Nothing New under the Sun

[Freedom]

Originally Posted by Ohio

That was the comment John So in Germany said when Door-Knocking was mandated. Knowing the German people, he commented that, "they will baptize you instead," possibly making reference to the drowning of Anabaptists back in the day.

John So's comments basically went "virule" (even before Al Gore invented the internet!) via the recovery grapevine, and Phillip Lee and Company immediately blackballed him for being negative to WL and the "New Way."

This is the sad legacy of the LC, anyone who criticizes their "cookie cutter" approach to everything gets ostracized. It is common for people to cringe when they see Mormons or JW's going through the neigborhood. Even the same is true for door-to-door salesman. So it seems bizarre that in spite of the strong aversion in the US of people coming to your door, that Lee would push door-knocking as the best way.

[countmeworthy]

Originally Posted by Freedom

....it seems bizarre that in spite of the strong aversion in the US of people coming to your door, that Lee would push door-knocking as the best way.

Obviously LEE never did any door knocking himself. Anyone know if he ever did?? Anyone think the blenders will do any door knocking?

[Ohio]

Originally Posted by Freedom

So it seems bizarre that in spite of the strong aversion in the US of people coming to your door, that Lee would push door-knocking as the best way.

Door-knocking began in Taipei back in ~1985, when Americans were highly respected, and almost held in awe, by the Taiwanese. Then the statistics were doctored to "prove" what a great success Lee had become in his "laboratory."

As with everything promoted by Lee and Company, either you were completely on board, or you were a dismal failure, and probably "harboring secret rebellions in your heart." Personally, I found my time valuable whenever I went door-to-door with others. It is actually spiritually healthy to be challenged like that in the Lord -- lose your face for the Gospel, open your mouth to speak for the Lord, meet new people, help others overcome their fears, etc. Had Lee made the program optional, it might have had more lasting value. Instead of being "THE" way, it should have only been "A" way to share the gospel.

[Freedom]

Originally Posted by Ohio

Door-knocking began in Taipei back in ~1985, when Americans were highly respected, and almost held in awe, by the Taiwanese. Then the statistics were doctored to "prove" what a great success Lee had become in his "laboratory."

As with everything promoted by Lee and Company, either you were completely on board, or you were a dismal failure, and probably "harboring secret rebellions in your heart." Personally, I found my time valuable whenever I went door-to-door with others. It is actually spiritually healthy to be challenged like that in the Lord -- lose your face for the Gospel, open your mouth to speak for the Lord, meet new people, help others overcome their fears, etc. Had Lee made the program optional, it might have had more lasting value. Instead of being "THE" way, it should have only been "A" way to share the gospel.

The last time I went door-knocking was probably about 6 or 7 years ago. I think it was in interesting experience, however, nothing good ever came of it. In general, most people aren't interested, and the people we ended up talking to wanted to debate. Since debating people is discouraged, it really felt like we were stuck in a situation where we were wasting our time.

[TLFisher]

Originally Posted by Freedom

The last time I went door-knocking was probably about 6 or 7 years ago. I think it was in interesting experience, however, nothing good ever came of it. In general, most people aren't interested, and the people we ended up talking to wanted to debate. Since debating people is discouraged, it really felt like we were stuck in a situation where we were wasting our time.

For me, it was spring of 1986. I was a senior in high school paired with a fellow junior high school brother. If the door was answered, it was either "not interested" or end up in debate.
I wouldn't say it was a waste of time, but I did come away from the experience times are changing in the local churches and if door knocking becomes an expectation, I didn't want to be part of it.

[countmeworthy]

Originally Posted by Ohio

Door-knocking began in Taipei back in ~1985, when Americans were highly respected, and almost held in awe, by the Taiwanese. Then the statistics were doctored to "prove" what a great success Lee had become in his "laboratory."

Well...what was it I did when I went door to door in the mid 70s?? We did not simply invite them to a pot lock dinner on Saturday night. We told them them we were Christians and shared a short testimony of how we came to the Lord.

It pretty much stopped in 1977 when we stopped meeting 'corporately' in the meeting hall and started having home meetings and going after the 'good college material'.

That door knocking started up AGAIN in a more aggressive manner or took on a different twist I will accept but I started going door knocking the same week I got saved! Maybe the people in Taipai went door knocking every day?? And to what end? Were they inviting them to meetings, or simply handing out leaflets or what? I don't understand. I left in 1978ish remember?

I know we went door knocking on Thursdays and Saturday mornings with the intention of inviting them to the gospel/love feast.


I got saved on a Monday. After work, I had dinner at a sisters house where 7 sisters lived with a family (elders). After dinner, I went to a new believers meeting at another home.

Tuesday after work, I returned to their house at their invitation for dinner and from there I attended my first prayer meeting at the meeting hall. I got baptized that night.

Wednesday. Dinner again, more fellowship and a meeting at the meeting hall.

Thursday. Dinner again and then I accompanied 3 other sisters DOOR KNOCKING. It was fun.

Friday. Dinner again followed by the Friday night meeting at the meeting hall.

Saturday. I attended my first gospel/love feast and testified about my salvation that week. I was soaring with the Lord. I loved that week. I spent the night at the sisters home.

Sunday, I attended the morning meeting. After that meeting, another family invited me over for lunch, and then went back to the hall for my first Lord's Table meeting.

I moved in with the saints that night.

This was in January 1975 in San Diego. In fact my anniversary of getting saved is coming up. It was Monday morning January 13, around 9:30am , I prayed at work with a brother in Christ who was in the LC. He had been sharing the Word of God with me (NOT life studies or footnotes) WITH a real LIVE BIBLE. There were about 7-8 LCrs working where I worked. We were all in our 20s.

Through all my ups and downs, I am forever grateful for God's unending Love, Mercy, and Patience with me. I am so humbled that He chose me before the foundation of the world knowing quite well I would be a handful.

Can I say God bless HIM?? Surely my soul blesses the LORD.

God bless this forum that is giving hope to the down trodden, discouraged, and heart broken.

Carol