take my family and friends back in a heart beat. Jesus would too.

Doesn't Recommend

Debra M.

Joined 9 months ago

I also know this church and know them for their evil doings here in Alabama. I watched families destroyed in the Alabama church that was under the demonic dictatorship Apostle Norman James. I kept the CD of the last service that was held here in Alabama of Mrs. Apostle James and the up and coming baby Apostle James. I watched demons fill her mouth as she glorified herself and husband beyond that of the throne of GOD! I sat shaking my head as she spoke to an audience of zombies as a back door female guard (Mrs. Lamb) give me an evil stare from her post. I'm waiting for the day God exposes this demonic cult and should any want to hear this CD for themselves, contact me. I no longer live in my home but would be willing to share this cd with any of those considering attending this church. you may contact me via e-mail or facebook. God Bless those of you standing for righteousness!!!! Stay clear of this church if you desire to keep your families intact, the apostle over rules the commandment to honor your parents, honor is to their apostle first even above the God they say they serve. Debra

maggie f.

Joined 8 months ago

I think it is amazing that you don't see people responding in kind from Lakeview...the Lord knows those who truly follow Him...100%...with their whole hearts....and those same people also know that He will plead their case and the battle is their Lord's to fight as He sees fit, in His time....

all else said.....if these reviews aren't persecution, I don't know what is.

Recommends

Susan B.

Joined 1 year ago

wow you guys are rough. Ok, first off I have to say whoever born to serve is...i admire your guts. I actually had a very similar experience...actually worse than many of these reviewers had with their church..with my own church. I am not going to tear you apart like the other defensive ones did. See here's the thing...they can write whatev they want about that church but the minute you go at all against the grain you are going to get trashed. But you knew that going in right? which is why i admire you. And they are talking out of both sides of their mouth...they tell you to back off and not to judge yet they are right in YOUR face. Christians don't act like this. Bottom line is if you all REALLY have the love of Christ..which im not disputing you do.. ..how can you act like this? I don't care what you've been through...i've been through hell and back..a lot of peopl have. But if your whole vision is for the Lord and His ways you would never act like this. It seems like your problem arose with the leadership of that place...as did mine. But i have come to see that disobeying the leadership that the Lord has appointed is the same as disobeying Him. Do you just not believe that? What about when the Lord says to be obedient and if the leadership is wrong it will fall on their heads...but if you disobey and become bitter the Lord will judge YOU. i just don't know what you do with all that?? The Old Testament is FILLED with examples such as those. Do you just not believe that cause its the old testament? Moses was far from perfect..in fact even He didn't get to the Promise Land...but the Lord got rid of thousands of those people who grumbled in their tents simply because they disobeyed, they got fed up and said "who does Moses think he is". Is it not the same thing? And you who were all so rough on born to serve..his or her verses were right on. Forms of godliness! Yes! there are forms...there are thousands of so called Christians out there. The Lord warned against this very thing! He was not so easy with the peopel. Paul did not go easy on the people!! There was no little nudge or tap going on. The Lord yes taught to love and to forgive..but He also held a hard line...like swallowing up families for example. Do you belive we serve the same God as the one in the Bible or not? I had lots of issues with leadership in my own church...and now i know how wrong I was. Now you can all attack me. But I want to give applause to born to serve..because often it's the people that don't want to serve the Lord that see things the clearest as opposed to those like the Pharisees who think they have it all right. I considered myself like that. Dangerous dangerous.

Recommends

Bob n.

Joined 1 year ago

Norman James. Is this Norman James church ?

Doesn't Recommend

MARNI D.

Joined 1 year ago

Re: Are you reviewers actual Christians?. I know that you say that you don't follow the Lord, but let me teach something that is core to what I, and many others, believe as a Christians. This is a verse from the Bible.

“Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven;" Luke 6:37

Don't get me wrong, some people here ARE condemning this church. Maybe even judging it. Do I think that's in line with this scripture? No. But let's be realistic...this is a site for reviews. And most here are relaying their experiences with this church, certainly with some emotion and personal bias sprinkled in.

What is the difference between a "good" church and a bad "church" anyway? Well, in my experience, a good church leads you to God. It inspires you to chase after God and deepen your relationship with God. It lifts you up. Nudges you gently in the right direction. Encourages you to let your light shine. Corrects you when you get off track, but ultimately leaves you to make your decisions and respects the personal nature of the relationship between God and His children. I know that if I stumble in my church that I will have to answer to God. But I'm not going to get kicked out, punished or shunned by my pastor and the people who attend.

From what I can see, alot of people here have not had that "good" experience at this church. They have experienced negativity, needless drama and chaos. It could even be said that this church has caused some to stumble, both members former and present, as well as family members, friends, etc. It is not a valid assumption that some people who are relaying their negative experiences here might not be actual Christians. In fact, that is a pretty dangerous leap on your part. Do you think that's really something you, a self-professed non-follower, should be deciding? I think that is God's place to decide, personally.

As far as "forms of godliness" and "versions of myself"...first of all, wow. I am not perfect. I sin. But I try. I love God and as He reveals Himself to me and His truths, I repent. I don't always make the right choices. Sometimes I'm just blind. But when God shows me the way, I change. That doesn't mean that I have a "form of godliness." That means I accept my sinful nature as a human. I listen. I'm humbled. I repent. That is God's plan. It is not your place to judge my walk with God, nor anyone else's. That is between God and myself. His plan, His way, His truth. Not man's.

Also, I don't have "versions of myself." Frankly, I don't even really know what that means. I guess I do if "old man" and "new man" count.

When people say the leadership is cruel, they mean that the leadership is arbitrary, controlling and judgmental. Maybe you shouldn't be commenting on this church and its leadership if you don't really have a personal experience with it? Seems very odd to me. Why would a person act like they have a dog in a fight if they don't even have a dog. Strange.

I don't pretend to know everything. Or think that I am most definitely right on all counts. This church might be right for some people. Its not right for me, and that's all I have to say.

Doesn't Recommend

r b.

Joined 1 year ago

To all reviewers:. to born to serve - every SINGLE ONE of these reviews are TRUE - 100% TRUE... i have no idea who you are but whoever the "25 people" and you who "feel the same way" should realize the trauma and pain this establishment has caused so many. Friends i grew up with have NOTHING to do with me - although i am more involved in a church now than i ever was there. for someone to even "suggest" that you should not have fellowship with friends or family who choose to worship somewhere else is unbelievably un-biblical. And if you were to stay and not follow their "commands" then you can kiss any calling you believe you have from God goodbye, because they only want the brainwashed in leadership positions. I pray for my friends and hopefully someday they will see the light. DO NOT GO HERE. there are plenty other wonderful main stream churches around that preach the Gospel in its fullest. Whatever good they ever had going for them has been horribly tainted by their man-made regulations

Doesn't Recommend

ann u.

Joined 1 year ago

don't go there. this cult destroyed my family. my sons won't even talk to me anymore becaus of their vicious lies they were toldby the leadership. this is an evil place and God wll judge the leadership for all the families they have destroyed.