Our Journey to Elden in Jan 1971

[Lisbon]

I listened to James Barber many years ago say that anyone who was not absolute for the church he would drive them out. A big red flag went up for me but obviously it didn't work that well since I have stayed all this time. The talk about vision without much definition has always been a bug for me.

The thing about the education was such a mystery to me. As some have mentioned, Lee seemed to be against education for a while and then a complete reversal. I think he was just training us to follow him absolutely without thought. Remember the "young gallilians?" That was one crazy time. He turned every thing over to the young ones for about a week and quickly picked the reins back up. It was all just an act.

Lisbon

[Elden1971]

Originally Posted by Lisbon

I listened to James Barber many years ago say that anyone who was not absolute for the church he would drive them out. A big red flag went up for me but obviously it didn't work that well since I have stayed all this time. The talk about vision without much definition has always been a bug for me.

The thing about the education was such a mystery to me. As some have mentioned, Lee seemed to be against education for a while and then a complete reversal. I think he was just training us to follow him absolutely without thought. Remember the "young gallilians?" That was one crazy time. He turned every thing over to the young ones for about a week and quickly picked the reins back up. It was all just an act.

Lisbon

Lee encouraged the young people to do some really stupid stuff. "I'm a man I'm the center and the meaning of the universe" was being shouted at cars and pedestrians outside the Embassy Hotel in downtown LA. Getting on crowded elevators and telling everyone let's call on the name of the Lord "O LORD JESUS" INSURED that everyone would get off at the next floor and of course our white robes and gospel marches with drums and trumpets even disrupted the Hare Krishnas!

[UntoHim]

Originally Posted by Elden1971

Lee encouraged the young people to do some really stupid stuff.

And when things blew up, EVERY SINGLE TIME Lee blamed somebody else. In the late 70s it was Max Rapoport and Sal Benoit, in the late 80s it was John Ingalls, Bill Mallon, et al. It was NEVER his fault. It's no wonder that most Local Churchers look at Lee as virtually infallible, the man never admitted a mistake....except maybe for that incredibly weak and lame deathbed type confession at the end.

-

[Ohio]

Originally Posted by Elden1971

Lee encouraged the young people to do some really stupid stuff.

Originally Posted by UntoHim

And when things blew up, EVERY SINGLE TIME Lee blamed somebody else.

In this regard Lee was the sneakiest of all. During the "Young Galilean" movement of the mid-70's, Lee had his minions stirring up the young people all over the US. Hundreds of young saints up and relocated at their bidding for supposed "training." Elders had no say whatsoever concerning the sheep under their care. Forget about prayer and following the Lord. Then the whole things implodes, and then in the aftermath Lee says, "I never told anyone what to do."

Talk about a sneaky copout!

[UntoHim]

Originally Posted by Lisbon

The thing about the education was such a mystery to me. As some have mentioned, Lee seemed to be against education for a while and then a complete reversal. I think he was just training us to follow him absolutely without thought. Remember the "young gallilians?" That was one crazy time. He turned every thing over to the young ones for about a week and quickly picked the reins back up. It was all just an act.

Lisbon

Very insightful post! Another thing that Witness Lee said was that the Local Church would never have any kind of seminary. He did a complete reversal on that one as well with the establishment of "The Full-Time Training". which is now dubbed as "A two year post-graduate program". MMMM...a two year post-graduate progam....which is based upon biblical and religious studies....sounds a lot like a seminary to me! In fact I wouldn't be surprised if the LC/LSM tries to get the FTT accredited as a Christian seminary - albeit they will need assistance from the likes of Hank Hanegraaff and some liberal professors over at Fuller.

[Elden1971]

In reflecting back on our experience at Elden Hall the most positive thing was the Fellowship that existed in the home meetings, service groups, giving of hospitality and of course the Love Feasts on Saturday nights. One wonderful memory was when we just could not handle the heat and smog and loaded up our kids and drove to the mountains to a campsite and suddenly discovered several other families from Elden had all done the same thing. What a wonderful time of fellowship, singing, and praising the Lord. The love and care between the saints was what attracted others not the ministry.

[Elden1971]

Originally Posted by Elden1971

In reflecting back on our experience at Elden Hall the most positive thing was the Fellowship that existed in the home meetings, service groups, giving of hospitality and of course the Love Feasts on Saturday nights. One wonderful memory was when we just could not handle the heat and smog and loaded up our kids and drove to the mountains to a campsite and suddenly discovered several other families from Elden had all done the same thing. What a wonderful time of fellowship, singing, and praising the Lord. The love and care between the saints was what attracted others not the ministry.

The best thing about the conferences was not the meetings but the fellowship between the saints in the homes. We once had 27 saints for hospitality for 10 days. It was glorious ( and yes we did have a large home)!

[Ohio]

Originally Posted by Elden1971

The best thing about the conferences was not the meetings but the fellowship between the saints in the homes. We once had 27 saints for hospitality for 10 days. It was glorious ( and yes we did have a large home)!

Elden1971, the typical LSMer will naturally respond that the only reason for the glorious hospitality, and the rich fellowship in the homes, and the joyful singing in the mountains, was the exceeding riches being dispensed by Witness Lee, the Minister of the Age.

[Elden1971]

Originally Posted by Ohio

Elden1971, the typical LSMer will naturally respond that the only reason for the glorious hospitality, and the rich fellowship in the homes, and the joyful singing in the mountains, was the exceeding riches being dispensed by Witness Lee, the Minister of the Age.

Fortunately for us that was not the case and interestingly over 95% of those in Elden that cared for us all left within a few years. I can not even relate to what you and others experienced and the current situation is difficult to comprehend. I tried to read some of the high peak messages this week but was so grieved I had to stop after a few minutes. I am so glad the Lord removed us and spared us the craziness of the last 3 decades.

[InChristAlone]

Originally Posted by Elden1971

I can not even relate to what you and others experienced and the current situation is difficult to comprehend. I tried to read some of the high peak messages this week but was so grieved I had to stop after a few minutes.

The "high peak" truth is still there, in books, in messages, and in Morning Revivals. Here is one of the latest titles: "Entering into the Fourth Stage of the Experience of Life to Arrive at a Full-grown Man for the Fulfillment of God's Purpose." Unfortunately, saints take it at its face value.

[awareness]

Originally Posted by Elden1971

I tried to read some of the high peak messages this week but was so grieved I had to stop after a few minutes

Same thing happened to me when trying to read the Kindle book you loaned me Terry.

Tried to read Amazing Grace (click) by Watchman Nee. Couldn't stomach it.

[OBW]

Originally Posted by Elden1971

In reflecting back on our experience at Elden Hall the most positive thing was the Fellowship that existed in the home meetings, service groups, giving of hospitality and of course the Love Feasts on Saturday nights. One wonderful memory was when we just could not handle the heat and smog and loaded up our kids and drove to the mountains to a campsite and suddenly discovered several other families from Elden had all done the same thing. What a wonderful time of fellowship, singing, and praising the Lord. The love and care between the saints was what attracted others not the ministry.

If there was a way to separate the community that was in the LRC from the teachings and nonsense that have continued, that would be something. If there is anything to be said about the Local Churches — even to this day in some places — is that the people are among the most devoted to each other. And that is worthy of great note.

Unfortunate all that they have to put up with, or be hoodwinked by, as they carry on.

[TLFisher]

Originally Posted by Elden1971

The love and care between the saints was what attracted others not the ministry.

Now, there is still love and care, but according to how one receives the ministry. It's loving those who love the ministry.