Originally Posted by Unregistered

Hey guys! Back again!

I am taking steps now to leave the Local Church and the university group. I had the courage to throw out all the materials and books that were related to the teachings of Witness Lee a few days ago, including the Recovery Bible. It was ALOT to throw out, and it basically felt like throwing money in the bin (because I bought many of their books). It took some effort to throw out, especially the Bible, but once it was in the bin and gone from my room, I felt a little better. On the positive side, my room is more clean now. Now I'm basically starting over again, with only an NIV Bible which I used to neglect since getting the Recovery Bible, and now I love it, since it is only God's words written without the copious footnotes of Witness Lee!

This week is orientation week for university and I had already registered to help out the local church group for a few days during the week. The main purpose is to find people who will be useful and shepherd them with Witness Lee's doctrines so they can advance their ministry. Once that is over and done with, I will quickly disassociate with them and leave the group.

Thanks Dave for the advice! I have tried ignoring them a few times but then they get really worried and they try to contact me through other means, such as Facebook (which is my weakness since I'm on it alot) and I end up responding. Maybe I should de-activate Facebook for the time being.

I will keep you guys posted on what is happening over-time. I pray that everything will run as smoothly as it can without too much problems.

Originally Posted by Dave

Feeling Stuck.... That's what I did primarily when I was in the LC...led Bible studies on campuses while I attended University classes for my undergraduate degree for the purpose of recruitment of Christians for the LC. One of the individuals who I recruited on campus is also a member on this forum (of course no longer with the LC). In any case, I can tell you that they will keep bothering you but I wouldn't worry about it. If they helped you in some small way be thankful for the blessings and move on. The more attention you give them or any kind of ambivalence they sense on your part will cause them to call more and more and make it more difficult on you. If they call, just tell them you are going in a different direction in your Christian life and ask them kindly not to call you any more. You may have to do that several times but if you stand your ground they will move on. I agree with HERn, the LC is not a healthy place...but make sure you find a healthy place for your Christian life.

Originally Posted by Dave

Feeling Stuck.... That's what I did primarily when I was in the LC...led Bible studies on campuses while I attended University classes for my undergraduate degree for the purpose of recruitment of Christians for the LC. One of the individuals who I recruited on campus is also a member on this forum (of course no longer with the LC). In any case, I can tell you that they will keep bothering you but I wouldn't worry about it. If they helped you in some small way be thankful for the blessings and move on. The more attention you give them or any kind of ambivalence they sense on your part will cause them to call more and more and make it more difficult on you. If they call, just tell them you are going in a different direction in your Christian life and ask them kindly not to call you any more. You may have to do that several times but if you stand your ground they will move on. I agree with HERn, the LC is not a healthy place...but make sure you find a healthy place for your Christian life.

Originally Posted by HERn

Just yesterday my "story" finally became clear to me and that is that the LSM LC is not a healthy place for a christian to live. This is what I'm telling the saints that are dear to me.

Originally Posted by awareness

Unregistered Guest I've been out of the local church a long time. Life hasn't always been great or easy since then but one thing comforts me: It could always be worse, I could still be in the local church.

Plus, thanks to a power hungry elder, that was appointed by Witness Lee, I saw clearly that the local church is a cult. Moreover, I know lots that have come out of the local church and most all admit that they were in a cult.

So run bro run ... away from the local church ... as fast as you can.

Originally Posted by Unregistered

I am currently in the process of looking for other churches as well, but the one that I'm in (not the LC) is currently one I am liking. They have the core Christian doctrines, they are very open to discussion, there is no pressure to stay in the church and they definitely have genuine care and love for others that was missing in the LC. They have Bible study, and youth group, as well as social events, which was lacking at the LC and it looks encouraging. They even encouraged me to not stay just for the sake the church but to be open to exploring other churches to see what they are like, which is quite surprising actually! I can see that church as being my second family and I can see the expression of God's love in many of them! However, I am definitely taking their advice to be open and look around other churches.

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Hello again!

On a short note, I am also Australian =). It seems that the LC and their methods in Australia is not much different than in America!

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Hello again!

I just have to say how amazed I was about seeing these responses. I really appreciate each and every one of them and I am truly blessed to see so many people looking after me, even during this situation! ...

Originally Posted by OBW

As Igzy has said, leave as soon as possible. You don't have to give them a reason. You don't have to get into a debate on the correctness of anything they said. (Besides, they are skilled in making their ways sound unassailable even though they most certainly are worthy of being assailed.)

Just quit. Go to a different place for lunch or to study. You don't have to e rude, but if you see them, nod and go on about your business. You have things to do that do not need them tagging along to work their way into your life like a spiritual-looking teddy bear cactus (the kind whose barbs have reverse hooks that catch you and as you fight to get rid of them, you actually get caught more).

