23-A few anomalies

 

I list here a few of the anomalies which developed during the "Mexican Ministry" period.  These are examples of a few things that caused me to be pushed out of the ABC the first time.  

 

I was charged with being "rebellious" because I did not just go along with every endeavor my father put forward.  One of the most prominent changes that occurred during this period was the introduction of the clerical collar. My father decided we must assume the Mexican custom of the collar for "priests" and it was expected, if we went into Mexico, we would wear a clerical collar.  This eventually became a custom of being worn in San Diego as well. I had always considered we, the ABC, to be different from other churches and we, I had been taught for many many years, were the exception to the rest of "Mystery Babylon". 

The ABC considers the Catholic church, and all her denominational daughters, to be Mystery Babylon and her harlot daughters spoken of in Revelation. We all knew, or thought we knew anyhow, we differed from the rest because we met in homes, had no name (even though we really did have a name), did not ride on the back of the government (even though we had now incorporated and shared in the same tax breaks all the other denominational churches did) and it was certain we did not do things like the Catholic church (even though we were now expected to wear clerical collars and have the people kiss our rings). This sudden abandonment of theological position, to such a large degree, was disillusioning for me. It caused me to inspect what we were actually building and made me realize we were not that much different from any  other denominational church. We were, in fact, just another denomination born out of other movements. This did not sit well with me. It forever ended my illusion that the ABC was "different" and not a denomination.  True, we met in homes, instead of church buildings, but everything else was mostly the same as any other denominational church. We were a new denomination and an aberrant church causing injury to many and a seemingly cultish one at that.

I refused to buy a clerical shirt, even though I had been commanded to do so by my  "father in the Lord". I came home from work one day to find one hanging on my front door with a note ordering me to wear it.  There was a teaching in the ABC we were to be "experimental believers" so I did wear it once or twice to Mexico; to experiment; but when people began to kiss my ring, as if I were a Catholic priest, I became very uncomfortable.  When I expressed my discomfort to my father, I was told I needed to allow it as it was their way of showing respect for my position but it still bothered me immensely and I decided I would just stay away from the Mexico meetings.

The "Mexican Ministry" began to consume more money than was currently coming in through tithe and offering.  Any alms that came in were kept secret so no one had any idea how much money was actually coming in earmarked as “alms”.  The tithe money was paying for the "Casa Grande" (a huge house in Chula Vista California), a trailer in the mountains, a condo at the beach, a fleet of vehicles, lots and lots of new furniture and lots and lots and lots of  other stuff. This was all very expensive stuff and very little money was actually making its way to helping Mexican families in their poverty.  The theory, as my dad explains on the Luis tape, is that tithes and offerings could not ever be  used to help someone in need...only alms could be used for that. The tithes and offerings began paying for lots of  things that "supported" bringing teachings to Mexico but little or none was used  to feed the poor or help them in their poverty. If an alm came in, that money was allegedly used to buy Bibles, but this could not be verified. All of these things did not sit well with many people and it began to create quite a rift, not just in San Diego, but among people everywhere. It eventually caused two major splits in the church.

To raise additional money and "keep the corporation afloat", bake sales were initiated in front of various supermarkets around San Diego. It was expected we would all bake goodies for these sales then help staff the tables on weekends. Knowing the money was not flowing to Mexico, to help those in poverty, I took part in none of them. This was another one of my "rebellions". 

 

Another method to acquire more money was to have members of the ABC sit, during the middle of the night, at highway rest stops to give out "free" coffee then ask for donations for the "Mexican Ministry" from travelers. Many in the ABC did not take part in this endeavor since they were not comfortable giving the impression the money raised was being used to feed or clothe Mexicans. It was not. It just bought more stuff for the Casa Grande and supported an ever more lavish lifestyle. Another one of my "rebellions".

One of the more unusual ways the Mexican Ministry "ministered" to the shopkeepers was through hauling goods for them across the border in the trunks of cars; as if the goods were souvenirs. These goods were then packaged for shipment on the U.S. side and sent to stores in Los Angeles. By doing this, the shopkeepers avoided duty on their goods as they passed across the border, and they could then undercut their competitor's price. This greatly increased their sales and allowed them to grow their businesses more quickly. It was also very illegal. If discovered, the shopkeeper taking part would lose their merchandise and be fined. However, the U.S. citizen assisting in this smuggling of goods, to avoid duty, would have their car seized at the border and would possibly be arrested and charged with a crime.  Many, including me, chose not to take part in this smuggling. This was another one of my "rebellions". The shopkeepers made more sales as a result of avoiding duty but were told prayers in their shops were the reason for the good fortune, not the smuggling.

I arrived at the Casa Grande one weekday morning and was told, by my father, I was being made the new treasurer of the corporation.  About an hour after I arrived, everyone left to Mexico to visit the shopkeepers, and I remained behind. During my day at the Casa Grande I received a phone call from the Internal Revenue Service.  They had made me treasurer just that morning so I knew nothing about what was going on and could not answer any of their questions knowledgeably.  When everyone returned from Mexico that afternoon I inquired, as "the new treasurer", what was going on with the IRS. I wanted to know why they were investigating the church.  The only reply I got back was "maybe it's not a good idea to have you as the treasurer after all."  That was that. I was treasurer for just one day and never did discover what the IRS trouble was all about.  I do have my suspicions on this however. My father was of the impression a "minister" was exempt from paying FICA and Income taxes. This was not true and he obtained this information from questionable sources. As an "employee" of the church FICA taxes must be paid on both sides, 7.65% by the church, and 7.65% withheld from the paycheck of anyone paid by the church. Income taxes are due at the rate established by income level and returns must be filed. The church, as a non-profit, is exempt from income tax. I do not know the current status of this issue in the church but, based on one of my last conversations with Gilbert Larson on this subject, he also stated taxes were not due on his pay. They are due and should any be audited that have not paid tax there will also be substantial penalties and interest.  Give unto Caesar...

