The Christian in the Cult

Have you ever wondered if your own faith community might be more cult-like than Christ-like? Jim Valekis has. He spent 40 years in religious communities, where he served alongside dedicated believers who faithfully pursued God-and yet also witnessed leadership and teachings that hindered rather than helped the spread of God's Word. His shocking discovery: when culture becomes the lens through which you view Christ, cult-like thinking can take root and infiltrate even the most earnest Christian community. This powerful and raw memoir reveals how Valekis navigated four different "cult"ures: the Greek Orthodox tradition, Herbert Armstrong's Worldwide Church of God, American Evangelicalism, and-the worst-his own personal struggle with his preferred world view. More than a narrative of one man's experience, The Christian in the Cult offers tools for spiritual discernment while providing hope for those wounded by religious authority. The author's honest spiritual journey culminates in a profound understanding of God's faithfulness, which transforms how believers engage with their faith communities and share the Gospel. With equal parts caution and urgent call to action, Valekis will help you recognize when religious culture obscures Christ's message, develop discernment to navigate faith communities wisely, and discover the freedom we can only find when we are truly living in Christ. What others are saying about this book: "Millions of religious believers will clearly recognize the spiritual journey narrated by Jim Valekis in this powerful story. A son of the Greek Orthodox Church finds himself in Herbert W. Armstrong's Worldwide Church of God, which eventually takes him into more traditional Christianity and out again. Where he ends up at the end of this fascinating pilgrimage will be a big surprise. But Valekis astutely narrates his journey and brings readers along with him to a spiritual destination that includes the whole world.