LIFE?NEWS

REV. N. STANTON'S KINGDOM

THE TRUTH ABOUT BUGBROOKE'S COMMUNITIES

The Official Joining Process: A total cosmetic cover-up

Source : Distributed by The Prayerforce Fellowship 1985

Baptism (with the 'Right Hand of Fellowship' or the latter alone if the candidate has previously been 'validly' Baptised) is regarded as an irrevocable sacrament, a 'covenant' in which the candidate commits himself to the Fellowship FOR LIFE. THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THIS COVENANT IS FURTHER OUTLINED IN THE PLEDGE IN WHICH MEMBERS SWEAR THAT THEY WILL NOT LEAVE EVEN IF THE PERSON CLOSEST TO THEM DOES SO. For some this even includes the marriage partner. Members speak of being 'Baptised into the Community'.

CAUSE FOR ALARM IS THE FACT THAT THIS EXTENSIVE PLEDGE IS ATTESTED TO BY CANDIDATES WHO ARE AS YOUNG AS 16.

The official literature describes a process of novitiature through which is claims all candidates go before becoming Covenant Members. It states that having visited for several months the candidate will start living in the community for a probationary period of at least a year during which he can test his call. It even states that he is encouraged to seek legal advice. Only then does he move into Covenant Membership. Since this period (of probation) is started with Baptism and the pledge of attestation it is our assertion that this elaborate process has been documented as a cosmetic cover-up to allay public anxiety. The process is a total fabrication.

A confidential document given to Servant Group (out reach team) leaders, at the beginning of a recruitment drive in 1984 told elders to expect to being 200 people 'into covenant' during the year. In it Stanton said:

'When New Friends are saved, urge them on to Baptism in the Spirit … and Baptism in Water. They will then receive the Right Hand of Covenant and become Covenant Members. AIM FOR THIS TO BE COMPLETED WITHIN THREE MONTHS OF FIRST CONTACT WITH THEM.'

Converts are under pressure therefore to become 'Life' Covenant Members not after a minimum of 12 months but a maximum of 12 weeks.