A once-influential Christian organization focused on evangelism in colleges, known for its intense discipleship and controversial practices.
Religion: Christianity
Denomination: Charismatic/Pentecostal
Founder: Bob Weiner
Founded: 1971 in Paducah, Kentucky
Ended: 1990
Location: Headquartered in Gainesville, Florida
Offshoot of: Jesus Movement
Other Names: Maranatha Christian Church, Maranatha Christian Ministries
Maranatha Campus Ministries was a Charismatic/Pentecostal-oriented Christian ministry founded by Bob Weiner in 1971, with a primary outreach to college and university campuses. This ministry grew from a single campus chapter to an international presence, with about 100 campus chapters across the United States and in 16 foreign countries by the time it came to the attention of cult-watching organizations in the early 1980s.
The ministry was known for its distinct teachings and practices that set it apart from more mainstream evangelical movements. One of the most contentious aspects of Maranatha’s teachings was its stance against dating. Bob Weiner, taking inspiration from the book “God is a Matchmaker,” advocated that Christians should not date, leading to the prohibition of dating within the ministry. Instead, members were encouraged to pray for God’s guidance in finding a spouse, with pastors playing a significant role in confirming any such divine guidance.
Another area of controversy was the ministry’s emphasis on tithing, with accusations that Maranatha pastors kept detailed records of financial contributions and admonished those who did not contribute enough. The organization faced criticism from universities as well, with instances leading to the expulsion of its chapters from campuses in Canada and the United States due to complaints from former members and university officials.
Maranatha’s theology and practices were scrutinized by the Christian Research Institute (CRI) and a specially formed ad hoc committee, which criticized the ministry for its authoritarian orientation, questionable practices, and deficient theology. The committee was particularly concerned about Maranatha’s interpretation of the Trinity and the regular “revelations” or “words from the Lord” claimed by its leaders and members. The organization functioned more like a denomination than a parachurch organization, with campus chapters called churches and local leaders serving as pastors. These pastors, often young and without formal theological training, wielded significant authority over members, including control over marriage partner selection and financial contributions. The committee’s report underscored the potential for exploitation and discouraged critical thinking within the ministry, noting that former members often experienced difficulty adjusting to life outside Maranatha.
In response to ongoing criticism, Maranatha Campus Ministries disbanded in 1989, with leaders citing discomfort with the group’s denomination-like structure among the reasons for its dissolution. Bob Weiner apologized publicly for any abuses stemming from authoritarian practices within the organization. Following the breakup, former Maranatha churches and ministries either became independent or merged with other churches. Some of these entities joined to form Morning Star International, later known as Every Nation, which has publicly disavowed Maranatha’s more extreme practices and rejected practices deemed controlling, coercive, or intrusive.
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