Today’s episode exposes how some Pentecostal pastors spiritually abuse their members to garner unwavering attendance to the house of God. Their tools of control?: guilt, fear, and shame. Justin and Tiffany unpack the ways these tactics significantly diverge from the biblical model of pastoral leadership, which emphasizes love, care, and humility. Instead of fostering authentic faith, these coercive methods create a toxic environment where fear takes precedence over grace. Join in as the GE hosts challenge these harmful practices and shine a light on the freedom and compassion God calls His shepherds to extend to His people.

…not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock. -1 Peter 5:3 ESV

Last Week: 

Crushed by the Call: Pentecostalism’s Super Ministry Obsession - EP 73

Playlists:

Examining Pentecostalism

The Church Building

Holiness Standards

The “MOG” (Man of God)

All About The Money

⁠Abuse In The Pulpit⁠

Podcast Playlist⁠ - Youtube

Show Links:

Identifying Spiritual Abuse In Church - S01E23

Does the Bible Mandate Weekly Church Attendance? - S01E44

Inis Mae Short aka “Granny” - “He will spew you out of his mouth”

Raymond Woodward - “every time the doors are open”

Kevin Cox - “forsake not to assembly myself”

Dan MacLeod - “God help you, you need to be at church”

Tim Miller - “sorry online people, we love you”

Nathaniel Haney - “pastors from another planet”

Eli Lopez - “don’t give me your excuses”

Gentry Mangun - “sacred church doors”

Resources:
B.I.T.E. Model ⁠Website 

B.I.T.E. Model ⁠Free PDF
Book: Toxic Faith

Book: The Subtle Power of Spiritual Abuse

Books: Pagan Christianity? Exploring the Roots of Our Church Practices

Connect with us!

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DISCLAIMER :This podcast is for educational and commentary purposes only. The views expressed in this podcast are based on personal opinions, theological analysis, and publicly available information. Our intent is to critique doctrines, teachings, and practices within fundamentalist church systems from a biblical perspective. We do not make accusations of illegal activity, nor do we intend to defame any individual or organization. Viewers are encouraged to research and form their own conclusions.

Fair Use Notice: This video may contain copyrighted material used under the Fair Use Doctrine (17 U.S.C. § 107) for purposes such as criticism, commentary, education, and news reporting. All footage used falls within fair use guidelines and is presented with added context and analysis. If you are a rights holder and believe your material has been used unfairly, please contact us before taking any action.

Pentecostals are often riddled with anxiety about their callings. Primarily because callings require a lot of intense searching, begging God, and fear about losing them. This is what “pastors” of controlling churches will infer, at least. In this episode, Justin and Tiffany expose error propagated by the UPCI, and systems like it, that teaches its members to approach their calling with works, skepticism, and worry. All unbiblical. Believers’ callings are given by God, through grace, and are sustained by the Holy Spirit. Christians do not have to fret about how to get them, how to keep them, or if they will lose them. 

Who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began. - 2 Timothy 1:9 ESV

Last Week: 

Growing Up in Fear: How Legalistic Church Systems Harm Young People - EP72

Playlists:

Examining Pentecostalism

The Church Building

Holiness Standards

The “MOG” (Man of God)

Podcast Playlist⁠ - Youtube

Show Links:

Bitter or Better - S01E13

David K Bernard - “seek a calling”

Anthony Mangun - “there will be a definitive call”

Aaron Bounds - “I feel it in the HG”

Scott Sistrunk - “we need you!”

Nathaniel Haney - “you have to try different things”

Tyler Sullivan - “a pastor’s calling”

Jack Cunningham -“cause you to lose your calling” #1

Jack Cunningham -“cause you to lose your calling” #2

Resources:
B.I.T.E. Model ⁠Website 

B.I.T.E. Model ⁠Free PDF
Book: Toxic Faith

Book: The Subtle Power of Spiritual Abuse

Books: Pagan Christianity? Exploring the Roots of Our Church Practices

Connect with us!

⁠⁠⁠⁠http://graceescapepod.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Send us an email!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠X (Twitter)⁠⁠⁠⁠

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Children and teens raised in high-control, legalistic church systems often grow up weighed down by fear, shame, and impossible expectations. In this episode, Justin and Tiffany explore how these environments harm a child’s mental health, spiritual growth, and ability to understand God’s love. From anxiety and doubt, to a lifelong struggle with feeling “not enough” for God, the effects of legalism run deep. These church systems warp the gospel, replacing grace with performance-driven faith, and unfortunately the results are long-lasting.

