Alternatives to Local Church Type of Gatherings and Essence?

[alwayscurious]

Are there any other alternatives to the LC type of gatherings/essence? I'm basically asking if there's a similar type of meeting style, home meetings, YP meetings, conferences, just without all the "Witness Lee" and "LSM" and all that stuff.......

if there aren't... do any other non-denominational churches come close?

[Nell]

Hi alwayscurious,

I’m always curious when I see questions like these. Instead of looking for an LC-like church, why not talk to Jesus and ask him where, or if, he wants you to meet somewhere with others? Seek His face, and let Him lead you in your walk. Be willing to wait on Him. Tell him, your future is up to him. Tell him what you want, and ask him if that is what he wants for you.

There may be Leeless organizations out there, but why? Why settle for less than his best for you?

Just a thought... (:-)
Nell

(Sorry about the word play (:-))

[Sons to Glory!]

I agree with Nell here - seeking Him and His speaking for you is always the best! And there certainly are many non-formal home gatherings and other gatherings that are not all steeped in the "traditions of men" and systems which dampen the functioning of the members. To me, the best is where there is no one trying to put any legalism of some ministry upon you. Some home gatherings are really just the off-shoots of some established ministry, which may have an agenda (however good or not-so-good that might be). Other gatherings are more independent (this would be my preference).

Each of us has the Anointing/Christ within, and we really don't need all of the outward forms or teachings that are supposed to guide us in our daily life (i.e., in an old covenant way of the letter). What we do need is to be with others who are loving Him and seeking Him in the simplicity in Christ, and where everyone can share their portion of Him without any constraint!

(and that's not to say the Lord wouldn't lead you to a more traditional type gathering . . . I know a number of ex-LCers who meet in traditional denominational settings. But these "churches" often have some other small groups where functioning is freer.)

[HERn]

Right, I’m in a denomination that has a strong home/small group ministry where all can function. I would not be in a church that did not support that.

[Nell]

I found this:

“This means that Jesus Christ is taking responsibility to sanctify us. ... We don’t have to figure out our spiritual growth or take control of it. We have to submit and follow. We have to do this in a proper respect (aka fear) of the Lord.”

Finding a church isn’t the answer. Finding Jesus is the answer. If you only find an alternative church without finding Jesus, the one responsible to sanctify us, you might as well stay where you are...wherever that may be.

Alwayscurious, you inadvertently I think, raised an excellent topic. I don’t mean to dogpile you, but thank you for your curiosity!

Nell

[Awoken]

I recently posted a snippet of one of A. W. Tozer's books which is really related to this. The "church life" taught us to do one thing, to elevate the church experience above everything else, but that's not what we're likely to find we're called to when we really try to follow Christ.

Here is the topic I'm referencing, alwayscurious, I'd advise you to give it a quick read if you get a chance. It might help you to feel more encouraged about those "lonely times".

Also want to share a song from my wife and I. We are also having a hard time with leaving the LCs and being bereft of a lot of the company we had, but I do believe the Lord is faithful when we pray for His will and not ours. Grace.

https://soundcloud.com/awokenbygrace...-beside-my-god

Hallelujah, Lord, my God,
I'll sing Your Name in praise,
The precious Name of Jesus
That blesses all my days.

Jesus, Jesus, Jesus
No other name on earth
Is like that Name, so precious:
A prize of endless worth.

Though I walk a lonely road
Few other feet have trod,
I'll count it joy; small price to pay
To walk beside my God

Seldom in man's company,
For few would choose depart
This hellbound world to trade their sin
For a new pilgrim's heart.

Lonely is the way ahead
And ruin lies behind.
Yet following in my Lord's footsteps
What fellowship I find.

[HERn]

“ Lonely is the way ahead
And ruin lies behind.”

So sorry to hear you are in a sad and lonely place having left the LC. I’m praying it will only be a short while. It was either OBW or maybe Ohio that advised me to look for someone who needs to be blessed or loved when visiting places and not just hope someone will reach out to you. This advice helped me.

[JJ]

Originally Posted by alwayscurious

Are there any other alternatives to the LC type of gatherings/essence? I'm basically asking if there's a similar type of meeting style, home meetings, YP meetings, conferences, just without all the "Witness Lee" and "LSM" and all that stuff.......

if there aren't... do any other non-denominational churches come close?

Sage advise from others on this thread. I have to remind myself often that Christ himself is my hope, not the church. Nevertheless, I am a member of Christ’s body. Meeting with other members and serving Christ with them are essential.

I often ask the same questions about gathering style. What you may be referring to is what I’ve heard termed “Brethren Style” gatherings, which is where the LC got their gathering style from, I believe. Many home meetings and small gatherings happen in non-denominational churches with a similar style, but I have found few large gatherings (say 80 plus people) that are routinely done that way in California’s Central Valley where I live, rather they rely on pastors leading from the front following a set schedule with not much liberty for spontaneity, which I find frustrating.

