Xenos / Dwell – Part 1

Let's Talk About Sects

Xenos was originally set up as a leaderless group that rejected the structures and trappings of mainstream churches. Springing forth from the Jesus Movement of the late 1960s and early 1970s, it focused on meeting in people’s homes and embracing members from the youth counter-cultures. So why does the church’s own website admit to a history that involves cult-like behaviour? And how did it come to face allegations of manipulation and control that have been made by people who joined and left in completely different decades?

Full research sources listed here. You can support us on Patreon. Sarah Steel's debut book Do As I Say is available on audiobook now.

With thanks to Audio-Technica, presenting partner for season 6 of Let's Talk About Sects.

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Links:

• History of Dwell — Dwell website, accessed September 2023
• Coming Home: The Jesus People Movement In the Midwest And Their Attempts To Escape Fundamentalism — by Benjamin Williamson, Doctoral dissertation, University of Dayton, 2021
• An Organic Deception: The Xenos / Dwell Heresy Briefly Examined — by Reverend Rafael D Martinez, Director, Spiritwatch Ministries, undated, accessed September 2023
• Spiritwatch Response — by Dennis McCallum, Dwell website, undated, accessed September 2023
• Xenos critics say church is controlling — by Danae King, The Columbus Dispatch, 26 November 2018
• Dwell Community Church, Xenos Christian Fellowship: exploring how well-meaning individuals cause significant abuse through religious dogmatism — by Katie M. Reinaker, March 2022
• Inside the Megachurch That Has Ex-Members Screaming Cult — by Emily Shugerman, The Daily Beast, 21 May 2022
• Dwell's Response to The Daily Beast — by James M. Rochford, Dwell website, accessed September 2023
• ‘It’s really tragic’: Former members speak out against Columbus church — by Jamie Ostroff, NBC4, 21 February 2022

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