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{{for|the Potter's house church pastored by T.D. Jakes|T.D. Jakes}}
{{for|the Potter's house church pastored by T.D. Jakes|T.D. Jakes}}
The '''Potter's House Christian Fellowship''' (aka, the '''Potter's House Christian Church''' or simply '''The Potter's House''') is a [[Fundamentalist Christianity|fundamentalist]] [[Pentecostalism|Pentecostal]] church organization founded by [[Pastor]] [[Wayman O Mitchell]] in [[Prescott, Arizona]] in 1970.<ref>[http://www.believersweb.org/view.cfm?ID=504 A brief bio on the Potter's House including history]</ref> Officially Christian Fellowship Ministries (Potter's House, The Door, Victory Chapel) believe they have over 1400 churches worldwide and are in a state of constant growth. <ref>[http://www.worldcfm.com/news/modules.php?name=Content&pa=showpage&pid=1 World CFM website]</ref> It is also noted that the church does not practice membership and has never released any official statistics of numbers attending their churches. The first Potter's House [[Australian]] church was established in the city of [[Perth, Western Australia|Perth]] in 1978.<ref>[http://www.pottershouse.com/ Introduction to The Potter's House, Australia, W.A. website]</ref>
The '''Potter's House Christian Fellowship''' (aka, the '''Potter's House Christian Church''' or simply '''The Potter's House''') is a [[Fundamentalist Christianity|fundamentalist]] [[Pentecostalism|Pentecostal]] church organization founded by [[Pastor]] [[Wayman O Mitchell]] in [[Prescott, Arizona]] in 1970.<ref>[http://www.waymanmitchell.com/ Short introduction from Wayman Mitchell's Bio Site]</ref> The first Potter's House [[Australian]] church was established in the city of [[Perth, Western Australia|Perth]] in 1978.<ref>[http://www.pottershouse.com/ Introduction to The Potter's House, Australia, W.A. website]</ref>
==Church activity==
==Church activity==
The Potters House Christian Fellowship consists of members who identify themselves as being [[Born-Again]] Christians. The church has an [[Evangelism|evangelistic]] program involving [[Street preaching|open air preaching]], personal 'witnessing', rock/rap concerts, Christian movies, skits and dramas. These events are used to evangelize to non-Christians. While the Potter's House welcomes those from other churches, it does not actively participate in [[proselytizing]] Christians from other evangelical groups (sometimes called transfer growth), but rather focuses on the conversion of "unbelievers" (those who have not repented of their "sins" and trusted Jesus Christ as Savior or not "born again.
The Potters House Christian Fellowship consists of members who identify themselves as being [[Born-Again]] Christians. The church has an [[Evangelism|evangelistic]] program involving [[Street preaching|open air preaching]], personal 'witnessing', rock/rap concerts, Christian movies, skits and dramas. These events are used to evangelize to non-Christians. While the Potter's House welcomes those from other churches, it does not actively participate in [[proselytizing]] Christians from other evangelical groups (sometimes called transfer growth), but rather focuses on the conversion of "unbelievers" (those who have not repented of their "sins" and trusted Jesus Christ as Savior or not "born again").<ref name=od>[http://www.waymanmitchell.com/An_Open_Door.htm "An Open Door" A Story of the Restoration of the Local Church]</ref>


⚫
Potter's House sermons are accessible online in [http://www.pottershouse.com/downloads.asp Australia] and the [http://www.pottershouse.co.uk/resources/Audio-sermons.htm UK]


