While orthodox in its views of salvation, it's unorthodox in its spiritually abusive philosophies, policies, practices, and procedures. SOUTH CREEK CHURCH, SPRINGFIELD, MISSOURI, is a cult-like, high-control, congregation led by two biblically disqualified pastors, JUSTIN RAY NELSON and BRANDON G. They are known for severely and unrepentantly abusing people spiritually and emotio
nally, then not taking responsibility for it, even those known by both the leadership and membership to be under the care of physicians due to debilitating depression, excruciating anxiety, complicated grief, unimaginable embarrassment, extreme humiliation, and overwhelming shame, thus retraumatizing those people and leaving them with ongoing PTSD symptoms that they did not have before the abuse occurred. They do this premeditatedly to cause intentional and foreseeable duress, distress, and damage to them. They accomplish this through: (1) THE MISHANDLING OF SCRIPTURE, such as applying it incorrectly and legalistically in a strict, rigid, graceless, and zero-tolerant manner; (2) THE MISUSE OF PASTORAL AUTHORITY, used selectively upon various members by the leaders to control them even in excessive and extra-biblical ways, like trying to force certain people to get the leaders' permission to make personal, non-biblical, or extra-biblical decisions, and justifying it by mislabeling it "accountability" and threatening punishment if they do not comply; (3) THE MISAPPLICATION OF CHURCH DISCIPLINE, supported with false allegations and wrong motivations, such as anger, resentment, retaliation, ego, image bolstering, illegitimate control of others, and securing financial gain; (4) THE MISREPRESENTATION OF PEOPLE with public statements that are incorrect and dishonestly spun to make the person being abused look as bad as possible while making the leadership look innocent; and (5) THE MISTREATMENT OF SHUNNING by weaponizing and wrongly utilizing shunning passages in the Bible. Because of the way these leaders have set up this church in their founding documents, such as their Constitution and Bylaws, there is literally no one on a human level they are accountable to or who can fire these two spiritual predators for their malpractice. They would literally have to fire themselves for that to happen. There are only two of them and they make 100% of all the decisions. There are no deacons, committees, or councils, nor is there any congregational voting at all. These spiritual frauds have been given numerous opportunities to sit down and address these issues as an act of genuine, humble, mutual accountability and resolve these conflicts, but refuse to acknowledge the offers. Like all cult leaders, they are authoritarian narcissists who cannot admit they are wrong because it might cost them control and the money that goes with it. You and your family will absolutely not be safe in this congregation unless you submit to authoritarian high control measures; and, you will never be safe being vulnerable, transparent, open, repentant, or having problems, struggles, or weaknesses. The level of incompetence and ineptness on the part of these leaders is both staggering and dangerous. Make sure you protect your family and children at all costs by avoiding this cult-like church.
