I’m sure your opinion of our little church extends beyond what you’re willing to say here, and I’m sure you have good reasons to remain anonymous, but quite frankly the Beacon-Journal article did a good job of debunking the “cult” stories circulating about us.

The “graveyard ceremony” is an example of a sensationalized “Xenos cult” story — very spooky and creative. But the graveyard owners deny it ever happened (they aren’t associated with Xenos).

But such is the case with sensationalism: the National Enquirer makes big bucks because people always love a good conspiracy theory. Only old people like me can remember the assassination of J.F.K., but isn’t it amazing how many people are still looking for “the second gunman?”

The ordination process you describe is Roman Catholic, not the practice of Protestant churches. You’ll be interested to know I grew up a few miles away from the Josephenium, the only Pontificate college in America (owned by the Vatican). In the Catholic tradition priests and monks often spend a lifetime in contemplative study in “seminary”. Thus, some people claim the Catholic church is the world’s biggest brainwashing-cult, but I think the rumors are exaggerated.

In the Protestant tradition, seminaries can’t ordain — that’s the purview of local churches or denominations. In fact, the only way to get ordained legally is by a church where you’re practicing ministry. Seminaries don’t have ordination powers, and seminary professors aren’t ordained.

I read the article in the Akron Beacon Journal, and I must agree, your group sounds like a cult. It does mention that you studied theology at Ashland Theological Seminary, however it doesn’t say you were ordained by said Seminary, but instead ordained by Xenos. I believe you are blind and ignorant, especially in regards to other religions. The church I attend does have lay people, however they assist the pastor with various groups in the church, and are not in any way intended to replace the pastor. The pastor has as many as eight years in seminary, and is ordained by the seminary, not a splinter group of some organization I welcome any comments and literature if you have any, as I am truly curious after reading the article.