In a local church only a few months... and now leaving.

love4truth · 06-23-2014, 10:22 PM

For right now, I wish to keep where I attend a local church a secret, because I do not wish to offend a woman there who I am fond of. I am an older woman, by the way.

I started going to an LC only a few months ago and became a little active before I realized I would have problems accepting the teaching. The over emphasis on one man's teachings turns me completely off, especially since I have found so many discrepancies in what is studied and taught and the Bible. I have been a born again Christian since 1984 and an avid Bible student. I found the LC site on the Internet, visited, and thought I would like the format they used in the meetings, especially the part where every member is expected and encouraged to speak. I have always enjoyed Bible discussions and am not shy in offering my opinions. I now find that opinions are frowned on, and only Witness Lee "knows the truth," therefore it is only acceptable to repeat his words.

I made a friend there, an older woman like myself. At least I consider her my friend. I really like her. But she tells me, and I read in Lee's books, that we are not supposed to have friends, not even those of the local church. My "friend" said a strange thing a few weeks ago. "We are to put distance between us and those we care about." This I cannot understand. Not at all. I would welcome some discussion on this.

My friend loves to read with people over the phone, and she and I read through Witness Lee's Life Study in Revelation over a couple of months time, reading every day. I grew tired of this, and hated a lot of Lee's commentary and found it untrue (to my thinking) but I saw it through and we finished about a week ago. She wants to start another Life Study. I told her, No, I had enough of Lee, and would read the Bible (starting with Romans) with her. She seems to agree to do this, which I find strange, in view of their wanting to focus on Lee's books. I do not want to be held to a daily schedule, but will limit it to a couple of times a week. Keeping up a daily schedule like this that involves another person seems like bondage to me. I value my freedom.

However, when I tell her I am not going back to the LC, she probably will quit calling me anyway. Right? I would like to remain friends with her and her husband. This may not be possible.

I started going to a grace-oriented church last week, where the teaching is expository. And am going to enjoy the Bible study we have there, with discussions directly on the Bible. Right now we are in the Gospel of John.

I know getting out of the LC is going to be an emotional difficulty, because some of the people are very nice, and some seem to really love Jesus. I would stay if the Bible were the ground of truth and faith there. But I cannot abide this putting of Lee on a pedestal and hanging on every word that he says as though he is the voice of God. The Holy Spirit and the Word of God are the Voice of God to me.

And this, after only 3 months there. I can appreciate how hard it is for people who have been in a LC for years and years and decide to get out.

Please give some discussion on the teaching that we are not to get close to others, the downplay of love, the constant meetings and trainings and the cultish worship of Lee. How can we be in unity as the church if we do not love one another? And no pastoral care! Sick people are ignored!!!! Also, I do not understand why no recognition of birthdays or holidays. It seems we are just supposed to dispense with American culture completely and the little celebrations of life that bring us together. It makes no sense to me.

I have read a lot of the posts on here and have gotten a lot from them.

aron · 06-24-2014, 05:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by love4truth

I can appreciate how hard it is for people who have been in a LC for years and years and decide to get out.

http://jubileeresources.org/?page_id=102

Here is a link to a testimony of someone who was in the group for 7 years. You can see how the group not only drew her in, but drew her out of everything else (family, society, Christian fellowship) so that when she wanted to leave she didn't know how. It was very hard and painful to get out.

UntoHim · 06-24-2014, 08:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by love4truth

However, when I tell her I am not going back to the LC, she probably will quit calling me anyway. Right? I would like to remain friends with her and her husband. This may not be possible.

Well, it will depend upon the individual person, but yes, it is likely that she will find excuses to minimize fellowship with you. Unfortunately, those in the Local Church are not encouraged (to put it mildly) to have contact with, much less fellowship, Christians who do not attend LC meetings on a regular basis.

Quote:

I started going to a grace-oriented church last week, where the teaching is expository. And am going to enjoy the Bible study we have there, with discussions directly on the Bible. Right now we are in the Gospel of John.

This is great! God's Word is always the answer! Whether the preaching/teaching is expository or topical, the answer is the Word. Teaching on the Word, preaching on the Word, fellowship on the Word, prayer on the Word!

