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

[love4truth]

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.