Xenos Christian Fellowship?

[Japher]

I have a friend who goes to Ohio State and has become involved with this group. They seem to be an evangelical organization, and while I too belong to an evangelical church am concerned over this organization. They have my friend thinking that in order to be loved by god that they most forfeit everything to the church. Sounds very cultish, IMO.

Pretty much, my friend is willing to change majors and chase after a life of poverity, menial jobs, and humbleness (read; humiliation) in order to do what this church is telling them.

I am hoping that what they are teaching my friend might be misinterpreting.

Anyone have any experience or idea who these ppl are?

[ZEE]

Re: Xenos Christian Fellowship?

.

[Japher]

uh, they're a religious entity... that goes w/o saying

[Provost Harrison]

[DinoDoc]

Re: Xenos Christian Fellowship?

Originally posted by Japher
and while I too belong to an evangelical church am concerned over this organization.

Have you asked your pastor?

[Japher]

No, I am going to come Sunday

[Nikolai]

Tell your friend he's loved by God, unconditionally. Whatever he do, he can't be loved less. Whatever he do, he can't be loved more. What these folks tell him, is not what the Bible say. There are numerous places in the Bible where we are told of God's love. Point him to for example Joh 3.16, Romans 5.8, Romans 8.35-39 and Ephesians 1.4-6.

[SlowwHand]

Your friend is falling into a scam.

[phoenixcager]

Actually, I've been looking at their website for a while and subscribe to one of their podcasts. I didn't see/hear anything in their teaching material that makes it look different from mainstream evangelical churches.

The thing obviously sets them apart is the absence of a central worship service. What they have instead is "central teaching" (Lecture and Q&A format). The "worship" time is left to the home church meetings.

The other thing is the heavy emphasis on theological literacy among regular members.

The site is at http://www.xenos.org/

EDIT: I forgot that they actually have a page called "strange things about Xenos"

[Japher]

Check out "Real Life", their college ministry. It seems that the kids are recruited to live in the 'ministry house' and share in communal chores. Somewhat of a support group, a la a fraternity/sorority, but the rules seem very very strict for a religious based support group. They frown upon and even kick people out for sins. IMO, that is not what a good church should do. They should forgive the sins and help them to change for the better, not remove them.

[Nikolai]

Absolutely! The church is made up of sinners, for sinners. If they can't accept that sin is a part of every human being's life, themselves included, they are on a dangerous path...

[Jon Miller]

that is in issue in my denomination also

church is for sinners... if you are perfect thne you don't need it

JM
(haven't heard of them)

[Japher]

They say this in the FAQ section, under where they explain how they are not a cult

Beware of spiritual environments emphasizing compliance with extra-biblical rules, or on managing behavior through self-effort versus the transforming power of God's grace through growing in knowledge, love and discernment.

The rest of the site seems to be a list of rules, that aren't from the bible. Also, why have a section telling everyone you are not a cult?

[phoenixcager]

What's your definition of "cult"?

[Japher]

A cult, IMO, is any institution that uses religious beliefs and social engineering to control individual members. In most cases this requires that individual to sever ties with people outside the organization as the leaders will deem those ppl "unworthy" or the relationship to not "be good" to the individual.