In this article I will raise some serious questions about whether or not Mosaic , a church in Los Angeles, whose lead pastor is Erwin McManus, is a cult.

The reason that I am beginning to raise questions about Mosaic is because of the reoccurring themes of emotional and spiritual abuse that takes place at Mosaic.

Here are some characteristics that define abusive churches:

“...abusive churches...often use manipulation to gain complete submission from their members...denouncing other churches is common because they see themselves as superior to all other churches...these churches have a persecution complex and view themselves as being persecuted by the world, the media, and other Christian churches...abusive churches specifically target young adults between eighteen and twenty-five years of age. The...final mark of abusive churches is the great difficulty members have in getting out of or leaving these churches, a process often marked by social, psychological, or emotional pain.”

I have included here two blogs: "Broken Grace", and "A Truth Unveiled" that clearly demonstrate the type of tactics Mosaic uses.

In addition, just recently, a friend and her husband visited Mosaic. After their visit she shared with me that her and her husband felt like Mosaic was “cultish”. This was in response to my simple question, "What did you think?" Up to that point in the conversation, she knew nothing of my connection to Mosaic. Furthermore, I recently had a conversation with David Arcos, a Performing Arts Director at Mosaic. In our conversation, he demanded to know whose authority I was under. He did this in response to my current blog, "Discovering Truth", questioning the leadership practices of this church. When I told him, “God” he responded by saying, “’No, who is your authority?’ In which I replied, ‘God’. He then repeated the question several more times, and I responded the same way each time. He finally responded by asking me this question: ‘ Whose authority are you under, because you are no longer a pastor?’” Later that night I thought to myself: Huh? You mean that pastors are the only one’s that have direct access to God? Why was he so bothered by the fact that God was my authority and not a man? These are the things, in combination with the disturbing fact that Mosaic sent three of their paid staff people, unannounced, late at night to my house, and the very next night sent the police, because they wanted to shut down my son’s MySpace page (it has been updated). My post called "A Truth Unveiled" explains the events of that terrifying weekend. Because of all these things, I now feel compelled to ask the question…

As I have begun to do research about what characterizes a cult, I have discovered that there are essentially two types of cults. The two types of cults are: Theological cults, and Sociological cults. The first type of cult is a “Theological Cult”, and can be defined as:

“From the theological viewpoint, any group or religious system, whether it calls itself "Christian" or not, that offers other criteria as equal to or superior to the Bible, including but not limited to erroneous and/or exclusive interpretations of Scripture, should be considered a cult. From the theological position, then, a cult can be best defined as: A system of religious beliefs and rituals with a body of adherents deeply devoted to an extrabiblical person, idea, or thing; it cultivates worship in a religion that, with reference to its basis for man's salvation, is considered to be unorthodox, spurious, or false, thereby insulating its members against true salvation in Christ. And inasmuch as the central doctrine of Biblical Christianity is the sacrificial death of Christ for man's sin (Eph. 2:8,9), all cultic deviations tend to downplay the finished work of Christ and emphasize the importance of earning moral acceptance before God through one's own religious works.”

The focus of this blog, and the reason that I am raising the question, is because of Mosaic's leadership tactics. However, there are some who are beginning to raise the question as to the soundness of Erwin's emerging teachings: Ken Silva, Mike Corley, and Ruben Aguilar.

Therefore, this brings us to the second type of cult: “Sociological Cult”, and the reason for this blog. What characterizes this type of cult?

“Sometimes called "abusive churches" or even "Bible-based cults," they appear outwardly orthodox in their doctrinal beliefs. What distinguishes these groups or churches from genuine orthodox Christianity is their abusive, cultic-like methodology and philosophy of ministry.”

Here are some characteristics of a “Sociological cult” that I have adapted from several different sources which include: "Cult Characteristics", "Cults 101", "Common Characteristics Of Cults", and "Characteristics Of Cult Leaders"...

“1.The group displays excessively zealous and unquestioning commitment to its leader.
2. Rules of silence.
3. The group teaches or implies that its supposedly exalted ends justify whatever means it deems necessary.
4. Questioning, doubt, and dissent are discouraged or even punished.
5. Whenever the group/leader is criticized or questioned it is characterized as 'persecution'.
6. Anything the group/leader does can be justified no matter how harsh or harmful.
7. Former followers are at best considered negative or worse evil and under bad influences. They can not be trusted and personal contact is avoided.
8. The leader is not accountable to any authorities.
9. An "us against them" attitude and philosophy.
10.The leadership induces feelings of shame and/or guilt in order to influence and/or control members.
11.Uncharacteristically stilted and seemingly programmed conversation and mannerisms, cloning of the group/leader in personal behavior.
12.Dependency upon the group/leader for problem solving, solutions, and definitions without meaningful reflective thought. A seeming inability to think independently or analyze situations without group/leader involvement.
13.Hyperactivity centered on the group/leader agenda, which seems to supersede any personal goals or individual interests.
14.The group is preoccupied with making money.
15.They generate extreme wealth at expense of poorer followers.
16.Increasing isolation from family and old friends unless they demonstrate an interest in the group/leader.
17.The group is elitist, claiming a special, exalted status for itself, its leader(s) and members.
18.Pride of the group.
19.The group is preoccupied with bringing in new members.
20.Members are expected to devote inordinate amounts of time to the group and group-related activities.
21.The most loyal members feel there can be no life outside the context of the group.
22.Grandiose promises.
23.Motivational teaching.
24.Takes license with God's word.
25.Leaders have a prideful unteachable spirit.”

COMPARE THE ABOVE LIST WITH:
Characteristics of Mosaic

In, "The Cult Church", Marlene Jones-Skurtu states that, "What most people don't understand is that false prophets may have been true prophets, full-blown cults may have been cult churches, and cult churches may have been normal churches at one time."

In conclusion, as I have reflected on my journey with Mosaic I am left wondering, like Jan, the blog host of "Cult Awareness"…

“Have you ever bought an outfit that didn't fit properly because the sales person convinced you it looked nice? Ever have someone talk you into having another drink when you didn't want one? Ever run into a clever con artist who had a good line? Ever sign a contract you didn't really want to sign? Getting involved with a cultic group could be just that easy?”