Against the LC Practice of Prophesying

[Freedom]

I've been wanting to start a thread on this for a while, so here goes. I have become increasingly convinced that the format of letting or expecting everyone to speak in a meeting is not profitable, especially with larger meetings. I understand that the original intention of this was to allow those who wanted to speak the opportunity to do so, however, what it has changed into is a practice that is quite frustrating at times. I'm sure this is all old news to everyone here, so I want to post a quote of WL in the Life-Study of Matthew in regards to the practice of prophesying/speaking in the meetings:

Not everyone has the ability to speak in the meeting. I would like to say a word of comfort to those who were not born with the ability to speak well. There is no need for you to speak in the meetings. In order to make a show that everyone functions in the meetings, the elders sometimes try to make people function. The elders may say, “If you do not function, you are not in the flow. You are not up-to-date.” This kind of word frustrates those who cannot speak well from coming to the meetings. They will be afraid to come to the meetings because the elders might force them to function. An attitude has been created that it is a shame not to speak in the meetings, but that it is glorious to do so. Yes, a number of years ago I did say that we can all prophesy one by one. At that time, I was genuinely burdened to encourage everyone to speak. But since that time a misleading attitude has been created regarding functioning in the meetings. Although I do not wish to stop anyone from speaking, I want to point out that functioning in the church life is not merely a matter of speaking. The Life-Study of Matthew, Message 66

I first read the LS of Matthew a number of years ago, and I happened to notice what he said in this excerpt. I thought it sounded a little odd in the current LC context, however, I just moved on. When I read this same excerpt now, I see that WL deviated from what could be considered to be a reasonable view regarding speaking in the meetings. In a way, it is not solely the fault of "the elders" for creating the view that it's shameful not to speak in the meetings. That was mostly Lee's fault IMO. So although Lee is being a little dishonest with what he said here, it shows a better attitude than what can be found currently.

The attitude that I find now, is that although you can get away with not speaking in the meeting, it is highly frowned upon. The idea is that if you don't "flow out", you can't go on in the Lord. Because the meeting format is completely "open", if no one gets up to speak, there is no meeting. Many times I have encountered minutes of awkward silence when no one wants to stand up to say anything. Is this how meetings (especially big meetings) should really be held? In essence, because a meeting is dependent upon people getting up to speak, speaking in a meeting is not as "optional" as it seems.

Even in times where everyone wants to speak, then there are other issues that arise. In many large gatherings like conferences and trainings, each person might be given like 30 seconds to say something, and this usually means declaring a sentence from an outline. What is the value in doing that? In my mind this whole practice of allowing everyone to speak has completely lost it's value.

[TLFisher]

I grew up in a generation where prophesying in meetings was not according to Holy Word for Morning Revival, but according to your daily experience of Christ throughout the week. As a young brother, I benefited from sisters and brothers speaking. I received a picture what it is and how one experiences Christ.
Now there is no substance in the words spoken. I see no difference between Holy Word for Morning Revival and prepared responses for ones meeting at a Catholic mass. There's no reality of the words you utter. It's not your experience and thus not your thought of the words being spoken.
The current format of prophesying, there's no checks in place for brothers and sisters who use prophesying as a means to put down non-LSM churches.
If there's ones visiting when this occurs, there runs the risk of stumbling your visitors.

[Freedom]

Originally Posted by Terry

I grew up in a generation where prophesying in meetings was not according to Holy Word for Morning Revival, but according to your daily experience of Christ throughout the week. As a young brother, I benefited from sisters and brothers speaking. I received a picture what it is and how one experiences Christ.
Now there is no substance in the words spoken. I see no difference between Holy Word for Morning Revival and prepared responses for ones meeting at a Catholic mass. There's no reality of the words you utter. It's not your experience and thus not your thought of the words being spoken.
The current format of prophesying, there's no checks in place for brothers and sisters who use prophesying as a means to put down non-LSM churches.
If there's ones visiting when this occurs, there runs the risk of stumbling your visitors.

I think there are plenty of situations where a format of having a meeting open for anyone to speak is beneficial. Perhaps not in a really big meeting, but I don't see the problem with other meetings. My biggest gripe about the LC prophesying meetings is that the prophesying is utterly lacking in substance. Countless times I have heard people stand up an say: "I didn't really understand the HWMR this week, but I am going to speak by faith...." Others will stand up and recite outline points or whatever. I don't see many examples of people really enjoy reading it. That lead me to assume that it's not as beneficial as it's made out to be. I certainly haven't received much benefit from the times when I actually read it. So to bad a whole meeting off a book that people don't understand or benefit from?!?!?!?

