Quote:
Originally Posted by SpeakersCorner
Terry,
I can't recall Nigel's exact utterance, but I do believe he was touching on one of the crucial matters being discussed these days in the GLAs: how do we fit into the general body of Christ? Of course, from our LC days we thought ourselves to be a special subset of the body, but when that evolved into exclusivism, sectarianism, arrogance, etc., it revealed something underlying this idea of being "special" that is very dangerous. John Myers talked about this as well in the Goshen conference.
SC or, sadly I guess now, LC
(Hm, this may not work at all.)
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SpeakersCorner, that was the essence of my point. Being special as a self-percieved notion we're set apart from the rest of Christianity. There was always the lurking danger of exclusivism becoming a behavior. I'm sure we all have friends, family, and co-workers who are Christians not meeting in the local churches. What we were imparted with while recieving Witness Lee's ministry should never make us think we're better than this group or that group. Rather we should consider what we may fellowship on as a contribution.
The danger I see that exists some may not be consciously aware of. I've noticed behavior while meeting with the local churches and in my time since. Something along the lines of, so and so is a devout Christian even if the don't meet with the Church in _______. Other points of exclucivism may be on the reality of the church or on the proper ground, etc.
I'm sure there are many groups I've never met with who may consider themselves having a special niche in Christianity. Key is, will ones drop their concepts and doctrines just to meet and fellowship through the Bible?
Terry Fisher