Editing Dwell Community Church (section)

==Criticism==
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Dwell has faced allegations of behavioral control, emotional abuse, and exploitation which critics claim constitute [[religious abuse]].<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":8" /><ref name=":2">{{Cite web|date=2022-02-22|title=Former Columbus church members say mentors shared intimate sexual details|url=https://www.nbc4i.com/news/investigates/former-columbus-church-members-say-mentors-shared-intimate-sexual-details/|access-date=2022-02-23|website=NBC4 WCMH-TV|language=en-US}}</ref><ref name=":3">{{Cite web|date=2022-02-23|title=Former Xenos church members describe dangerous living conditions|url=https://www.nbc4i.com/news/investigates/former-xenos-church-members-describe-dangerous-living-conditions/|access-date=2022-02-23|website=NBC4 WCMH-TV|language=en-US}}</ref> Named and anonymous ex-members have shared allegations.<ref name=":8" /> A former member of Dwell maintains a website titled "Xenos Is A Cult", which shares hundreds of allegations of controlling and cult-like behavior, including over 150 testimonials of abuse from parents, friends, and ex-members.<ref name="WOSU" /><ref name=":4">{{Cite web|title=Xenos is a Cult.|url=https://www.xenosisacult.com/|access-date=2022-02-22|website=Xenos is a Cult.|language=en-US}}</ref> Some stories date back to the 1980s.<ref>{{Cite web|title=How Xenos Deals with the Cult Accusation.|url=https://www.xenosisacult.com/how-xenos-deals-with-the-cult-accusation|access-date=2022-02-22|website=Xenos is a Cult.|language=en-US}}</ref> Rick Alan Ross, executive director of the [[Rick Alan Ross|Cult Education Institute]], said the criticism of Dwell is significant and that older, larger Christian organizations have not faced the same negative criticism.<ref name="Dispatch 2018" /> SpiritWatch Ministries, a Christian organization that monitors spiritual abuse and cult-like activities, say the practices ex-members describe are comparable to cults.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2" />

Allegations include giving alcohol and tobacco to minors,<ref name=":8" /><ref>{{Cite web|title=Drugs Examples|url=https://www.xenosisacult.com/drugs-examples|access-date=2022-02-22|website=Xenos is a Cult.|language=en-US}}</ref> overcrowded, dangerous and unhygienic conditions in church-organized shared living "ministry houses",<ref name=":3" /><ref name=":5">{{Cite web|title=Screen Captures|url=https://www.xenosisacult.com/resources-page|access-date=2022-02-22|website=Xenos is a Cult.|language=en-US}}</ref> lack of privacy,<ref name=":2" /><ref name=":5" /><ref name="Dispatch 2018" /> intimidation,<ref name=":5" /><ref>{{Cite web|title=Parents|url=https://www.xenosisacult.com/parents-1|access-date=2022-02-22|website=Xenos is a Cult.|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Submitted Stories|url=https://www.xenosisacult.com/new-index|access-date=2022-02-22|website=Xenos is a Cult.|language=en-US}}</ref> financial abuse,<ref>{{Cite web|date=March 6, 2019|title=Seven New Stories 3/6/2019|url=https://www.xenosisacult.com/new-index|access-date=2022-02-23|website=Xenos is a Cult.|language=en-US}}</ref> gay conversion practices,<ref name=":5" /> [[love bombing]],<ref name=":2" /><ref>{{Cite web|title=Love Bombing|url=https://www.xenosisacult.com/lovebombing-examples|access-date=2022-02-23|website=Xenos is a Cult.|language=en-US}}</ref> controlling member's medical decisions,<ref name=":6">{{Cite web|title=Mental Health|url=https://www.xenosisacult.com/section-1|access-date=2022-02-23|website=Xenos is a Cult.|language=en-US}}</ref><ref name=":5" /> shunning to include shunning members suffering mental illness<ref name=":6" /><ref name=":5" /> and shunning ex-members who leave of their own volition,<ref name=":5" /><ref name=":7" /><ref name=":9">{{Cite web |title=Dwell Community Church is a Cult {{!}} Xenos is a Cult {{!}} Columbus |url=https://www.dwellchurchcolumbusisacult.com/ |access-date=2022-03-30 |website=Dwell is a Cult |language=en}}</ref> mishandling accusations of sexual abuse,<ref name=":6" /><ref name=":5" /> shaming minors after their sexual information was extracted and shared with adults,<ref name=":2" /> time demands at the expense of school, work, and relationships with non-members,<ref name=":8" /><ref name=":3" /><ref name="Dispatch 2018" /> pressure to cut ties with friends and family outside the church,<ref name="Dispatch 2018" /> and other forms of abuse and control.<ref name=":8" /><ref name=":4" /><ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2" /><ref name=":3" /><ref name="WOSU" /><ref name="Dispatch 2018" />

Dwell has denied allegations of religious abuse and labeled claims by former members as miscommunication or interpersonal conflict.<ref>{{Cite web |title=NBC4 Dialogue {{!}} Dwell Community Church |url=https://dwellcc.org/NBC4Dialogue |access-date=2022-03-30 |website=dwellcc.org}}</ref> Articles on the Dwell website written by the church's co-founder, Dennis McCallum, denies claims of abuse or toxic practices within the organization, stating that allegations are often motivated by hate or are exaggerated interpersonal conflicts.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Toxic Faith, By Stephen Arterburn and Jack Felton: A Critical Evaluation {{!}} Dwell Community Church |url=https://dwellcc.org/learning/essays/toxic-faith-stephen-arterburn-and-jack-felton-critical-evaluation |access-date=2022-03-30 |website=dwellcc.org}}</ref>

=== Accountability Practices ===
Dwell's accountability system has led to members being removed from the church for not following what the church believes to be the teachings of the Bible. Some former members, such as former leader Ian Martin, call the practice of removal [[excommunication]].<ref name=":8" /> Members who have been removed have expressed that they feel isolated from the community and [[Shunning|shunned]] from within.  While Dwell leaders publicly encouraged close and loving relationships with non-Christians, some Dwell members have felt while part of the church that they have been pressured to cut ties from "non-Christian" friends and family members.   Dwell leadership claims many of the teachings of the church reflect a traditional interpretation of Christianity, although some of the church's practices have been described by the media and prior members as being cult-like.<ref name="Dispatch 2018" /><ref name=":9" />