TLFisher · 06-24-2014, 01:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by love4truth

The over emphasis on one man's teachings turns me completely off, especially since I have found so many discrepancies in what is studied and taught and the Bible.

I would like the format they used in the meetings, especially the part where every member is expected and encouraged to speak.

I now find that opinions are frowned on, and only Witness Lee "knows the truth," therefore it is only acceptable to repeat his words.

we are not supposed to have friends, not even those of the local church. My "friend" said a strange thing a few weeks ago. "We are to put distance between us and those we care about."

However, when I tell her I am not going back to the LC, she probably will quit calling me anyway. Right? I would like to remain friends with her and her husband. This may not be possible.

I know getting out of the LC is going to be an emotional difficulty, because some of the people are very nice, and some seem to really love Jesus. I would stay if the Bible were the ground of truth and faith there. But I cannot abide this putting of Lee on a pedestal and hanging on every word that he says as though he is the voice of God. The Holy Spirit and the Word of God are the Voice of God to me.

How can we be in unity as the church if we do not love one another? And no pastoral care! Sick people are ignored!!!! Also, I do not understand why no recognition of birthdays or holidays.

Many fine points that I agree with.
1. Celebration of birthdays in the local churches is a personal matter. As a child in the local churches, I had been to many birthday parties of my peers in my locality.
2. Holidays. Typically holidays are recognized by having conferences. Though Thanksgiving is the only one I recall being acknowledged. In my college years, my parents would always invite friends from another locality or a sister within our locality and her children.
3. Friends. It is rare to develop friendships that endure when one ceases to meet with the local churches. Contrary to what is spoken about distancing those we care about, friendships are cultivated. Sadly many friendships cannot continue when one ceases to meet any longer. It's part of the Us and Them mindset.
4. Pastoral care. In a sense there this care, but based on being partial. If you are one described as "hot for the ministry", you will receive care. If you are one described as "lukewarm for the ministry" or "lacking the vision", you will be ignored. Generally pastoral care is reserved more for the college age with the intent of nurturing and preparing them for the full time trainings.
5. Opinions. It has often been said there are no opinions in the recovery. Given we are all fallen, someone's opinion will be expressed. Generally it is expected to embrace the opinions of blended brothers and the ministry.
6. Meeting format: I have only met in one place outside the local churches (Westminster Church Assembly) where there is an opportunity to speak. Unlike 25 years ago, the current format of speaking is limited to the ministry and not how you were touched by your daily walk with the Lord during the week or relating experiences that could minister to another brother or sister's walk with the Lord.
7. The scope of one man's teaching invariably will omit Biblical teachings he didn't find supporting his ministry or teachings that are convicting to one's spirit. Many times in the local churches the Holy Word for Morning Revival is meant to be positive and affirming the ministry. I have found since leaving the local churches, the best messages I have heard are ones that leave me inwardly disturbed by my spirit being convicted by the message.

TLFisher · 06-26-2014, 07:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by love4truth

How can we be in unity as the church if we do not love one another?

In the local churches, most (but not all) are welcomed to come and meet. The love and care that should be without bias, is measured according to ones love for the ministry. That is why it is difficult for local churches to keep a sustained growth. If one has a "take it or leave it" approach to the ministry publications, that one might be considered a waste of time to labor on in love and care.
Talk about unity. Yes there should be unity in the church, but when your common denominator is ministry publications instead of the Bible, in essence it's not local churches, but ministry churches. A fellowship of churches that's more based on uniformity than it is unity. Before there can be unity, there must be love.

07-02-2014, 07:14 PM

Hello,

I am currently a college student in which I have a friend who's family has had very strong ties in the local church. She has currently been re-sucked into the church, just after about 10 years of disliking the church, and of having negative feelings for it all throughout her high school and most of her college career.

She has been feeling a lot of inner turmoil - a lot of trying to please mom and dad in the name of God while also feeling detached from the church. She's never felt that she belongs.

I'm worried she's going to try to change herself and get sucked into this for her life when in her heart she doesn't feel that way. I still have her questioning and stuff, but I literally have her by a thread. It's only a matter of time before she completely gets rid of me.

Any advice on getting someone out of LC?

UntoHim · 07-02-2014, 07:32 PM

Hi NeedofHelp,

Thank you for having the courage to reach out here. This is one of the main reasons this forum exists - to have a venue for people like you.

