Quote:
Originally Posted by Terry
Ohio, on your post above if there's two points I differ with it's changed from independent local churches to dependence on a ministry publisher (instead of headquarters). At this time I resist using the term evil workers. The leadership did fail the local churches. They do have interests which have and are misguiding saints in the local churches. These interests center on lifting up a man and his ministry.
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When I first declared that denominations became what they were, not because of some name, but because of a controlling headquarters, I saw both Anaheim and Cleveland together, with little distinction between them. The dependence on LSM as just a publisher, does little but stock our shelves with books. Anaheim was consulted for all major decisions. So was Cleveland. HQ's provided all direction, determined all teachings, set up all agendas, hosted or directed all conferences and trainings, determined the speakers, became clearinghouses for worker funds, ran trainings or seminaries, appointed elders, etc. Many a local church existed only as a satellite for headquarters. For years, I was part of a "suburb" of Cleveland, then a "suburb" of Anaheim during the mid to late 80's, and then a "suburb" of Cleveland again until today. One sister, whose husband and brother-in-law served FT under TC, made this interesting comment about 5 years ago, "
TC is shuffling the deck again," referring to the movement and manipulation of FT'ers.
One of the worst parts of "the work," was the accepted premise that no worker could choose the city where he could live. That decision was made by the senior brother. That condition alone robbed many brothers of the freedom to follow Christ, and Christ alone. But, since the brothers understood this before embarking on their service, one could say that "what's fair is fair."
What is not fair was the mistreatments and abuses the workers were forced to endure, for one and only one reason, that all the glory and power would be centralized in the leader. Any one else could and would be sacrificed to maintain that order. Many brothers, both under the leadership in Anaheim and under the leadership in Cleveland, were gifts from the Head to the body, but became rivals to the leadership, and thus had to be put "in their place." If they decided to speak out against the leader, then they were branded as rebels. This is why I call these leaders evil workers, because of their unrighteous treatment of others.