The San Francisco Bay area and Sacramento area have some “Ekklesia” gatherings that are “Brethren Style”. The One Body Life ministry puts on conferences that way from time to time. And they meet in connection with other minstries in other places. LC spin-off groups meet without ties to LSM in a few places (Moses Lake, Denver, Ontario, Columbus and other areas of Ohio and the mid-west), as well as Scottsdale) that retain the meeting style. Francis Chan has been promoting house churches in Southern California and the Bay Area, but the videos I’ve seen about it end talking as much about him as Jesus (sound familiar?)

Interestingly enough, Brethren churches in my area don’t meet the old fashioned style for large gatherings, and that may be true elsewhere.

Based on what I’ve read on this site other places in the U.S. and the world including East coast, southeast, China, Germany, and South America have LC spinoffs too, but I couldn’t make a complete list for sure.

One can find good fellowship with solid Holy Spirit filled believers everywhere, and the Lord will lead you to them. As sons of Abraham we are called to walk by faith in this matter too.

[Sons to Glory!]

Originally Posted by JJ

I am a member of Christ’s body. Meeting with other members and serving Christ with them are essential.

Yes and amen - I cannot imagine going on without the body! This is the way He designed it . . . to be knit together in love! I am so, so, so very thankful He put me where He has me and with those believers around me. I have to "pinch" myself often and remind myself how faithful He has been in my life, and has me right where I need to be.

Originally Posted by JJ

I often ask the same questions about gathering style. What you may be referring to is what I’ve heard termed “Brethren Style” gatherings, which is where the LC got their gathering style from, I believe.

That was a really good listing of groups that meet in the open style of gathering! And thanks for the reminder that it was The Brethren that began doing that. However, if I remember right, in the book "The Pilgrim Church" (by Broadbent), certain ancient and obscure churches may have also had that kind of gathering. As is pointed out by Henry Hon (One Body Life), there are ministries and there is the ekklesia (called-out gathering). Ministries are fine, but too often it gets all focused on those ministering, or some doctrine/practice and not on Christ. And then often the full and free functioning of the members of the body is suppressed.

[Sons to Glory!]

Originally Posted by UntoHim

Nell has given you some good advise- "Finding a church isn’t the answer. Finding Jesus is the answer." I will now steal, and then slightly change, a quote by C.S. Lewis: Aim at Christ and you will get the church thrown in. Aim at the church and you get neither.
-

What he said!

The Lord knows. He does. And in seeking Him, He will lead you to what is the very best for you. He has designed us to be members in the body, but He is the one that does the placing and knows where you will be best nourished in Him.

[UntoHim]

Originally Posted by alwayscurious

Are there any other alternatives to the LC type of gatherings/essence?

Thank you so much alwayscurious for reaching out with this extremely relevant and important question. It's a very natural thing for those of us leaving a group like the Local Church to want to land in a place that is comfortable for us when we've been suddenly "released out into the wild" as it were.

My take and my advise is to take a little time away from meeting in any formal, corporate way on Sunday. One good thing about this terrible pandemic is that we have lots of opportunity to "visit" all sorts of Christian gatherings without the burden of traveling out of the comfort of our living rooms. I would take advantage of this opportunity if I were you. Nell has given you some good advise- "Finding a church isn’t the answer. Finding Jesus is the answer." I will now steal, and then slightly change, a quote by C.S. Lewis: Aim at Christ and you will get the church thrown in. Aim at the church and you get neither. Of course this kind of consideration is counterintuitive to all that we learned from Witness Lee, who taught us that all we need to do is simply "aim at the church" and then we will get Christ and everything else thrown in. Just aim at the church and your marriage will be healed. Just aim at the church and all will go well with our children. Just aim at the church and our careers will take care of themselves. This turned out to be a false teaching. This turned out to be a damaging teaching.

All this being said, I would give you an encouraging word: "Yet God did not leave himself without witness, for he did good by giving you rains from heaven and fruitful seasons, satisfying your hearts with food and gladness.” (Acts 14:17) Even to this day, God has not left himself without witness, nor without witnesses. The Body of Christ is still very much alive...not as well as she could be or should be...but alive nonetheless. She is not without "spot or wrinkle"...not yet. She is not the glorious bride fully prepared for her awaiting Bridegroom....not yet. Maybe she will never be without spot or wrinkle until the end. Maybe she will never be as glorious until the wedding day. "The bride eyes not her garment, but her dear bridegrooms face". Let us all be found eying our dear bridegrooms face, and leave the building of the church to him.
-

[Trapped]

Originally Posted by alwayscurious

Are there any other alternatives to the LC type of gatherings/essence? I'm basically asking if there's a similar type of meeting style, home meetings, YP meetings, conferences, just without all the "Witness Lee" and "LSM" and all that stuff.......

if there aren't... do any other non-denominational churches come close?

alwayscurious,

I can't recall - are you a church kid who has only known the LC, or did you come into the LC as an adult having had a previous Christian/denominational background beforehand?

Are you asking the question because you are trying to find a church?

