There are such places as a Christian "Cult." Not a cult in the manner of doctrine only, but cultic in the manipulation and spiritual abuse of the various members of the congregation.

The reason we find more of this type of cultic abuse in charismatic congregations is because most of the leaders of these congregations are self-ruling

Have you ever heard of a church were the  "Pastor could not be removed by anyone for any reason."  The Pastor was "pastor" for life, regardless of his moral life,  doctrinal teachings, or abuse of the congregation.  If people did not like what he taught or how he ran the church they were "free" to go elsewhere.

Many Word of Faith leaders are taught that God gives them the vision what to do.  And usually the main task of the people is to carry out that vision.   In other words, the people in the Church are sometimes thought of as pawns used to serve a greater purpose, usually the vision of that leader.

For example,  consider a church  leader who told others that if anyone hears something different from him in the church, they are wrong."   How about If 100 people who might of never met each other have the same problem with that particular leader, church etc.  The pastor might say that they all are wrong or all involved in some kind of sin.

When you combine the fact that almost all charismatic congregations are independent with the belief that the pastor is the one to whom God reveals His will for the congregation.  Then you have a situation that is ripe for abuse.

Add to this the lack of Scriptural education on the part of the leaders (and members) you have a very unstable mixture.

Sometimes people are afraid to leave a church out of fear or a combination of things.  They feel they will be left out.  They are sometimes told that they would loose their spiritual blessings.  This fear sometimes keep people in a cultic church for several more months until they finally escape.  Usually more hurt than if they would have left months before.

This is a cultic attitude, it is spiritual abuse, and unfortunate that it is rampant in this section of the Body of Christ.

The group is focused on a living leader to whom members seem to display excessive devoted, unquestioning commitment.

The group is preoccupied with bringing in new members.

The group is preoccupied with making money.

Those that question, doubt, etc. are discouraged or even punished.

Mind-numbing techniques (such as meditation, chanting, speaking in tongues, work routines) are used to curb doubts about the group and its leader(s).

The leadership dictates sometimes in great detail how members should think, act, and feel (for example: members must get permission from leaders to date, change jobs, get married; leaders may prescribe what types of clothes to wear, where to live, how to discipline children, and so forth).

The group is elitist, claiming a special, exalted status for itself, its leader(s), and members (for example: the leader is considered the Messiah, Overseer,  or an avatar; the group and/or the leader claims to have a special mission to save humanity).

The group's leader is not accountable to any authorities or anyone else in the church.  He might choose Elders, or deacons who will be completely devoted to him, his ways etc.

The leadership induces guilt feelings in members in order to control them.

Members' devotion to the group causes them to cut ties with family and friends, and to give up personal goals and activities that were of interest before joining the group.

Members are expected to devote excessive amounts of time to the group. Even when they are away from the group sometimes certain members are sent to be their friends to keep tabs on everything they do, etc.

Members are encouraged or required to live and/or socialize only with other group members
 
 

Beginning the Process of Healing
You should face the Problems and not bury them.

Try to answer some of these questions.  Who knows maybe God is preparing you to help others who have gone through some of the things you have.

1.What was going on in your life at the time you joined the group or met  the person who became your abusive partner?

2.How and where were you approached?

3.What first interested you in the group or leader?

4.How were you misled during recruitment?

5.What did the group or leader promise you? Did you ever get it?

6.What didn't they tell you that might have influenced you not to join had  you known?

7.Why did the group or leader want you?
 
 

Understanding the psychological manipulation used in your group:

1.Which controlling techniques were used by your group or leader: chanting, meditation, sleep deprivation, isolation, drugs, hypnosis, criticism, fear? List each technique and how it served the group's purpose.  Were you a big part of the financial giving.

2.What are the group's beliefs and values? How did they come to be your beliefs and values?
 
 

Examining your doubts:

1.What are your doubts about the group or leader now?

2.Do you still believe the group or leader has all or some of the answers?

3.Are you still afraid to encounter your leader or group members on the street?

4.Do you ever think of going back? What is going on in your mind when this happens?

5.Do you believe your group or leader has any supernatural or spiritual power to harm you?

6.Do you believe you are cursed by God for having left the group?

The process of Healing takes time, it is a moment by moment process. Don't Give up.