My main question to you, to start with, is to ask if you are a Christian? The reason why I ask is that it would bear upon how we might be able to help you out. Just because you are not a Christian does NOT mean we can't or don't want to help you, it just changes the approach we might ask you to take.

07-02-2014, 07:51 PM

I am a Christian, and I have prayed a lot about this, and I know the Lord is working in her - I see it in the struggle she has. But if she left the church it would be leaving her friends and family. Although I have told her repeatedly my family is her family, and we have lots of other friends outside the church, she has been guilted into the church by her family. We just recently overcame a spell where she wouldn't talk to me - her mother forbade her too. Her mother frequently wanted me to come to the church gatherings (but I was unaware of this, my friend just recently told me) and my friend just would make up excuses to get me out of it, because she knew I would not like it. I have never personally been to a LC meeting, but I have done a lot, and I mean a lot of research. Her feeling like she doesn't belong isn't something to be ignored, but anytime I speak of her church she says I talk like I know everything and that I don't know what I'm talking about, so the conversation is usually avoided. But I feel that I am the one who will help her out of this situation. I think I may also be able to use one of her friends in the church. She only has one good friend, and I think her friend is unaware of how bad this church is. Her friend just came in looking for a christian group on campus, so she doesn't really know what she's gotten herself into. I feel that if maybe I can get her friend out, then I could get her out too. I really hate to see her sucked into this. I've talked with God about it a lot, and I have a strong feeling that is what is to happen. He lead me to this forum, and he's lead me to many other sites. I just pray I can help her before it's too late.

InChristAlone · 07-03-2014, 12:33 AM

NeedofHelp, I believe the main thing you can do for your friend is your prayer. Pray always for your friend, don’t rely on your strength, wisdom, and understanding, but let the Lord deal with the situation. Your friend needs God's grace more than anything that you can give her. Therefore, never stop praying.

In my opinion, the LC is a cult and its members are cult victims. Usually, cult members refuse to listen to any independent sources of information that criticize the cult and its teaching. The information is considered invalid because it comes from an outsider. And you are an outsider, while the LC members are “the chosen ones”. The LC members believe that Christianity is fallen and it’s only them who know “the high-peak truth”. That doesn’t mean that you can’t do anything or you have to join the cult to help your friend. I just want to say that it can be hard for you to persuade your friend to leave the LC. She doesn't trust your opinion because you are not an authority for her in this matter. You may tell her the truth about WL and his son, but she won’t believe the facts. You may tell her that the LC substitutes the word of God (the Bible) for the word of man (WL and his books), but it will be a miracle if she notices the substitution.

You can try to change your approach. Don’t tell your friend everything you know about the LC. Do the opposite. Start asking questions. Don’t be pushy. Just ask a question from time to time: How often do you read the Bible? Why do you read the Morning Revival and Crystallization Study, not the Bible? What was the last message about? How does this message relate to Christ’s message? Can this “high-peak truth” be higher than Christ’s words: 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind'; and, 'Love your neighbor as yourself'? Can “the high-peak truth” help us enter the kingdom of God if we don’t love our neighbors (who are everyone around us and not saints only)? What makes you think that the LRC is the only genuine Christian church? Why do you rely on one man’s opinion about the Bible? What makes this man to be an authority? Could he make mistakes? If he could make small mistakes, could he make crucial mistakes as well? What made WL change his opinion and vision from time to time? If he is infallible, doesn't he remind you a pope? Can I share with you another interpretation of the verse? Why do saints leave the church? Are all these saints ambitious, proud, and arrogant? If she knows the truth about the hidden history of the LC, ask her if a bad tree can bear good fruit? Can we be saved, eating fruit of a bad tree? What did Jesus say about false teachers? What are their fruits? (Matthew 7:15-20) What are their character qualities? Greed, pride, and rebellion? (Jude 1:11) What kind of man was WL in his private and church life? What did he say about Christianity and other Christian churches? What are characteristics of denominations? Can the LC be called denominational church of Witness Lee? Are Christ's message and WL's message the same? What about "the high-peak truth?" Does WL go further than traditional Christian churches? What is this upgrade for? If the gospel of Christ and His words remain the same, then why does the Bible need an upgrade and update (or recovery)? Where does Jesus mention WL's "high-peak truth"? How many Bible verses support "the high-peak truth" in the Morning Revival? Why does this "high-peak truth" take priority over Jesus's words? Does this "high-peak truth" help you to love God and your neighbor more? Where is Christ in the high-peak truth of Witness Lee? Can you say that you can see Christ in WL's books more than you see Him in the Gospels? If not, then why do you start your day with the word of man (Morning Revival) and not with the word of God (the Bible)? What if WL's doctrines don't lead you to Christ but somewhere else? What about the Apostle Paul who says in Galatians, “Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ... If anybody is preaching to you a gospel other than what you accepted, let him be eternally condemned!”

