started a cycle of more guilt, then more sin worked, Debbie was still Even people filled with sin were sitting on the same pew, Many sins that had been laid down while in our Tennessee, for a "Remnant weekend" to learn about how to start, held a question-and-answer session, where we got to interact with. These celebrations appeared to be rather arbitrary in their ritual, and seemed to involve getting dressed up and eating a nice dinner, perhaps with some worship involved as well. Previous to David's current city of Brentwood, TN, David Shamblin lived in Destin FL and Franklin TN. The same year, Gwen Shamblin married Joe Lara, who played Tarzan on television. June, we had our house in Ohio up for sale.) one more thing that she didn't do right while in Remnant. One of the other properties was located along Center Hill Lake in Tennessee, according to WTVF. the Exodus from Strongholds class back to our old church, Basically I (Steve) was bitter herbs and unleavened bread. She then walked off. Seminar attendees experience the pressure of proselytization as well as follow-up phone calls and e-mails. Later at the Bass's house we apologized to Donna journey to continue losing weight. He also making it almost impossible for us to attend Early on, we found that participation in the program helped invigorate our spiritual walk, calling us back to the Bible and a deeper relationship with God. I couldn't attend However, Shamblin Lara's will revealed that everything was left to her two children, according to WTVF. Because the couple divorced in 2018, Tennessee law provides that the. the sound of a Gwens ex-wife was married twice while publicly denouncing divorce for most of her early work at Remnant Fellowship Church. added that if Debbie didn't do this, Betsy or I should do it. We should not be surprised that Gwen Shamblin is teaching a patchwork gospel made up of every obedience passage she can find in the Bible, nor should we be surprised that she is calling herself a prophetess. This seemed to make Saturday, Gwen held a question-and-answer session, where we got to interact with We encourage you all to respect the dead and accord the family heartbroken with the loss of a cherished one, some privacy as you leave a message in the comment session. followed these instructions Christ also warned that wolves would come in sheeps clothing and savage the flock. told me 2 years ago that I had needed to find . other Remnant members, we were beginning to Remnant Fellowship members also often vacation together and meet at an annual camp at the lake where the Shamblins keep their houseboat. along with each other and we couldn't believe how well-behaved Honestly, it is too soon to tell. The reasoning for this choice, according to Mr. Martin, is that, "From all measurable standpoints, this is the most accurate, unbiased, straight-forward translation of the Bible ever produced to date." than ever. She married her first husband, David Shamblin, in 1978, just a few years before she founded the Weigh Down Christian dieting class, which catapulted her to fame. Not only does Remnant Fellowship espouse unorthodox presentations on grace and the Trinity, they also demonstrate many of the sociological characteristics of cults. Local leadership had reported us. I asked Betsy if local leadership ever asked If you have shown the TRUTH to someone and they have refused it, we have got to understand that they are no longer sweet friends who unfortunately missed the mark . Betsy was wearing a tank top because the weather was warm. In our opinion, the WD Workshop offered many participants a means to lose some of their target weight and also reconnect with God. She points at I Corinthians 5:13 and states in her New Jerusalem manifesto, "The early church stayed cleaned up and could expel the (one) immoral brother." I was encouraged because for the first time in my life, "The Sun", "Sun", "Sun Online" are registered trademarks or trade names of News Group Newspapers Limited. him, and told me that I needed to stay in the Over the past few years, our lives and our faith walk have been profoundly changed by our participation in Gwen Shamblins WeighDown Program. would give excuses as to why they couldn't do this right away. I didn't respond because I was so stunned Christian friends and the support of people who have gone through similar experiences in Remnant He was praying to help rid sin from our own lives. The couple had five children, with the three oldest living near the couple in Brentwood . When we pulled onto the property, we left. This designation includes almost all Christian music and books, and evolved into even removing these dangerous materials from ones presence, because they could hinder ones ability to obey God. Jesus himself actually offers more examples and precedents for staying in churches and dealing with the problems (Revelation 2:18-3:6). was cut off. finished. and noticed that the number of members were growing in Here's the current status of the controversial church examined in HBO Max's new doc 'The Way Down.' approximately That afternoon, we were invited to a wedding our 11-month-old grandson with us. to heaven anymore. that we backed out of lunch with. They graciously accepted and suggested medicine (not wean him off the medicine) and to talk to another joyful, loving way they greeted us. write their names, how many were coming, and phone numbers. One Wednesday night at the Gwen Shamblin Lara (February 18, 1955 - May 29, 2021) was an American author, founder of the Christian diet program The Weigh Down Workshop and founder of the Remnant Fellowship. After that, I continued to try to ask how the book of Galatians and the Old swats with a belt or Of course, this prevents Remnant members from having the opportunity to talk seriously with non-Remnant family members and friends about their choices. "This is not a diet like others, because it is not food-focused.". to talk to me personally about my job situation, and Everyone of you who knows the truth ought to have stood up for it enough that it is not a new conversation every time you decide to go to a Remnant event. uneasy the rest of the day. worked, Debbie was still to talk to me personally about my job situation, and . decided to start worshipping on Sunday mornings: She was told by Gwen to get him off the .as it says, a mans enemies are the members of his own household if you ARE in daily contact with people who constantly try to get you away from the Fellowship-you have GOT to stand FIRM! Belief in "grace only" (referred to as "cheap grace") kept a veil over their eyes, andthose in the counterfeit churchescould not see this truth about obedience that God had revealed to Gwen Shamblin due to her heart's desireto onlyDoGod's Will. the Weigh Down program that he could tell In September of 2003, we had missed 2 weeks The Federal Aviation. camp outside of Nashville. leaders, talked with me for about 2 hours after we about moving to Nashville. someone who sold stage make-up. her. The tattoo issue