Open reproof & rebuke

Open reproof and rebuke. Members are subjected to private and public disparagement, reproof, and rebuke by leadership for what they deem to be insubordination and/or disobedience to their counsel, teaching, instruction, or desires.

Klaus Pesch and his family have turned public humiliation into an art form and with it formed the cornerstone of their control of their followers. There is no limit to how far they will spread their scope of criticism and it can be inflicted at any time, whether that is in a Sunday meeting, someone’s birthday party or whilst working.

They will use every opportunity to bring anyone down who even seems to be opposing their point of view on scripture, business or the ways of life, and then they will use the opportunity as a segway into a diatribe of personal testimony (most of which was over 10 years old) which highlights how wonderful they were and how much God had blessed them. Every time, on and on and on ad nausea, yet most of the time it just does'nt ring true with the way that they are treating everyone.

There is no room for errors; no one can make the slightest mistake for fear of being used as an example to the rest of the fellowship. If one of the men makes a mistake in a ‘Team’ activity or in their personal life it is certain that it will be spread all round the other men in the fellowship within a day or two via the Pesch family. They are ruthless in their assessment and impose the most ridiculously high standards of conduct, all in the name of pushing for a closer walk with the Lord in his perfect will for their lives. There is truly no mercy in perfectionism!

Klaus Pesch and his family are responsible for more damage to the fellowship than anyone or anything and are centrally responsible for nearly all the frustration, anguish, and lack of self confidence, insecurity, disappointment and ineffectiveness in the fellowship.

You can’t put too finer point on it, this is probably the most powerfully destructive tool that the enemy can use against a believer - the constant and open criticism from someone that the believer thinks has authority over them in the body of Christ, someone they are looking towards for spiritual guidance.

Open disapproval. Members are subjected to disapprobation, disapproval, shunning, and rejection by leadership and/or the collective group-society for some aspect of conduct they deem improper or unacceptable.

If open reproof and rebuke is the right hand of abusive leadership, then the left hand is open disapproval, and when used together a leader can effectively strangle his weakened victim with the help of the rest of the fellowship.

Rejection by the leadership is part of everyday life in ‘The Team’. Members of the Pesch family very often play the ‘Favourites’ game where group members are subjected to violent swings from ‘in favour’ (showered with approval and bought into the confidence of the family) to the other end of the scale, ‘out of favour’ (publicly shunned with open disapproval). Very often it is impossible to understand what had caused the sudden fall from grace, and this can be terribly painful for people to handle in a group which is essentially small and does not benefit from the stability of a wider circle of friends. What is really nasty is when other people who have been out in the wilderness for a while seize the opportunity to fill a vacuum and group members end up with people competing for favour.

Often group members will find themselves competing for attention, and if they are faithful and loyal often find themselves being dragged into orbit around Pesch family members by their immense gravitational pull, only to be thrown out again by who knows what or even the fact that one of their own family members had supposedly made a mistake somewhere. This unpredictable and savage cycle of events places a great deal of stress on group members as they struggle to maintain their walk in favour.

This technique is commonly employed and encouraged within families to reprove and guide wayward members, even between adult brothers and sister of separate families.

Apotheosis of the leadership

Apotheosis (improper exaltation) of the leadership. Leaders are ascribed God-like homage and sovereignty, not only over the operations of the church or ministry organization, but also over the personal lives and private affairs of their followers. They relegate to themselves "absolute authority" by which they require explicit and complete submission to themselves and their down-line of leadership appointees.

Klaus Pesch has never been ordained as a minister by any organisation, has never trained in bible school and has never held a position in a church, yet he demands and expects complete and unquestioning obedience in all matters spiritual from his followers, and his experience in life and interpretation of scripture is considered incontrovertible. He is a self made, self proclaimed prophet of supposed international standing yet lacks recognition of any kind from any credible organization.

He and his wife (now deceased) as fourth generation Christians claimed an accumulated blessing unmatched by anyone around them with a lineage of kingdom believing ancestors which provides them with a deeper and more profound understanding of the true kingdom of God. They claim that God had blessed them with the true ‘Kingdom Gospel’ and more keys to an understanding of the ‘Mystery of God’ than anyone else. They believe many people have ‘parts’ of the mystery but only they have the most. It is a gospel that the church (Babylon as the Pesch family believe and teach) could never understand or put into practice.

