I've been reading for about 8 years

I've been reading for about 8 years and I want to thank you very, very sincerely for the running of and contribution to this website. It helped me to realize that I was not crazy...just perceptive about a dysfunctional group.

[Ohio]

Originally Posted by Unregistered

I've been reading for about 8 years and I want to thank you very, very sincerely for the running of and contribution to this website. It helped me to realize that I was not crazy...just perceptive about a dysfunctional group.

Thanks for posting.

Your story is helpful to others, if you feel led to share it.

Yours is why I post. Helping others is a way to be helped myself.

The LC had many precious blessings from the Lord and many precious brothers and sisters. The leaders ruined what blessing we had. Plain and simple.

[aron]

Originally Posted by Ohio

Yours is why I post. Helping others is a way to be helped myself. . .

I mostly post to amuse myself. Then I feel bad when someone says, "Hey dude, not so fast". Then I post again and feel better.

Then, occasionally, and fitfully, and slowly, a shared consensus begins to emerge. That I really like. It really feels like I'm participating in a discussion. Mutually beneficial; everybody learns. It's not just a bunch of people writing past each other. Contrast that to Lee: when did he ever have a discussion with a fellow believer? I remember he said no one had taught him anything for 45 years.

That this discussion has blessed our readers is an encouraging 'amen' from God.

[TLFisher]

Originally Posted by Unregistered

I've been reading for about 8 years and I want to thank you very, very sincerely for the running of and contribution to this website. It helped me to realize that I was not crazy...just perceptive about a dysfunctional group.

I'm sure many of us felt it at one time or another. The LSM system does not embrace diverse thoughts or opinions. If they say just look at the emperor's new clothes, the opinion they want if for you to marvel and express how marvelous it is. If you are I think otherwise, the common thought is how come no one else sees what I see? Then self doubt comes in and the common feeling is something must be wrong with me. It's not the system that's wrong it's I that has the problem for not being unconditionally positive.

[leastofthese]

Originally Posted by Terry

I'm sure many of us felt it at one time or another. The LSM system does not embrace diverse thoughts or opinions. If they say just look at the emperor's new clothes, the opinion they want if for you to marvel and express how marvelous it is. If you are I think otherwise, the common thought is how come no one else sees what I see? Then self doubt comes in and the common feeling is something must be wrong with me. It's not the system that's wrong it's I that has the problem for not being unconditionally positive.

Old post, great point. I pray that current members in the LC reading this can overcome any self doubt or fear of man that is holding them captive.

Proverbs 29:25 The fear of man lays a snare, but whoever trusts the Lord is safe.

[DistantStar]

Originally Posted by Unregistered

It helped me to realize that I was not crazy...just perceptive about a dysfunctional group.

I was there for the entire time last year and the first few months of this year.

While I was there at Christians at Campus I never thought them as being heathens. I knew they were born again Christians. Yet, like you, I thought there was something wrong with me. I never fit in. I would try, but I couldn't. I would try to say "Oh Lord Jesus!", but it always tasted like blasphemy.
Then at times I would see Facebook posts of them taking photos, or even making a video... but they never invited me to participate in this.

Don't get me wrong, they did a lot of trouble to try to see me. They would make time or pick me up at my flat for meetings during the week.

After a while I wondered whether or not I was missing something. Whether or not I was even saved.

This morning I sat on my favourite spot drinking coffee and reading 1 Samuel. While I read it I realised that this year I feel closer to God. I am more in Him than ever before. Still not nearly as much as I should be, but a lot more than I was while at CoC. Usually a person, especially a Christian, grows while things are going badly. Yet even though last year was the worst year of my life, I barely grew.

[OnHisPath]

The original comment on this thread is mine from my email to request membership. I was a bit surprised to see it had been posted here...but after being a long time reader I suppose it was what I needed to push me onto the forum.

I really am grateful to all of you who regularly participate here. Especially long-time consistent posters such as Ohio, Aron, Terry, OBW, Igzy, UntoHim- I probably shouldn't even mention individuals because so many of you have contributed so greatly. Not only have I felt a strong fellowship with you, but I've learned so much about faith, theology, etc., and have better learned to discern my own personal faith and belief.

I was saved as a young child and raised in a Christian home. I did not grow up in the "Recovery" but came into contact with the group during my high school years through my then boyfriend, eventual husband. Pressure was incredibly strong and destructive from my in-laws. I tried to buy in when I was younger, but it never sat well or rang completely true to me. Still, for years I wondered if I was willfully turning my back on God's purpose/economy/move on the earth. It's amazing to me how easily the hooks of these types of groups can embed themselves into one's psyche.

Thankfully, my husband had no interest in remaining in the Recovery and we haven't attended in many years. Besides the extreme judgement and negativity spoken of other Christians, even in the meetings, one of the final straws was witnessing the pray reading of Witness Lee's footnotes (as if they were equal to scripture) in multiple locations/states. I could no longer justify that it was just one extreme, dysfunctional locality, but that there were serious errors and dysfunctions with the system itself. We are involved in a church where we live, but for years it was hard not to judge other Christians based on Recovery standards. We are finally getting past that.

I chose OnHisPath as my user name because the Lord has always been faithful to lead me personally, and also my family, and keep us securely on His path for us. And praise the Lord it has nothing to do with our association with a specific and elite group.

[UntoHim]

Originally Posted by OnHisPath

The original comment on this thread is mine from my email to request membership. I was a bit surprised to see it had been posted here...but after being a long time reader I suppose it was what I needed to push me onto the forum.

Yee ha! Thank you sis. I love it when a plan comes together!

-

[OnHisPath]

Originally Posted by UntoHim

Yee ha! Thank you sis. I love it when a plan comes together!

