Her Conclusion

This blog is for the silenced, the marginalized, and the victims of the many types of abuse that the leadership and members of Liberty Church in O'Fallon Missouri have inflicted on their members and any who opposed their love for control. These are the stories of the witnesses:

Her Conclusion

"Conclusion:

When I wrote my story, I wrote only a few of the memories left after 10 years of having left.  I barely scratched the surface of events that occurred during our ten year stay.

The question looming might be:  “Is David J. Vaughan a ‘Dangerous Cult Leader’?”  I am not in the position to claim fact to that accusation.  I am, however, experienced under his leadership to draw attention to the correlation of much of his behavior to the list provided by Joe Navarro, FBI Special Agent.  The excessive amount of similarities is worthy of assessment and concern.

The next question that might be asked, “Why did it take us ten years to leave?”  To me, this is the question of relevance, as it points to why there are still families, good families, at the church surrounding, enabling, and protecting DJV and his teachings.  I believe it is because they believe him and in him.  I also believe these families have a hole somewhere in their personal history.  A hole that DJV and his teachings fill.  A need for significance, a dark past that the church brought them through, a need for community and acceptance.  A vulnerability.  A shade short of healthy, emotional existence.  Furthermore, I believe we all bring emotional holes to the table to some degree.  I can only speak for myself, but I began to listen to my gut instincts, the red flags, after a few years at Liberty.  After time, the pile grew larger, and when we began to mention some of them to the leadership, the hammer came down.  Families were leaving by the droves, being characterized as the chaff being separated from the wheat.  That was when I knew it was time to leave.  My husband took a bit longer – until the subtle “you’re out” tactics hit home.

These dynamics can be happening around you, even to your good friends.  It is accepted because of the explanation provided; “they are in sin”, “she is non-submissive”, “they are not in the Word”, etc.  That’s why we stayed.  Because we believed in the tactics, until they were turned on us…. And suddenly, the light was turned on.

As an interesting note, I was only told a few days ago what was being said about our family when we left:

 ~My husband was in sin, and DJV had to be forceful with him, and my husband didn’t respond well, so he left. 

~Our marriage was a mess.  Our family was a mess.  I was unsubmissive, and that’s why our marriage was failing.

~It was a shame.  The Vaughans tried to help us, but we wouldn’t listen.

~We used them (the Vaughan family) for status.  

Another Liberty member was told that I was a strong personality and I controlled my husband.  (This was the epitome of ‘non-biblical’, according to DJV theology.  It was the worst sin by a woman.  Of course, this member was a woman.)

It’s very interesting to me that some of these same reasons mirror our reasons for leaving, and some of the points I believed about our friendship with the Vaughans. It is also important to note, that these explanations were fairly universal to every family who left, if you were brave enough or had enough status, to inquire.

The final question that might be asked could be, “Why did it take us ten years to talk about it?”  The answer to this points to the significance of surviving an experience such as this.  Yes, I said, “surviving”.   Brainwashing as a result of this type teaching, the inability to challenge and discuss issues and the strategy employed toward church members to obey and stay, deeply programs one’s mind.  Upon leaving, there is serious grieving for those left behind, relationships lost and extreme confusion on what is normal and what is wrong.  It takes time outside of the environment to fully understand that the concepts you were indoctrinated toward, are specific to the Church you came out of, not the Church as a whole.  That in fact, much of what you believed and practiced was twisted theology to fit the paradigm of the leader you followed, not Jesus.  It also takes time to heal, and to reprogram your thinking, regain your voice, and stand firm.  The unseen damage is very difficult to put into words.  To unravel that damage takes time."

Do you have a story to tell? Has Liberty Church hurt you? Email your story to petertkintz@gmail.com and I will have it posted!