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REPORT ON REV. DRUMMONDEx-members plagued by questionsBy BILL ALNORSunday Times Staff Writer UPPER CHICHESTER — A Boothwyn couple has some questions for Rev. Frederick Drummond, their former pastor.First, where does all the money go, asked Greg and Jane Martz, who lef; the Church of Our Saviour in Concordville in December 1985.Recently, as they reminisced about their experiences at the controversial diurch, they realized they had left without answers to some nagging questions.“There were large sums col- -lected for varkis projects including a tent inte nded for worship services during our stay at the church, said J we, who ran the telephone minutry.“We would like to know what happened to thine funds. In fact, we would like to know where all of the memberi!* offerings went, said Jane. As far as we know Drummond ha/ unlimited to church mousy and has never given an itemized account of what was don s with it. And no one ever darei question Drum-gradually grew into more elaborate projects.Drummond would come to me and say he believed God wanted him to do such and such and tell me to start on it immediately, said Greg. Believing it was of God, I did.”But each project — which included drawings, renderings,But there are few in the congregation to wiKxn they can turn. A central teaching of the church is that a memlier can never leave. If one does, Drummond preaches, he’s subject to God’s wrath, several formsr members have told the Daily Times.Greg was t he architect for the church. Under Drummond’s direction, he drafted the plans for a mini-town i i Concordville and a “world headquarters” for the church at tho sits of St Charles Seminary in Philadelphia. Those were in the days when he and Jane believed that Drummond was a. propliet of God sent to spearhead a revival that would sweep up end down thewas eventually abandoned, either because of a lack of funds orioss of interest on the part of the minister, Greg said.In retrospect he said, it used to bother him.^1 kept remembering that the Bible says what God puts His hand to He will prosper and bring to fulfillment” he said.The cost of a study done for one particular project alone is another subject” said Greg. The study cost in excess of $12,000 not to mention trips taken to obtain additional information — all at the expense of a small, 250-“We kept wondering how much more he expected the members to give,said Jane. “Over and over we all gave only to be left with empty promisee...and pockets.Some members of the con-Now Chug says all his work at the church was for nothing. I would have to question whether any of thocie projects were of God,” he sail Marts said Drummond expects members to work free of charge on anything he requests. In Greg’s case it added up to thousands )f dollars in time and materials,” lie said.What started out on a small scale — dr i wings for adding a balcony to the existing church —the winter, had phones disconnected, went without necessities — all in order to supply money forit. Giving until you have no more is frequently expressed by Rev. Drummond,” she said.The Martzs got involved with the church in 1961 as young Christians and from the start were taught Drummond was a choeen vessel of God”—what he said or did was never to be questioned. They said they were attracted to the church because theGREG AND JANE MARTZ, Drummond dissidentspeople were loving to oa and to visitors and because the church was local.The message of Drummond’s absolute authority was repeated over and over during their five-year stay.It’s definitely a form of brainwashing—you give up your right to think — someone else does it for you,” said Jane.That teaching coupled with tactics such as fear, guilt and peer pressure can put any individual into a position of control,” said Greg. Our biggest mistake was taking for granted what we heard was the truth rather than searching God’s word.”Jane said it became apparent later that thingB were not like most congregations.” They were told to attend more and more services, some four hours long, and were told to limit visiting with their relatives.The Martzs became even more disenchanted after visiting another church. It was then werealized that God is really not the head of the Church of Our Saviour — a man — Fred Drummond is,” said Jane.The Martzs also don’t appreciate being shunned” since leaving the church, especially since Drummond would always say from the pulpit We love you here at the Church of Our Saviour!”“What is not said is that this love is conditional, based cm your remaining a church member,” said Jane.
Newspaper Details
Upper Darby Sunday Times
Upper Darby, Pennsylvania, US
Sun, Nov 30, 1986
Page 4
Full Page
Clipped by
Kaeli B.
NA, 19 Mar 2025
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Upper Darby Sunday Times