Klaus Pesch claims he is the spiritual ‘King’ of Australia and that his sons are princes. He openly teaches that his mission in life is to raise up the ‘Sons of God’ to inhabit the secret places of the kingdom here on earth, ready to save the church in the times of tribulation as she (the church) flees into the wilderness with the wings of an eagle (Rev11). He and his wife claimed to be heads of the ‘father houses’ and expected everyone to treat them as spiritual ‘Mum & Dad’.

Their children (fifth generation) are supposedly natural successors to their inheritance, born leaders with a similarly unmatched ability to sense the spirit of God (in reality nothing could be further from the truth), and because their youngest son was born after they had achieved literal entry into the kingdom of God here on earth, he was born as a ‘Son of God’ and therefore did not need to work his way closer to God in a 'Sonship' training similar to Daniel in the old testament. Their superior spirituality gives them the right (which they enforce) to dictate and ‘Guide’ (read: interfere with) the decision making process of every family under their covering.

The Pesch family act as the ‘second witness’ to all major and many minor decisions in every family associated with their so called ministry, and this includes: If and when to have children, if and when to buy property, houses etc, all matters relating to employment (self employment only), what schools to send their children to, matters of personal banking, If and when to visit relatives or friends outside of the fellowship, if and when to visit another church, all matters relating to travel anywhere. (Group members are rarely physically stopped from visiting another church but are regularly spiritually and emotionally blackmailed into keeping away from them).

Matters relating to the personal lives of all families within the ‘Team’ are subjected to a high degree of open debate that the Pesch family will indirectly influence the course of, nearly all the decisions that families within the 'Team' make are subject to interference including; diet, styles of clothing and decoration of their homes (photos of parents and relatives are discouraged), preferences in entertainment such as music and TV and political preference for those registered (voting absolutely banned for Pesch family members). This is done to preserve both the holiness of the families concerned and thus the overall holiness and spiritual integrity of the group. All in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and for the benefit and growth of his kingdom here on earth. When decisions are made without the consent of Pesch family members, the disobedience is turned into public humiliation and open rebuke and in some cases shunning by the rest of the group.

The natural (read: preferred and enforced) order of things is that ‘Team’ members are there to serve Klaus Pesch and his family, supporting their ministry and sacrificing their own lives (and finances) to make sure that the Pesch family can live the faith lifestyle that would keep them in the perfect will of God for their lives; and as the Pesch’s children mature in their ministry, group members would in turn serve and support them, and again as their children grew, the children of group members would serve them in their ministry.

The two remaining sons of Klaus Pesch suffer from gross delusions of spiritual superiority as a result of their abusive upbringing; they are incapable of living a normal life without enforcing the same rules and regulations as their parents and they are raising their children to believe that they are similarly blessed and destined for greatness with unparalleled blessings from God as part of a spiritual royal family.

The theologian Richard Hooker - the father of Anglicanism - had something to say about abusive leadership: "They saw that to live by one man's will became the cause of all men's misery."

(Ecclesiastical Polity (bk. I, ch. X, 5) Mr Hooker lived from 1553 - 1600 ... and advocated a combination of reason, scripture and tradition (sometimes called the three-legged stool!) as the basis of his community's spiritual life.
For Hooker if a person took upon himself to be "lord or judge over another" without the consent of those whom he was trying to govern then this amounted to "mere tyranny".

A pity we don't have more Richard Hookers today to denounce the tyrannical rule of narcissistic megalomaniacs masquerading as missionaries & ministers in the way that the Pesch family does today.

See: The Myth of Spiritual Covering by Steven Lambert ThD http://www.slm.org/trtdigst/articles/covering.html

Definition of a cult

The teachings of Klaus Pesch and his family are ‘hyper-authoritarian' in nature and their practical application in the lives of ‘Team’ members has created a cult, which in many ways resembles a sea urchin, very easy to get sucked into but when you want to get out there are rows of sharp spikes which stop you from escaping.

Many people brandish the word ‘cult’ with little thought for its true meaning, it has been applied to many and varied cases and there is a degree of confusion about its meaning, It is important to examine the consensus among theologians, thinkers and victims alike.

There are literally dozens of reasonable definitions of the word ‘Cult’ on a multitude of websites, the following definitions perfectly describe the fruits of the Pesch family’s teachings and encapsulate the culture prevalent within ‘The Team’

• Sociological definitions of the term 'cult' ...

