Quote:
Originally Posted by Freedom
A common theme that I have noticed in WL's ministry is that he would position his ministry as being supreme, but also claim that the local churches are were controlled by anyone, and that churches had no obligation to follow his ministry. Of course, the reality was always that there was a my way or the highway attitude. It seems the rationalization for this was always in the form of asking members why they would want anything besides his ministry. In other words, because WL's ministry was equated with being the only thing worthwhile, even a passive rejection of his ministry was a problem.
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Here's another driving factor behind the commitment of many an old-timer full-timer: In the late 70's, the Max Rapoport "thing" blew up in the LC's. Yes, Max caused lots of chaos, destroying many LC's and young people, but behind the scenes Lee pushed him into it, and that story was never told.
Anyways, Max was a charmer and a charismatic leader who gathered quite a following. After the dust settled, and Max was shamed into departure, some of these brothers soberly and publicly repented of their involvement. Two in particular with brothers Dick Taylor and Howard Higashi of Long Beach(?). These two were precious shepherds who loved the Lord and the saints.
I believe their repentance went too far. They devoted themselves anew to Lee's work and ministry absolutely and unreservedly, to the point where they abrogated personal discernment. Others also took cue from them, since the two were so outspoken in their new found admirations. This gave Lee an unrestricted license, which served him a decade later to coverup all manner of unrighteousness, and shame a new crop of brothers into LC "extinction."