Quote:
Originally Posted by Peter Debelak
I guess the best way to describe what I'm getting at is to say:
There's a difference between 1) "making assumptions about what is right" versus 2) "not taking a position on whether something is right or not" while continuing to petition the Lord for clarity.
In either case, you may still find a church, submit to that church's authority etc... The difference is where your default position lies.
Position 1 makes an assumption that it's "right" that one find and be in a formal congregation with a formal church structure. This person will have a more difficult time to shake this assumption or habit of thought if the time ever comes that the Lord is leading them in a direction that doesn't align exactly with the "officers" of the church.
Position 2 may also join a church with leadership, but the default position is that he/she is seeking after God's will. It doesn't get clouded by the human habits and ossification that occurs when we habituate assumptions. Since God's will entails fellowship, He will lead him/her into potentially all sorts of fellowship arrangements. This person will be open to meeting in a formal "church" without having to make the assumption or assertion that that is the "right way" to do fellowship. This person, however, will also be more sensitive/open to other sorts of fellowship - and also more keen if any error enters into that church through the leadership.
|
Though it's harder for me now than it once was, I still believe that we should submit and trust those in the lead in the church ... that is, until God in His infinite care shines His light upon some darkness. After all, we are likened to "dumb sheep," not by evil leaders looking for advantage, but by our heavenly Father. He knows full well all our vulnerabilities, which is why all of our leaders must be accountable, and above all reproach.
It always troubles me when ministers get caught in scandal and then are "restored" to their ministry. Our Lord's glorious name is once again shamed, and these wolves are once again let loose. I do believe that our Lord's precious blood can restore any sinner back to fellowship with God,
but not back to his former ministry.
The story of the Recovery under the leadership of Witness Lee is a history of coverups, abuses, backbitings, lawsuits, quarantines, and storms. Each of these stories were failed attempts by former members crying out for accountability in the ministry of WL. The Great Shepherd was speaking through the prophets He sent us, in order to protect the flock, and to expose the evil within the church. It took the orchestrated efforts by many LRC leaders in order to thwart this saving work of God. As John Myer aptly concluded in his book concerning the Recovery, "
Your house is left to you desolate."