Blending

[JJ]

Originally Posted by Ohio

The application and understanding of this word has to be viewed in context with what was happening at LSM both publicly and behind the scenes.

First, let's get into Paul's use of the word. His thought here was "many members, but one body." There is no mention of "many churches, but one body," or the prevailing thought -- "many churches but one ministry." Ugh!

The context of this word in the epistle to Corinth addressed the attitude of members towards one another, specifically the attitudes towards those members who are not comely, whom we don't like, who may be a pain in the neck, who may be vastly different with diverse gifts and shortcomings, etc. How does Paul address this problem? He tells us that we need these members, that God has also placed them in the body, that "God has tempered the body together giving more honor to those that lack," and that the members should love one another. Chapter 13 provides excellent descriptions of love, starting out, "Love is patient, love is kind ..."

Vine's defines this Greek word "sunkerannumi" to mix or blend together, of the combining of the members of the human body into an organic structure, as illustrative of the members of a local church in I Cor 12.24. Strong's defines as "commingle, i.e. to combine or assimilate -- mix with, temper together." This very positive work of God in His body should affect all of us in our attitudes toward one another.

Back to my initial comment. W. Lee used this word "blending," not to encourage love, acceptance, and longsuffering among the members in the body of Christ, but to exact human methods to negate differences and opinions among the members. By removing our liberties in the Spirit, Lee attempted to facilitate his own brand of "oneness" with himself as the head, calling that blending. His own son Philip, as "Office Manager" at LSM, used heavy-handed techniques to beat elders and workers around the globe into subjection, calling that blending. Lee also eliminated the ministries of the gifted members in all the churches, demanding only his material to be taught in all the churches, calling that blending.

Good observations, Ohio. It has been said before (correctly) on this site that some willingness on Lee’s part to be blended more with his coworkers who saw and tried to help him see and deal with his own shortcomings would have been helpful to him and the rest of Christ’s body.

My disappointment in seeing so many loveless divisions among TLR leaders is one of the factors in my leaving TLR (and posting what I saw on these boards).