Message to the Local Church Leadership

Nell · 01-23-2023, 09:16 AM

To the Local Church Leadership, and, shepherdingwords.org,

I'm wondering if relegation, by your MOTA, of the gospel of Jesus Christ as the "low gospel", has anything to do with the abuse still being perpetrated by you upon the sisters and children in your congregations? You preach another gospel.

I recently began watching "The Chosen". This series was recommended to me by a trusted friend. I generally don't watch anything portraying the life and story of Jesus but I decided to give it a try. I'm into season 2 now and it's been a very watchable experience. What troubles me is I'm also re-reading the forum--the many, many accounts of predatory abuse of women and children by you, the Local Church leaders. I'm seeing you in the warnings in Matthew's gospel...what Lee called the "low-gospel". Here's the warning to all:

Matthew 7:15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.

I'll let the testimonies of the sisters speak for themselves. They have made their cases against you all...clearly exposing the false prophets among you. Yet the sin willfully remains.

Matthew 18:6 But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea. 7 Woe unto the world because of offences! for it must needs be that offences come; but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh!.

Jesus came to save us from our sins, yet you willfully remain in yours

Even the so-called "low gospel" is higher than the staggering hypocrisy perpetrated by Witness Lee, and to which you have literally signed your allegiance with your signatures on paper. (Swearing an oath to another god may be an equally serious matter...) Why can you not see that not only is "The Ministry" of Witness Lee sinfully flawed, but the practices instituted by Lee and perpetuated by you amount to "sin in the camp" starting with Lee's own coverup of his son's gross sin.

This behavior has been exposed and dealt with in the Morman group and even by the Southern Baptist denomination...and others. Do you think you can escape? Do you think your high minded teachings will give you a pass for the abuse you are either committing or covering? According to the "low gospel" you will not escape His wrath.

The most heinous actions exposed in these groups was the sexual abuse. Sexual abuse is a crime. The LC's fear-based teachings create an environment that conveniently protects sinning brothers, while the victims suffer in silence. Which is more heinous, the sinning brothers, or those who "cover the brothers"?

Again, where is the gospel of Jesus Christ? He came to save YOU from YOUR SINFUL BEHAVIOR toward your own faithful members, women and children. Your neglect of even the "low gospel" will put that millstone around your necks.

Fear of retribution is a powerful thing...I learned this from you. I'm looking to the Lord for protection from retaliation, including any prayers against me. I look forward to your response, either here on this forum, or on your own "shepherdingwords.org". Actually, your response, your repentance, should be directed, first to your Father, then to those you have abused.

We know where this comes from:

Ephesians 6:12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

Nell

Nell · 01-26-2023, 08:28 PM

From Shepherdingwords.com:

Partial Search Results for: Sexual abuse

Handling Allegations of Abuse

Published on November 25, 2019
Developing, updating, and implementing policies to handle a variety of issues, including deterrence strategies and response practices related to physical, psychological, and sexual abuse or harassment, has been an ongoing…

Posted in Teaching and Fellowship, Turmoils and Problems in the Church Tagged abuse, accusations, apostles, cover-up, elders, practical fellowship, practice of the church life

Posted in Newly Added, Our Attitude, Teaching and Fellowship Tagged activism, practical fellowship, society
A Response from the Church in Houston
Published on September 20, 2019
…alleges that Allen Bayes, an elder in the church, asked the Author to cover up a case of egregious sexual abuse. This is untrue as are many of the account’s…

Posted in History, Specific Refutations, Teaching and Fellowship Tagged abuse, cover-up

Robert · 01-27-2023, 11:07 AM

Thanks!
Very interesting lecture!
Let me add last part too.
It seems to be definition of "sweeping under the rug".
"If a matter has been referred to the responsible brothers, the saints should not talk about it among themselves lest they sin by damaging others’ reputations, compromise the brothers’ ability to effectively address the situation, and inflame fleshly reactions among the saints through gossip. Abstaining from such gossip properly limits the circle of people who know about an incident. This will reduce entangling those who are not directly involved and polluting their minds with fears or biases against either the accused or the alleged victim. It will also simplify both resolving incidents and appropriately communicating their resolution. The saints should understand that if the established facts do not conclusively support an accusation, whatever action the responsible brothers might take will necessarily be limited. Furthermore, repeating unverified accusations against others is destructive gossip and can be considered slander that opens the possibility of legal action from the aggrieved party. False accusations can and have occurred. Moreover, unbridled talk can also cause the alleged victim to suffer embarrassment and humiliation, making it difficult for that person to continue in the fellowship of the church. Saints should not assume that they fully understand all aspects of a situation that has been placed in the hands of the responsible brothers."

While Paul was teaching opposite.
Few verses comes to my mind:

2 Tim 4:10 4:10
for Demas forsook me, having loved this present world, and went to Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus to Dalmatia.
Demas was mentioned by name.
2 Tim 14:14-15
4:14
Alexander the coppersmith did me much evil: the Lord will render to him according to his works:
4:15
of whom do thou also beware; for he greatly withstood our words.
Paul, as an elder, is warning brothers. not hiding problem or name.
1 Cor 5:7
5:11
but as it is, I wrote unto you not to keep company, if any man that is named a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such a one no, not to eat.
5:12
For what have I to do with judging them that are without? Do not ye judge them that are within?
5:13
But them that are without God judgeth. Put away the wicked man from among yourselves.
Phil 3:2
3:2
Beware of the dogs, beware of the evil workers, beware of the concision:

They still manipulate saints by using words: "rumors" or "gossip" instaed of
"warn others", "beware".

If we walk in truth and light, there is also no place for "alleged".