But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea. -Matthew 18:6 ESV

Last Week: 

Empty Promises: Is Pentecostalism Authentic or Just Hype? EP71

Playlists:

Examining Pentecostalism

The Church Building

Holiness Standards

Podcast Playlist⁠ - Youtube

Show Links:

Do You Need “The Pastor” to Get to Heaven - EP67

Dread Over Hope: Using The End Times To Instill Fear - EP64

Sacred Sunday: Pt.1 - EP07

Sacred Sunday: Pt.2 - EP08

Scott Graham - “not my soul”

Cortt Chavis - “stay in the ship”

Tyler Sullivan - “if it wasn’t for the MOG”

Dustin Damesworth - “dig deep”

Luke St Clair - “we are not Catholics in camo”

Resources:

B.I.T.E. Model ⁠Website 

B.I.T.E. Model ⁠Free PDF
Book: Toxic Faith

Book: The Subtle Power of Spiritual Abuse

Books: Pagan Christianity? Exploring the Roots of Our Church Practices

Connect with us!

⁠⁠⁠⁠http://graceescapepod.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Send us an email!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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When Pentecostal churches and sermons look like one big promotional advertisement, how can believers trust they contain any true authenticity? Much less, a grounding based in Scripture. It’s simple, they can’t. This is why itching ears must turn into listening ears. Christian preaching should rely on the plain truth of God’s Word, not on manipulative tactics or HYPE to draw a crowd. This episode calls out the many ways in which charismatic churches are selling today’s believers a bill of goods, rather than offering the true simplicity of Scripture.

So that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. Ephesians 4:14 ESV

Last Week: 

Slavery of the Faithful: When Church Ministry Becomes A Task Master - EP70

Playlists:

Examining Pentecostalism

The Church Building

Holiness Standards

Podcast Playlist⁠ - Youtube

Show Links:

Grace Escape: Exposing The Ritualistic Worship Service - E45

Cody Marks - “2025 is going to be a year”

Nathan Holmes - “this is not hype”

Caleb Herring - “image of the infant”

Morgan Bustard - “shout and you’ll receive it”

David Puentes - “this isn’t a hype word”

Jonathan Sanders - “not out of hype”                                                                                                                                                                                     

Landon Gore - Hypnotic Hype Word Salad

Kent Clark - “Pentecostalism isn’t hype”

Connect with us!

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Why would you be involved in one church ministry, when you could be involved in THREE?! This is the echo chamber of many Pentecostal pastors, making a call to their congregants to serve in the kingdom of God. Except the service is to their modern church building and church services, rather than to the actual commission given to believers. Today’s episode is a reminder that a Christian’s service is unto the Lord, and it pushes the work of Christ, not the agenda of a pastor, a church, or a building.

For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. - Matthew 11:30 ESV

Last Week: 

The Untouchable Pastor Myth: A Breakdown of ’Touch Not Mine Anointed’ - EP69

Playlists:

Examining Pentecostalism

The Church Building

Holiness Standards

Podcast Playlist⁠ - Youtube

Show Links:

Cortt Chavis Teaser - “it’s cause you aren’t serving”

Mickey & Anthony Mangun (POA)  - “go sign up right now”

Nathaniel Haney - “put that middle camera on me”

Scott Sistrunk - “get married and get to work!”

Cortt Chavis - “get in a ministry, or 3”

Resources:
Book: Toxic Faith

Book: The Subtle Power of Spiritual Abuse

Connect with us!

⁠⁠⁠⁠http://graceescapepod.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Send us an email!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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In today’s episode, Justin and Tiffany address the false teaching of the “untouchable” pastor, based on the phrase, “touch not mine anointed” from 1 Chronicles 16:22. This scripture cannot be properly quoted to shield church leaders from examination or criticism. But church congregants are overtaken by this fear tactic, and unfortunately allow themselves to be silenced by men who only use this passage as a control mechanism. Anointing is distributed equally amongst all believers, Jesus being the ultimate anointed One. Listen in to gain a deeper understanding of ‘being anointed’ and how false teachers should be tested and exposed.

He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught,… - Titus 1:9 ESV

Last Week: 

Pastor Worship Exposed: Idols in the Pentecostal Pulpit - EP68

Playlists:

Examining Pentecostalism

The Church Building

Holiness Standards

Podcast Playlist⁠ - Youtube

Show Links:

Gentry Mangun - “don’t doubt God’s messenger”

Wesley Jackson - “you don’t get to put your opinion on it”

Lee Stoneking - “it’s too late”

Jenifer Williams - “grave soaking”

Vani Marshal - “prayer tunnel anointing”

Brian Kinsey - “Anointed Word Salad”

Jenifer Williams coaching “tongues” - Language or Babble? The Purpose of Tongues - E39

Connect with us!

⁠⁠⁠⁠http://graceescapepod.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Send us an email!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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High-control Pentecostal churches set men up on pedestals by default. These men are called pastors, and most of them prefer to be known as the mouthpiece of God to their followers. Sadly, some Christians lose their way, and begin to worship these men as their spiritual authority and coverings, entirely neglecting the only one who deserves all worship. And He has no rival. Today’s episode lays out some characteristics, causes, harmful impacts and ways to break free from this evolution called “pastor worship”.

