Where Should I Meet If Not At The Local Church?

[Sons to Glory!]

Originally Posted by Ohio

Welcome to the forum!

There are several former LC's which have split off, and I would consider them quite healthy. Besides them, the Lord has seekers every where.

But the bigger issue is your expectations. You were in the LC long enough to learn how to judge all other Christians, placing false standards on them. Inevitably any church you visit will cause those old criticisms to rise up in your heart. That happens to all of us. I am still a recovering "judgaholic" having left 15 years ago. WL and the Blendeds have trained us wrongly into thinking there is some ideal "recovered" church, and all others were "pitiful and degraded." Nothing could be further from the truth. Nothing is perfect but Jesus our Lord. Actually their Laodicean pride has made them more degraded than most. This forum can be quite helpful to "purge out that old leaven" of errant LC teachings, and work thru many issues that may surface.

Assuming your GF was a Christian, where did she go to church? How about your family? Christian friends? It's usually easier to visit new churches when you know someone there.

I second that welcome, Peter2020! Brothers Ohio and UntoHim have both relayed some very good thoughts to you here.

For the past 20+ years, I have been meeting with a group that left the LC/LSM circle way back in the late 1980s. The open and participatory gathering style has remained, and is most rewarding to hear fresh things of Christ from each member. The legalism is gone too, and this is very refreshing - I have to "pinch" myself from time to time regarding this, as the freedom in Christ here is remarkable to me. We are also free to read or bring up any author that we think we have gained something of the Lord from. Very occasionally, this means someone might even bring up something from Witness Lee, or more frequently, Watchman Nee. But we all have the freedom to share as we are touched.

So, as Ohio said, there are groups out there who still have some of the basic practices - or as we like to say, have "not thrown the baby out with the dirty bathwater." I am aware of maybe a half dozen of these groups in the USA, with a few in the west and a few in the east - at least that I know of. People here (like Ohio) may be able to tell you of others near you.

Beyond that, I believe the Lord is faithful to honor the exhortation in Hebrews 10:25 to "not forsake the assembling of yourselves together.' That is, the life of Christ in us is a gathering life, and wants to be with other members of the body - this is both healthy and helpful. I have certainly been blessed with great fellowship with visiting other christian groups. It may surprise you how much of a touch with the living, indwelling Christ that some groups have! You might have to really seek and ask the Lord where they are, but according to my experience He is faithful to lead you where you need to be!

(now I also have had the judgmental experience in meeting with other groups . . . it's a natural function of the flesh to look for things not in-line with our "good" concepts. The Lord "learned" me that this judging was the fastest thing to cut off the blessing and fellowship with others. It can be an exercise, but eventually I was able to put this judgment off (like the "old man") and enjoy other believers, regardless of what they were practicing that was not according to some method. That is an experience of Christ to be treasured!)

Originally Posted by Sons to Glory!

I second that welcome, Peter2020! Brothers Ohio and UntoHim have both relayed some very good thoughts to you here.

For the past 20+ years, I have been meeting with a group that left the LC/LSM circle way back in the late 1980s. The open and participatory gathering style has remained, and is most rewarding to hear fresh things of Christ from each member. The legalism is gone too, and this is very refreshing - I have to "pinch" myself from time to time regarding this, as the freedom in Christ here is remarkable to me. We are also free to read or bring up any author that we think we have gained something of the Lord from. Very occasionally, this means someone might even bring up something from Witness Lee, or more frequently, Watchman Nee. But we all have the freedom to share as we are touched.

So, as Ohio said, there are groups out there who still have some of the basic practices - or as we like to say, have "not thrown the baby out with the dirty bathwater." I am aware of maybe a half dozen of these groups in the USA, with a few in the west and a few in the east - at least that I know of. People here (like Ohio) may be able to tell you of others near you.

Beyond that, I believe the Lord is faithful to honor the exhortation in Hebrews 10:25 to "not forsake the assembling of yourselves together.' That is, the life of Christ in us is a gathering life, and wants to be with other members of the body - this is both healthy and helpful. I have certainly been blessed with great fellowship with visiting other christian groups. It may surprise you how much of a touch with the living, indwelling Christ that some groups have! You might have to really seek and ask the Lord where they are, but according to my experience He is faithful to lead you where you need to be!

(now I also have had the judgmental experience in meeting with other groups . . . it's a natural function of the flesh to look for things not in-line with our "good" concepts. The Lord "learned" me that this judging was the fastest thing to cut off the blessing and fellowship with others. It can be an exercise, but eventually I was able to put this judgment off (like the "old man") and enjoy other believers, regardless of what they were practicing that was not according to some method. That is an experience of Christ to be treasured!)

Is there a group Like that in New York area? I would like to join.

[Sons to Glory!]

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Is there a group Like that in New York area? I would like to join.

Let me check with some brothers here and I will get back with you . . . or does anyone else know of something like this nearby? (and again, it doesn't necessarily have to be a group that was formerly associated with the LC . . .)

UPDATE: A brother texted me this just now when asked if anything in the NY area - "Only the (LC) church in New York, which I've been told is quite good. I heard more than once that they have a focus on the Lord's headship. But that was a few years ago. I believe they are (LC) affiliated, but give the Saints the liberty to find the Lord and experience the Lord without legalities." (Of course, this is secondhand information from this brother, and it is perhaps old or possibly inaccurate information.)

