My situation with the Local Church

Drake · 12-28-2016, 05:08 PM

I have witnessed and became aware of overreach by elders in some situations concerning marriage counseling. Howver, it would be wrong to characterize it as systemic or a policy or a practice of some sort. I never knew of elders engaging in matchmaking though some sisters were pretty quick on the draw.

That does mean that elders should use hands off as an excuse to not shepherd the flock. A person may have aspirations toward the Lord and the responsible ones should advise and counsel that one, their parents, the serving ones, etc.and sometimes intervention is required if morality is compromised. Paul taught this.

Even in this thread advice has been offered. That is not meddling. Seeing the situation on the ground gives a better perspective so we cannot judge those shepherding the flock and this sister or this brother.

I would also advise you brother that it is a fool's errand if you think to save this sister from "a cult". That is a nonstarter in so many ways.

Drake

12-28-2016, 05:43 PM

the last couple of posters were obviously never in the lc during the 70s or even 80s, at least not in LA. Going back to Elden hall days and on through the 80s most of the marriages in the lc were arranged marriages of one sort or the other. As this forum has born out, many of these marriages fell apart because the only thing they had in common was the messages of Witness Lee and the strange practices such as calling on the Lord and pray reading. When push came to shove neither party had a real relationship with the Lord but only with the local churches of Witness Lee.

I personally witnessed many of these "arranged" marriages. More than one of them happened BEFORE either boy or girl really knew much about the other person. There is no doubt this weird practice game straight from the Chinese tradition which came from Witness Lee. Untold suffering and divorces came from these arranged marriages. Nobody hardly hears about these sufferings or divorces because of the secret nature of the local churches.

Drake · 12-28-2016, 06:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by been there done that

the last couple of posters were obviously never in the lc during the 70s or even 80s, at least not in LA. Going back to Elden hall days and on through the 80s most of the marriages in the lc were arranged marriages of one sort or the other. As this forum has born out, many of these marriages fell apart because the only thing they had in common was the messages of Witness Lee and the strange practices such as calling on the Lord and pray reading. When push came to shove neither party had a real relationship with the Lord but only with the local churches of Witness Lee.

I personally witnessed many of these "arranged" marriages. More than one of them happened BEFORE either boy or girl really knew much about the other person. There is no doubt this weird practice game straight from the Chinese tradition which came from Witness Lee. Untold suffering and divorces came from these arranged marriages. Nobody hardly hears about these sufferings or divorces because of the secret nature of the local churches.

True that there was a flurry that occurred of quick introductions and then vows in the early days in Elden Hall.. However, it did not become and is not a practice in the local churches. If that week true in this situation we are discussing then the sister would not have ever shown interest in the brother who opened this thread or else she would gave hid it from everyone.

Furthermore, some couples are still together from those times and someone once said that those marriages suffered no more than others. Of course there is anecdotal evidence to support either case.

Still, I believe love to be very important but that is just me. But for the sake of the brother let's continue to provide him with sound advice.

Drake

12-28-2016, 05:08 PM	#1
Drake Member Join Date: Nov 2016 Posts: 2,075	Re: My situation with the LC I have witnessed and became aware of overreach by elders in some situations concerning marriage counseling. Howver, it would be wrong to characterize it as systemic or a policy or a practice of some sort. I never knew of elders engaging in matchmaking though some sisters were pretty quick on the draw. That does mean that elders should use hands off as an excuse to not shepherd the flock. A person may have aspirations toward the Lord and the responsible ones should advise and counsel that one, their parents, the serving ones, etc.and sometimes intervention is required if morality is compromised. Paul taught this. Even in this thread advice has been offered. That is not meddling. Seeing the situation on the ground gives a better perspective so we cannot judge those shepherding the flock and this sister or this brother. I would also advise you brother that it is a fool's errand if you think to save this sister from "a cult". That is a nonstarter in so many ways. Drake

12-28-2016, 05:43 PM	#2
been there done that Guest Posts: n/a	Re: My situation with the LC the last couple of posters were obviously never in the lc during the 70s or even 80s, at least not in LA. Going back to Elden hall days and on through the 80s most of the marriages in the lc were arranged marriages of one sort or the other. As this forum has born out, many of these marriages fell apart because the only thing they had in common was the messages of Witness Lee and the strange practices such as calling on the Lord and pray reading. When push came to shove neither party had a real relationship with the Lord but only with the local churches of Witness Lee. I personally witnessed many of these "arranged" marriages. More than one of them happened BEFORE either boy or girl really knew much about the other person. There is no doubt this weird practice game straight from the Chinese tradition which came from Witness Lee. Untold suffering and divorces came from these arranged marriages. Nobody hardly hears about these sufferings or divorces because of the secret nature of the local churches.