==Church history==
==Church history==
The Potter's House has its roots in the [[Jesus movement|Jesus People Movement]], a Christian revival (historically referred to as a spiritual "awakening") that swept through America in the early 70's. [[Wayman Mitchell]] originally began his churches under the affiliation of the [[International Church of the Foursquare Gospel]] and continued this affiliation until a disagreement with church leaders on ordination requirements for new ministers. Mitchell believed that a new pastor should be trained through '[[discipleship]]' (mentoring) rather than by higher education, such as [[Seminary|Bible colleges]]. By the mid-1980s Mitchell had a following of well over a hundred newly established churches, pastored by men who had been trained under him and sent out to minister without further formal education. In 1985, Mitchell gave up his official affiliation with the [[International Church of the Foursquare Gospel]] and took up a practice under Christian Fellowship Ministries (C.F.M.), the church he had established in Prescott.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.thedoornetherlands.com/about.html |title= The Door Netherlands |accessmonthday= August |accessyear=2006 |author= |last= |first= |authorlink= |coauthors= |date= |year= |month= |format= |work= |publisher= |pages= |language= |archiveurl= |archivedate=}}</ref> When Mitchell left the International Church of the Foursquare Gospel, most of his newer churches went with him, from that time onwards the name "The Potter's House" was adopted.
The Potter's House has its roots in the [[Jesus movement|Jesus People Movement]], a Christian revival (historically referred to as a spiritual "awakening") that swept through America in the early 70's. [[Wayman Mitchell]] originally began his churches under the affiliation of the [[International Church of the Foursquare Gospel]] and continued this affiliation until a disagreement with church leaders on ordination requirements for new ministers. Mitchell believed that a new pastor should be trained through '[[discipleship]]' (mentoring) rather than by higher education, such as [[Seminary|Bible colleges]]. By the mid-1980s Mitchell had a following of well over a hundred newly established churches, pastored by men who had been trained under him and sent out to minister without further formal education. In 1985, Mitchell gave up his official affiliation with the [[International Church of the Foursquare Gospel]] and took up a practice under Christian Fellowship Ministries (C.F.M.), the church he had established in Prescott.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.thedoornetherlands.com/about.html |title= The Door Netherlands |accessmonthday= August |accessyear=2006 |author= |last= |first= |authorlink= |coauthors= |date= |year= |month= |format= |work= |publisher= |pages= |language= |archiveurl= |archivedate=}}</ref> When Mitchell left the International Church of the Foursquare Gospel, most of his newer churches went with him, and name "The Potter's House" was adopted.<ref name=od/>


==Church doctrine and pratice==
==Church doctrine==
Potter's House Christian Fellowship is a [[Fundamentalist Christianity|fundamentalist]] [[Pentecostalism|Pentecostal]] church. They believe in the [[Biblical inerrancy|inerrancy]] of the [[Bible]], with a particular focus on training and [[discipleship]] (mentoring), along with an emphasis on building relationships in the church. There are specific standards of personal conduct for those serving in [[Religious ministry|ministry]] and the fellowship believes in teaching by discipleship. Much of the official Potters House [[doctrine]] adheres to the book "The Foundations of Pentecostal Theology" written by two Foursquare ministers, and published by [[L. I. F. E. Bible College]]. As a whole, the fellowship uses the [[New King James Version]] of the [[Bible]] in its public readings.{{Fact|date=April 2007}}
