119 VOLUME 9 |ISSUE 2 |2018
of the Scriptures that was practiced by their group does not
fully exhaust the topic. We see this as one way of rekindling
their ability to think critically.
Third, there is the undeniable fact that Wendy and I started
and continue to facilitate the support group as an expression
of our faith. Indeed, we think of it as our ministry—a word
that means “service.” We believe that Christ calls us to a life
of service, and this is one of the ways that Wendy and I try to
answer that call. To be sure, this is something different than
other types of ministry such as apologetics or evangelism
but it is a ministry, nonetheless. I see it in the context of what
Jesus said in describing his own ministry in Luke 4:18:
18 The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has
anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He
has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and
recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed
go free… (New Revised Standard Version)
Although we do not claim any anointing to do this work,
it certainly involves proclaiming release to the captives
(of cultic thought systems), recovery of sight to the blind
(metaphorically), and helping the oppressed as they learn to
go free. Although we do not really talk about our work as an
expression of faith, that informs the milieu of the group.
That said, I should also acknowledge that Wendy and I derive
great benefit ourselves from the group, in terms of both joy
and fulfillment. One reason for this is the simple pleasure of
meeting and coming to know so many wonderful people. We
have had people from all walks of life, young and old, attend
our groups, and each one of them has had something unique
to contribute.
Moreover, there is a profound joy in seeing people who are
often really struggling when they first come around slowly
but steadily put their lives back together. Although we do
not try to solve their problems for them, and we encourage
them to seek appropriate help when they have issues outside
the scope of the group, our consistent feedback from the
members is that the group is very helpful to them. With the
support and encouragement of others in the group, we have
seen members regain confidence in themselves and begin
to make positive changes. People have gone back to school,
ended unhealthy relationships, embarked on new careers,
and reconnected with their noncult-involved families and
friends. It is a joyful thing for Wendy and me when we see
folks making choices for growth and self-improvement.
Although the group can be intense, we also take the
time to socialize and wind down a bit by going out to eat
afterward. There is a neighborhood Italian restaurant nearby
that usually lets us have a room all to ourselves. Doing this
provides a great opportunity for all of us to get to know one
another and decompress. I think this time is therapeutic
for many of the members who may have been entangled
in environments that could be characterized as ascetic. The
experience shows them that there is nothing wrong (or un-
Christian) with going out to eat and enjoying good food and
the company of friends.
One thing has become abundantly clear to us as we have
continued to hold this group, and that is that there are
not enough support groups around. We have people who
regularly drive up from Houston (more than 200 miles away)
to attend our group, and we have had people come from
Austin, Waco, and other places just as far away. Moreover,
we have had people call us from cities all over the United
States looking for something such as our group in their
area. Unfortunately, we often have to tell them that we are
not aware of any groups in their area. In our opinion, there
should be a group like this in every major city in the country.
What I would like to tell others is that establishing such a
support group is very doable if you have the time and the
motivation, and it can very rewarding. Wendy and I would
be happy to talk to anyone thinking about starting their own
support group, and share any of what we have learned along
the way. If you would like to contact us, just email us at info@
dallascult.com
…we have had people call
us from cities all over the
United States looking for
something such as our
group in their area. …
In our opinion, there
should be a group like
this in every major city
in the country.
About the Author
Doug Duncan, MS, LPC, was a member
of an aberrant religious group for more
than twenty years. After defying the cult
leader and marrying Wendy, they eventually
left the cult and Doug began the task of
rebuilding his life. He enrolled in a master’s
program in counseling and earned a
degree and license to practice therapy.
After working on their cult-recovery issues by reading all
the available cult literature, attending conferences, and
becoming involved with ICSA, Doug and Wendy started a
ministry to increase the awareness and understanding of
cults. They are frequent presenters at churches, civic groups,
and conferences, and also facilitators of a support group
for former members of cults and high-demand groups.