...include consideration of such factors as authoritarian leadership patterns, loyalty and commitment mechanisms, lifestyle characteristics, [and] conformity patterns (including the use of various sanctions in connection with those members who deviate).

Source: Ronald Enroth, "What Is a Cult?" in A Guide to Cults and New Religions, e.d. Ronald Enroth (Downers Grove, Ill,: InterVarsity 1983), p14

• Theological definitions of the term 'cult' make note of the reasons why a particular group's beliefs and/or practices are considered unorthodox - that is, in conflict with the body of essential teachings of the movement the group compares itself to.

Professor Alan Gomes points out that

The word cult has an established history of usage, long before the secular media or social sciences got hold of it.

Note that historically cult has been a religious term, not a sociological or psychological one.

The term cult suggests an absolute standard of evaluation, which sociology - by its nature - can not provide. It is therefore well suited to describe theological heterodoxy, which is determined by an absolute, objective and unchanging standard.

Source: Alan Gomes, Unmasking The Cults (Zondervan, 1995)

Christian apologist Robert Bowman defines a cult theologically as

A religious group originating as a heretical sect and maintaining fervent commitment to heresy. Adj.: "cultic" (may be used with reference to tendencies as well as full cult status).

Source: Robert Bowman, A Biblical Guide To Orthodoxy And Heresy.

That definition is not limited to Christian groups. Other religions also deal with such movements. For example, Alan Gomes notes that

Cults of Islam include the Sufis and the Nation of Islam. While these groups claim to be Muslim, they deviate fundamentally from the teaching of Islam, from which they are derived.

Source: Alan Gomes, Unmasking The Cults (Zondervan, 1995). Quoted here.

By way of an example, here is a look at a theological definition of a cult of Christianity:

A cult of Christianity is a group of people, which claiming to be Christian, embraces a particular doctrine system taught by an individual leader, group of leaders, or organization, which (system) denies (either explicitly or implicitly) one or more of the central doctrines of the Christian Faith as taught in the sixty-six books of the Bible.

Source: Alan Gomes, Unmasking The Cults (Zondervan, 1995). Quoted in this extended look at the theological definition as seen from a mainstream Christian point of view.

http://www.cultfaq.org/cultfaq-perspectives.html

A cult of Christianity is a group of people, which claiming to be Christian, embraces a particular doctrinal system taught by an individual leader, group of leaders, or organization, which (system) denies (either explicitly or implicitly) one or more of the central doctrines of the Christian faith as taught in the sixty-six books of the Bible.

http://www.apologeticsindex.org/c09a01.html

Often in our minds we think of a cult as a group that worships Satan, sacrifices animals, and takes part in evil, bizarre, and pagan rituals. In reality, though, most cults appear much more innocent. The specific Christian definition of a cult is a religious group that denies one or more of the fundamentals of Biblical truth. Or, in more simple terms, a cult is a group that teaches something that will cause a person to not be saved if they believe it. In distinction from a religion, a cult is a group that claims to be Christian, yet denies an essential truth of Biblical Christianity.

http://www.gotquestions.org/cult-definition.html

In our modern world of the new millennium, the word "cult" has become largely overused and is now a catch-all for any group, religion or lifestyle which someone doesn't understand, or with which they happen to disagree. This is a dangerous trend, as many of the organizations labeled a cult by dissidents are truly legitimate groups. Once the taint of the term "cult" is applied to a particular group, it is often difficult to change that image to the public.

To avoid careless labeling which could be harmful to a group and its adherents, it is important to know just exactly what a cult is, and how it is defined. A cult, by modern standards, is any group that incorporates mind control to deceive, influence and govern its followers. Although most people think of cults as being religious, they can also be found in political, athletic, philosophical, racial or psychotherapeutic arenas.

The mind control, or brainwashing, exerted by cults often take the form of at least several of the following elements:

A totalitarian control over the lifestyle and time of its members - Many cults tend to dictate exactly what its followers should read, eat, how and with whom they should spend their time, and even what they should do in off hours. This totalitarian control is necessary for the leaders to indoctrinate the followers in everything they do, and is also an attempt to separate them from anything not associated with the cult. This is why cults often live together in groups.