Potter's House Christian Fellowship is a [[Fundamentalist Christianity|fundamentalist]] [[Pentecostalism|Pentecostal]] church. They believe in the [[Biblical inerrancy|inerrancy]] of the [[Bible]], with a particular focus on training and [[discipleship]] (mentoring), along with an emphasis on building relationships in the church. There are specific standards of personal conduct for those serving in [[Religious ministry|ministry]] and the fellowship believes in teaching by discipleship. Much of the official Potters House [[doctrine]] adheres to the book "The Foundations of Pentecostal Theology" written by two Foursquare ministers, and published by [[L. I. F. E. Bible College]]. As a whole, the fellowship uses the [[New King James Version]] of the [[Bible]] in its public readings.{{Fact|date=April 2007}}
The church claims to hold to the following doctrines: a belief in the historicity of the [[Gospel]] narratives and an orthodox [[Christian]] understanding of [[Jesus]] and [[The Trinity]], [[Creationism|creation]] over [[evolution]], that biblical standards of morality and holiness apply to all members regardless of stature or position they have in the church. The church supports the doctrines of [[Original sin]], [[tithing]], [[Speaking in tongues|speaking in tongues]] as the evidence of [[Baptism in the Holy Spirit]], a [[pro-life]] stance to [[abortion]], and an [[Evangelism|Evangelical]] belief in the [[Great Commission]]. The fellowship supports an authority structure where it is necessary and enforced to 'submit to headship' whereby headship would be to mean the human authority over each member eg - Pastor or leader. The authority structure seems to be the governing body that extends thoughout the fellowship and is hierarchical in nature, this authority originates with [[Wayman Mitchell]] (Senior Pastor of the fellowship) as a safe guard to ensure like practice and doctrine to all his churches. However some fellowship churches state the belief in "The Soveriegn Autonomous Government Of The Local Church" <ref>[http://www.pottershouse.com/statement.asp Perth CFM statement of faith]</ref>, which both fit together as part of the overall authority structure.<ref>[http://www.believersweb.org/view.cfm?ID=504 A brief bio on the Potter's House - See "Organization/Ministry" section]</ref> The church also teaches that salvation can be lost because of sin. <ref>[http://www.christianfellowshipministry.com/statement.html CFM official statement of faith]</ref> Doctrinally [[evangelicalism|evangelical]], [[pretribulationist]], and [[sola scriptura]]. They also believe in [[Premillennial]] [[eschatology]]. [[Drinking]] and [[tobacco]] are prohibited amongst its ministers and members.{{Fact|date=April 2007}} The church also believes in [[divine healing]] and some of the lead Pastors have frequently done a [[healing crusade]], as well as praying for the sick in their services.<ref>[http://www.desertexposure.com/200707/200707_tw_revival.php Small newspaper article on Potter's House healing crusade]</ref><ref>[http://www.yaledailynews.com/articles/view/11249 Yale newspaper story Potter's House healing crusade.]</ref>
The church claims to hold to the following doctrines: a belief in the historicity of the [[Gospel]] narratives and an orthodox [[Christian]] understanding of [[Jesus]] and [[The Trinity]], [[Creationism|creation]] over [[evolution]], that biblical standards of morality and holiness apply to all members regardless of stature or position in the church and are enforced, 'submission unto headship', [[Original sin]], [[tithing]], [[Speaking in tongues|speaking in tongues]] as the evidence of [[Baptism in the Holy Spirit]], a [[pro-life]] stance to [[abortion]], and an [[Evangelism|Evangelical]] belief in the [[Great Commission]]. The church also teaches that salvation can be lost because of sin. Doctrinally [[evangelicalism|evangelical]], [[pretribulationist]], and [[sola scriptura]]. They also believe in [[Premillennial]] [[eschatology]]. [[Drinking]] and [[tobacco]] are prohibited amongst its ministers and members.{{Fact|date=April 2007}}


