Quote:
Originally Posted by Ohio
What?!? Are you sure you still meet in the Local Churches?  Just kidding.
Actually, when WL first came to the USA, he spoke like this often. One such book was the Speciality, Generality, and Practicality of the Church Life. It spoke about clinging only to crucial things, giving one another needed liberties, and letting go of meany things which frustrate the believers' fellowship. WL spoke this to visiting Christians, desiring to find a richer ministry than what was provided by the old denominations which seemed to dominate the Christian world of the early 60's.
Sorry to say, but it not take too long for WL to return to his Brethren and Chinese roots of overbearing control on all member churches. In this regard, there are like two WL's -- one that the Blendeds knew, and one that the GLA found in the old books, one that was combative and controlling, and one that was big-hearted and liberal towards all. WL was definitely both. When I came to these forums I wondered who was the real WL?
When I researched the Plymouth Brethren split, I discovered John Darby was the same way. Gentle as a dove to new believers and guests, and ferocious as a tiger to any and all potential rivals. These things, brothers, ought not to be so!
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Yes, I treasure this book very much:
Speciality, Generality, and Practicality of the Church Life. It had great influence on how I view other Christians. Growing up in the LCs, I used to be much more judgmental of other christians...until I read this book.
It is too bad we don't practice what is in this book (as a whole organization) because of the leadership. But I have seen individuals in the LCs who practice this. And it is wonderful. I try to practice this myself and encourage those around me to practice the same.