A charismatic, self-appointed leader with complete authority - Cult members are taught not to question the teachings, practices, or ideas of the leader. Many cult leaders truly are charismatic people, and are able to influence people to believe them. It is common that a cult member is not told everything up front when joining the group, but that they are taught increasingly controlling ideas and teachings as they go. In the case of some of the more well-publicized cults that have come and gone, it is also common that the leader's ideas and demands evolve over time, becoming increasingly controlling and restrictive. One very clear identifying element dealing with the leader of a cult is that the leader will always focus the attention and veneration of the members upon himself or herself. At the heart of a cult usually lies a very self-centered and self-seeking person.

A focus on withholding truth from non-members - Many cults teach their followers to be completely open and truthful within the group, while at the same time they are encouraged to be secretive and evasive when questioned by people outside of the group. This is another form of mind control-instilling guilt in the members if they hold anything back within the group. The members are taught that outsiders wouldn't understand or that they would only make fun of the ideas and practices and requirements for living within the group. Only specially-commissioned members are appointed to recruit members from outside. New members are usually encouraged to keep silent or even lie, especially to their families and close friends.

The three elements listed above are very successful ways to create a group mentality, an us-against-them way of looking at things. This is essential for any cult that wants to keep its members. The more afraid of the outside world the members become, the more strongly and faithfully they will keep within the safe fold of the cult.

http://www.essortment.com/whatisdefiniti_rjli.htm

Every cult can be defined as a group having all of the following 5 characteristics:

• It uses psychological coercion to recruit, indoctrinate and retain its members

• It forms an elitist totalitarian society

• Its founder leader is self-appointed, dogmatic, messianic, not accountable and has charisma

• It believes 'the end justifies the means' in order to solicit funds

• recruit people

• Its wealth does not benefit its members or society

http://www.xenu.net/cic/definit.html

Introduction to 'The Team'

'The Team' is more than a church that has picked up a single strand of misguided theology; this is a group that has gone very wrong and developed a complete control system based on the deluded interpretation and manipulation of the scriptures into a corrupt and spiritually abusive escatology. The group has gradually and irreversibly evolved into a cult from which it is extremely difficult to leave without significant personal trauma and financial loss.

Klaus Pesch is a self appointed and self proclaiming prophet as was his wife Christel Pesch until she passed away in early 2006.

For over 40 years they promoted themselves as messengers of the 'Gospel of the Kingdom' as distinct from the 'Gospel of Salvation'. Openly preaching that they were opposed to organized and corporate Christianity which they referred to as Babylon.

They claimed to have a unique 'end time' message, heralding the establishment of the physical kingdom of God here on earth in preparation for the time of tribulation. Their sole mission was to awaken the true Sons of God and shepherd the true church of Jesus Christ into the holy places of God, which they did by secretly infiltrating established churches and stealing away select members of the congregation under the guise of 'calling' them into the Kingdom.

Klaus & Christel Pesch were never ordained by a church or denomination, they had never attended a bible school, they had never completed any form of formally recognized training in biblical principles, pastoral care, counselling, financial management or business management.

Klaus & Christel Pesch never held a formal position in any church or Christian organization, on the contrary they have been asked to leave many churches in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and Australia because of the inflammatory and abusive nature of their teachings and conduct.

Leading his followers alone since the death of his wife, Klaus Pesch continues to employ a combination of deceptive end time teaching and hyper-authoritarian rule to deceive many people into parting with their money and investing it into the kingdom of God under his contol and inevitably into property owned by the Pesch family.

In this way Klaus Pesch and his sons have amassed massive personal wealth spread across three continents.

The Team operates in various forms in Australia, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, South America, UK and the Isle of Man and despite believing that they are unique in their calling to the Kingdom with a divine mission led by the spirit of God, they are no different from many many abherent groups who believe they have a secret gospel and that they are the only true believers who have kept themselves from the corruption of mainstream Christianity.

Through the pursuit of their mission to raise up the Sons of God the Pesch family have separated many young adults away from their families by implanting spiritual difference and intolerance.

The Pesch family have fractured and divided nearly every family that has ever worked with them. Dozens of families have been separated, often with multiple splits between brothers and sisters, parents and children within the same family. They have influenced a string of divorces both within 'the team' and without and have been the root cause of untold mental and spiritual trauma leaving an extraordinary trail of wreckage in their wake.

Anyone coming into contact with the Pesch family, their teachings or 'The Team' should exercise extreme caution. No matter how they present themselves as a group, they are not what they claim to be.

The polished and charismatic veneer hides an undercurrent of deception, fraud and emotional exploitation built on a foundation of flawed theology.