Quote:
Originally Posted by Indiana
An example of this occurred yesterday (Dec 31, 2011) when I was at lunch with a former leader. We encountered a couple who recognized the former elder and would not greet him though he extended his hand to the brother for a handshake. They had already shunned him, (and me), minutes earlier and now this took place. They sincerely felt that they could not greet him as they would have liked since they still remembered and were grieved about the damage he brought to their regional church life through his visit 23 years ago. He had “killed” saints by his speaking, including ones they were close to that left the church.
He listened attentively to their vehement protestations and when given the opportunity he said calmly and slowly with a smile, “This is a misunderstanding”, indicating that there was more to it than what they had observed. But more pent-up protestations came forth from the couple. I had asked the brother if he ever considered the other side of the story and he admitted that there is always two sides, but they were not interested in this. They knew what happened to those they loved and cared for and John was to blame.
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A prime example where the kingdom principle of relationships is lacking. Perhaps this couple did not hear Ron's message. Go back and read Mark 11. Better yet since Ron is the brother who gave the message, has his concept towards John Ingalls changed?
This couple as beneifical as they apparently may be to Vista is an example of a systemic problem. Only willing to look at one side, aka "what the brothers said". Just as Ananias sold property in Acts 5 and expected it to stand as the whole, is a word given about former elders such as John Ingalls and expect it to stand as the whole. This couple is not the first ones I've heard of. There have been others directly or indirectly who have stated no desire to learn the other side of the coin other than what Witness Lee presented in
Fermentation of the Present Rebellion. On a personal note I do appreciate one brother from the table (next to Indiana and John Ingalls) who acknowledged John. A brother I remember from my time meeting with the Church in Bellevue.
In regard to what this couple experienced in San Diego. One possibility I raised is those saints this couple loved and cared for who left could have had concerns of their own and John's speaking brought their concerns into focus and confirmed.