Quote:
Originally Posted by Evangelical
Look where we are on the hype cycle:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hype_cycle
We are coming out of the trough of disillusionment (which is what this forum represents) and next is the plateau of productivity. You think it's had its day since the high times of the 60's-80's, but that's what tricks most people.
As we said in the other thread, Bibles for America alone has distributed over 1 million bibles and almost 3 million ministry books. That is just in America.
Overall, there are not many alternatives to denominations. So I think we can expect growth over time, particularly since we are seeking "unchurched Christians" unlike denominations which are trialing gimmicks and marketing.
I think the local churches have a number of features that people might find attractive:
- no priest/pastoral positions
- the ability to function as members of the Body (i.e. participate in a meaningful way)
- no one asking for tithes or donations Sunday after Sunday
- not liberal - solid biblical foundation and fundamental
- small group and family orientated - focus on the small group primarily, and a spread of generations from the very young to very old.
- discipline/devotion and a vision/path for continual spiritual growth with others.
These were some of the things which attracted me, |
Hey bro Evan... Just to butt in. What attracted me to the LC was the love.
Of course I came in in Santa Cruz Cal. They were former hippies. They were very loving, with arms wide open.
Then, when I went to a conference in L.A. (before Anaheim) I overheard a few brothers talking about me. They were saying, "He's from Santa Cruz, they aren't in the flow." That struck me as not being accepted, that I was missing something they thought critical to being a true LC.
But the c. in Santa Cruz was great. Brotherly Love was abounding. The meetings were full of the Spirit.
After that conference the elders at Santa Cruz brought in Lee material. Then suddenly morning watch became reading Lee publications, and lost its spirit. They felt like death studies. And the meetings became about Witness Lee. They lost that joyous Spirit, freely flowing in the meetings.
There is no c. in Santa Cruz now. Kill the Spirit, kill the church. Thanks Lee.