Trapped

[Nell]

Originally Posted by UntoHim

... I will now steal, and then slightly change, a quote by C.S. Lewis: Aim at Christ and you will get the church thrown in. Aim at the church and you get neither.
-

A very long time ago in Houston I heard Benson Phillips offer this CSL quote. I don't remember him giving CSL credit though. Of course, Benson apparently didn't believe this himself because he continues his aim at the church (of WL).

Nell

(I'm trying not to blow away UntoHim's post...again...this is my rookie season.)

[alwayscurious]

I'm a church kid, born and raised so the LC is all I have known all my life. I'm in college now and having this past year in near solitude (LOL) due to COVID, I've had a lot of time to think about the past 19 years of my life. I'm still not sure if leaving completely is what the Lord wants me to do since my immediate family and nearly all of my social circle is with those in the LC. I asked my question on this thread to simply see if others have come across a similar alternate to the LC. So far all the replies have been very helpful! Thank you all.

[Robert]

Originally Posted by alwayscurious

I'm a church kid, born and raised so the LC is all I have known all my life. I'm in college now and having this past year in near solitude (LOL) due to COVID, I've had a lot of time to think about the past 19 years of my life. I'm still not sure if leaving completely is what the Lord wants me to do since my immediate family and nearly all of my social circle is with those in the LC. I asked my question on this thread to simply see if others have come across a similar alternate to the LC. So far all the replies have been very helpful! Thank you all.

The best thing is that You are interested in what Lord wants You to do!
If ships are called by shepherd I do not know if they care what field they are leaving.
I am human I have heart and I miss many saints ( with some still have contact).
I was saved when I was 18. I was sinner hopeless and lost .
I would like to have my kids seeking like You. They are not in church life any more.
I was 2 years in denomination but it does not matter. The point is to know Jesus personally.

On one side is lost but on another is gain. Trust Lord Jesus and make a personal contract with Him. He is faithful and will lead You. Just tell Him everything in prayer.
In LC teaching is so complicated that You can be really confused.
Read Bible independently, be filled with His Word. Then You will get certain feeling.
Remember! Jesus is not some air to breathe in. Hi is Person. Make Him Your personal friend. Personal Savior. Personal Shepherd.
edit. Try to pray in Your room the way as You talk to any real person. Without breathe Ooooooh! Loooooord Jeeeeesus! Be natural. God knows hearts.
I do not say You don't do it but... I know LC practices so just wanted share.
Jesus called Himself our friend. I have never heard in LC this expression.

[OBW]

In my in-and-out manner here on the forum, I didn't see this thread before.

I'm not sure that the question "ask him where, or if, he wants you to meet somewhere with others" is a good start. I think that we should always intend to meet somewhere with others. I realize that the verse about not meeting " as the practice of some is" does not clearly state that we should meet. But how hard do you have to be trying to avoid others to arrive at that conclusion?

I believe that meeting is somewhat imperative. And in the 66+ years I have been alive, the most I have missed some kind of weekly church (in the years I can actually remember) was probably during the 14.5 years I was in the LC. Still wasn't much. But since it was touted as the "only place" and sometimes was barely palatable (mostly toward the end of that 14.5 years) it probably takes the position of most missed assembly in my history.

Arguably, almost any assembly will do. While I still have some problems with the RCC, much to the chagrin of Ohio, I cannot write them off as completely reprobate or even un-Christian. But no matter the flavor, find an assembly that centers on Christ, not pet doctrines or activities. I also suggest worship that focuses more on Christ than on me and what He has done for me. I have been wishing for weekly communion — not because of the LC, but because I have come to see it as a cornerstone of the worship of God — and for the past 22 months have had that. Very different from the AOG (Assemblies of God) and Bible churches I have been with for most of my non-LC life.

And avoid any ideas that certain denominations are "Christless" or "dead." Such generalizations are invalid. Some people in any group may be dead. But the worship of Christ is never dead. Don't feel obligated to follow in the ways of your family's past. Or to do what bothers you so much that you are too distracted. So at some level, familiarity may be better. And at the same time, change may also be better. No simple answer. Join in with the intent to worship. It may overcome everything else.

[HERn]

Originally Posted by alwayscurious

I'm a church kid, born and raised so the LC is all I have known all my life. I'm in college now and having this past year in near solitude (LOL) due to COVID, I've had a lot of time to think about the past 19 years of my life. I'm still not sure if leaving completely is what the Lord wants me to do since my immediate family and nearly all of my social circle is with those in the LC. I asked my question on this thread to simply see if others have come across a similar alternate to the LC. So far all the replies have been very helpful! Thank you all.

“ I'm still not sure if leaving completely is what the Lord wants me to do…”

I’m sorry for the late response, but I think you should listen to your conscience. If your conscience allows you to leave, then you will be safer. If you’re not sure what your conscience will allow ask the Lord to give you wisdom and understanding.

James 1:5
Amplified Bible
If any of you lacks wisdom [to guide him through a decision or circumstance], he is to ask of [our benevolent] God, who gives to everyone generously and without rebuke or blame, and it will be given to him.