The Not-So Practical Expression of the Church

[TLFisher]

Originally Posted by Igzy

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My assertion in this argument is not that the local ground teaching is true or false, but rather that it is not viable. It is one of the boasts and selling points of the teaching that it produces a "practical expression" of Christ’s Body for the world to see. My assertion is that it can only hope to do that by insisting on assumptions which are arbitrary and thus ultimately sure to cause contention and eventually division.

Igzy, I do believe it's viable but unlikely. It would require believers alike to set aside their ministrial preferences and pride.
Theoretically there can be the practical expression of the church, but in order for it to happen there cannot be on emphasis on the ground of locality teaching. As church history has shown, with each doctrinal teaching, division is a symptom that follows.

When I read Witness Lee's The Practical Expression of the Church, I see something remarkable. For this vision to become reality, there needs to be application. One quote in particular that struck me was:

"We must know how to deal with these two kinds of believers-this is the fellowship. We must know how to fellowship with the saints in the different denominations including the Roman Catholic Church, and we must know even more how to fellowship with the believers who are standing on the proper ground to fight the battle for the Lord's kingdom." Page 120

Where is this kind of fellowship I am sad due to the fact whether you're in the denominations or in the local churches, fellowship is related to the organizational ministry your church receives. The type of fellowship I see from the above quote is organism in nature as we are all members of the Body. A type of fellowship that rises above restrivtive walls that ministries and assemblies tend to create.

Terry