01-23-2023, 09:16 AM	#1
Nell Admin/Moderator Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Texas Posts: 2,100	Message to the Local Church Leadership To the Local Church Leadership, and, shepherdingwords.org, I'm wondering if relegation, by your MOTA, of the gospel of Jesus Christ as the "low gospel", has anything to do with the abuse still being perpetrated by you upon the sisters and children in your congregations? You preach another gospel. I recently began watching "The Chosen". This series was recommended to me by a trusted friend. I generally don't watch anything portraying the life and story of Jesus but I decided to give it a try. I'm into season 2 now and it's been a very watchable experience. What troubles me is I'm also re-reading the forum--the many, many accounts of predatory abuse of women and children by you, the Local Church leaders. I'm seeing you in the warnings in Matthew's gospel...what Lee called the "low-gospel". Here's the warning to all: Matthew 7:15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. I'll let the testimonies of the sisters speak for themselves. They have made their cases against you all...clearly exposing the false prophets among you. Yet the sin willfully remains. Matthew 18:6 But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea. 7 Woe unto the world because of offences! for it must needs be that offences come; but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh!. Jesus came to save us from our sins, yet you willfully remain in yours Even the so-called "low gospel" is higher than the staggering hypocrisy perpetrated by Witness Lee, and to which you have literally signed your allegiance with your signatures on paper. (Swearing an oath to another god may be an equally serious matter...) Why can you not see that not only is "The Ministry" of Witness Lee sinfully flawed, but the practices instituted by Lee and perpetuated by you amount to "sin in the camp" starting with Lee's own coverup of his son's gross sin. This behavior has been exposed and dealt with in the Morman group and even by the Southern Baptist denomination...and others. Do you think you can escape? Do you think your high minded teachings will give you a pass for the abuse you are either committing or covering? According to the "low gospel" you will not escape His wrath. The most heinous actions exposed in these groups was the sexual abuse. Sexual abuse is a crime. The LC's fear-based teachings create an environment that conveniently protects sinning brothers, while the victims suffer in silence. Which is more heinous, the sinning brothers, or those who "cover the brothers"? Again, where is the gospel of Jesus Christ? He came to save YOU from YOUR SINFUL BEHAVIOR toward your own faithful members, women and children. Your neglect of even the "low gospel" will put that millstone around your necks. Fear of retribution is a powerful thing...I learned this from you. I'm looking to the Lord for protection from retaliation, including any prayers against me. I look forward to your response, either here on this forum, or on your own "shepherdingwords.org". Actually, your response, your repentance, should be directed, first to your Father, then to those you have abused. We know where this comes from: Ephesians 6:12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Nell

01-26-2023, 08:28 PM	#2
Nell Admin/Moderator Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Texas Posts: 2,100	Handling Allegations of Abuse From Shepherdingwords.com: Partial Search Results for: Sexual abuse Handling Allegations of Abuse Published on November 25, 2019 Developing, updating, and implementing policies to handle a variety of issues, including deterrence strategies and response practices related to physical, psychological, and sexual abuse or harassment, has been an ongoing… Posted in Teaching and Fellowship, Turmoils and Problems in the Church Tagged abuse, accusations, apostles, cover-up, elders, practical fellowship, practice of the church life Posted in Newly Added, Our Attitude, Teaching and Fellowship Tagged activism, practical fellowship, society A Response from the Church in Houston Published on September 20, 2019 …alleges that Allen Bayes, an elder in the church, asked the Author to cover up a case of egregious sexual abuse. This is untrue as are many of the account’s… Posted in History, Specific Refutations, Teaching and Fellowship Tagged abuse, cover-up

01-27-2023, 11:07 AM	#3
Robert Member Join Date: Dec 2020 Posts: 278	Re: Message to the Local Church Leadership Thanks! Very interesting lecture! Let me add last part too. It seems to be definition of "sweeping under the rug". "If a matter has been referred to the responsible brothers, the saints should not talk about it among themselves lest they sin by damaging others’ reputations, compromise the brothers’ ability to effectively address the situation, and inflame fleshly reactions among the saints through gossip. Abstaining from such gossip properly limits the circle of people who know about an incident. This will reduce entangling those who are not directly involved and polluting their minds with fears or biases against either the accused or the alleged victim. It will also simplify both resolving incidents and appropriately communicating their resolution. The saints should understand that if the established facts do not conclusively support an accusation, whatever action the responsible brothers might take will necessarily be limited. Furthermore, repeating unverified accusations against others is destructive gossip and can be considered slander that opens the possibility of legal action from the aggrieved party. False accusations can and have occurred. Moreover, unbridled talk can also cause the alleged victim to suffer embarrassment and humiliation, making it difficult for that person to continue in the fellowship of the church. Saints should not assume that they fully understand all aspects of a situation that has been placed in the hands of the responsible brothers." While Paul was teaching opposite. Few verses comes to my mind: 2 Tim 4:10 4:10 for Demas forsook me, having loved this present world, and went to Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus to Dalmatia. Demas was mentioned by name. 2 Tim 14:14-15 4:14 Alexander the coppersmith did me much evil: the Lord will render to him according to his works: 4:15 of whom do thou also beware; for he greatly withstood our words. Paul, as an elder, is warning brothers. not hiding problem or name. 1 Cor 5:7 5:11 but as it is, I wrote unto you not to keep company, if any man that is named a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such a one no, not to eat. 5:12 For what have I to do with judging them that are without? Do not ye judge them that are within? 5:13 But them that are without God judgeth. Put away the wicked man from among yourselves. Phil 3:2 3:2 Beware of the dogs, beware of the evil workers, beware of the concision: They still manipulate saints by using words: "rumors" or "gossip" instaed of "warn others", "beware". If we walk in truth and light, there is also no place for "alleged".