Pray to the Lord to grant you wisdom and ask right questions in the right time. Plant your seeds step by step. Help your friend to question her beliefs. But again... Don’t behave like an enemy to her. Be her friend. Always.

You may also try to email her some testimonies like this: http://jubileeresources.org/?page_id=102 (Thanks to Aron!) Ask your friend to explain some points; ask what she thinks about the testimonies. But don’t bomb her email account with testimonies day and night.

Read more about cults to find out similar characteristics between the LC and other cults. If your friend takes you to an LC meeting, pray to the Lord, before, during, and after the meeting. I don’t recommend to attend the LC meetings, but if you happen to be there, you must be warned and fully alert of the cultish system so that not to be deceived by the external state of joy, goodwill, and happiness.

http://www.leaderu.com/common/cults.html
http://www.the-gospel.org/stdy_hrmnt....php?pass=prnt
http://www.orange-papers.org/orange-cult_q8.html

Last but not least, start changing yourself. I’m sure you are a good Christian, but there is always a way for perfection. “Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect”. (Matthew 5:48) Read and study the Bible, fulfill commandments, pray more, developing your personal relationship with Christ. Glorify His name with your thoughts, words, and actions. Fight your passions. Don’t gossip, don’t discuss people, and don’t waste your time with idle talk. If you speak, speak with love, humility, and kindness. That’s difficult for everyone of us. I’m not an exception. But if we want to help our friends and relatives to leave the darkness, we must become a torch for them. To do that, we must let the light of Christ to shine through us. That doesn’t happen overnight. You will need to make efforts to live in communion with God. But if you live in strong connection with the Lord and bear the fruit of the Holy Spirit, then it will be easier for you to show the right way to your friend. You will not be a torch holder but a part of the light. If your friend sees Christ in you and your life more than in her church life, she may wonder and start questioning. And one day she may say to herself, “How come my friend has no idea about the LC high-peak truth but s/he is so full of Christ? Is there something wrong with my spiritual life? I had better spend more time with my friend. Maybe s/he can show me a better way to Christ”.

May the Lord’s love, kindness, and humility dwell in you. God bless.

awareness · 07-03-2014, 07:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NeedofHelp

She has been feeling a lot of inner turmoil - a lot of trying to please mom and dad in the name of God while also feeling detached from the church. She's never felt that she belongs.

I'm worried she's going to try to change herself and get sucked into this for her life when in her heart she doesn't feel that way.

Hello NeedofHelp.

If your friend feels a belonging in the LC don't try to stop her from going back in. Something in her needs it; maybe it's the structure, maybe that they have all the ready made answers, that simplifies life for her, including with her family. How are you going to oppose that?

So let her dive all in.

If her heart is not in it it won't last. Let her get it out of her system.

And if she stays in the LC that's where she belongs ... even if it makes you sad.

Thankful Jane · 07-08-2014, 05:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NeedofHelp

Hello,

I am currently a college student in which I have a friend who's family has had very strong ties in the local church. She has currently been re-sucked into the church, just after about 10 years of disliking the church, and of having negative feelings for it all throughout her high school and most of her college career.

She has been feeling a lot of inner turmoil - a lot of trying to please mom and dad in the name of God while also feeling detached from the church. She's never felt that she belongs.

I'm worried she's going to try to change herself and get sucked into this for her life when in her heart she doesn't feel that way. I still have her questioning and stuff, but I literally have her by a thread. It's only a matter of time before she completely gets rid of me.

Any advice on getting someone out of LC?

Hi NeedofHelp.

