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Originally Posted by UntoHim
May I suggest we try to steer this thread back to the original question put forth here?
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I have learned that among those who grew up in the LCS many face social issues. My question is: what role, if any, do you think the LCS played in the development of these behaviors?
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Until my departure several years ago, I long had wondered why so few families survived the LC intact. My thinking always centered on the promises of being "God's best." If we really were what we were told, then we should be the most blessed people on earth, yet we also will be the ones most attacked by God's enemy. So I thought. Since I considered answers to prayer and the condition of one's family to be among the top indicators (and not wealth or worldly success) that one is blessed by God, I woefully had to admit that the enemy was far more successful than God's blessing.
How could this be?
As I stepped away from the LC's to reevaluate my positions on a myriad of topics, (prompted by the pending "civil war" over publications,) I was forced to admit that zealousness, consecration to "Christ and the church," and oneness with the ministry did little to help my family or others. The line "
how can you care for your house, while God's house lies waste," stirred such guilt within, and ... I had heard so many promises that "
you care for God's house, and He will care for your house." It never seemed to work out that way, however. Looking back over my history, the blessing seemed to come from obedience to the Lord, and cooperation with His Spirit, and not from long hours of service.
Shepherding saints and raising children have many similarities. When "the program" comes first in your life, along with allegiances to headquarters, people tend to know it. They're not stupid. I was, however. Somewhere along the line, the "family of God" got replaced by the "army of God." Families suffered. Mine did. Others did also. The ones who did survive in the churchlife had a healthy sequence of Christ first, then family, then church. Those, like me, who put "Christ and the church" first, and family last, often ended up with neither Christ nor family. Christ and the family both being replaced with endless service in the church trying to be a faithful brother.