An Outsider's Story

[Ohio]

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Hello dear brother. I was looking for something else when I happened on your story and was drawn in by sensitivity of your writing concerning your personal involvement with your dear girlfriend. You don't seem to be asking for advise here but, anonymously, I felt to offer some. I have been in what you tag "The Lord's Recovery" since I began reading Watchman Nee books at the age of 17 and met some of brothers in my home town.

At that time, there was no footnotes and limited recorded publications but I have witnessed the gradual growth of what I consider is phenomenal light and truth embedded in God's Word through the ministry of Watchman Nee and Witness Lee. My spiritual life, my personal life, my family life (which includes my involvement with my girlfriend who became my wife), my children, my professional life and fellowship life with my close brothers and sisters have all been greatly benefited by the reading of these publications. Modalism is not taught here, although some careless theologians accuse us of teaching it. All the above is to share that I am convinced the vision of Br Nee and Br Lee and ones I have been involved with is a genuine move of the Spirit. Now lay what I said above aside.

To be honest, one thing about this move is that it is based on having a serious desire to surrender your life to take care of God's interest and sympathize with God's need of a response from His people. That personal hunger that would lead one to sacrifice to gain the lost world and live for building up believers is an essential element in this kind of Christian living. One only gets the supply of grace to want to live this kind of life from the Lord Himself . If you care about your girlfriend and she cares about you, you need to consider whether you both have the desire to want to live your lives to meet the Lord's need. My wife and I are not perfect, but along the way, and with the help of Bible being properly interpreted we both have this feeling. I highly recommend it to you. The best to you and to your girl friend dear brother.

Anonymous

I know hundreds of brothers who believed the same as "unregistered" posted above. We were helped by the ministries of WL and WN and those ahead of us in this journey. Though we all had our personal faults and shortcomings, none can say that our consecration to the Lord and dedication to the church was somehow sufficient.

What was the cause of so many former members leaving the "Recovery?" It was not the loss of vision, nor some hidden loves for self or the world, neither unforgiven offenses nor hidden ambitions. None of these characterizations can properly describe their departures. Neither were they "poisoned" by some negative speaking.

Nearly every one who left, did so because of abuses and unrighteousnesses by church ministry leaders. I have read many of their accounts. Many who left were simply crying out for righteousness, many left badly beaten. Many could not stomach the unrighteousness covered up by the leaders. They realized that the high and lofty message of "the vision of Christ and the church" had been highjacked by unscrupulous leaders intent on personal gain and glory.

I was active in the LC's since the mid 70's. All of these serious problems were kept from the many sincere members. Though I had begun to suspect the Recovery had serious issues back in the 90's, it was not until the events surrounding the quarantine of TC that caused me to seriously and objectively examine what I gave my life to. The Bible tells us to "test all things." After 30 years, I finally took this verse to heart, and put the Recovery to the test.