I was a member of the LC for 20 years. You might benefit from reading my testimony and you might find a way to use it to help her. There is a free download of my story at:

www.thethreadofgold.com

The download is at the bottom of the Home page.

It appears she is struggling with how to get her need met for a good relationship with her family. She knows that in order to do that she has to embrace what they embrace as the truth about God. She is trying hard to do that. The only way she can is to stop using her own mind to think and decide about things. That is a tortuous place to be in.

Her real need is to find her own real, satisfying, purposeful relationship with Jesus. That is hard to do when your belief system tells you the only way to have that is by being in the LC. My book might help with that.

The Lord bless you for your love and care for your friend. I will pray you will be able to help her find the way to Him and to the real inner peace she is seeking.

Jane A.

07-02-2014, 07:55 PM

Does anyone know their views? I have encountered them mildly, and I am pretty sure they don't approve of gay/lesbian. Also, on marriage, I have heard that they believe you should marry within the church. Is that true as well? Are there any testimonies on this?

Thank you all. I am trying to get all my facts down before helping a friend.

06-23-2014, 10:22 PM	#1
love4truth Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Posts: 9	In a local church only a few months... and now leaving. For right now, I wish to keep where I attend a local church a secret, because I do not wish to offend a woman there who I am fond of. I am an older woman, by the way. I started going to an LC only a few months ago and became a little active before I realized I would have problems accepting the teaching. The over emphasis on one man's teachings turns me completely off, especially since I have found so many discrepancies in what is studied and taught and the Bible. I have been a born again Christian since 1984 and an avid Bible student. I found the LC site on the Internet, visited, and thought I would like the format they used in the meetings, especially the part where every member is expected and encouraged to speak. I have always enjoyed Bible discussions and am not shy in offering my opinions. I now find that opinions are frowned on, and only Witness Lee "knows the truth," therefore it is only acceptable to repeat his words. I made a friend there, an older woman like myself. At least I consider her my friend. I really like her. But she tells me, and I read in Lee's books, that we are not supposed to have friends, not even those of the local church. My "friend" said a strange thing a few weeks ago. "We are to put distance between us and those we care about." This I cannot understand. Not at all. I would welcome some discussion on this. My friend loves to read with people over the phone, and she and I read through Witness Lee's Life Study in Revelation over a couple of months time, reading every day. I grew tired of this, and hated a lot of Lee's commentary and found it untrue (to my thinking) but I saw it through and we finished about a week ago. She wants to start another Life Study. I told her, No, I had enough of Lee, and would read the Bible (starting with Romans) with her. She seems to agree to do this, which I find strange, in view of their wanting to focus on Lee's books. I do not want to be held to a daily schedule, but will limit it to a couple of times a week. Keeping up a daily schedule like this that involves another person seems like bondage to me. I value my freedom. However, when I tell her I am not going back to the LC, she probably will quit calling me anyway. Right? I would like to remain friends with her and her husband. This may not be possible. I started going to a grace-oriented church last week, where the teaching is expository. And am going to enjoy the Bible study we have there, with discussions directly on the Bible. Right now we are in the Gospel of John. I know getting out of the LC is going to be an emotional difficulty, because some of the people are very nice, and some seem to really love Jesus. I would stay if the Bible were the ground of truth and faith there. But I cannot abide this putting of Lee on a pedestal and hanging on every word that he says as though he is the voice of God. The Holy Spirit and the Word of God are the Voice of God to me. And this, after only 3 months there. I can appreciate how hard it is for people who have been in a LC for years and years and decide to get out. Please give some discussion on the teaching that we are not to get close to others, the downplay of love, the constant meetings and trainings and the cultish worship of Lee. How can we be in unity as the church if we do not love one another? And no pastoral care! Sick people are ignored!!!! Also, I do not understand why no recognition of birthdays or holidays. It seems we are just supposed to dispense with American culture completely and the little celebrations of life that bring us together. It makes no sense to me. I have read a lot of the posts on here and have gotten a lot from them.

