Editing Maranatha Campus Ministries (section)

===Authoritarianism===

Maranatha came under considerable fire during the 1970s and 1980s, largely due to its highly [[authoritarianism|authoritarian]] structure. There were accusations of MCM being a [[cult]] with some former members reporting behavior similar to cults that frequently recruited college students during that time. As advocated by [[Derek Prince]], members agreed to live in mutual accountability to protect their "purity in [[Christ]]."  As was typical of most organizations influenced by [[Shepherding Movement]] teachings, this resulted in the organization developing clear authoritarian characteristics.  Weiner, as Maranatha's president, was considered the ministry's "apostle," and was believed to receive direct revelations from God.<ref name=Tactics/> Campus pastors supervised members' lives very closely.  Disobeying one's pastor, or "shepherd," could have serious consequences ultimately leading to excommunication if one didn't fall in line with leadership. The movement was labeled as a "cult" or "cultlike" by some former members and newspapers.<ref>
{{ cite news
| title = Group awaits word of its fate: UNC-CH revoked its fraternity status
| publisher = The News & Observer
| date = 2005-02-28
| author = Jane Stancill
| quote = In the 1980s, (Ron) Lewis (of the King's Park International Church), was affiliated with Maranatha Christian Church, a national organization that disbanded after complaints about cultlike practices.
}}
</ref>
<ref>Ron Lewis website http://www.ronlewisministries.com/</ref>
<ref>
{{cite news
| title = Cult banned from K-State sues Minnesota
| author = Joanna Rubick
| date = 2004-04-26
| publisher = Kansas State Collegian
| location = Kansas
| quote = A cult that was banned at K-State over 20 years ago has shown its face again on a different campus.
}}
</ref><ref>
{{ cite news
| title = Some Colleges warn Students that Cult-like Methods are Being Used by Christian Fundamentalist Groups
| date = 1989-11-15
| author = Tanya Gazdik
| publisher = The Chronicle of Higher Education
}}
</ref>