International House of Prayer/Cult? Help

[NathanATX]

Originally Posted by abfaboy2000

Good Afternoon Everyone!

To make a long story short, I met a really wonderful guy last December and everything was really good and then he went to a "onething" convention in Kansas City and came back a complete mess! He basically felt that God could no longer use him as a Christian if he remained to be gay and it totally broke my heart to hear someone that destroyed by religion/God.
I looked into this "church" and so many folks consider it a cult but he keeps going back to this place.
Should I forward him information about this "church" and information on what the bible REALLY says about homosexuality?

Should I find a pastor who can really discuss this issue with him?

Should I just leave it alone?

I am lost....

Well, that is a message that many churches have. The issue about whether IHOP is a cult or not is a different conversation.

I would just get really curious about why the message he's hearing is resonating with him so powerfully. What does he feel called to as a Christian? Just ask a lot of questions. Is he aware that there are tons of churches that will honor and affirm him as a gay Christian and the ministry he feels called to? You just want to get in his world so that you could really see what would have him doing what he's doing. Then when that's clear, you'll know what kind of conversation to have with him.

Affirm him like crazy. Let him know you love and care for him. Give him some feedback about what you've heard, but he's not going to be able to hear it until he's really clear you are on his side.

There is nothing wrong. He's gonna be ok whatever he does. Just be there standing for him.

[Smith]

The very interesting part about IHOP is that after being there over a year as an openly gay man, I've never heard or felt that they do not accept/love homosexuals. As I attended one of there internships, multiple conferences, and IHOP in general for a period of time. The only aspect they ever encouraged was to seek God for myself, to seek the God of love and compassion, the God of justice and truth.

Honestly when I got there I myself went through a time period of trying to be straight but through their leadership, I dove into the word as I was encouraged, and came to a biblical understanding that God is a God that loves me as a Homosexual and does not condemn me in this. The reason so many go to places of seeking and resort back to "trying to be straight" is that no matter what a person is told the "church" has enforced in error for so long that homosexuality is an abominable sin, and this is taught at such a young age, that it creates an internal battle that until walked through with biblical context and prayer has no sure way of ever completely fleeting from ones life. But on the contrary I would contend that being in a place like IHOP where the encouragement is to seek God for who he is, and the depth of his love, is significantly beneficial to anyone in this place.

Regarding IHOP being a cult, its such a cliche to call something that someone has dedicate their life to a cult. Maybe its because actual life commitments are so rare the only way to explain it is it must be a cult. While I understand some feel that the fasting and extended prayer are cultish behaviors...they were completely voluntary and actually IHOP has a complete nutritional staff that monitors the diet of those that are fasting for their safety. While this label will never be removed I will say as a flamboyant gay man it is the largest growing period of me learning who I am and who the God that I serve is. I would recommend anyone with any desire to check them out, even more than what they say, their passion for Gods truth is outrageous and amazes me every time I have contact with IHOP current or former members.

[Libre]

IHOP is a tough one. I am in a church that thinks highly of them and participates in one type of fast with them. I do not fast. I don't believe in it for the most part. But they are not really a cult - just over-zealous.

Continue your study of the scriptures. Use a Greek interlinear if you can, for you will learn a lot. I've found that much of the foundation of what such churches teach is a bit off. Not the foundation of believe in Jesus, but the other doctrines. Make good use of commentaries, but compare them, since they are very doctrinal.

And bless you. May you be filled with His Spirit and have joy unspeakable and full of glory!

[Rick336]

I prefer the Waffle House because it's open 24/7.

Rick

[Gennee]

Rick, Paul gave this command to the Corinthian church only because there was so much confusion and so many people coming from other forms of religion. This has been made a hard and fast rule and it is not what God has in mind.

This commnad was not given to any of the other churches formed by Paul. Phoebe was a minister and Paul commended her highly. Society was very patriarchal in Paul's time and it still is in many parts of the world. I have had a woman pastor in the past and women have spoken in the church. God has blessed people just the same. Some of the more memorable sermons I've heard were from women.

I have done some research and study on this subject. You have to look at the context this verse was given. The danger is that some made this a hard and fast rule (dogma) and it is not so.

Gennee

[Zigster]

Hello My Name is Zigster. And I am here to bring proper definitions about certain subjects involving the International House Of Prayer. Now I am not here to judge but I am here to bring truth. So I ask that you please look @ this video's definition of a cult and line it up with what I.H.O.P. believes. Thank you and Jesus loves you.

[raykwok]

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