Young Galileans conference in NY

[to_sam]

Hi there!

In this post:

http://localchurchdiscussions.com/vB...lileans&page=2

I was reading about the Young Galileans. I believe that was a conference helt by WL in New York some time in 1976 or 1977. Can anyone provide some details on the content of that conference?

Thanks,
Sam

[Ohio]

Originally Posted by to_sam

Hi there!

In this post:

http://localchurchdiscussions.com/vB...lileans&page=2

I was reading about the Young Galileans. I believe that was a conference helt by WL in New York some time in 1976 or 1977. Can anyone provide some details on the content of that conference?

Thanks,
Sam

Welcome to the forum Sam!

Not sure if any of the current posters were actually at that conference. I never knew exactly where or when the talk of "Young Galileans" got started, but this "flow" kind of swept thru the country. At that time Max Rapoport, the universal coordinator of the one new man, was traveling extensively and sharing this "fresh move of the Lord." As was typical for every new WL "flow," lots of young people were damaged while implementing it, but WL never took any responsibility for it.

If you have some specific questions in mind, you might be able to jog the memories of some of the old-timers here.

[alwayslearning]

I'm not sure of the exact content of that particular conference but the outcome of the "flow" was young people moving to Orange County to start churches in the cities surrounding Anaheim so they could support Witness Lee's "Ministry Station" in Anaheim - Irvine, Costa Mesa, Fullerton, etc.

Many churches outside of OC felt "robbed" of their young people as many abandoned their local churches and moved to OC to be "in the up to date flow". Of course the disgruntlement was muted lest they be accused of "not being for the ministry".

[Ohio]

Originally Posted by alwayslearning

I'm not sure of the exact content of that particular conference but the outcome of the "flow" was young people moving to Orange County to start churches in the cities surrounding Anaheim so they could support Witness Lee's "Ministry Station" in Anaheim - Irvine, Costa Mesa, Fullerton, etc.

Many churches outside of OC felt "robbed" of their young people as many abandoned their local churches and moved to OC to be "in the up to date flow". Of course the disgruntlement was muted lest they be accused of "not being for the ministry".

What happened on the east coast was the same. Hundreds of young people from up and down the "right coast" moved to Boston to be "trained" by Sal Benoit, the under-study of Max. All the other churches were "robbed" by Boston. Titus Chu, however, refused to allow all of the Great Lakes Area young people to "follow the flow" to Boston, which, of course, created a few dicey confrontations with the local Max supporters.

The very next year in Boston was the "brotherly love flow" which reportedly netted 50 marriages. What else were all these energetic young people supposed to do? Thus the saints actually did receive some practical "training" after all. So if the "young Galileans" did not end up in the bars, getting their "hands dirty," trying to capture the "raw heathen," they perhaps were preserved in the faith having families and getting a decent education in Boston.

When did WL ever apologize for how he and his minions manipulated the lives of young believers? Had he no shame? How many lives were destroyed following by all of these man-made "flows," convinced that the Lord was behind them somewhere. I distinctly remember being told that I was now in the Lord's army, and my only duty was to prepare myself to be deployed by the ministry at a place of their choosing. I ended up in Columbus.

[to_sam]

Thanks Ohio! I asked myself what could have caused such man-made flow among the young people all over the country. I concluded that such a seed must have been planted through that particular conference. Some kind of a strange "spirit" must have been released - where else would such a mess among the young people come from? Hence I am interested in the actual messages given at this conference. Has anyone in the forum attended it?

[Ohio]

Originally Posted by to_sam

Thanks Ohio! I asked myself what could have caused such man-made flow among the young people all over the country. I concluded that such a seed must have been planted through that particular conference. Some kind of a strange "spirit" must have been released - where else would such a mess among the young people come from? Hence I am interested in the actual messages given at this conference. Has anyone in the forum attended it?

You are right about "strange spirits" being released into the recovery.

This is one reason why I am on guard every time I hear that the church is the "army of God." Yes, Ephesians mentions that, but when I hear others use that analogy, it becomes quite manipulative, and many young ones get hurt. After the "young Galilean" flow spread from place to place, there was much "army" talk. Young people were told that church leaders were to direct their movements and provide them with training. Witness Lee became known as the commander-in-chief.

The Bible indicates that we must learn to follow the Lamb wherever He leads, and to walk by the Spirit. No scripture ever advises us to abrogate our obedience to Christ in lieu of earthly generals and captains in the "army of God." Now when I think back to those days, I think of some Islamist Jihad. Healthy leaders, however, should be as shepherds, leading us to the good Pasture, who is Christ Himself, and help us to know His voice. Instead LC leaders "played God" with the young people, and subsequently damaged many a dear child of God.

They did this repeatedly over the years with every "flow" out of Anaheim. They made these flows mandatory upon all the churches, and criticized those leaders who balked at the latest program. A system of internal spies fed back to headquarters a list of those leaders who did not jump on every movement. Never once did these leaders repent for damaging young people, and those who have questioned the program were silenced. That really troubles me.