The church is classified as [[Pentecostal]] however the church does not participate in what they call "counterfeit themes," such as the [[Toronto Blessing]] or the [[Pensacola Outpouring]]. It also doesn't participate in "interdenominational services" (this is where several different denominations periodically have a joint church service together), though individual members are free to do so. The fellowship also is opposed to certain aspects of the [[Ecumenical Movement]] such as the attempts to reconcile Protestantism and Roman Catholicism, as it believes that the teachings of the latter are contrary to the Bible.{{Fact|date=April 2007}}
The church is classified as [[Pentecostal]] however the church does not participate in what they call "counterfeit themes," such as the [[Toronto Blessing]] or the [[Pensacola Outpouring]]. It also doesn't participate in "interdenominational services" (this is where several different denominations periodically have a joint church service together), though individual members are free to do so. The fellowship also is opposed to certain aspects of the [[Ecumenical Movement]] such as the attempts to reconcile Protestantism and Roman Catholicism, as it believes that the teachings of the latter are contrary to the Bible.{{Fact|date=April 2007}}

⚫
Potter's House sermons are accessible online in [http://www.pottershouse.com/downloads.asp Australia] and the [http://www.pottershouse.co.uk/resources/Audio-sermons.htm UK].


===Bible schools===
===Bible schools===
The Potters House Fellowship rejects [[Seminary|Bible schools]] as a vehicle for [[church planting]], and gives several reasons for this in its publication, ''We Can Take the Land (A Study in Church Planting)''.<ref>[http://www.amazon.com/Take-Land-Study-Church-Planting/dp/0918389003/sr=1-1/qid=1172405788/ref=sr_1_1/102-8951958-7947361?ie=UTF8&s=books]
The Fellowship rejects [[Seminary|Bible schools]] as a vehicle for [[church planting]], and gives several reasons for this in its publication, ''We Can Take the Land (A Study in Church Planting)''.<ref>[http://www.amazon.com/Take-Land-Study-Church-Planting/dp/0918389003/sr=1-1/qid=1172405788/ref=sr_1_1/102-8951958-7947361?ie=UTF8&s=books]
Simpkins, Ron (1984). ''We Can Take the Land (A Study in Church Planting)'', pp. 275-276. Prescott: Potters Press. ISBN 0-918389-00-3]</ref> Reasons include a belief that [[Seminary|Bible schools]] are not [[Biblical]], a belief that Bible schools are unable to complete the job of world [[evangelism]], that Bible schools isolates students from practical experience, that the requirements of attendance at Bible schools are too strict and that Bible schools violate the indigenous principle.
Simpkins, Ron (1984). ''We Can Take the Land (A Study in Church Planting)'', pp. 275-276. Prescott: Potters Press. ISBN 0-918389-00-3]</ref> Reasons include a belief that [[Seminary|Bible schools]] are not [[Biblical]], a belief that Bible schools are unable to complete the job of world [[evangelism]], that Bible schools isolates students from practical experience, that the requirements of attendance at Bible schools are too strict, that Bible schools violate the indigenous principle, and so on.


==Origins of the church name==
==Origins of the church name==
Line 58: Line 57:
==Church conferences and revivals==
==Church conferences and revivals==
Conferences are a major part of the church's practice and administration. A conference is mainly aimed at instructing pastors but all believers are encouraged to attend. Most countries hold them once or twice per year and they can consist of up to 17 sermons by various fellowship pastors and [[evangelism|evangelists]].
Conferences are a major part of the church's practice and administration. A conference is mainly aimed at instructing pastors but all believers are encouraged to attend. Most countries hold them once or twice per year and they can consist of up to 17 sermons by various fellowship pastors and [[evangelism|evangelists]].
:*'''[[United States|U.S.A.]]''': ''[[Prescott, Arizona]]'':- A conference is held twice per year.{{Fact|date=February 2007}}<br>
:*'''[[United States|U.S.A.]]''': ''[[Prescott, Arizona]]'':- A conference is held twice per year with approximately 2500 claimed attendees.{{Fact|date=February 2007}}<br>
:*'''[[United States|U.S.A.]]''': ''[[Chandler, Arizona]]'':- A conference is held once per year.{{Fact|date=July 2007}}<br>
:*'''[[United States|U.S.A.]]''': ''[[Chandler, Arizona]]'':- A conference is held once per year with approximately 2500 + claimed attendees.{{Fact|date=August 2007}}<br>

:*'''[[England]]''': ''[[London]]'':- A conference is held twice a year. {{Fact|date=February 2007}}<br>
:*'''[[England]]''': ''[[London]]'':- A conference is held twice a year with approximately 1500 claimed attendees.{{Fact|date=February 2007}}<br>
:*'''[[Europe]]''': ''[[Netherlands]]'':- A conference is held twice a year in Zwolle.{{Fact|date=June 2007}}<br>
:*'''[[Europe]]''': ''[[Netherlands]]'':- A conference is held twice a year in Zwolle.{{Fact|date=June 2007}}<br>
:*'''[[Australia]]''': ''[[Perth, Western Australia]]'':- A conference is held once per year in March.{{Fact|date=February 2007}}<br>
:*'''[[Australia]]''': ''[[Perth, Western Australia]]'':- A conference is held once per year in March with approximately 1400 claimed attendees.{{Fact|date=February 2007}}<br>
:*'''[[South Africa]]''': ''[[Johannesburg]]'':- A conference is held once per year.{{Fact|date=February 2007}}
:*'''[[South Africa]]''': ''[[Johannesburg]]'':- A conference is held once per year with approximately 900 claimed attendees.{{Fact|date=February 2007}}
:*'''[[New Zealand]]''': ''[[Auckland]] '':- A Conference is held once a year in West Auckland. Pastors from all over [[New Zealand]] and [[Australia]] attend.
:*'''[[New Zealand]]''': ''[[Auckland]] '':- A Conference is held once a year in West Auckland. Pastors from all over [[New Zealand]] and [[Australia]] attend.
:*'''[[Nigeria]] ''':[[Lagos]]'':- A conference is held once a year.
:*'''[[Nigeria]] ''':[[Lagos]]'':- A conference is held once a year.
Line 69: Line 69:


