A little rant

[TLFisher]

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Hi guys. I just suddenly want to rant a little here.

I have been involved with LC for a few years - I have a love-hate relationship with them. I love many of the brothers and sisters there, however their spiritual pride totally puts me off. Like many have said - while they mock others for them being "too busy serving the Lord" without knowing what He wants, they themselves actually place their own service/ministry higher than Christ Himself. They put their so-called vision higher than God Himself. They mock at other believers and it hurts me - because when they hurts other members who don't meet with them, they are also hurting Christ Himself(take the example of "Saul Saul why do you persecute me"). I actually broke down many times of this.

What have led me to rant here is again at this time of Christmas, I see many of them attacking people who celebrate this holiday. Too many times. It annoys me. I know many who do and not do out of sincere hearts. But they do it out of love and respect for one another. However some words and attitudes used by the LC-ers are full of pride and ego which I cannot stand anymore. If I could I would love to scream out loud. For me they have left their first love- they had good intentions. They did help many to revive their love for the Lord. But eventually they are drifted away by placing their ministry and view higher than Christ and the universal Body of His.

I agree with much of what you have said. I placed into bold what was also my experience.
On the matter of celebrating or not celebrating Christmas or other matters, those that do the criticizing are speaking ONLY for themselves. Raised in the local churches and meeting as an adult I know those criticisms are only for the minority. I had been in many lc homes where there may not be a Christmas lights or a Christmas tree, the children did receive gifts.
On the subject of other matters, a certain elder may condemn other churches that acknowledge Super Bowl Sunday. All the while come the Super Bowl game households within the same locality host a Super Bowl party.

[Ohio]

Originally Posted by Terry

On the matter of celebrating or not celebrating Christmas or other matters, those that do the criticizing are speaking ONLY for themselves. Raised in the local churches and meeting as an adult I know those criticisms are only for the minority. I had been in many lc homes where there may not be a Christmas lights or a Christmas tree, the children did receive gifts.

On the subject of other matters, a certain elder may condemn other churches that acknowledge Super Bowl Sunday. All the while come the Super Bowl game households within the same locality host a Super Bowl party.

I like the lighted displays, especially those neighbors who take it seriously, and add new stuff every year. I wish the displays would stay on until the end of winter cause here in the gloomy midwest "dark ages" we need all the cheer we can get.

Titus Chu used to schedule the GLA elders and deacons service conference every year on Super Bowl weekend.

[HERn]

Originally Posted by Ohio

I like the lighted displays, especially those neighbors who take it seriously, and add new stuff every year. I wish the displays would stay on until the end of winter cause here in the gloomy midwest "dark ages" we need all the cheer we can get.

Titus Chu used to schedule the GLA elders and deacons service conference every year on Super Bowl weekend.

I remember around 1984 that in the denomination we were in the dear pastor would have the Super Bowl taped on VCR while we were in the Sunday evening service so that after the service all the brothers could watch the game.

"they themselves actually place their own service/ministry higher than Christ Himself. They put their so-called vision higher than God Himself."
Accurate assessment. I think they have gone beyond turning point. When they first 'cow-down' bowed down to the MOTA, there was still a chance for repentance for those who heed the call to destroy the golden calf. The call was from the holy spirit.

[Intothewind]

Haha I always found this interesting.

attracting yp with worldly superbowl parties, I think the elders tolerated it and figured better under their watchbthan elsewhere.

I never saw Chinese new year celebrated...but the locality I grew up in had 1.5 Chinese families. It was predominantly white in my youth with a rising Latino percentage over time.

[TLFisher]

Originally Posted by Intothewind

I never saw Chinese new year celebrated...but the locality I grew up in had 1.5 Chinese families. It was predominantly white in my youth with a rising Latino percentage over time.

Same with in the Southern California localities I grew up in 1976-1986. I wonder though especially in Orange County if the decrease in LC Caucasian households was a direct result of the late 80's turmoil.
Whenever I do go back to visit the locality my parents meet with, there had been a significant increase with Latino households.