holysmokes!

[holysmokes]

Hey there, I am in the process of leaving the local church and am so glad to have found this safe space. My spouse and I were not church kids but still got roped in20 plus years ago. I felt like I lost my spunky self and had to subdue and conform. I always felt uneasy with the terms about Christianity and how we were basically it. I had a big aha moment when I posted in a church group about discovering some lovely Christian music I had discovered and wanted to share. I asked testing the waters if anyone had other offerings on music they liked. Nothing- 1200 members and nothing. Lots of veils taken away today folks. Thanks for having me.

[awareness]

And you are welcome. I'm excited to have you. I left long ago, when the apostle, oracle, and Minister of the Age, began to be pushed. I disagreed, and basically got excommunicated. Thank God !!!!!!

And thank God for your aha moment. After 20 years you've got some work to do. Time to start deprogramming. Time to think for yourself. I'm with you bro ... you and your wife.

[countmeworthy]

CONGRATS!
Remember:
God has not given us the spirit of fear; but (God has given us the Spirit) of Power, and of Love, and of a Sound Mind.


LC instills fear of leaving its' system. The longer people are in the LSM/LC the less they depend on the Spirit of Power and the Spirit of Love... their sound mind goes dorment too.

"COME OUT OF HER MY PEOPLE!"

[leastofthese]

Originally Posted by holysmokes

Hey there, I am in the process of leaving the local church and am so glad to have found this safe space. My spouse and I were not church kids but still got roped in20 plus years ago. I felt like I lost my spunky self and had to subdue and conform. I always felt uneasy with the terms about Christianity and how we were basically it. I had a big aha moment when I posted in a church group about discovering some lovely Christian music I had discovered and wanted to share. I asked testing the waters if anyone had other offerings on music they liked. Nothing- 1200 members and nothing. Lots of veils taken away today folks. Thanks for having me.

1200 members - must have been a big church!

I'm really excited for you and hope that the Lord blesses you as you leave this group (as He has my family). Recently, there have been a lack of posts celebrating people leaving the Church of Witness Lee and pursuing their Lord and Savior Jesus! I hope that you can share more of your story and warn others about this group.

I know there may be a difficult journey ahead - but from my personal experience - things are much brighter - leave the junk behind, pursue the messiness of community, the piercing truth of scripture, the calming direction of the Holy Spirit, and the wonderful love and GRACE found in Jesus.

I'm so thankful that the Lord led me away from this group - I can't imagine the regret I would have X number of years down the road (when the Lord lifted me up) if my children were forced to attend such a group.

“Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!”

[LifeGoesOn]

Originally Posted by holysmokes

Hey there, I am in the process of leaving the local church and am so glad to have found this safe space. My spouse and I were not church kids but still got roped in20 plus years ago. I felt like I lost my spunky self and had to subdue and conform. I always felt uneasy with the terms about Christianity and how we were basically it. I had a big aha moment when I posted in a church group about discovering some lovely Christian music I had discovered and wanted to share. I asked testing the waters if anyone had other offerings on music they liked. Nothing- 1200 members and nothing. Lots of veils taken away today folks. Thanks for having me.

We've got your back! And here's a song I've enjoyed for a while now.



In Over My Head - Jenn Johnson

https://youtu.be/qv3-TDdD1pM

[aron]

Originally Posted by holysmokes

I had a big aha moment when I posted in a church group about discovering some lovely Christian music I had discovered and wanted to share. I asked testing the waters if anyone had other offerings on music they liked. Nothing- 1200 members and nothing. Lots of veils taken away today folks. Thanks for having me.

I had a similar aha experience. I was happily meeting with the LC, went to a church meeting there, was having animated fellowship afterward with a local church elder and one of the members, who was a good friend of mine.

I mentioned something that I had enjoyed tremendously. It was a real vison from the Lord, and it was right there in God's word.

The elder stopped talking and sat there, looking straight ahead, and the other brother looked at the elder and froze. So we all sat there for I don't know how long. I think the elder was stuck. He couldn't say what I had seen was wrong. Because there it was. But you see, Witness Lee hadn't covered this, evidently, so he couldn't wave the ministry. So he just shut down. He simply couldn't acknowledge my speaking. His program didn't cover this. And the other brother shut down as well.

