2 of 3

The executive, who asked not to be identified, said even he was pressured to be a part of Shamblin's church.

"On many occasions, Gwen had spoken to the employees during devotionals and strongly suggested that we all come and share in their worship service," the employee said. "The last week of my being there, it became more of a 'you need to be there and support what we are doing or don't take a paycheck from me.'"

As for Pillow's allegations, the former executive confirmed her story.

"It's true," the employee said. "I resigned because I didn't agree with the Remnant Fellowship doctrine," the employee said. "The fact was she was pushing this church on the staff and I didn't agree with the stance she had taken to pressure people to being a part of that church and not have a choice," the employee said. "That wasn't right. I couldn't condone the direction she was heading."

The employee's departure started a domino effect among other workers unhappy with the theological direction of Weigh Down. "This was not a resignation to hurt anyone. I had been very close to her family," the employee said. "We all would like to know why Ms. Shamblin won't change her ways. It would be my opinion that the issues to her are power and control. She wants to have it her way."

Pillow said that when other employees left or were fired, Weigh Down employees were told to have no contact with them. "We were told they were against Gwen and they were her enemies. They were being used of Satan," Pillow recounted.

While no lawsuits have been filed, several former employees told Baptist Press they have retained legal counsel. For people like Pillow, it's a matter of getting their severance pay and moving on with their lives.

"I'm still looking for work," she said. "It's been tough."

Pillow's pastor, Bob Orgeron, said he was very concerned about how she has been treated by the Weigh Down Workshop. "Anita is just a wonderful Christian lady. She is busy in outreach and helps respond to people who need counseling,"

Orgeron said the congregation at Park Avenue will continue to support Pillow. "Many of our people are trying to encourage her," he said, adding he was concerned about other churches offering Weigh Down classes without realizing the theological implications of Shamblin's beliefs.

With additional reporting by Todd Starnes of Baptist Press

See our earlier article on Shamblin's theology, "Gwen in the Balance | Thomas Nelson cancels book contract with Weigh Down author over her controversial comments rejecting the Trinity" (Sept. 9, 2000).

Shamblin's statement of theology posted on her Web site once read, "Where I differ on the teaching in the Trinity that there is EQUALITY in power and glory of God, Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit; rather, I believe it is a clear line of AUTHORITY." Shamblin's most recent statement reads, "Our feeling is that the word 'trinity' implies equality in leadership, or shared Lordship. ... We feel that we grieve Jesus when we do not watch our words and their meaning—especially a word not found in either the Old or New Testament, writings that span centuries of God's inspired word. If God wanted us to refer to himself, Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit as the 'trinity' He would not have left this word completely out of the Bible."

next page... |  2 of 3

share this page

September (Web-only) 2000, Vol. 44