| Longview Baptist Temple |
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Longview Baptist Temple, often abbreviated LBT, is a controversial , a four-year unaccredited Christian college. In January of 1998, the church began a publication called "The Baptist Magazine" which is printed bi-monthly and sent to subscribers throughout the United States. Ministries In addition to English and Spanish services, as well as the Texas Baptist College, the church has a ministry for deaf members. Jail and nursing home ministries, as well as a ministry for the "educably slow" has also been added. LBT claims to have "America’s largest Thursday night church-wide soul winning and follow-up program" [http://www.texasbaptistcollege.org/images/tbc_catalog.pdf . In 2005, the church volunteered its school buses to Chicagos BusBank to help with the transportation of New Orleans residents during Hurricane Katrina [http://express-press-release.com/17/BusBank%92s%20Innovation%20&%20Clear%20Thinking%20Pays%20Off%20For%20Evacuees.php . The church heads a ministry sending agency, Independent Baptist World Missions (IBWM). The agency sports a current roster of six families directly affiliated with LBT and at least 52 other families, individuals, and institutions monetarily supported. LBT also hosts a food pantry with support to and from the East Texas Food Bank [http://www.easttexasfoodbank.org/agencies.html]. Notable Leadership On March 01 2004 , it was reported that former principal of Texas Baptist College and LBT schools, Russell Thomas Hirner was arrested on 16 charges including aggrivated sexual assault of various children under his care {Link without Title} . Pastors of the church had previously publicly denounced and condemned other denominations, such as the Roman Catholic Church, for producing leadership accused of the same crimes. In addition, current leadership has been accused of withholding information pertaining to the case. Other notable members of LBT include Dr. Kent Hovind , the world famous Creationist known as "Dr. Dino" He is currently serving ten years in prison for 58 tax offenses, obstructing federal agents and related charges [http://www.bop.gov/iloc2/InmateFinderServlet?Transaction=NameSearch&needingMoreList=false&LastName=Hovind&Middle=&FirstName=Kent&Race=U&Sex=U&Age=&x=19&y=12 . Criticisms Longview Baptist Temple has been highly criticized over the years by non-members and ex-members of the church, and has been accused of being a cult or "abusive church" based on various definitions Some accusations include that of seemingly absolute control over the congregation by the leadership, in addition to a projection of 'infallibility' in regards to the senior staff and members already in good standing. It appears that this is, in fact, taught by the pastors and leadership [http://lbtministries.com/Doctrinal_Statement/Doctrinal_Statement.htm . The church has been accused, among other things, of locking the main doors to prevent members from leaving during services, taking children back to the church to be baptised without parental consent and using various shock tactics. For example, brandishing a firearm on one occasion to flush out "communists" [http://holycall.com/jspurgeon/tales/TFTT3.HTM#top]. Arguably, LBT's most vocal critic has been former member and Texas Baptist College graduate James Spurgeon , author of ''Texas Baptist Crucible: Tales from the Temple'', a book detailing various 'run ins' with members and leadership in the school and church. Since the publishing of his book, other members and ex-members have stepped forward and affirmed many of his claims {Link without Title} , making them difficult to ignore. See Also Dr. Kent Hovind Megachurch Texas Baptist College Independent Fundamental Baptist External Links Longview Baptist Temple Homepage |
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