That really woke me up. If you get any life or light in the word, they don't care. They just want the ministry; the so-called interpreted word. Well, I was there, interpreting the word, and they couldn't say that I was off. But I wasn't the "ministry" so they just froze me out.

Kinda made it clear for me.

[Ohio]

Originally Posted by aron

I had a similar aha experience. I was happily meeting with the LC, went to a church meeting there, was having animated fellowship afterward with a local church elder and one of the members, who was a good friend of mine.

I mentioned something that I had enjoyed tremendously. It was a real vision from the Lord, and it was right there in God's word.

The elder stopped talking and sat there, looking straight ahead, and the other brother looked at the elder and froze. So we all sat there for I don't know how long. I think the elder was stuck. He couldn't say what I had seen was wrong. Because there it was. But you see, Witness Lee hadn't covered this, evidently, so he couldn't wave the ministry. So he just shut down. He simply couldn't acknowledge my speaking. His program didn't cover this. And the other brother shut down as well.

That really woke me up. If you get any life or light in the word, they don't care. They just want the ministry; the so-called interpreted word. Well, I was there, interpreting the word, and they couldn't say that I was off. But I wasn't the "ministry" so they just froze me out.

Kinda made it clear for me.

That's funny.

Reminds me of that old 60's sci-fi TV series called Lost In Space, where the robot gets stumped and says, "Does not compute, Does not compute, ..."

I liked that show! Watch this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZBAijg5Betw

[LifeGoesOn]

Originally Posted by Ohio

That's funny.

Reminds me of that old 60's sci-fi TV series called Lost In Space, where the robot gets stumped and says, "Does not compute, Does not compute, ..."

I liked that show! Watch this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZBAijg5Betw

[Drake]

aron > " That really woke me up. If you get any life or light in the word, they don't care. They just want the ministry; the so-called interpreted word. Well, I was there, interpreting the word, and they couldn't say that I was off. But I wasn't the "ministry" so they just froze me out."

There could be many reasons for not responding to you. I have been in many similar circumstances over the years both in my sharing in the sharing of others:

For instance, perhaps:

- You were incoherent, unclear, or babbled
- Your attitude was amiss, or you had a haughty spirit
- You really were off the main topic
- Your tendencies were already understood so there was a barrier there
- The timing was wrong
- The place was wrong
- The audience was wrong
- They had already heard it before and discounted it
- Your interpretation was private
- You said it to divide or drive a wedge
- Your speaking lacked edifying
- You didn't know what you were talking about

....To name a few alternative explanations. Any of those could have solicited the same response you got. I wasn't there so I don't know. But the notion that you were just exercising your God-given duty, interpreting the word and so forth was probably not the impression they got. I didn't know you then but the little I've known you here in this forum leads me to believe that you most likely conveyed some of the impressions above.

In any case, Aron, you are happy now and free to share the light and life you get from the Word to a thankful and receptive audience.

Drake

[leastofthese]

Originally Posted by Drake

aron > " That really woke me up. If you get any life or light in the word, they don't care. They just want the ministry; the so-called interpreted word. Well, I was there, interpreting the word, and they couldn't say that I was off. But I wasn't the "ministry" so they just froze me out."

There could be many reasons for not responding to you. I have been in many similar circumstances over the years both in my sharing in the sharing of others:

For instance, perhaps:

- You were incoherent, unclear, or babbled
- Your attitude was amiss, or you had a haughty spirit
- You really were off the main topic
- Your tendencies were already understood so there was a barrier there
- The timing was wrong
- The place was wrong
- The audience was wrong
- They had already heard it before and discounted it
- Your interpretation was private
- You said it to divide or drive a wedge
- Your speaking lacked edifying
- You didn't know what you were talking about

....To name a few alternative explanations. Any of those could have solicited the same response you got. I wasn't there so I don't know. But the notion that you were just exercising your God-given duty, interpreting the word and so forth was probably not the impression they got. I didn't know you then but the little I've known you here in this forum leads me to believe that you most likely conveyed some of the impressions above.

