[ZNPaaneah]

"I read your post today which I must have missed. You referenced there being a third option. My question to you is what if you’ve been taken aside and censored not to speak in the meetings?
In reading your posts, you’ve responded intuitively by being proactive in your speaking. You sought to speak edifying words. Maybe pertaining to you, the brothers had second thoughts of taking you aside since you were speaking positive words and since you were consistent in your speaking how could they touch someone that was visible and well-received?"

This question was posed to me and I figure it is certainly appropriate on this thread. I cannot even imagine all the possible scenarios in which someone might be censured so I am going to add a little to this to clarify first.

Let's assume that you are not censured for something that you would certainly need to repent of, this is not a case of sinfulness. Instead suppose you had spoken against the idea of WL being the MOTA and this prompted the response. I use this example because it is very close to what prompted my leaving the LRC.

In the meeting with the elders I would want clarification as to exactly why I am being censured, I would take notes. If they have a problem with that I would explain that I will be taking this fellowship home to pray and I want to pray over what it is they want me to repent for. I would then thank them for the fellowship and shake their hands. The Bible says to be thankful in all things and I would not want anyone to say I left in a negative attitude.

I would then lay this before the Lord and pray about it. I expect the Lord might rebuke me for something, on the other hand He might not. If the Lord's response is "do not give place to them, no not for an hour" I would then begin to write a testimony. This testimony would focus on all the people and things in the LRC that I am thankful for. I would thank the brothers that brought the gospel to me even though I did everything to discourage them. I would thank the brother that took me into his home when I first came to the LRC, I would thank the brothers that had shepherded me, I would thank the brothers that labored with me in the gospel on the campus, and I would thank individual saints that had shared something that had helped me in my spiritual walk. This would include any and all things that the elders might have done in the past that had helped me. If I was living in a corporate living situation I would also address the other brothers thanking them for the experiences and fellowship. I would then explain that in prayer the Lord spoke to me that I had to follow my conscience and not men. I would then give a short and accurate account of what happened (prompting the fellowship) and the fellowship. I would apologize for doing this in a letter, but explain that I have been forbidden from speaking in a meeting. I would then say goodbye. I would edit and reread this letter several times, looking particularly to see that at least 75% is positive, that there is no self justification, no condemnation of others, and no bitter taste. I would also pray over the phone list to make sure I included every possible person. Even if it was a short word they spoke two years ago, this is the chance to mention and thank that saint by name.

This letter would include my new address (if I was going to move) and phone number (just in case they don't have it). I would make a copy for every person mentioned in the letter and anyone else I felt needed a copy. I would mail these in the mail to the home address. Two days later I would mail another copy to the elders explaining that after taking their fellowship to the Lord I felt it was time to part ways.

That said, I was never censured, so I never did have this experience. Also this does not describe the way I left simply because at the time I was under the impression that doing this could be construed as divisive.