UntoHim, you have impressive moderating/mastermind skills . Really though, I'm thankful for the push. After 8 years of "lurking" who knows if I ever would have let my voice be heard. Y'all have so many smart things to say, but I'm glad to be a part of the conversation.

[UntoHim]

Check is in the mail....and we pay extra for sisters around here....as you have probably gathered already, brothers "in their mind" are a dime-a-dozen around this place.

-

[Ohio]

Originally Posted by OnHisPath

Thankfully, my husband had no interest in remaining in the Recovery and we haven't attended in many years. Besides the extreme judgement and negativity spoken of other Christians, even in the meetings, one of the final straws was witnessing the pray reading of Witness Lee's footnotes (as if they were equal to scripture) in multiple locations/states. I could no longer justify that it was just one extreme, dysfunctional locality, but that there were serious errors and dysfunctions with the system itself. We are involved in a church where we live, but for years it was hard not to judge other Christians based on Recovery standards. We are finally getting past that.

When I left the LC about ten years ago, I became keenly aware of how abusive the program and its leaders were towards their members. I saw this on all levels, finally concluding that there were serious systemic issues. This saying kept ringing in my ears, "this program produces bullies out of beloved brothers."

Like you, we are all recovering "judgaholics." Sometimes posting on this forum with current LC members I suffer a relapse.

[OnHisPath]

Originally Posted by Ohio

When I left the LC about ten years ago, I became keenly aware of how abusive the program and its leaders were towards their members. I saw this on all levels, finally concluding that there were serious systemic issues. This saying kept ringing in my ears, "the program produces bullies out of beloved brothers."
Like you, we are all recovering "judgaholics." Sometimes posting on this forum with current LC members I suffer a relapse.

Ohio, the experiences you've shared here have given me evidence to go along with my misgivings about the LC. I saw a lot of ministry serving behavior (at the expense of individuals) displayed, but I initially found this forum after hearing about the rift in the Midwest and taking to google. I remember being so shocked, and also feeling a bit vindicated that all the hypocrisy and oppression I "felt" from the ministry was indeed manifest. Almost as shocking was the way it was kept quiet and hushed in most other parts of the country. Anything to cover the "brothers".

Like you, I have to guard against my natural propensity for judgement and bitterness being turned on members of the LC.

[Ohio]

Originally Posted by OnHisPath

Ohio, the experiences you've shared here have given me evidence to go along with my misgivings about the LC. I saw a lot of ministry serving behavior (at the expense of individuals) displayed, but I initially found this forum after hearing about the rift in the Midwest and taking to google. I remember being so shocked, and also feeling a bit vindicated that all the hypocrisy and oppression I "felt" from the ministry was indeed manifest. Almost as shocking was the way it was kept quiet and hushed in most other parts of the country. Anything to cover the "brothers".
Like you, I have to guard against my natural propensity for judgement and bitterness being turned on members of the LC.

I always distinguish between the lovely saints I knew and the rottenness of the LC/LSM leaders.

For example, I migrated to start up two new churches with other saints, only to later watch them hurt and damaged by manipulations from outsiders. In both cases there was a battle between headquarters in Cleveland and Anaheim over who had the "rights" to draft our ministering elders. So much for our so-called liberty to follow the Lord.

[HERn]

Originally Posted by Unregistered

I've been reading for about 8 years and I want to thank you very, very sincerely for the running of and contribution to this website. It helped me to realize that I was not crazy...just perceptive about a dysfunctional group.

The only "crazy" ones are those who believe the Bride is only composed of the very narrow sect known as the lords recovery.

[OnHisPath]

Originally Posted by HERn

The only "crazy" ones are those who believe the Bride is only composed of the very narrow sect known as the lords recovery.

I agree with you, HERn. I remember some time ago when a group of Egyptian Coptic Christians were beheaded by Isis in a message to the "nation of the cross". I wondered how the LC could dare to have such an elite, narrow view of the bride as they saw events such as this happening around the world. I think someone on this forum pointed it out at the time and I was struck freshly with the hypocrisy and pride of the LC.

[Evangelical]

I don't recall the Bible saying that the Bride would be Egyptian Coptics, or anyone other than just Christians.

[OnHisPath]

Originally Posted by Evangelical

I don't recall the Bible saying that the Bride would be Egyptian Coptics, or anyone other than just Christians.

That is exactly my point, Evangelical. I understand that I may have experienced the LC in localities with individuals who tend to extremes or misconstrue Witness Lee's teachings, but I have been told that no one outside of the LC could be a true Christian.

[Evangelical]

That's bad..even Lee did not believe that. I always keep in mind that a certain percentage of church members are psychopaths or sociopaths, cult followers, or wolves in sheep's clothing. We've had problems with cults (real cults, that is) before.

[Ohio]

Originally Posted by Evangelical

I don't recall the Bible saying that the Bride would be Egyptian Coptics, or anyone other than just Christians.

Who cares about names but you? LSM has a bazilion non-scriptural names and websites, but you can sweep all these under the rug.
These ones in Egypt were beheaded for believing in the Son of God. Our Heavenly Father only sees them as beloved children. A new name is written on their foreheads.
Let's see if your faith is anywhere close to these martyrs. I highly doubt it, since LSM will file a lawsuit if you look at them cross-eyed.

[Evangelical]

Originally Posted by Ohio

Who cares about names but you? LSM has a bazilion non-scriptural names and websites, but you can sweep all these under the rug.
These ones in Egypt were beheaded for believing in the Son of God. Our Heavenly Father only sees them as beloved children. A new name is written on their foreheads.
Let's see if your faith is anywhere close to these martyrs. I highly doubt it, since LSM will file a lawsuit if you look at them cross-eyed.

God cares about names. That's why He gives people new names... the Bible says a lot about names.