“Can the Local Church Leadership Say, ‘We Were Wrong’?” (An Open Letter)

[TLFisher]

Originally Posted by John

Can the Local Church leadership say, “We were wrong?”

Here was what Benson wrote to me in a 1992 letter:

In your letter dated June 4, 1992, you wanted me to respond to a question as to whether I considered your wife and Jim’s wife as rebels. I feel the liberty to tell you directly that I have never condemned them as rebels, nor, as far as I can recall, have I ever had such a thought. I had not even considered this matter before it was bought to my consciousness by your letter. However, there is clearly one rebel in this universe, and even Christians are subject to his rebellious instigations and become involved in actions that are not profitable for the Lord’s interest and frustrate or damage the building of the Lords’ church. Such was the case in 1976 and 1977 when some sisters in a few of the local churches in the United States rose up to speak unhealthy words and engage in certain activities that became a damaging factor to some individuals and the church life in those places, but, to my realization, those that became involved were surely not rebels; at least the ones that I knew in this region were not such. …

Later in his letter, Benson wrote the following, testifying for the leading brothers in the region (not just the elders in Houston, of which he wasn’t one) that they followed due process:

Also, you consider that I and the elders acted according to rumors and half-truths when we dealt with the problems that were manifested in 1976 and 1977. I want to testify for the brothers that this was altogether not the case. We brothers listened to many testimonies and admissions before making any judgment. The attitude of the leading brothers in this region has always been to deal with negative matters so that those involved may repent and be recovered.

The message

Now, let’s compare the statements in the above letter with what Mr. Phillips said in 2005 per portions of the 2005 Anaheim Winter Training transcription that we were given:
[INDENT]In order to maintain good order in the church, a factious, divisive person should be refused, rejected after a first and second admonition. … In 1987 [sic], we had some sisters out on the West coast—they started building up a kind of group around themselves. They were inviting sisters, and they were getting into the Word and were talking about doctrine, and they were getting clear on the church, getting clear on everything. Then it spread to Texas. I don’t know where else it spread to, but anyhow, some sisters in Texas got into the same flow.


The stand

The web of deception that I’ve documented helps to explain why it is so difficult to understand the Living Stream Ministry and the Local Churches. They are full of deception, where up is down, and down is up. In short, the leaders in both entities cannot be trusted.

This is why it is so important that we stick with our Christian virtues and, even, enhance them, as Peter says, lest we fall into the same vices. To faith, we are to add virtue, or excellence, not lying and playing politics, especially with others’ lives and their freedom to follow the Lord. Jesus is our Lord and Master; and, it is before Him that we stand or fall.

John, in Benson's 1992 letter he stated per your post,
"However, there is clearly one rebel in this universe, and even Christians are subject to his rebellious instigations"

I agree with Benson's assessment. Even asmuch the one rebel, the devil is unrelenting in deceiving God's children. Are we as members of the Body conscious of the deception?

I'll be going back to that point, but first several items of your post I'd like to comment on.

"We brothers listened to many testimonies and admissions before making any judgment."

At what point was Jane's testimony and admission listened to by the brothers? In reading The Thread of Gold, the event comes across as blindsiding accusations levied against her. Is that your recollection?

"They were inviting sisters, and they were getting into the Word and were talking about doctrine, and they were getting clear on the church, getting clear on everything. Then it spread to Texas. I don’t know where else it spread to, but anyhow, some sisters in Texas got into the same flow."

Same flow? Considering jane had not met these sisters until 2006, yes I do accept they were in the same flow of the Holy Spirit. If we as members of the Body are honest, and especially those members meeting in the local churches, we will concede at times the local churches have been exceedingly spiritual. To the extent of neglecting our humanity. Which is why our souls need shepherding. Not knowing these sisters in California, or Jane, or the sisters she fellowshipped with, it's my feeling they were shepherding the soul.


John, my final comment from your post is on "The web of deception that I’ve documented helps to explain why it is so difficult to understand the Living Stream Ministry and the Local Churches. They are full of deception, where up is down, and down is up. In short, the leaders in both entities cannot be trusted."

I cannot say for certain either way. I do feel there are those in entrusted leadership positions like Ray and Benson who have been deceived by the enemy. I also feel there are those like John Ingalls, Al Knoch, etc who had no idea what was transpiring in the office. I feel there are local church elders who if they had known be in "a state of shock and utter disgust" over what has happened in our local church history as respected brothers were looking the other way.