== Criticism and controversy ==
== Criticism and controversy ==
<!-- Please refrain from deleting or adding links in this section unless you discuss this and also read the previous talk and mediation on this topic, starting with;
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Mediation_Cabal/Cases/2006-08-07_The_Potter%27s_House-->

Potter's House has been criticized in newspapers, books, television reports, and by researchers.<ref>
Potter's House has been criticized in newspapers, books, television reports, and by researchers.<ref>
{{ cite web
{{ cite web
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==External links==
==External links==
:*[http://www.christianfellowshipministry.com/statement.html CFM official site] Potters House official statment of faith.
:*[http://www.pottersclub.com/ ''The Potters Club''] A website with copious amounts of Potter's House material.


'''Critics'''
'''Critics'''

Revision as of 13:05, 1 August 2007

Potter's House Christian Fellowship
Formation1970
TypeChristian
Location
Official language
English
Founder
Wayman O Mitchell
For the Potter's house church pastored by T.D. Jakes, see T.D. Jakes.

The Potter's House Christian Fellowship (aka, the Potter's House Christian Church or simply The Potter's House) is a fundamentalist Pentecostal church organization founded by Pastor Wayman O Mitchell in Prescott, Arizona in 1970.[1] The first Potter's House Australian church was established in the city of Perth in 1978.[2]

Church activity

The Potters House Christian Fellowship consists of members who identify themselves as being Born-Again Christians. The church has an evangelistic program involving open air preaching, personal 'witnessing', rock/rap concerts, Christian movies, skits and dramas. These events are used to evangelize to non-Christians. While the Potter's House welcomes those from other churches, it does not actively participate in proselytizing Christians from other evangelical groups (sometimes called transfer growth), but rather focuses on the conversion of "unbelievers" (those who have not repented of their "sins" and trusted Jesus Christ as Savior or not "born again").[3]

Potter's House sermons are accessible online in Australia and the UK

Church history

The Potter's House has its roots in the Jesus People Movement, a Christian revival (historically referred to as a spiritual "awakening") that swept through America in the early 70's. Wayman Mitchell originally began his churches under the affiliation of the International Church of the Foursquare Gospel and continued this affiliation until a disagreement with church leaders on ordination requirements for new ministers. Mitchell believed that a new pastor should be trained through 'discipleship' (mentoring) rather than by higher education, such as Bible colleges. By the mid-1980s Mitchell had a following of well over a hundred newly established churches, pastored by men who had been trained under him and sent out to minister without further formal education. In 1985, Mitchell gave up his official affiliation with the International Church of the Foursquare Gospel and took up a practice under Christian Fellowship Ministries (C.F.M.), the church he had established in Prescott.[4] When Mitchell left the International Church of the Foursquare Gospel, most of his newer churches went with him, and name "The Potter's House" was adopted.[3]

Church doctrine

Potter's House Christian Fellowship is a fundamentalist Pentecostal church. They believe in the inerrancy of the Bible, with a particular focus on training and discipleship (mentoring), along with an emphasis on building relationships in the church. There are specific standards of personal conduct for those serving in ministry and the fellowship believes in teaching by discipleship. Much of the official Potters House doctrine adheres to the book "The Foundations of Pentecostal Theology" written by two Foursquare ministers, and published by L. I. F. E. Bible College. As a whole, the fellowship uses the New King James Version of the Bible in its public readings.[citation needed]

The church claims to hold to the following doctrines: a belief in the historicity of the Gospel narratives and an orthodox Christian understanding of Jesus and The Trinity, creation over evolution, that biblical standards of morality and holiness apply to all members regardless of stature or position in the church and are enforced, 'submission unto headship', Original sin, tithing, speaking in tongues as the evidence of Baptism in the Holy Spirit, a pro-life stance to abortion, and an Evangelical belief in the Great Commission. The church also teaches that salvation can be lost because of sin. Doctrinally evangelical, pretribulationist, and sola scriptura. They also believe in Premillennial eschatology. Drinking and tobacco are prohibited amongst its ministers and members.[citation needed]

