[Nell]

To me, the "main problem" with the Local Church is ignoring what Jesus said about "the church". Firstly, he didn't say "the church". He said "my church".

Matt. 16:18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build MY church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

The church is HIS church, and he will build it. Not Witness Lee. Not the blendeds. Not the Baptists, not the Catholics. etc., etc., etc.,

Has Jesus called the Local Church of Witness Lee "my church"? Is Jesus building the Local Church? Is hell prevailing against the Local Church?

Benson Phillips used to say "Concentrate on Christ and the church will be built. Concentrate on the church and nothing will be built." (paraphrased) This is right...just look around and see all the "nothing" that has been "built."

I think we should get out of the way and let Jesus build his church as he has said he would. A good place to start would be to love him; love one another, feed his sheep; break bread with one another--share our meals; not forsake assembling together. In other words, stick with what we know (what's in his word); do as we are told and keep our mitts off his church.

We don't need to worry about the church. We don't need to figure out how to "do church". He's already figured it out. That's his job. Do as we are told and he will build his church. There is too much "church" talk and not enough "gospel of Jesus Christ" talk. I think this is the "main problem" with Christians in general...trying to figure out how to "do" church and get it "right".

Nell