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by Rita Lady "We watched a grown man groom a youth member for years, we watched him take absolutely everything from her." This was one of many social media posts in the wake of Pastor John-Paul Miller's wife Mica Miller's sudden death, followed by allegations of mental torture, stalking, and physical abuse.
Pastor John-Paul, Senior Pastor of Solid Rock Church in Myrtle Beach, SC recently made national headlines after he preached a sermon the day after his wife was found shot to death. At the end of the sermon, he casually announced the death of his wife and described in detail her struggled with mental illness. In closing, Pastor John-Paul told the congregation they weren't allowed to discuss among themselves what they had just heard. In light of the awful tragedy of Mica Miller, whose death has been ruled a suicide, the church's website was suspended. On the surface this may seem unimportant, however, doctrinal statements and core beliefs of church leadership provide valuable insight into how the church runs, more importantly, what is expected of members. Much of the text on the Solid Rock Church website appears to have been written, in first person tense, by Pastor John-Paul Miller. On the "Faith Resources" page (still accessible on the Wayback Machine), is a list of Bible resources. However, the links reveal pages of do's, don'ts, and rebukes for those who are "opinionated," "unteachable," and "disobedient." One page titled "Teachable Scripture Study" lays out the church's belief on "Spiritual Coverings." This doctrine is from the Shepherding Discipleship Movement (SDM). It's under the same umbrella as the "Word of Faith" heresy just on the opposite end. As an aside, Pastor John-Paul also teaches "New Wine," another heretical Charismatic doctrine. Spiritual coverings are earthly overseers who are responsible to point out "blind spots" or sins in their disciples or new Christians lives. If you sin, they will have to give an account to God...on your behalf. Quite a bit of scripture twisting and manipulation is required to convince professing Christians that a human, not the Holy Spirit, holds that position. In this teaching, church members are taught that disobedience to leadership, under any circumstance, is against God's will. The page reads: "Scripture indicates that we are to have human spiritual coverings who help us find the blind spots in our lives. Hebrews 13:17 Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you as men who must give an account. Obey them so that their work will be a joy, not a burden for that would be of no advantage to you." ...When God wants to rebuke you, His third method is through circumstances. Scripture is clear that your SIN is what rebukes you. (Romans 6:23) When you won’t listen to God, or your mate, then God will allow you to receive the wages of your sin." Ironically, in the following verse the Apostle Paul prepares real Christians for what follows which is his warning about false teachers. But at Solid Rock, the verse and the entire page is used to scare Solid Rock's members into submitting to a spiritual covering. "II Corinthians 10:6 And we will be ready to punish every act of disobedience, once your obedience is complete." Teachings on unbiblical spiritual coverings and God's wrath for questioning church leadership is a glowing red flag that your "church" is dangerous and authoritarian. All kinds of abuses flow from the doctrine of spiritual coverings since the condition of your soul is dependent on a mere man, not the Holy Spirit. Here is more fear mongering from the church webpage on authority: "...This brings us back to the real issue. If your HEART is teachable, then you will SEEK the input and counsel of trusted Deacons, Elders and Pastors. ...Un-teachable people always resist authority. ...Teachable people are able to rest under human covering, not necessarily because they always trust the human covering. Rather, they trust the Lord to work all things to their good if they remain teachable before Him." Translation: The Lord works through human covering. Therefore, disobedience to the covering is disobedience to the Lord. This is classic brainwashing language. Given the pastor's beliefs on spiritual authority, it is no surprise that an entire page on the church website is dedicated to telling members they are not allowed to give others advice without consulting the pastor. It is also no surprise then that after Pastor John-Paul Miller's prior refusal to resign upon allegations and admissions of misconduct, many congregants remained under his teaching. Scandal, fear, and abuse, is a running theme in groups that adhere to spiritual coverings doctrine. Pastor John-Paul miller is innocent of his wife Mica Miller's murder until proven guilty, according to United States Constitution. But according to 2 Peter, he is guilty of false teachings that lead people away from God toward himself. Infallible humans are natural blasphemers who lack the ability to provide "covering" for sins, only Christ can do that. False prophets can only lead you down a road of bondage, destruction, and damnation. Pastors that adhere to heretical, N.A.R doctrines such as human coverings, gently weave authoritarian "rules to live by" into their sermons and supplemental guides. Congregants, beguiled by the teacher's "deep knowledge," are unaware of the subtle brainwashing. They demand you be accountable to "human coverings" while they are only accountable to God and their spouse who, of course, lives in perpetual fear of "God's" punishment. It is only when the wolves' deeds have become too sinister to overlook, causing many to go astray that they are forced to publicly give an account.
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