[aron]

Lessons learned from the LC.

1. if the Pastor is held to be untouchable, probably should stay away.
2. if the group won't fellowship with any others of "fallen Babylon", probably stay away.
3. if the group has their own special Bible, own special translation, and all other Christians are regarded as "darkened" or hopelessly ignorant, probably stay away.
4. if the only books allowed are published by the Pastor/Apostle/Minister, probably stay away.
5. if they have a proprietary lineage from Jesus Christ to the Pastor, probably stay away.
6. if they focus on self instead of helping others, calling such outreach activities 'dead works', probably stay away. Jesus was full of "good works" (Acts 10:38), why would we say they are dead works?
7. if they boost your ego, telling you how wonderful you are, love-bombing you, probably stay away. They are setting you up.
8. if they publicly humiliate church members as a kind of initiation, called variously "perfecting" and "training", probably avoid this group. (note that #8 inevitably follows #7)

There is a lot of good Christian fellowship out there, but don't lay hands quickly on any group. Sit in the back row, watch, then leave. Then go back a week later and do the same thing. Take your time. Don't commit to anyone. The Local Church often used 'charismania' - high-pressure, sensory overload, yelling and arm-waving, to get visitors into crisis mode, then to emotional commit, before realizing what they'd committed to.

As far as positive things to pursue, the NT is full of relevant counsel. But it's been 2,000 years and so much has come in, so many layers of culture and interpretation. Interesting that those calling for "Back to the basics" and "biblical Christianity" can be really far off, as well. Google "recovered church" or "restored church" or "true church" and look how many separate entities pop up, even in Taiwan I daresay. It's become something of a fad over the past 30 years.

Instead, "seek ye first the kingdom of God", not in a website or building with a sign out front, but in continual obedience to the Holy Spirit. This will lead to the narrow path, and Christian fellowship. That's the best I can do. I had to unlearn years of Christian teachings to see that the words in the NT were telling me a story. Once I saw it, it became clear guidance to me - who I was supposed to be, what I was suppose to do (and not to do), and how to do it (and how not to do it). It's right there.

The path is there, you just have to be willing to sit quietly, and look. If you seek the Saviour, you'll find His sheep.