In any case, Aron, you are happy now and free to share the light and life you get from the Word to a thankful and receptive audience.

Drake

Always a helpful and uplifting word from Drake! Seems like a reflection of Witness Lee. Witness Lee in life and nature, but not actually Witness Lee.

[Ohio]

Originally Posted by LifeGoesOn

LifeGoesOn how do you post videos instead of just links to videos?

[aron]

Drake, all the above of course are indeed possible. But if I was wrong they should have pointed out my error. LC'ers are usually pretty clear on doctrine. Instead I got silence, as two chatty brothers suddenly began earnestly examining the blank space in front of them.

And they couldn't say that I was just in my mind, as I was in "the enjoyment." But I wasnt enjoying the ministry so . . .verboten.

[Nell]

Originally Posted by holysmokes

Hey there, I am in the process of leaving the local church and am so glad to have found this safe space. My spouse and I were not church kids but still got roped in20 plus years ago. I felt like I lost my spunky self and had to subdue and conform. I always felt uneasy with the terms about Christianity and how we were basically it. I had a big aha moment when I posted in a church group about discovering some lovely Christian music I had discovered and wanted to share. I asked testing the waters if anyone had other offerings on music they liked. Nothing- 1200 members and nothing. Lots of veils taken away today folks. Thanks for having me.

Welcome, holysmokes. This is a safe place but, as you see, it may get a little loopy from time to time.

Nell

[awareness]

Originally Posted by Nell

Welcome, holysmokes. This is a safe place but, as you see, it may get a little loopy from time to time.

Nell

Nell is right. After coming out of the LC learning to have some fun is important. Also important is to develop a healthy sense of humor. Laughter is indeed a good medicine. If you can laugh at yourself then you know you're truly getting free from why you joined in the first place, and why you stayed.

Luke 6:21b - God will bless you people who are crying. You will laugh!-CEV

[UntoHim]

Originally Posted by holysmokes

Hey there, I am in the process of leaving the local church and am so glad to have found this safe space. My spouse and I were not church kids but still got roped in 20 plus years ago. I felt like I lost my spunky self and had to subdue and conform. I always felt uneasy with the terms about Christianity and how we were basically it. I had a big aha moment when I posted in a church group about discovering some lovely Christian music I had discovered and wanted to share. I asked testing the waters if anyone had other offerings on music they liked. Nothing- 1200 members and nothing. Lots of veils taken away today folks. Thanks for having me.

Welcome to LocalChurchDiscussions.Com holysmokes! Great handle/UserName!

Consider this place as a bowl of granola....what ain't fruits and nuts are flakes. Seriously though, I really appreciate your testimony here and hope that when you get a chance, you can expound/expand upon this. I'm very curious about this "church group" posting you speak about. Is it a Local Church/LSM website of some sort? Inquiring minds want to know!

Again, welcome to LCD and hope to hear a lot from you in the coming days.
-

[Kevin]

[LifeGoesOn]

[aron]

LGO, welcome to the real world. The one where your thoghts and feelings belong to you.

[LifeGoesOn]

Originally Posted by aron

LGO, welcome to the real world. The one where your thoghts and feelings belong to you.

[holysmokes]

I see there has been a lot of chatter in response to my introduction about my interactions and lack thereof to my enquirers about Christian music to listen to. I did get a couple of responses guiding me to ministry links. It is a FB group for LC moms. Any suggestions from you would be great. I don't like drama, so please don't bash each other on this thread. I don't want to bash LC members but it would be nice to find people who feel the local church is not what they thought it was. Lots for me to process right now.

[LifeGoesOn]

Originally Posted by holysmokes

I see there has been a lot of chatter in response to my introduction about my interactions and lack thereof to my enquirers about Christian music to listen to. I did get a couple of responses guiding me to ministry links. It is a FB group for LC moms. Any suggestions from you would be great. I don't like drama, so please don't bash each other on this thread. I don't want to bash LC members but it would be nice to find people who feel the local church is not what they thought it was. Lots for me to process right now.