Quote:
Originally Posted by Overflow
After leaving a system of confused scripture, legalistic focus and egocentric belief of being God's only saving grace....I have issues with believing that an LC elder could healthily step into the leadership of another church without serious counseling and detoxing! HOPE how did you transition away/search out the deception from truth that was ingrained in you during your time with LC!?!?
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Greetings Overflow,
I agree with you. If one of the dear brothers from the past suddenly began to meet with us, I would love him and treat him with kindness and have the best of hope for him. But he would need to learn and relearn many things before he would be effective in building up others.
We have had a few former leaders from free group type fellowships come to meet with us. Unfortunately, some felt that were the answer to our need and assumed they would be immediately raised to a leadership position. That is a problem since the assembly where I gather does not have a formal leadership structure. We have no apostle who is appointing elders or extra local work to which we belong. We are a family. All participate in decisions regarding the church family from direction to discipline. We are very different from the old local church I knew. About the only thing similar is some meeting practices such as any can call a hymn. Many give personal testimonies regarding their experiences of Christ. Any can call for specific prayer at any time. We do refer to each other as brother and sister but not always or even most of the time. We do have ministry of the word but that occupies a minority of the time. A conference or retreat type gathering is rare and is for a specific purpose related to local needs. We have no ongoing conference schedule to enable some worker to speak.
As far as old brother Hope, Don Rutledge, how did he detox. For six years I did not open my mouth in any Christian gathering, not to pray, to give a testimony, to share the word or to ask a question. I visited denominations, Bible Churches, Free Groups, home meetings etc. I only spoke when spoken to. Mainly I listened and sought to learn from the Christ in the believers. I made friends with several pastors and had good fellowship with them and members of their congregations and I still do. Monthly, I supported missionaries financially, and I still do. I gave money for summer mission trips of children of friends and I still do. My wife and I shared the good news of Jesus Christ with friends, co-workers and friends of our children. My wife and I prayed together every morning. I read the Bible daily. I did not read any LSM literature and I still do not, but did read a few other authors but mainly only the Bible with no footnotes etc.
We occasionally crossed paths with saints from the past and enjoyed being with them. We lived in the county and were somewhat isolated. We stayed in touch with some in Raleigh who had been rejected by the LSM. They took most of the initiative and were incredibly kind toward us. Gradually we began to see them more often. Eventually around 1996-7 we began to join them in meetings on a more regular basis. I continued to say and do very little.
Over time the number has increased from a handful of former local churchers huddling for warmth. We never claim to be “God’s only saving grace” whatever that means. Today, some may say I have some type of leadership but whatever that may be is not official but only spiritual and comes only from mutual respect for one another.
Overflow, I trust this helps a little.
In Christ Jesus,
Hope, Don Rutledge
I just have one question. Overflow in your post you wrote, "I have issues with believing that an LC elder could healthily step into the leadership of another church without serious counseling and detoxing!"
I cannot ever recall claiming to be a leader anywhere. I know of no reference to my stepping into the leadership of another church. Can you let me know where I may have given the thought that I was anything at all? I surely do not want to be self assuming. If I have, please get me straight.