Originally Posted by Terry

If DCP is really in the mode of defense against those whose speaking is contrary to LSM interests, nothing is being done. The writings of Jane Anderson, Steve, Isitt, Nigel Tomes, and that of writers pre-dating DCP (John Ingalls, John So, etc) has gone on unabated.

Originally Posted by UntoHim

The presumed mission statement (for anyone who doesn't know any better) of the Defense and Confirmation Project is as stated on their website Contending for the Faith - "in the defense and confirmation of the gospel".(Philippians 1:7) Of course, when push comes to shove, the brothers at DCP will usually admit that they exist for one reason, and only one reason - the defense and confirmation of the person and work of Witness Lee. (and for Watchman Nee, but he doesn't need nearly as much defense and confirmation, so little effort is put into that endeavor)

The real nuts and bolts of DCP are easily discerned and exposed by their actions. (aka "the proof is in the pudding") The actual Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ, as clearly and strongly put forth in The Gospels (and scripture writing apostles) could be attacked and assaulted, and one would hardly hear a whimper out of DCP. But let anyone dare question a jot or tittle of the ministry of Witness Lee, or even any of the practices established by Lee, and all of the sudden they are up in arms big time.
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Originally Posted by Terry

Thus the need for DCP. Not that they do any real defending as Defense and Confirmation Project Seems to imply. Other than justifying the Titus Chu quarantine, DCP hasn't done much of anything since. No refutingof Steve Isitt's writing. No rebuttal of Nigel Tomes' articles. Nothing but silence. Makes me wonder, what has DCP been doing the past 9-10 years? Having had 30+ employees, they must have been doing something with their time. How have they been faithful stewards of the ministry? Where is the accountability to the churches (from whom giving is solicited specifically to DCP).

Originally Posted by Freedom

I finally had to admit to myself that if the LC wanted a better reputation, the first thing they could so would be to drop certain teachings and practices. Of course, I didn’t realize that this would never happen in the LC, but I did realized that the fact they were suing other Christians without so much as a retraction or any admission of guilt was completely ludicrous.

Originally Posted by Ohio

How many ministries out there have an in-house legal staff ready to sue any and all critics of their favorite preacher?

I once saw a chart of all the lawsuits and threats of lawsuits that LSM & DCP have engaged in over the years. Just incredible. Then read I Corinthians 6.

Originally Posted by Freedom

I'm sure the LC of yesteryear was a completely different cast of characters, most of whom have long left. I've known some ex-LC members my whole. What I think many current LC members fail to realize is that aside from all the hype going on, they are simply replaying a story that many before them have already lived through, with a less that desirable ending.

Those who have been around for a while are probably there because they think there's nothing better out there, or that they've already invested too much of their lives to leave. At any rate, I think the reality of the situation is that the LC has limited ability to keep members fully with the program.

So how does a system like the LC keep current members on board, and even recruit new members despite the constant stream of departures and continual negative publicity? It seems that in regards to current members, the strategy is to control the flow of information. In regards to outsiders, the goal is mainly the exoneration of WL, or for those who know nothing of the LC, to present WL as the "hidden gem" that people haven't discovered.

I'm not convinced at all that DCP's work has done anything to improve the image of WL, much less to get people interested in his ministry. The lawsuits do the complete opposite of that, and if they had any bit of common sense, they would realize this. Even if they did manage to convince people that Lee's teachings aren't aberrant, whose to say that would generate any particular interest in WL?

For LC leaders, I'm sure they perceive the writings of ex-members to be the biggest threat. Ever since the internet has been around, I can remember hearing warnings about negative material on the internet. It always made me wonder if this "vision of the age" we saw through the "ministry of the age" is really that compelling, how could members be "poisoned" so easily? It never made any sense to me, until I realized there was a whole different side to the story that I wasn't being told. As long as they were able to instill and reinforce an unfounded fear of the internet, they could control the flow of information. Once I began to think for myself, this tactic of theirs could do nothing to stop me. I also realized that they had by no means addressed LC concerns that they would be expected to address. Needless to say, they are in a bit of a precarious position, because the minute they fail to control the flow of information, the whole system will begin to crumble right before their eyes.

Originally Posted by Ohio

If I were to go poll all the old LC members of my youth, I bet every one would say that the Lord was there in a living and real way. They came and stayed for Christ and His church. Few were "caught" by Lee or his exclusive teachings. There was much liberty of the Spirit rarely found elsewhere. Nearly everyone had exciting testimonies of the Lord in their lives.

You are right about the LC's dying off without LSM. It has become that way by design. Every storm in Anaheim chased off independent thinkers and fruitful ministers. Titus Chu's quest for domination via public humiliations saw a steady stream of departures in my area, most of them being gifted shepherds, evangelists, and teachers. Those who are left in the system are like those 40 year old adult kids who never left home, because they would "die out there."

I am convinced that the anointing of the Spirit departed long ago due to numerous coverups of unrighteousness at LSM and their man-exalting program. This has produced a man-pleasing system full of hypocrisy not much different from the Pharisees of old.

Originally Posted by Freedom

First off, I would say that the need for an entity such as the DCP is indicative that the LC will eventually die off.

The way I think of it is this: in the early days, when the LC was arguably much more ‘radical’ than it is today, people were flocking in all over the place.

Originally Posted by Dave

i have looked at the LCM and what Ron Kangas etc were paid was listed. Here is the DCP info:
http://nonprofits.findthecompany.com...on-Project-Inc

http://www.guidestar.org/organizatio...n-project.aspx

You have to login to guidestar but the 990 form is the most revealing. Anyway, this just gets one started to discovering the info you are asking. Check out the financial statement for the first link as well as Compensation.

Originally Posted by awareness

Is it possible Terry to see their books? Or maybe Income Statement? That might explain a lot about DCP. As in, where does the money come from and to what does it go.

Originally Posted by Terry

DCP appears to have begun in 2002.
http://www.faqs.org/tax-exempt/CA/De...oject-Inc.html

The acronym DCP stands for Defense and Confirmation Project. Defense for what? Legal defense?
LSM and the local churches have engaged I litigation or threats of litigation since the 1970's. Most prominently was in regard to The Mindbenders and The God-men.
DCP figured prominently in the lawsuit against Harvest House and the propaganda found at afaithfulword.org
Since then, DCP has been fairly silent. If DCP is really in the mode of defense against those whose speaking is contrary to LSM interests, nothing is being done. The writings of Jane Anderson, Steve, Isitt, Nigel Tomes, and that of writers pre-dating DCP (John Ingalls, John So, etc) has gone on unabated.
It's almost as if their focus is not so much in defending, but in ensuring member retention.

Originally Posted by Terry

DCP appears to have begun in 2002.
http://www.faqs.org/tax-exempt/CA/De...oject-Inc.html

The acronym DCP stands for Defense and Confirmation Project. Defense for what? Legal defense?
LSM and the local churches have engaged I litigation or threats of litigation since the 1970's. Most prominently was in regard to The Mindbenders and The God-men.
DCP figured prominently in the lawsuit against Harvest House and the propaganda found at afaithfulword.org
Since then, DCP has been fairly silent. If DCP is really in the mode of defense against those whose speaking is contrary to LSM interests, nothing is being done. The writings of Jane Anderson, Steve, Isitt, Nigel Tomes, and that of writers pre-dating DCP (John Ingalls, John So, etc) has gone on unabated.
It's almost as if their focus is not so much in defending, but in ensuring member retention.