Additionally, Doug offers individual counseling to former
members. n
of the Scriptures that was practiced by their group does not
fully exhaust the topic. We see this as one way of rekindling
their ability to think critically.
Third, there is the undeniable fact that Wendy and I started
and continue to facilitate the support group as an expression
of our faith. Indeed, we think of it as our ministry—a word
that means “service.” We believe that Christ calls us to a life
of service, and this is one of the ways that Wendy and I try to
answer that call. To be sure, this is something different than
other types of ministry such as apologetics or evangelism
but it is a ministry, nonetheless. I see it in the context of what
Jesus said in describing his own ministry in Luke 4:18:
18 The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has
anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He
has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and
recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed
go free… (New Revised Standard Version)
Although we do not claim any anointing to do this work,
it certainly involves proclaiming release to the captives
(of cultic thought systems), recovery of sight to the blind
(metaphorically), and helping the oppressed as they learn to
go free. Although we do not really talk about our work as an
expression of faith, that informs the milieu of the group.
That said, I should also acknowledge that Wendy and I derive
great benefit ourselves from the group, in terms of both joy
and fulfillment. One reason for this is the simple pleasure of
meeting and coming to know so many wonderful people. We
have had people from all walks of life, young and old, attend
our groups, and each one of them has had something unique
to contribute.
Moreover, there is a profound joy in seeing people who are
often really struggling when they first come around slowly
but steadily put their lives back together. Although we do
not try to solve their problems for them, and we encourage
them to seek appropriate help when they have issues outside
the scope of the group, our consistent feedback from the
members is that the group is very helpful to them. With the
support and encouragement of others in the group, we have
seen members regain confidence in themselves and begin
to make positive changes. People have gone back to school,
ended unhealthy relationships, embarked on new careers,
and reconnected with their noncult-involved families and
friends. It is a joyful thing for Wendy and me when we see
folks making choices for growth and self-improvement.
Although the group can be intense, we also take the
time to socialize and wind down a bit by going out to eat
afterward. There is a neighborhood Italian restaurant nearby
that usually lets us have a room all to ourselves. Doing this
provides a great opportunity for all of us to get to know one
another and decompress. I think this time is therapeutic
for many of the members who may have been entangled
in environments that could be characterized as ascetic. The
experience shows them that there is nothing wrong (or un-
Christian) with going out to eat and enjoying good food and
the company of friends.
One thing has become abundantly clear to us as we have
continued to hold this group, and that is that there are
not enough support groups around. We have people who
regularly drive up from Houston (more than 200 miles away)
to attend our group, and we have had people come from
Austin, Waco, and other places just as far away. Moreover,
we have had people call us from cities all over the United
States looking for something such as our group in their
area. Unfortunately, we often have to tell them that we are
not aware of any groups in their area. In our opinion, there
should be a group like this in every major city in the country.
What I would like to tell others is that establishing such a
support group is very doable if you have the time and the
motivation, and it can very rewarding. Wendy and I would
be happy to talk to anyone thinking about starting their own
support group, and share any of what we have learned along
the way. If you would like to contact us, just email us at info@
dallascult.com
…we have had people call
us from cities all over the
United States looking for
something such as our
group in their area. …
In our opinion, there
should be a group like
this in every major city
in the country.
About the Author
Doug Duncan, MS, LPC, was a member
of an aberrant religious group for more
than twenty years. After defying the cult
leader and marrying Wendy, they eventually
left the cult and Doug began the task of
rebuilding his life. He enrolled in a master’s
program in counseling and earned a
degree and license to practice therapy.
After working on their cult-recovery issues by reading all
the available cult literature, attending conferences, and
becoming involved with ICSA, Doug and Wendy started a
ministry to increase the awareness and understanding of
cults. They are frequent presenters at churches, civic groups,
and conferences, and also facilitators of a support group
for former members of cults and high-demand groups.
Additionally, Doug offers individual counseling to former
members. n