Anyone in the San Diego group who chose not to take part in these endeavors was soon listed as "rebellious". I was among those who chose not to take part. Many of the things happening seemed not right. I have mentioned only a very few things here to illustrate life in San Diego during the Mexican Ministry days. There were many many other incidents, some much worse. Things that should not be put into print.  The general theme was, if you did not do what you were told, you were  labeled "rebellious", would be humiliated, and eventually be put out.  There was a great absence of free will, a distinctive mark of a cult.

A group of three families were put out in one day at a  "body counsel" over these "rebellions".  All of us men who were put out were considered  "elders" at the time. One of these  families moved to Washington, another remained in San Diego for a short period then moved to Arizona. I stayed behind for about a year before  moving to the northwest again. One of these men eventually divorced, returned to the ABC, then remarried. I have heard the other couple returned recently as well. 

 

When I got away from the  hustle-bustle of the "Mexican Ministry", and the constant commands from my dad to "go do this" or "go do that", it was once again a time of peace.  This  would last for a number of years before I would, unfortunately, return to the ABC again myself. I was soon after acknowledged again as an "elder" but this time I was  to be "eternally judged" then ousted for all of eternity. This time however it was not for the sin of “rebellion” but was instead for "committing blasphemy".

I put this narrative forward as a "history" of the Assembly of the Body of Christ" but, in reality, it is a history taken from a mostly singular perspective...mine. I have relied some on letters, teachings and documents that show the rise of this church out of the "Latter Rain Revival" movement plus show how it progressed through various stages to get to where it is today. Much is based on my own observations, along with the accounts of others.  I have tried to avoid the "pointing of the finger" but undoubtedly failed some in that regard. I am perfectly willing to accept anytime I point  the finger I have three fingers pointing back at me.  Some of these issues still hold pent up emotion for me because I'm human. I lost a great deal in the final round of betrayals.  If someone were to write a history of my life, it would include a share of pitfalls, foibles, errors and things I would not be proud of.  We all make mistakes and I do not write this to place myself above any other, simply to expose the true history.

Most of my purpose in writing this narrative is to illustrate the path followed by the ABC to where it is today is not as has been portrayed to its members and followers. To be blunt, there have been a great many lies told to cover up the true path it followed, and still follows to this day. The truth is quite far from the map shown to newcomers. There are many falsehoods told to make the ABC look different from what it really is. Entering its doors is unwise.

While it is true my dad was not great at the family thing, I too failed in that regard.  I was much too hard on my kids as they grew up, did not give them the space they needed to grow, was overbearing and, as a result, am not as close to them as I would like.  I parented the best I could, given the information I had at hand, but that information was highly deficient and cruel. I had no good model to follow in my life and this, more than anything else, brings me the most pain. If one examines the outcome of the children of those in the ABC, there is a consistent pattern of kids rejecting the path their parents followed since it is full of abuses.

Some have expressed sympathy I have been through so many things.  I do not need sympathy because most, if not all of us, go through similar storms in our lives. The storms that passed through my life were just more visible than most because my father was a minor celebrity in his own right; having started this new denomination. He was respected for his position as the founder and leader of this new denomination, but that type of respect only leads to the formation of myths and utter falsehoods about his character. Even today, long after his death, his teachings are considered the "ordained" teachings of the ABC and anything outside of that is suspect. My father's teachings stemmed directly from the other men I have written about (Watt, Prince....) and they undoubtedly drew these from others they followed. And so it goes all the way  back through history. 

I have been mostly a willing, and ignorant, participant in my life. I made my own decisions based on the information I had at hand at the time. Many times that was the wrong decision. I think nearly every person looks back on their life and wishes they could go back and do it all over again, make the right decisions this time.  It is not possible so we are left to live the life we construct. I fear in my ramblings I may have written things that could be construed as bitterness towards my father. There was a day indeed I was bitter against him. I have, years ago, resolved that bitterness, but it has not ended the sadness I feel when I see our broken family.  I am, however, no longer angry with him.
 
I believe my dad meant well when he began the ABC, but he made the error of translating his abusive family practices into the building of an abusive, aberrant, denomination without finding repentance. This carryover into church doctrine caused many episodes of abandonment in the church over the years. My father abandoned his entire family, so it is to be expected the religious institution he started would also behave much the same.

This journey taken through this very abbreviated part of my history has brought me many difficulties emotionally. Like Solomon in Ecclesiastes, I too have thrown up my hands and stated it is all just vanity and not worth it. It has been a worthwhile journey to write this down. It has helped me understand where I sprang from. It has helped me burn a great deal of wood, hay and stubble in my thoughts in the process. I am a much better person for it. Like the parable of the good Samaritan I am much more tolerant and kind to persons I meet on the way who are much different than me. The Pharisaical ego I once had is mostly gone. The fires have burned large in my life and, when they died down, I had not much left to call my own but I, like Solomon,  reach the end of the matter.

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