07-02-2014, 07:14 PM	#6
NeedofHelp Guest Posts: n/a	Re: In a local church only a few months... and now leaving. Hello, I am currently a college student in which I have a friend who's family has had very strong ties in the local church. She has currently been re-sucked into the church, just after about 10 years of disliking the church, and of having negative feelings for it all throughout her high school and most of her college career. She has been feeling a lot of inner turmoil - a lot of trying to please mom and dad in the name of God while also feeling detached from the church. She's never felt that she belongs. I'm worried she's going to try to change herself and get sucked into this for her life when in her heart she doesn't feel that way. I still have her questioning and stuff, but I literally have her by a thread. It's only a matter of time before she completely gets rid of me. Any advice on getting someone out of LC?

07-02-2014, 07:32 PM	#7
UntoHim Οὕτως γὰρ ἠγάπησεν ὁ θεὸς τὸν κόσμον For God So Loved The World Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 3,824	Re: In a local church only a few months... and now leaving. Hi NeedofHelp, Thank you for having the courage to reach out here. This is one of the main reasons this forum exists - to have a venue for people like you. My main question to you, to start with, is to ask if you are a Christian? The reason why I ask is that it would bear upon how we might be able to help you out. Just because you are not a Christian does NOT mean we can't or don't want to help you, it just changes the approach we might ask you to take. __________________ αὐτῷ ἡ δόξα καὶ τὸ κράτος εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας τῶν αἰώνων ἀμήν - 1 Peter 5:11

07-02-2014, 07:51 PM	#8
NeedofHelp Guest Posts: n/a	Re: In a local church only a few months... and now leaving. I am a Christian, and I have prayed a lot about this, and I know the Lord is working in her - I see it in the struggle she has. But if she left the church it would be leaving her friends and family. Although I have told her repeatedly my family is her family, and we have lots of other friends outside the church, she has been guilted into the church by her family. We just recently overcame a spell where she wouldn't talk to me - her mother forbade her too. Her mother frequently wanted me to come to the church gatherings (but I was unaware of this, my friend just recently told me) and my friend just would make up excuses to get me out of it, because she knew I would not like it. I have never personally been to a LC meeting, but I have done a lot, and I mean a lot of research. Her feeling like she doesn't belong isn't something to be ignored, but anytime I speak of her church she says I talk like I know everything and that I don't know what I'm talking about, so the conversation is usually avoided. But I feel that I am the one who will help her out of this situation. I think I may also be able to use one of her friends in the church. She only has one good friend, and I think her friend is unaware of how bad this church is. Her friend just came in looking for a christian group on campus, so she doesn't really know what she's gotten herself into. I feel that if maybe I can get her friend out, then I could get her out too. I really hate to see her sucked into this. I've talked with God about it a lot, and I have a strong feeling that is what is to happen. He lead me to this forum, and he's lead me to many other sites. I just pray I can help her before it's too late.