Originally Posted by aron

You say, "I don't know how I can tell the Local Church group about my other church without hurting them too much." I would say this: the reason that you don't know how to tell them what you are doing is that you don't know how to tell yourself. You don't feel comfortable enough with what you are doing to be able to present it to others. So first, get comfortable with what you are doing. You have to find a story that makes sense to you before you can make sense to others. And it will take time. Give yourself the gift of time.

Here is what might make you more comfortable: don't feel pressure to "join" any church group. Tell yourself that you plan on meeting with 10 different churches over the next 10 months. Or 6 over the next 6 months. Whatever. Just be open. Don't try to "join" anything. You are young, you don't know what is going on except that there is a God and Jesus is His Son, and our Savior. Beyond that, what church is good to meet with? What is the truth in God's word? Where to go? What to do? You simply don't know. So don't pretend. You are uncomfortable because you are trying to defend and explain something that you don't even know, yet!

Originally Posted by aron

if you have only been saved for 6 months then you are very vulnerable. Anyone who seems to know what they are talking about will be able to influence you if you are not careful. So be careful.

If you are a new Christian, and you start to meet with some group, without any other point of reference you'll take everything they say as if it was true and complete. But is it? You really don't know. They say it is, of course, but how are you to tell? So don't "sign on the dotted line" just because you enjoy a couple of songs, or someone's testimony. Don't commit to anyone or anything. You are free: don't give up your freedom so easily. Christ purchased your freedom on the cross with His blood. Don't let go of it.

I am repeating myself, but it is worth repeating: you are vulnerable to pressure. (I will provide my suggested solution below).

There has been quite some discussion about this subject. Pretty much everyone who's evaluated them say that they are "unbalanced"... they take very narrow positions on doctrines (ideas from the Bible) and they argue with other Christians. They do name-calling, as you probably have noticed -- everyone who doesn't take their position is called "twisted" and "dark" and "degraded" and "deformed" and so forth. Whether or not they are a cult, they are certainly not a very healthy group, in the opinion of many Christians.

They have a tactic of putting pressure on the "newbie" to get them to conform. You just have to realize that is how it is. Any group that pressures you, that should be a "red flag" warning you to be careful. And that's a reason many Christians don't feel comfortable about them (besides their questionable doctrines).

You say, "I don't know how I can tell the Local Church group about my other church without hurting them too much." I would say this: the reason that you don't know how to tell them what you are doing is that you don't know how to tell yourself. You don't feel comfortable enough with what you are doing to be able to present it to others. So first, get comfortable with what you are doing. You have to find a story that makes sense to you before you can make sense to others. And it will take time. Give yourself the gift of !

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Just a quick background on me. I am currently a university student and a Christian for 6 months.

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Not long after I got saved, I joined a Christian club at University, but at that time, I didn't know that they were actually affiliated with the Local Church. I am also currently part of the church in their locality. Because of this, as a new Christian, I took all of the teachings of Witness Lee as the truth and was basically taught not to question it

Originally Posted by Unregistered

I got heavily involved and influenced by the group, largely because of pressure as they said I was 'useful to the Lord' and because I didn't want to ruin the oneness that they claim to have.

Originally Posted by Unregistered

I do not know if they are actually a cult since there are differing opinions so as a side question, I would like to ask if they are actually a cult or not. They seem to keep the core doctrines of Christianity but I'm not too sure.

Originally Posted by Unregistered

I really want to leave but I am stuck. I have tried to reduce the frequency of going to church on Sunday and being involved with my club at university, but they constantly call, asking why I'm not there.

Originally Posted by Unregistered

I have joined another church in the past few weeks ...my relationship with God is so much stronger. I want to remain there and attend more frequently, but I don't know how I can tell my Local Church group without hurting them too much.

Originally Posted by Terry

I'm with you. Not a cult, but sectarian beliefs and practices. My disengage approach may be attend home meetings, but begin attending the non-LSM church for Lord's Day worship. Gradually stop attending home meetings. More often than not, they won't bother to call you.
However, those that do care for you will call.

Originally Posted by Unregistered

I got heavily involved and influenced by the group, largely because of pressure as they said I was 'useful to the Lord' and because I didn't want to ruin the oneness that they claim to have.

Originally Posted by Igzy

The problem with the LCM is its view of things is so narrow (and ignorant) and they don't tolerate other views. So they are warped and you are bound to be warped by them. Example: Oneness doesn't mean you let some little group or its tin horn leaders control your life. Their teaching about "oneness" just turns out to be a way to control people. They'd never admit that, but it's true.

Originally Posted by HERn

I don't think they are a cult as in "let's everyone drink this cyanide laced koolaid so we can all go to Jesus together", but they are probably close to a sect in that their source of authority are the writings of Witness Lee and to some degree Watchman Nee. I would continue in your new church and make some new friends that could pray with you while you continue to disengage from the LC. Don't let them pressure you into doing anything, they can be very manipulative. Don't go to anymore conferences and use your spring break to be away from them. Same over the summer...maybe by next fall they will have forgotten about you and you can continue your relationship with the Lord Jesus with a more healthy non-LC church group. I'm praying with you!