http://www.earnestlycontend.com/1.html

In Christ, Christine

Dear Christine,

Thank you for your very detailed and accurate website on the errors that are mushrooming since the founders of Stonecroft have passed on.  I have a blog about my experience recently in attempting to become a guide and coordinator after a 20 year break.

http://www.mfairladyblogspot.com/2008/06/stonecroft-ministries-expose-by.html

Twenty years ago, I just did not know enough about the corrupt Bible versions nor the psychology (worldly) connection verses walking in the Spirit when it comes to controlling behavior and impulses.

Many appear to be offended when I attempt to share the facts.  I know its only human nature and is to be expected.  Thank you for helping to get the truth out.

In His Name,
Mary Fairchild

Is the lack of response admitting they have not read the information?  Only one readily admitted not reading the information, apologized and promised to read it.  This is an honest and humble woman!

If the others did not read the information, they missed the opportunity to judge accurately and clear up any assumptions or accusations they have. 

One day, believers will give an account to Almighty God on how they served according to God’s precious word.  Do you desire to know God’s word thoroughly and examine teachings in order to know and do His will… and not your own? 

In Christ, Christine

p.s.  It’s apparent the below writer did not read the information as she opened with “I am not sure what caused your particular problem with Stonecroft”. 

—————————- Original Message —————————-
Subject: You Are Seriously Mistaken
From:    “  “
Date:    Tue, June 10, 2008 9:40 pm
To:      christine@earnestlycontend.com
————————————————————————–

Christine,

I am not sure what caused your particular problem with Stonecroft
Ministries, but I am deeply disturbed that you are spreading
seriously erroneous information about them on your website.  I have been a
Christian since I was 10 years old and I have been attending Stonecroft
bible studies for the past 2 years.  My mother and sister-in-law have also
been involved with them for many years.  I have experienced nothing but love
and acceptance and a group of women who’s hearts are truly open to serving
the Lord through outreach and study of His word.  I have found them to be
some of the best bible studies I have ever had the pleasure to participate
in due to the fact that they follow the Bible explicitly, without all the
“psychology” or false teachings found in so many others I have seen.

That you have devoted such an extreme amount of  time and effort into
focusing directly on Stonecroft leads me to believe that somewhere, someone
did something that left you feeling bitter and vengeful.  Be careful not to
allow the Enemy to use you to spread dissention and confusion.  I am deeply
saddened and offended by your attack on this organization and me as well,
since I am a part of them, and hope that you will put as much effort into
spreading the message of Christ’s love and forgiveness rather than trying to
create ill-will against a group doing their best to share the love of Christ
with women who do not know him and guide them to further their knowledge of
Him through study of the Bible.  I do not begin to say that they are perfect
in every way, but what organization made up of people is? I will be in
prayer for you and hope that you will find the real “truth”, peace and
forgiveness to whomever you are so angry with at Stonecroft.

With Christ’s Love,
—

]]> http://earnestlycontend.wordpress.com/2007/12/29/womens-connection-tricky-club-name-downplays-christianity/feed/ 0 Stonecroft Ministries Examined Blog http://earnestlycontend.wordpress.com/2007/09/14/we-were-considered-trouble-makers/ http://earnestlycontend.wordpress.com/2007/09/14/we-were-considered-trouble-makers/#comments Fri, 14 Sep 2007 16:01:05 +0000 earnestlycontend http://earnestlycontend.wordpress.com/2007/09/14/we-were-considered-trouble-makers/ ]]>  —————————- Original Message ————————–
Subject: Stonecroft Ministries
From:   
Date:    Thu, September 6, 2007 8:20 pm
To:      christine@earnestlycontend.com
————————————————————————–
Dear Christine,

Oh my goodness.  I went on the internet to look up Stonecroft’s
telephone number (to ask once again to be taken off their mailing list),
but while perusing the different sights regarding Stonecroft, I came
across your article.  I was stunned to read the words that directly
reveal my own thoughts regarding this “ministry.”

Christine, I was on the board of the — —-, ————– Christian
Women’s Club for several years.  Approximately three years ago
several of us saw some big changes taking place within Stonecroft.
These changes made us feel uneasy, but we really couldn’t put our
fingers on what they were specifically.  The more we delved into
learning about the changes, the more uneasy we felt.

For example, one woman on the board of our club suggested that before
our monthly outreach luncheon we put favors at each place setting that
included a Bible verse.  We thought it was a nice idea for the guests to
take home a memento of their day of learning about Christ.

Our Chair at the time absolutely forbade us from doing so.  She didn’t
think it was “seeker friendly” enough and believed it would “turn off” a
lot of women.  Those of us who eventually dropped out of the club just
looked at each other in disbelief… and then a very heated discussion
ensued afterward.  That is just one example of the way our club was
trying to water down their approach to evangelizing.  Our resignations,
by the way, were well received by the Regional Rep, the Area Rep and the
Chair.  I guess we were considered the trouble-makers!

My heart is broken to see how Stonecroft has acquired the typical
seeker-friendly mindset…water down the Gospel of Jesus Christ; do not
offend any guest by using the name of Jesus Christ too often; don’t say
the word “sin” very often; etc. etc.  Someday these women will have to
account for their actions at the judgment throne of Christ.

Thank you, Christine, for putting down in words exactly the thoughts and
concerns I have for Stonecroft.  It took guts for you to write them and
loving point out their errors.  The Lord bless you for that.

