Twelve Tribes - A Cult?

[KeithE]

Twice this week we have had occasion to eat at Yellow Deli’s (one in Pulaski TN Sunday night and one in Chattanooga TN for lunch today). These Yellow Deli’s are restaurants that are open as they say "24/5" (from Sunday noon after 3pm Friday, taking off for Sabbath prep, Sabbath and Sunday morning meeting). There are about 10 of these Yellow Deli’s all run by a Christ-following community (now called the Twelve Tribes) who hold “all things in common” per Acts. We went with 9 others to Pulaski and solicited a 30-40 minute talk by their local leader. He explained that they are chiefly following Christ (love being the central teaching) and have about 50 communities (in 9 countries). But they do not use the term Christian since they believe that has been “defiled” (a term he used frequently).

is their website.

is the Wikipedia article about their history and practice.

is a website for the Yellow Deli’s.

are 89 Reasons why a past member (anonymous) left.

A lot a reading I know but I give it for those who are interested. (I’ve read some of each)

I will say without qualification that both Yellow Deli’s are excellent restaurants, beautifully decorated, and reasonably priced ($7.75 for outstanding sandwiches with chips). I will also say all the waiters, busboys, receptionists, cashiers, and the leader who spoke with us appeared very friendly, non-proselyting, and all had a relaxed manner. All men had beards and all women wore long dresses and bonnets. In Pulaski they have about 50 people who all lived in 2 large houses. The Yellow Deli and some “cottage industries” like soap, bread, welding, stump removal are their sources of income.

But reading the why a person left, shows me these people are in the grips of their leader(s) and not in God’s Spirit.

Have any of you had encounters?

[Haruo]

Never heard of them before under the Twelve Tribes name at least. Find it fascinating that they operate as a 501 (d), paying iincome and property taxes.

[Lamar Wadsworth]

There was a Yellow Deli in Dalton GA back in the '80s when I was pastor of Unity Baptist Church there. Don't think it's there now.

[Haruo]

FWIW, the International Society for Krishna Consciousness also runs pretty good restaurants. (Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare...)