So you may have already been meeting with this LC group in NY, and that's why you are looking elsewhere . . . I couldn't tell from what you said earlier (in looking at the CNYC website, it looks pretty steeped in following WL! - so I know you will take that into account). Beyond that, there is a very good small group meeting in Raleigh, North Carolina. Ex-LCer Don Rutledge is there with around 20 saints. They, like here in Scottsdale, have no official affiliation with LSM/LC, but I know that's like 500 miles away.

Thank you for your information. The church in nyc has changed Significantly since brother James passed away 3 years ago. Nowadays, the church’s life just like doing the work without enjoyment and love. In my opinion, they are more focusing on the knowledge of the Bible rather than personal relationship with God.

[Sons to Glory!]

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Thank you for your information. The church in nyc has changed Significantly since brother James passed away 3 years ago. Nowadays, the church’s life just like doing the work without enjoyment and love. In my opinion, they are more focusing on the knowledge of the Bible rather than personal relationship with God.

You bet! The Lord be with you as you seek Him and fellowship with others!

What was James' last name?

James Chu..............

[Peter2020]

Hi all --

Sorry for the delay here, I really feel this blog is a “Recovery” from the Lord’s Recovery Movement and am thankful to receive so much support from you all. I do apologize in my delayed response, thanks for all for the insightful experiences, perspectives and wisdom.

UntoHim--

I agree, it’s difficult to go “cold turkey” and let everything go when you agree with parts of the ministry or enjoy certain hymns, or practices. Also, good to know it is not possible – or as others say very rare to “cherry pick” the good things of Witness Lee/LSM/Local Church and leave out the rest. I am young, and will continue to seek the Lord even if its not with the Witness Lee/LSM/Local Church, I am not convinced they have all the answers even though they try to convince other they do. I was raised in the Catholic Church and I am not convinced of that being the only Church either despite my family, ex girlfriend and many friends being strong, practicing Catholics. On a side note, I did not meet very many Catholics who met with the Local Churches though I was baptized again in the Local Churches.
I’m encouraged to hear that I can find Christian all around. I have developed a certain judgment towards belittling other Christians,but will learn how to take a step back to not only think about the Recovery Bible/Witness Lee/LSM/Local Church. Thank you brother!
I will look for an evangelical Christian church and try to meet at least once a month, maybe more and continue to pray that I am led towards a place that preaches and mentors the genuine Gospel, worshipping in spirit and truthfulness.
Also, really appreciate you sharing the authors of John Piper, Timothy Keller, D.A. Carson and Ravi Zaharias with me, I will definitely check them out, thank you.
Amen brother, I am thankful to have others cheering me on. God bless you!

Ohio--

I definitely shared the sentiment of feeling like Witness Lee/LSM/Local Church was the one and only, ideal “recovered” church and that others were pitiful and degraded because they are lacking in the divine, mystical, deep truths, therefore are missing the mark. I agree that has to do with their Laodicean pride, do you have a Bible you would recommend other than the Recovery version?

Yes, as I mentioned above my GF was Catholic as well as my family. My GF and I compromised and went to an evangelical, Presbyterian church because she did not want to meet with the Local Church. I have found the evangelical, Presbyterian church to be quite refreshing because of its focus on the word and its broader demographics. I do have friends who are Protestants and Catholics though I have only met Non-Denominational Christian in the Local Churches. What kind of church do you meet with?

Sons to Glory--

That is very refreshing to hear about how the legalism is gone in the church you have been going to for the past 20+ years. I do enjoy the participatory gathering style though I haven’t heard of many types of churches with that format, have you? That’s great you have the freedom in Christ at the church you attend and are not limited to a single author from Witness Lee/LSM/Local Church. I meet in the Mid-Atlantic area of the US.
Really appreciate you sharing your experience of Christ and how it was hard to put off judgment of other believers and churches, I know it will take time for me to undo the judging of other Christians which I was taught in the Local Churches.
Thank you for letting me know you can enjoy other believers, rather than according to some method. Great encouragement!

Trapped--
Thank you for your background from the perspective of a Local Church member raised into adulthood. I will be on the lookout within the church that I am led to, great advice to know that wolves can rise up within any church at any time. Those are very strong words about “going through the valley of the shadow of death in the LC” and fascinating that you noticed all of the warnings of “false apostles, false prophets, wolves in the eldership, systems of error, winds of teaching, etc.” within the Local Churches
Also, great to know that it’s possible to relax a little! I kind of wondered about that with keeping up to date with the latest messages from Anaheim on the recovery. The tone of many messages I’ve heard sounds like “God's deputy authorities.”
Appreciate you sharing with me the BITE model as well as “The Subtle Power of Spiritual Abuse" and “Healing Spiritual Abuse," I will be sure to check those out. Being aware and not blind or naïve is definitely something I need to work on.

GREAT to know that Witness Lee is an all or nothing kinda guy. I always got that impression while reading him, but you saying that, growing up in the church, reinforces that idea. It sounds like Lee’s biggest sin was that he would discredit other ministers? Straining out the bad seems to exist but is very uncommon and takes a lot of work, but might exist in a few places around the country.

Haha I can very much relate to the participation of going around a circle and reading Lee what he had to say and repeating what he had to say was something I noticed. I often felt that what was coming out of my mouth was not really something I fully believed in, but what the Local Church group would approve of because it was related to the ministry.

You are right, now is a great time to be watching sermons online to see what’s out there as most churches have gone virtual in their format, that may be an effective way to seek out a God loving and knowing church. Also, thank you for giving me a heads up that it may be a rough journey as well, I did not think of that. Thank you brother!