And Jesus answered him, “It is written, “‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and him only shall you serve.’” - Luke 4:8 ESV

Last Week: 

Do You Need “The Pastor” to Get to Heaven - EP67

Playlists:

Examining Pentecostalism

The Church Building

Holiness Standards

Podcast Playlist⁠ - Youtube

Show Links:

Uncovering The Church Pyramid: Pastor and Congregants - Grace Escape E31

The “Pastor” vs. Biblical Authority  - Grace Escape E22

Richard Bishop - “because you serve your pastor”

Joel Holmes - “I love you, pastor”

Stephen Jones - “superstar all-star lineup” - “superstar all-star lineup”

Lion of Fire Raw - “the poor giving to the rich”

Cornelius Williams - “angel of the church”

Matthew Tuttle - “to be saved…”

Connect with us!

⁠⁠⁠⁠http://graceescapepod.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Send us an email!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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Have you heard?? Moses is alive and well, and has taken on the form of a modern Pentecostal pastor! And today’s episode is ALL about it. Except, once Justin and Tiffany look to Scripture, it becomes evident that Moses is not a type and shadow of the church CEO, but Moses is a prophetic figure that foreshadowed the coming of Jesus Christ. And what a beautiful revelation! In the meantime, what is to be done about these pastors who claim to be the mediator between God and man, and who are collecting a pretty big paycheck to perpetuate this falsity? Come along to hear a call for this “occupation” to be removed from the body of Christ.  

Shepherd the flock of God that is among you,…not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock. - 1 Peter 5:2-3

Last Week: 

The Hidden Prosperity Gospel in Pentecostalism - EP66

Playlists:

Examining Pentecostalism

The Church Building

Holiness Standards

Podcast Playlist⁠ - Youtube

Show Links:

The “Pastor” vs. Biblical Authority  - Grace Escape S01E22”

Wesley Jackson via IG - “Moses matters!”

Joel Holmes - “God still has a pastor”

Wesley Jackson - “get things right with the pastor”

Wesley Jackson - “Defining Moments”

Josh Herring - “you better have a Moses!”

Connect with us!

⁠⁠⁠⁠http://graceescapepod.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Send us an email!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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God’s big dump truck of blessings is parked, just waiting for believers to give. Give  their money, their time, their talents, etc.. Taken from a page right out of the Prosperity Gospel Handbook, this wild, and unbiblical formula has been adopted by charismatic Pentecostalism, though they would deny any association with it. The listener can decide for themselves after tuning in to this episode, in which, Justin and Tiffany shine a light on Scriptures such as ‘it is more blessed to give than to receive’. 

Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. - 2 Corinthians 9:7 ESV

Last Week: 

Shepherds or Bullies? Confronting Abuse In Pentecostal Leadership - EP65

Playlists:

Examining Pentecostalism

The Church Building

Holiness Standards

Podcast Playlist⁠ - Youtube

Show Links:

Gentry Mangun - “we don’t preach Prosperity Gospel”

Nathan Holmes - “I’m not preaching Prosperity Gospel”

Bethel Church - Offering Affirmations

Christian Life Center - Offering Affirmations

Eli Lopez - “we are going to test God”

Jack Cunningham - “we got their buildings”

Josh Herring - “Morgan’s Story of giving”

Nathan  Holmes - “opportunity to be blessed”

Taylor Fish - “you’ve gotta give everything”

Nathan Holmes - “you’ll get what you put in”

Josh Herring - “watch what God does”

Anthony Mangun - “God is breaking something loose”

Nathaniel Haney - “that ain’t sacrifice”

Myles Young - “giving under compulsion”

Jack Cunningham - “there’s no reason to tithe”

Connect with us!

⁠⁠⁠⁠http://graceescapepod.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Send us an email!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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No one likes a bully. Why? Because they are mean! And hurtful…and scary! So why in the world would the pastor of a Christian church act like a classic bully?! Aren’t pastors supposed to be shepherds? Furthermore, shouldn’t shepherds emulate the Good Shepherd? Many times, the character, speech, and treatment delivered across the church pulpit today is that of a tyrant rather than a humble servant. Today’s episode is a reminder that Jesus didn’t lead with a heavy hand. He exemplified love and a servant’s heart for His flock. 

I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. John 10:11 ESV

Last Week: 

Dread Over Hope: Using End Times Fear To Manipulate - EP64

Playlists:

Examining Pentecostalism

The Church Building

Holiness Standards

Podcast Playlist⁠ - Youtube

Show Links:

A Dangerous Place In Church - Ep12

Josh Herring - “notify your face”

Joel Holmes - “wake up precious saints”

Laird Sillimon - “shame on you”

Myles Young - “punch your neighbor”

Josh Herring - “this is good pastoring”

Josh Carson - “get outta your pew”

Connect with us!

⁠⁠⁠⁠http://graceescapepod.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Send us an email!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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