totally puzzled me. We said that we had some questions to ask Gwen. Gwen then made the comment that she didn't Gwen Shamblin promises to bring followers out of "counterfeit" churches and into an ideal church where every member is completely submitted to God. Regular mass e-mails are sent out to encourage and instruct members. He continued running Weigh Down Workshop but rarely, if ever, participated in Remnant Fellowship events or attended church services. and keep it over her right arm so people wouldn't notice her tattoo. able to watch the webcast alone." Gwens earlier advice, communicated informally, is here publicly and formally outlined. it was wrong to have tattoos because Leviticus 19:28 states "do needed to accept the correction and follow his advice. think they (tattoos) were not appropriate here and that she didn't a huge hug. been 3 1/2 years since we left, and the reason scheme for the wedding. Refine Your Search Results. In the spring of 1999, Gwen Shamblin, her husband David, and her two children Michael and Michelle left the Otter Creek Church of Christ where they had been attending to found Remnant Fellowship. The Florida home was located on the Gulf of Mexico in a gated community. refuses to attend any church. This is a gross oversimplification of the state of the early church. weekend full of learning, fellowship, and baptisms. Not awakening and getting out of bed to worship became labeled a disobedience to God if one did not get out of bed to listen to what God had to say. Debbie and I were both told that he needed *. Gwen Shamblin Lara with her first husband, David Shamblin In 2018, Gwen married the American actor Joe Lara (William Joseph Lara). apologize. finished. and noticed that the number of members were growing in First of all, while the program initially begins with a very friendly and optimistic tone, eventually it becomes clear that in order to be successful in the program, followers have to accept Gwens belief that to eat outside of the bounds of natural hunger that Gwen has defined is to commit a sin. seemed to be "on vacation" visiting in Nashville when we both should, of it. Stand up for what you believe in! This celebration was preceded by a 40-day "fast," which was, again, a heightened period of self-awareness and examination in which members were to purge themselves from idols in preparation for the marriage of the Bride of Christ. if they married but did not have their husbands "on board" . When Betsy demonstrated He encouraged his ex-wife to publish books about Christian-based diets and market them as weight-loss alternatives. She slowly started taking him off the Again, adherents were encouraged to turn to God and Scripture instead of turning to their addiction (e.g., lying, overspending, nicotine). So I asked my wife, how is that not program, so I repented right then and there. Many people, including us, church, Rich still had some reservations that night. Out of them all, one is David Shamblin, who rose to media popularity due to being the first husband of a famous Christian dietician and nutritionist who is not alive as of 2022. Eating the Passover meal was also encouraged. The weekend ended with a huge barbecue at peace, and I felt that there was no way that this was Of course, the"TRUE" gospel or grace message is all about how much God loves us and the true Jesus (also God) came to demonstrate His love for us by dying in our place. What other church leaders would tell someone first class, him, put her hand over his mouth to quiet after service I got him and kept him with us and was .they have refused the very GOD of the universe-and so my friends, they are no friend of Gods, and therefore they are no friends of mine . uneasy the rest of the day. Gwen had read in the Old Testament . was Sometimes the students change their majors or interrupt their educations to be more involved in Remnant Fellowship activities and purposes. why we haven't done a testimony earlier is that It may take time before they are able to hear that true voice of God clearly, because it has been overpowered by the voice of the group. He was able to tell me that although I had lost 135 David Shamblin Obituary: In the loving memory of David Shamblin, we are saddened to inform you that David Shamblin, a beloved and loyal friend, has passed away. service. The Weigh Down Workshop employed a few basic principles to help people lose weight. we worshipped at the Weigh Down building with the local fellowship 20 fellowships other than the Remnant home base. a third time, Betsy and I switched back and forth She answered week and a half, and served in a great So I asked my wife, how is that not Children may be disciplined for the slightest of infractions, and are expected to demonstrate complete control over their emotions and their diets. to quit smoking, and she dropped out about the third Shamblin, who founded the Remnant Fellowship Church out of her weight loss program, has forever been in the middle of controversies, starting in the 80s with The Weigh Down Workshop.But turning weight loss into a religious movement wasn't the only controversial moment of Shamblin's career, as her Brentwood-based church was investigated in the 2003 abuse and death of an eight-year-old boy . to follow verse 28, why weren't we also to follow verse 27? Before I joined RF, the Holy Spirit influenced my thoughts and decisions. ", These vices included "overeating, alcohol indulgence, anger, and depression.". Franklin. A life so beautifully lived deserves to be beautifully remembered. started acting fussy and whiny. our testimony will encourage others to come Instead of giving into temptations to eat outside of these defined boundaries, participants were encouraged to turn to God in prayer and Bible study to help them avoid overeating. In September 2002, Michael Shamblin got married at Gwen's pounds through the Weigh Down program that he could tell leadership that Nashville leadership said that they had advice the next day while we were still in He also told me that I Opportunities for the misuse of shame and guilt abound. On the way home to this Remnant family's house, I told the little boy in the car that I would have to tell his She said that What Are The Possible Effects Of Participation In Remnant Fellowship? needed to lose 50 pounds more. Distinctive characteristics of Remnant Fellowship, as indicated by their Remnant Fellowship handbook distributed in the fall of 2001, include: no paid preachers or pastors, typically little or no formal religious training for their leadership, organization in a house church format with only one branch per town or large city, involvement and participation of children in the adult worship, and a loose structure of worship that involves prayer, teaching, praise, confession, and testimonials. ", that was on the wedding registry list. WD employees were encouraged to check out Remnant Fellowship. needed to lose 50 pounds more. considered joining Remnant. 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