Quote:
Originally Posted by Terry
Local Churches in general are conditionally inclusive. As long as fellowship is based on LSM publications, there is inclusiveness. Any other talk of being inclusive is hypocritical.
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Yes, the inclusiveness stops when it's obvious that someone won't accept the ministry. I've seen many Christians come through over the years, and it appears that they are initially accepted within the LC, but so many of them end up leaving when they realize that the group is only for those who appreciate and want to immerse themselves in Lee's ministry.
In the CRI journal, they made the argument that because there are other Christian groups that aren't so inclusive, that makes it okay for the LC to have exclusive and sectarian tendencies (such as putting down denominations). CRI seems to be more about defending the LC, then honestly considering why the LC has the legacy that it does.
Like
UntoHim said, I think that LC leadership has to put on a different face to impress those observing from the outside. On the inside it's completely different. If you display a disinterest in Lee's ministry, you might be viewed suspiciously. If you fairly analyze LC history, it's cause for excommunication. There are so many documented cases of how the LC really treats members who don't conform.
I think what makes the issue hard for outsiders to understand is that in many cases the exclusivity and sectarianism is done in a way where it is not so blatantly obvious, at least nowadays. They are somewhat willing to accept other Christians, even tolerate them if they don't conform right away, granted they're not voicing any concerns. Usually, when it becomes obvious that someone isn't a good fit, the just ignore that person until he or she leaves by their own doing. It makes it harder to point a finger at the LC and say they are exclusive.
I have stated before that I have been to Bible studies that involved non-LC Christians attending. They obviously will bring their own Bibles and the brothers would be quick to tell them they're welcome to use their own Bible, however, they would also use it as an opportunity to tell them about the RcV Bible. Every LC Bible study I've been to has involved extensive use of RcV footnotes, so it would not be possible for someone to use their own version of the Bible. That's where the hypocrisy is, that the brothers put on an act of being inclusive, however, everyone very well knows that the only goal for new comers in a situation such as a Bible study is to get everyone using the RcV.