The church is classified as Pentecostal however the church does not participate in what they call "counterfeit themes," such as the Toronto Blessing or the Pensacola Outpouring. It also doesn't participate in "interdenominational services" (this is where several different denominations periodically have a joint church service together), though individual members are free to do so. The fellowship also is opposed to certain aspects of the Ecumenical Movement such as the attempts to reconcile Protestantism and Roman Catholicism, as it believes that the teachings of the latter are contrary to the Bible.[citation needed]

Bible schools

The Fellowship rejects Bible schools as a vehicle for church planting, and gives several reasons for this in its publication, We Can Take the Land (A Study in Church Planting).[5] Reasons include a belief that Bible schools are not Biblical, a belief that Bible schools are unable to complete the job of world evangelism, that Bible schools isolates students from practical experience, that the requirements of attendance at Bible schools are too strict, that Bible schools violate the indigenous principle, and so on.

Origins of the church name

The name comes from an Old Testament verse of the Bible:

Jeremiah 18:2 Arise, and go down to the potter's house, and there I will cause thee to hear my words. (King James Version)

Because of its biblical origin, the name "The Potter's House" is often used by other independent church groups besides those affiliated with Christian Fellowship Ministries. Particularly well known is The Potter's House, Dallas, Texas, a largely African-American megachurch founded and led by T. D. Jakes.

Some churches affiliated with the Potter's House have different names such as:

The Door, Victory Chapel, Christian Fellowship Ministries, The Potter's House Christian Centre, The Potter's House Christian Fellowship.

Church conferences and revivals

Conferences are a major part of the church's practice and administration. A conference is mainly aimed at instructing pastors but all believers are encouraged to attend. Most countries hold them once or twice per year and they can consist of up to 17 sermons by various fellowship pastors and evangelists.

Evangelistic meetings or "Revivals" tend to occur in most CFM churches every two to three months and consist of five services over four consecutive days from a visiting speaker.

Criticism and controversy

Potter's House has been criticized in newspapers, books, television reports, and by researchers.[6][7][8][9][10][11]

Dan R. Schlesinger of the Christian Research Institute investigated the criticism of the group, and in March of 1988 issued a report concluding that while the CRI couldn't comment publicly or substantiate the accusations investigated, they would not be unable to recommend the Potter's House as a "viable place of fellowship."[12]

On September, 1988, cult researcher Rick Ross appeared on the "Geraldo Television Show" and alleged that Potter's House was cultic and dangerous.[2] In March of 1989, Rick Ross labeled the Potter's House a "destructive Bible group," a charge Wayman Mitchell disputed in the article, referring to Ross as "a highly paid religious mercenary." Wayman also asserted that members of the Potter's House were "free to come and go as they please."[8][13] On May 18, the CBS News program 48 Hours featured Rick Ross in a news story about a deprogramming of a member of a Potter's House church.[14]

On March 23, 1989, an Anchorage[disambiguation needed] woman accused a Potter's House church of "brainwashing" her son and convincing him she was an unfit mother. In a legal agreement between Pastor Robert Overson and the mother, Pastor Overson agreed to end contact with the boy and his mother, a decision the boy disagreed with. According to researcher Rick Ross, other churches in the Potter's House have had a history of turning children against their "backslider" parents, a charge also disputed by the son and Potter's House leaders.[13]

In 1989, a father who accused the group of being a "mind-controlling cult," convinced social workers to prevent his 16-year-old daughter (who was in the custody of the state) from attending a Potter's House church. After several months, however, a Juvenile Court commissioner ruled that she could go unless her father or the county could show she was being harmed by the religion. The girl's mother, Renee Collin, disagreed with the father, saying she had no objection to her daughter going to the church.[15]

Ronald Enroth's book Churches That Abuse containing an account of abuse within a Potter's House church[9]. His follow-up book, Recovering From Churches That Abuse, also contained an account of abuse.[10]

In January 2002, Charisma News, a Christian news magazine dealing mainly with Pentecostal and Charismatic Christianity, reported a major exodus of some 160 churches from the Potter's House Movement in the United States.[16] The reason for the split, according to Charisma News, was "because of unhealthy control, and after (members) leave they are afraid to talk about their experiences." A former pastor interviewed in the Charisma News article, when asked about allegations of abuse, said "There are families who have not spoken for years, brothers who are pastors all the way to the Philippines who were separated by this group and had years of not even speaking, churches that have been deliberately split, children who don't talk to their parents."

