The G12 Philippines Aftermath

Photo by Patrick Schneider on Unsplash

I heard from a close friend that — after almost a decade — my previous church left the G12 system. It came as a shock. But I saw its eventuality after I left in 2020.

I was relieved that my former spiritual leaders had finally seen G12 for what it truly is — a cultic system that has divided churches more than it has unified. But anger had already crept in as soon as I realized how late they were with the decision. Many have already left and are now tending to their spiritual traumas. All of this for what?

I seethed in what was left of my self-righteousness. Someone has to be accountable. Healing will not be possible if no one will take responsibility for the hurt that has been inflicted to people who only wanted a God-centered community.

If our spiritual leaders back then really had “spiritual discernment,” why did it take them this long to leave G12? Why weren’t we, their flock, warned and insulated from the dangers of it? Where is the pastoral spirit and the Christian accountability they had been drilling into our heads from day one?

Lately, I have been reconnecting with ex-church mates with the goal of apologizing on behalf of our old church. I really felt the need to verbalize and acknowledge what they all went through. Most were dismissive, citing cliches such as “That’s life” and “That’s how the cookie crumbles.” But I had to be assertive so they can see from my perspective. Guiding them through a maze of toxic G12 teachings that needed unlearning, I felt an ounce of weight lifted off of me as they started ambling on their own — the scales finally falling from their eyes.

It’s ironic and funny to think that the same desire to be a part of a community that had hurt me is also healing me.