Hello and welcome to my web page. My name is James but in some places I am known as "preacher james". You can see my videos on youtube.com. I try to be a voice for those who are mistreated, discriminated against, and not given a fair chance in life. I apologize for not getting my web page updated more frequently. I have had some problems with my computer.
I am a seminarian studying at Phillips Theological School. I am a member of the United Church of Christ, specifically the Cathedral of Hope UCC in Oklahoma City. My ultimate goal is to return to the Army as a chaplain, but I am currently working at a hospital as a chaplain and I love it. As far as my beliefs I consider myself a liberal Christian. As of now I have 86 hours towards an 87 hour Masters of Divinity Degree and I will be graduating on May 14th.
By the way I am a former member of the International Churches of Christ. That's what this web page used to be about. I believe that I have found a more tolerant attitude at the United Church of Christ churches. I have found more love and acceptance with the UCC church than I have in traditional Christian churches and I would like to share that with you. I hope this helps you to grow as a person, and to question some of the traditions that we as a society hold to.
An update about Bianca "Nikki" Peet. Her high school, Flour Bluff ISD in Corpus Christi, TX, has decided reopen all student organizations. They have even changed their mind about allowing a Gay-Straight Alliance to meet at their school (Flour Bluff ISD - Corpus Christi, TX). I want to thank the high school for changing their mind. If you want to contact the high school yourself, the school has a web page - flourbluffschools.net
I took my phone number off of here because I would prefer to talk with people by e-mail. My new e-mail address is preacherjames34@gmail.com
SUPPORT GROUP
Support group for former members of cults, high-demand groups, or spiritually abusive groups. The support group provides a safe place to discuss personal experience as a former member, a nonjudgmental group of peers, and basic educational information about cultic groups. The group meets on the 4th Saturday of the month from 3-5 pm in Dallas, Texas. Call 214-607-1065 or e-mail at info@dallascult.com for more information.
I have videos on youtube.com. The channel is listed under preacherjames34. There isn't anything special about the number 34, except for the fact that I started making movies four years ago when I was 34 years old.
I have a new section dealing with political issues. I believe that liberals and conservatives can get along. The problem is that we have to be willing to give up the idea that "our group" is right. I love our country and I want to see things fixed, regardless of who gets the credit.
Cool web pages.
www.ucc.org - The United Church of Christ, where God is still speaking....
www.cohokc.org - The Cathedral of Hope UCC church in Oklahoma City
www.theequalitynetwork.org - The equality network in Oklahoma
www.faithinamerica.com - ending religious based bigotry in America.
www.ptstulsa.edu - Phillips Theological Seminary - PTS in Tulsa, OK
www.freedomtomarry.org - a web site devoted to marriage rights for all.
To read my part on Politics click hereI have a myspace page if you want to see pics of me. It's at www.myspace.com/jamespwhite.
As my web page changes and evolves I am trying to be more positive. At the same time as long as there are churches out there who insist that they have all of the answers and that their group is the only ones going to heaven I must speak up and say something.
How did I get the nickname "preacher James"?
The story behind the nickname "preacher James" is that when I was at Oklahoma State there was a guy named "preacher Bob" and he would tell sorority girls and cheerleaders that they were "whores", and that frat guys were "whoremongers". He believed that girls had to wear long dresses and have long hair. Bob also said that only the KJV version of the bible was real, and he had a whole list of other rules. He was very legalistic and extremely conservative. I had enough of his junk and I started to preach outside too. I never drew the crowds of hecklers. The people that would stay and listen were the ones who had real problems and they needed someone to talk. So that's how I started as a preacher. Eventually, the student newspaper "the Daily O'Collegian" asked me to write editorials for them as well. So it was during my time at Oklahoma St. that I earned the nickname "preacher James".
PUBLIC STAND ON INTERNATIONAL CHURCHES OF CHRIST AND INTERNATIONAL CHRISTIAN CHURCH
Here is my formal stand on the ICOC and the new ICC. I believe that the older group has made some changes that are good. I believe that both sides should stop fighting and apologize to one another for the things that have happened over the last few years.
I have updated this section based on what I have learned recently. I would encourage any ICOC leader who does not have theological training at a seminary to attend classes. I would also mention that advice should be advice, and not an order. The most effective leadership is by influence, not by controlling people. I see the ICOC as moving in the right direction. I consider them a conservative church, and not a cult.
I would like to believe what Kip has personally told me, but he has a history of heavy-handed leadership. I can also say that I have been contacted by a former member of this new group, the ICC, and I would encourage anyone in LA or anywhere that has an ICC church who is considering joining that church to ask Kip about what his intentions are. I would also encourage people to look up stuff online about it before joining.
I personally have communicated with Kip McKean online and he says that he wants to change, and I have to take him at his word. Ultimately, I believe that you should make an informed decision and look up stuff online. Remember of course, when people get hurt by someone their story is going to reflect that. That doesn't mean it's not true, it probably is, but in reality we should always be careful before joining any church.
For more information about the ICC go to my link to the REVEAL site. I have put links to their new organization (International Christian Church) at the bottom as well. You can go there and make up your own mind. I am not here to tell you how to think, I want you to think for yourself.
Also, there is a specific web page that talks about Kip McKean and his history with the ICOC and now the ICC. The web page is at www.kipmckean.com
In the bible section below I have a new part about slavery.
Bible criticism - things that are in the bible that you should read about
WEB SITES THAT I ENDORSE:
www.ucc.org - The United Church of Christ's main web page.
www.faithinamerica.com - ending religious bigotry in America.
www.sldn.org - Servicemembers Legal Defense Network - a source for information for soldiers who are gay.
MY TESTIMONY:
To read my testimony please click
here
If you want more info about abusive religious groups, I suggest you read "Combatting Cult Mind Control" by Steve Hassan, or "Cults in our Midst" by Margaret Singer. If you want to write me and ask questions, that isn't a problem either.
for information about cults and other abusive churches
www.exmormon.org - great testimonies from former mormons
Note: The ICOC is not the same thing as the ICC anymore.
www.portlandchurch.org - this is the home of the new organization - the International Christian Church. It was started by Kip McKean but he is now in LA. He is once again the "World Missions Evangelist", a title he held once when he led the ICOC.
www.cityofangelsicc.org - the new LA International Christian Church. This is the new church that Kip McKean is now leading.
Here is a picture of Thomas "Kip" McKean:
www.chicagoicc.org - the new Chicago International Christian Church.
www.eugenesaints.org - The Eugene International Christian Church.
www.kipmckean.com - This is a great page all about Kip McKean, the new World Missions Evangelist of the International Christian Church.
by the way did I mention that Kip McKean is the new World Missions Evangelist of the International Christian Church? I just wanted to see if you were paying attention.
www.disciplestoday - the International Church Of Christ page.I wanted to be fair and put the link to the ICOC page here. That way you can hear their side of it. The ICOC has made changes and they are trying to do what is right.
www.xjw.com - Jehovah's Witnesses
www.newcovpub.com They focus on the Moonies and the ICOC (the info about the ICOC is old, things are different now).
www.exscientologist.com - Scientology
Counter COG - Children of God group - started by Moses David Berg
There is a great book out called "Heaven's Harlot's" by Miriam Williams if you want to read more about the COG group. These women were actually having sex for money and then giving the money to Moses David Berg, all in the name of God. I applaud her efforts to get the story out about this group.
For information about cults in general, here are a few sites.
www.freedomofmind.orgThe freedom of mind one is Steve Hassan's site. He is an ex-moonie.