Response to criticism

Response by Wayman Mitchell

In his official biography, founder Wayman Mitchell responded to criticism of the group by the journalists, and by researcher Ronald Enroth:

"They (the media) are not interested in giving honest accounts. By and large they are pea-brained, illiterate and lazy. They come with pre-conceived ideas and a pre-arranged agenda and look only for a sound bite that will help nail down what they want to say. This is not honest, investigative journalism; it is interpretive reporting, where they interpret everything you say to support their own wicked bias. I have no time for them. They are deceptive as well. They do not identify themselves when they arrive. They come into the Church, as one lady did from the Boston T.V. station, with hidden cameras and microphones. They hope to pick up one sentence or phrase, and use it entirely out of context to cast you in the worst possible light. If we know who they are, we stop them at the doors. ... It's the same with the book writers. William Enroth, who featured me in 'Churches That Abuse' never even spoke to me. He interviewed somebody out in the Mid-west and put an uncorroborated testimony in his book."[17]

Mitchell also responded to the criticism Potter's House received from Charisma News and the Christian Research Institute:

"Even the Christian press is riddled with bias. We've had people contact us from Charisma Magazine and Christian Research Institute but neither outfit would come and sit in our services and talk with our people. We invited them to. I gave Lee Grady from the Charisma Magazine the names and numbers of five of our leaders and said if you don't believe me, talk with any of them ..... but he didn't. He phoned Pastor Warner, but was only interested in a sound bite. That's the sort of dishonesty we have lived with for years."[17]

See also

References

  1. ^ Short introduction from Wayman Mitchell's Bio Site
  2. ^ Introduction to The Potter's House, Australia, W.A. website
  3. ^ a b "An Open Door" A Story of the Restoration of the Local Church
  4. ^ "The Door Netherlands". {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameters: |month= and |coauthors= (help); Unknown parameter |accessmonthday= ignored (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  5. ^ [1] Simpkins, Ron (1984). We Can Take the Land (A Study in Church Planting), pp. 275-276. Prescott: Potters Press. ISBN 0-918389-00-3]
  6. ^ "Christian Fellowship Ministries (CFM) (aka: Potter's House, The Door, Victory Chapel)". Retrieved 2007-4-25. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  7. ^ "Putter House (aka Victory Chapel, leader Paul Campo)". Retrieved 2007-4-25. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  8. ^ a b Ryan Crehan (1998-12-8). "A CULT IN PRESCOTT?". The Word. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  9. ^ a b Enroth, Ronald (1992). Churches That Abuse. Zondervan Publishing House. ISBN 0-310-53290-6.
  10. ^ a b Enroth, Ronald (1994). Recovering From Churches That Abuse. Zondervan Publishing House. ISBN 0-310-39870-3.
  11. ^ Ted Bartimus and Karen M. Bullock (1988-10-2). "Potter's House: Pearly gates or prison walls?". Arizona Daily Sun. "They say, 'Where's the fruit?' The answer is we're the fruit. We're wasted, we're brainwashed. I've yet to meet anyone that has come out of this who has anything positive to say about it." -Mark Workman, former Potters House member. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  12. ^ "THE POTTER'S HOUSE (CRI's report on The Potter's House)". Retrieved 2007-4-25. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  13. ^ a b Marilee Enge (1989-3-23). "Mother fights church group for her son". Anchorage Daily News. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  14. ^ CBS News' 48 Hours Takes Viewers Inside the Deprogramming of a 14-year Old Boy May 18 on CBS. New York: CBS News. April 1989.
  15. ^ Carol Lachnit (1989-12-18). "Religious belief, court divide father, daughter: Ruling allows teen-ager under county custody to go to Orange church". The Orange County Register.
  16. ^ Charisma News, January 2002
  17. ^ a b Ian Wilson (1996). In Pursuit of Destiny Biography of Wayman Mitchell. p. 53. ISBN 0-9699777-1-9.

Critics

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