Sincerely in Christ,
——— —-

Christine,

WOW! I was very intrigued by your article.  I have been a member of Stonecroft for only a couple years now.  I have had a very vague feeling of uncertainity and was not for sure why.

I love Christ and I want to shout his love and promises from the roof top, but I just couldn’t get myself excited for our Christan Women’s Club that was sponsored by Stonecroft.  They even nominated me as the Chair position and I have been avoiding making a definite decision for some time now.  I just knew something was making me uncomfortable.  I knew that I was uncomfortable with some of the beliefs of the club and… had brought that up to various members of our counsel but got no positive response or assurance.  I mainly would hit brick walls and never walked away feeling assured.  I know why now.   You have shown me that God was working within my heart and that is why I haven’t felt that this group was for me.

I had questioned our other leaders when they reported that a certain lady had made a decision that had also made a decision the month before.  They informed me that she made a decision every time.  That didn’t seem right to me.  I felt that if that is what she was doing that someone needed to speak with her about finding TRUE salvation.  I was informed that we aren’t aloud to speak on such a controversial subject. We, as Stonecroft representatives, weren’t aloud to go there basically.

This bugged me because I take the acceptance of Christ and his salvation VERY seriously and I feel that it takes some thought process and confirmation of understanding before one can make such a decision.

I am feeling so much better just know that I am not alone or just being over zealous of where I let my beliefs stand.  Thank you so much for your article.

Thank you,
——– ———–

Today I also came across Stonecroft’s Christian Management Association which further confirms my suspicions that they have, indeed, taken a different route.  This, along with your courageous website has now armed me with what was lacking in my accumulated perceptions of Stonecroft and where they are going.  Thank you for your concern and warnings Christine.  I know, as you do, that we have to contend earnestly for the faith and it is absolutely horrifying the various deviations which so many professed christian organizations are taking these days.  If anything it shows us the return of our beloved Saviour Jesus Christ is near and the full Gospel (including the wrath to come), should be preached/shared with those whom the Lord brings into our lives, whilst there is time.

Thank you for my being able to write to you and share what has been on my heart for so long.  It has been a burden which I have been continually giving to the Lord, and how gracious He is, that at the right time He brings revelation, understanding and confirmation when we truly seek to do His will.  I have clarity of vision now and can make a decision based upon confirmed facts rather than worrying I would be going against the Lord’s will for my life.  My desire is for a walk of humble obedience before the King of kings and Lord of lords. My husband has seen my struggles due to lack of support and  wants me to give up the ministry which further confirms my course of action.

Thank you in advance for reading this.  I pray the Lord’s richest blessings on you and trust that all you put your hand to, will be for His glory and honour alone.

Your sister-in-the-Lord Jesus Christ,
———————

I thank you for your website; I thought I was the only one who thought
there was something wrong with the presentation of the Gospel and
methodology of Stonecroft Ministries.

I was Prayer Advisor, Chairman, Area Rep, FBC leader, and FBC coordinator
for a new club in ————.  Toward the end of my time with this club,
I began to feel very uncomfortable with the presentation of the Gospel and
the methodology of follow-up.

Like you, I didn’t see much commitment on the part of those who made
decisions.  I was glad when we left the area because it gave me a graceful
way out, and there are no clubs near where I am now living.  These
misgivings began about 1995.

There was also a problem with getting new people involved with positions
on the executive committee; it began to seem that we just passed the jobs
around with no newcomers taking positions.  One of the things that made it
hard to get new people was the unwritten law that we had to have a lot of
different denominations on the committee.  Many of these denominations
were not evangelistic and had little interest in individual salvation.

I went to the Speakers’ Training and was appalled with the canned approach
that the speakers had to use.  I never could have been a speaker because I
have never had to memorize a speech in all my years of public speaking.  I
guess the thing that really began to get to me was the control that
Stonecroft exercised over all aspects of the program and the choice of
committee members.

Thank you for your website.  I will visit it often to see any new additions.

——– ————–

“Never doubt in the darkness what God told you in the light.”

____________________________________________________________

Note:  I asked this gal for permission to post her e-mail.  Here was her response.  Christine

____________________________________________________________ 

You certainly have my permission to print my email with the deletions (of name and location).  I have bookmarked your site and will check back frequently.  After I emailed you yesterday, it was as though a weight had been lifted from my shoulders.

Thank you again for your website and your insight.

In Him,

————-
Never doubt in the darkness what God told you in the light.

Christine,
  
  I just happened to come across your website. Praise the Lord!
  
  I served 15 years with Stonecroft Ministries (Friendship Bible Studies & Christian Woman’s Club). Within those years I resigned twice because of conflict with my convictions and the Leadership of the organization.
  
  You have expressed well the problem. I dearly loved the Bible Studies with new Christians and training leaders to guide studies. Due to my husbands job we have moved many times across America and back. This ministry always helped to give me good friends as well as find new churches.
  
  I thank God for your boldness to write your letter to Stonecroft. I, too wrote letters (before Joyce Courtney) and received much the same response or none. I do not feel it is the same organization I was introduced to, 25 years ago.
  
  I too, pray for all those involved, in leadership, Headquarters and around the world to come to a full knowledge of the counsel of God’s Word that salvation is by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone.
  
  We perceive a cultural counterfeit, a “designer” deity instead of the true Holy God who made us in His image and so we miss God altogether. It is a “distorted view of a god made in our image” (Steve Lawson).
  
  God is holy, awesome, sovereign and righteous. I am humbled and in worshipful submission to His majesty and glory.
  
  Shalom,
   
  _______________