[TLFisher]

Originally Posted by Freedom

I think there are plenty of situations where a format of having a meeting open for anyone to speak is beneficial. Perhaps not in a really big meeting, but I don't see the problem with other meetings. My biggest gripe about the LC prophesying meetings is that the prophesying is utterly lacking in substance. Countless times I have heard people stand up an say: "I didn't really understand the HWMR this week, but I am going to speak by faith...."

I know! Lacking in substance and what is the practical application of what they're reciting?

[Freedom]

Originally Posted by Terry

I know! Lacking in substance and what is the practical application of what they're reciting?

The lacking in substance is exemplified when I look around at all those in the meeting. Some are nodding off, some are on their phones, and some are chatting. I would say a majority aren't really paying attention. What reason is there to?

[Ohio]

Originally Posted by Freedom

The lacking in substance is exemplified when I look around at all those in the meeting. Some are nodding off, some are on their phones, and some are chatting. I would say a majority aren't really paying attention. What reason is there to?

We were deceived into believing that merely the repetition of a dead man's doctrines was genuine prophesying which would build up the church.

If the Blendeds ever found out which LC you are from, they would immediately call your elders in and read them the riot act for allowing the saints to be bored while listening to the "greatest ministry on earth."

[OBW]

"I didn't really understand the HWMR this week, but I am going to speak by faith...."

Another example of lots of words not spoken with intelligence rather than 5 with intelligence. If they had just stopped at "I didn't really understand the HWMR this week" it might have been meaningful.

[Freedom]

Originally Posted by OBW

Another example of lots of words not spoken with intelligence rather than 5 with intelligence. If they had just stopped at "I didn't really understand the HWMR this week" it might have been meaningful.

Sometimes when people aren't sure what to say, it is probably better to say nothing. It reminds me of these verses:

Mark 9:5-6 Then Peter answered and said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good for us to be here; and let us make three tabernacles: one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah”— because he did not know what to say, for they were greatly afraid.

When I've been in situations where someone wants me to share, and I say that I didn't understand the HWMR, or that I haven't experienced what the HWMR is talking about they typical responses are someone saying "don't get into your mind about it" or "speak by faith, not by experience". Those kinds of things don't help someone. It's encouraging someone to speak who really shouldn't. When there are the times when I feel that I really have something, beneficial to share, I will do so. Otherwise, I remain silent. Unfortunately, silence is viewed as something negative.

[UntoHim]

Originally Posted by Freedom

Sometimes when people aren't sure what to say, it is probably better to say nothing. It reminds me of these verses:

Mark 9:5-6 Then Peter answered and said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good for us to be here; and let us make three tabernacles: one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah”— because he did not know what to say, for they were greatly afraid.

Excellent observation and excellent citing of a verse to back it up!

Unfortunately, silence is viewed as something negative.

And this reminds me of this verse:
“Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!”
Psalm 46:10

After departing the LC it took me years to be able to just sit quietly in a room alone, to pray or maybe even just be alone with my thoughts (gasp!) I kept waiting to see if God or at least some angel would do the amening after every word. Sometimes, in order to know that He is God we must be still.

[Ohio]

Originally Posted by Freedom

When I've been in situations where someone wants me to share, and I say that I didn't understand the HWMR, or that I haven't experienced what the HWMR is talking about they typical responses are someone saying "don't get into your mind about it" or "speak by faith, not by experience". Those kinds of things don't help someone. It's encouraging someone to speak who really shouldn't. When there are the times when I feel that I really have something, beneficial to share, I will do so. Otherwise, I remain silent. Unfortunately, silence is viewed as something negative.

I know those feelings well. In the GLA, we would usually assign a brother or two (me included) who would prepare an opening and closing word for the prophesying time after the Lord's Table meeting. Whether I opened, closed, or just added my little bit, I always took this time seriously, and would prepare for, at minimum, several hours during the week ahead.

The HWFMR was like chewing on newspaper -- dead dry and lifeless. I could read it for hours and never benefit from it. But I needed something real and living to speak to others, so I always went back to the scriptures to find the anointing. Who could complain, since I used the same verses?