07-03-2014, 12:33 AM	#9
InChristAlone Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Posts: 365	Re: In a local church only a few months... and now leaving. NeedofHelp, I believe the main thing you can do for your friend is your prayer. Pray always for your friend, don’t rely on your strength, wisdom, and understanding, but let the Lord deal with the situation. Your friend needs God's grace more than anything that you can give her. Therefore, never stop praying. In my opinion, the LC is a cult and its members are cult victims. Usually, cult members refuse to listen to any independent sources of information that criticize the cult and its teaching. The information is considered invalid because it comes from an outsider. And you are an outsider, while the LC members are “the chosen ones”. The LC members believe that Christianity is fallen and it’s only them who know “the high-peak truth”. That doesn’t mean that you can’t do anything or you have to join the cult to help your friend. I just want to say that it can be hard for you to persuade your friend to leave the LC. She doesn't trust your opinion because you are not an authority for her in this matter. You may tell her the truth about WL and his son, but she won’t believe the facts. You may tell her that the LC substitutes the word of God (the Bible) for the word of man (WL and his books), but it will be a miracle if she notices the substitution. You can try to change your approach. Don’t tell your friend everything you know about the LC. Do the opposite. Start asking questions. Don’t be pushy. Just ask a question from time to time: How often do you read the Bible? Why do you read the Morning Revival and Crystallization Study, not the Bible? What was the last message about? How does this message relate to Christ’s message? Can this “high-peak truth” be higher than Christ’s words: 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind'; and, 'Love your neighbor as yourself'? Can “the high-peak truth” help us enter the kingdom of God if we don’t love our neighbors (who are everyone around us and not saints only)? What makes you think that the LRC is the only genuine Christian church? Why do you rely on one man’s opinion about the Bible? What makes this man to be an authority? Could he make mistakes? If he could make small mistakes, could he make crucial mistakes as well? What made WL change his opinion and vision from time to time? If he is infallible, doesn't he remind you a pope? Can I share with you another interpretation of the verse? Why do saints leave the church? Are all these saints ambitious, proud, and arrogant? If she knows the truth about the hidden history of the LC, ask her if a bad tree can bear good fruit? Can we be saved, eating fruit of a bad tree? What did Jesus say about false teachers? What are their fruits? (Matthew 7:15-20) What are their character qualities? Greed, pride, and rebellion? (Jude 1:11) What kind of man was WL in his private and church life? What did he say about Christianity and other Christian churches? What are characteristics of denominations? Can the LC be called denominational church of Witness Lee? Are Christ's message and WL's message the same? What about "the high-peak truth?" Does WL go further than traditional Christian churches? What is this upgrade for? If the gospel of Christ and His words remain the same, then why does the Bible need an upgrade and update (or recovery)? Where does Jesus mention WL's "high-peak truth"? How many Bible verses support "the high-peak truth" in the Morning Revival? Why does this "high-peak truth" take priority over Jesus's words? Does this "high-peak truth" help you to love God and your neighbor more? Where is Christ in the high-peak truth of Witness Lee? Can you say that you can see Christ in WL's books more than you see Him in the Gospels? If not, then why do you start your day with the word of man (Morning Revival) and not with the word of God (the Bible)? What if WL's doctrines don't lead you to Christ but somewhere else? What about the Apostle Paul who says in Galatians, “Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ... If anybody is preaching to you a gospel other than what you accepted, let him be eternally condemned!” Pray to the Lord to grant you wisdom and ask right questions in the right time. Plant your seeds step by step. Help your friend to question her beliefs. But again... Don’t behave like an enemy to her. Be her friend. Always. You may also try to email her some testimonies like this: http://jubileeresources.org/?page_id=102 (Thanks to Aron!) Ask your friend to explain some points; ask what she thinks about the testimonies. But don’t bomb her email account with testimonies day and night. Read more about cults to find out similar characteristics between the LC and other cults. If your friend takes you to an LC meeting, pray to the Lord, before, during, and after the meeting. I don’t recommend to attend the LC meetings, but if you happen to be there, you must be warned and fully alert of the cultish system so that not to be deceived by the external state of joy, goodwill, and happiness. http://www.leaderu.com/common/cults.html http://www.the-gospel.org/stdy_hrmnt....php?pass=prnt http://www.orange-papers.org/orange-cult_q8.html Last but not least, start changing yourself. I’m sure you are a good Christian, but there is always a way for perfection. “Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect”. (Matthew 5:48) Read and study the Bible, fulfill commandments, pray more, developing your personal relationship with Christ. Glorify His name with your thoughts, words, and actions. Fight your passions. Don’t gossip, don’t discuss people, and don’t waste your time with idle talk. If you speak, speak with love, humility, and kindness. That’s difficult for everyone of us. I’m not an exception. But if we want to help our friends and relatives to leave the darkness, we must become a torch for them. To do that, we must let the light of Christ to shine through us. That doesn’t happen overnight. You will need to make efforts to live in communion with God. But if you live in strong connection with the Lord and bear the fruit of the Holy Spirit, then it will be easier for you to show the right way to your friend. You will not be a torch holder but a part of the light. If your friend sees Christ in you and your life more than in her church life, she may wonder and start questioning. And one day she may say to herself, “How come my friend has no idea about the LC high-peak truth but s/he is so full of Christ? Is there something wrong with my spiritual life? I had better spend more time with my friend. Maybe s/he can show me a better way to Christ”. May the Lord’s love, kindness, and humility dwell in you. God bless. __________________ 1 Corinthians 13:4-8

07-02-2014, 07:55 PM	#12
NeedofHelp Guest Posts: n/a	LC views on gay/lesbian? Does anyone know their views? I have encountered them mildly, and I am pretty sure they don't approve of gay/lesbian. Also, on marriage, I have heard that they believe you should marry within the church. Is that true as well? Are there any testimonies on this? Thank you all. I am trying to get all my facts down before helping a friend.