Quote:
Originally Posted by Dave
I left in 1978 and nothing of that nature was going on during the 9 years I was in the LC. I wonder if they are following the Plymouth Brethren practice if they have one. In any case, although it sounds restrictive sometimes something like that is essential. It's just outside of my frame of reference but provides some insight as to the inter-workings of the meetings of the LC.
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This practice of keeping time for testimonies/prophecies is quite common from what I've seen. From what I understand, in the old days people would sometimes give long-winded testimonies about whatever, so this whole idea of "prophesying" developed where everyone is supposed to speak from the same material.
Unregistered, you asked earlier about what would be helpful to those wanting to recover from the LC. I don't have any solid advice to give you or suggestions on what to read here, however, I think you are doing the right thing by asking questions or bringing up things that may have been troubling you in the LC. That is exactly what has helped me, not so much knowing what would be the right thing to do next, but feeling free to come here and discuss the things that I have always been bothered about in the LC.
This topic of prophesying is a prime example of that. I used to think that the LC was really something special, because they allow everyone to speak and have "open meetings". That can be a good thing, don't get me wrong, however, the way it is put into practice really negates any benefit. I have been to so many meetings where I was bored out of my mind listening to everyone share the same points over and over. At the same time, I would hear everyone say how "enjoyable" that meeting was. There was such a disconnect between what people would say and how I really felt inside. Once I started to realize that this disconnect wasn't my fault or something that I was doing wrong, it really helped me to stop putting so much blame on myself.
Regardless of whether or not it is a good idea to have an "open meeting", the LC doesn't really understand that their format doesn't work well. Why do meetings always go over time? Well you can't reasonably expect 100+ people to share a few minutes each in 1-1.5 hours. Sometimes they try to counteract this problem by splitting up into small groups. This has the opposite effect where everyone is pressured to share longer than they are comfortable with.
All of that doesn't even take into consideration whether or not the content of what everyone shares is beneficial or not. Many (even most) times it is not. Reading outline points or an excerpt rarely benefits anyone since that can be done on everyone's own time. Also, when people stand up and dump their problems on everyone, that is not beneficial either, and I personally get irritated when people do that. It's not that I don't care about what others are going through, it's just not the time or place for that. When brothers start pressuring people to share, it can be very uncomforatable for many. I visited a church once where it looked like one of the elders was keeping track of who had shared and who hadn't.
1 Cor 14:31 is used to justify the LC practice of prophesying ("For you can all prophesy in turn so that everyone may be instructed and encouraged."). What always caught my attention about this verse is that uses the word
can, not the word
must. Is
can the LC practice, or is it
must? It usually seems like the latter. This practice is not well suited for big meetings and it is surprising that not more are bothered by it. When so much of the LC revolves around these flawed practices, it comes as no surprised that we get so messed up inside. There have been many times when I feel so distant from the Lord. When I look at the content of most meetings it comes as no surprise now. When people have the chance to basically say a few sentences before having to sit down, how is anyone expected to gain anything beneficial other than what someone may have "enjoyed"? Anyways, sorry for being so long-winded here. Hope this helps.