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Date Posted: 07:25:56 05/25/04 Tue
Author: Chris
Subject: Trying to summarize...
In reply to: Amy 's message, "Re: Book recommendation" on 10:09:18 05/24/04 Mon

Chris, could you tell us more details about his time in UBF?

I don't know him personally since he was in Cologne. His name is mentioned in an old UBF mission report (here). So I can only give an account of what he writes in his book. It is a short, but correct description of the group and a typical example of the experience of those many who went through that "revolving door" ministry.

It seems that though it was difficult for him to leave UBF, it was easier than in other cases and I believe the reason for this is that he became a Christian before his time in UBF. Those who became Christians in or through UBF face a much more difficult time leaving UBF since for them, UBF and faith is much more coupled together, and they often cannot leave because they believe that quitting UBF means abandoning God or means unthankfulness against God or UBF or being disobedient to one's calling.

The author mentions how he was invited by UBF and how his first attending a conference in the Netherlands left a big impression on him, especially the life testimonies delivered. He is obviously talking about the European summer conference 1992 in De Bron, and I can confirm that it was also the same with me. I think the life testimonies I heared there have been crucial for my getting involved in UBF, too. Maybe I have met im on that conference , but I don't remember. He exactly renders my own thoughts at that time when he writes how the life testimonies were impressive and moving, but the other things very strange and bewildering.

After the conference, he started with UBF Bible study. Since he was not a student in Cologne but only temporarily there for a practical course, he wanted to quit his involvement with UBF when the course was over and he went back to his home town.

However, UBF persuaded him to have a biweekly Bible study though his home was 2 1/2 hours by train away. Then he was invited to a evangelical church in his home town and started attending their seminaries and services. He mentioned how the atmosphere was different, more open and cheerful. He also got involved in social work and other activies so that he got into conflicts regarding his time schedules. But though he wanted to quit the involvement in UBF, he was not able to resist the constant pressure and simply say "No" to it. He mentions how he was disappointed when his questions in UBF were not answered - e.g. the question why they don't have the Lord's supper. He also mentions skilful manipulation, but he was not able to recognize it at that time.

Then, after some "period of grace" (as he calls it) UBF tried to massively interfere into his life: He was pushed to go fishing students for Bible study, he was pushed to find a job close to a UBF chapter, and finally an arranged marriage was proposed to him. He laughed and rejected. But then he was proposed another marriage and he says his problem was that he liked that girl, but he recognized that marrying her would mean to marry the organization as well (as Donna perfectly well described it). So he got into a severe inner conflict. He was forced to make a decision within two weeks.

He then describes the psychological pressure and the inner struggles and fears that we know too well: How he liked the idea of marrying on the one side, but how he feared to get sucked more deeply into the group on the other side. How it was difficult for him to admit to himself that he made a mistake when he got involved with them, and the fears of acting against the will of God by leaving UBF.

His solution was to pray seriously, and God's answer was helping him through his father and informations from the cult counsellor so he could open his eyes and see that he was in danger of being trapped in a cult. He wrote a clear letter to his "shepherd" and also explained his step in a personal talk. In the book, he writes how thankful he was for being liberated from UBF, and how grueling that whole UBF experience was.

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