Newspaper Article

Ex-members plagued by questions
By Bill Alnor
Delaware County Daily Times November 30,1986

UPPER CHICHESTER - A Boothwyn couple has some questions for Rev. Frederick Drummond, their former pastor.

First, where does all the money go, asked Greg and Jane Martz, who left the Church of Our Saviour in Concordville in December 1985.

Recently, as they reminisced about their experiences at the controversial church, they, realized they had left without answers to some nagging questions.

"There were large sums collected for various projects including a tent intended for worship services during our stay at the church," said Jane, who ran the telephone ministry.

"We would like to know what happened to those funds. In fact, we would like to know where all of the members' offerings went," said Jane. "As far as we know Drummond has unlimited access to church money and has never given an itemized -account of what was done with it. And no, one ever dared question Drummond."

But there are few in the congregation to whom they can turn. A central teaching of the church is that a member can never leave. If one does, Drummond preaches, he's subject to God's wrath, several former members have told the Daily Times.

Greg was the architect for the church. Under Drummond's direction, he drafted the plans for a mini-town in Concordville and a "world headquarters" for the church at the site of St. Charles Seminary in Philadelphia. Those were in the days when he and Jane believed that Drummond was a prophet of God sent to spearhead a revival that would sweep up and down the East Coast.

Now Greg says all his work at the church was for nothing. "I would have to question whether any of those projects were of God," he said.

Martz said Drummond expects members to work free of charge on anything he requests. In Greg's case it added up to "thousands of dollars in time and materials," he said.

What started out on a small scale -- drawings for adding a balcony to the existing church -- gradually grew into more elaborate projects.

"Drummond would come to me and say he believed God wanted him to do such and such, and tell me to start on it immediately," said Greg. "Believing it was of God, I did."

But each project -- which included drawings, renderings, meetings and cost estimates was eventually abandoned, either because of a lack of funds or loss of interest on the part of the minister, Greg said.

In retrospect, he said, it used to bother him.

"I kept remembering that the Bible says what God puts His hand to He will prosper and bring to fulfillment," he said.

The cost of a study done for one particular project alone is, another subject," said Greg. The study cost in excess of $12,000 not to mention trips taken to obtain additional information -- all at the expense of a small, 250 member congregation.

"We kept wondering how much more he expected the members to give," said Jane. "Over and over we all gave only to be left with empty promises ... and pockets.

"Some members of the congregation went without coats in the winter, had phones disconnected, went without necessities -- all in order to supply money for Drummond's use as he requested it. Giving until you have no more is frequently expressed by Rev. Drummond," she said.

The Martzs got involved with the church in 1981 as young Christians and from the start were taught Drummond was a "chosen vessel of God" -- what he said or did was never to be questioned. They said they were attracted to the church because the people were loving to one another and to visitors and because the church was local.

The message of Drummond's absolute authority was repeated over and over during their five year stay.

"It's definitely a form of brainwashing -- you give up your right to think -- someone else does it for you," said Jane.

"That teaching coupled with tactics such as fear, guilt and peer pressure can put any individual into a position of control," said Greg. "Our biggest mistake was taking for granted what we heard was the truth rather than searching God's word."

Jane said it became apparent later that things were "not like most congregations." They were told to attend more and more services, some four hours long, and were told to limit visiting with their relatives.

The Martzs became even more disenchanted after visiting another church. "It was then we realized that God is really not the head of the Church of Our Saviour -- a man -- Fred Drummond is," said Jane.

The Martzs also don't appreciate being "shunned" since leaving the church, especially since Drummond would always say from the pulpit "We love you here at the Church of Our Saviour!"

"What is not said is that this love is conditional, based on your remaining a church member," said Jane.