afazio - Spiritual Authority

[ZNPaaneah]

Originally Posted by Ohio

Definitely deteriorated over time. Initially many elders were true shepherds who put their church first, only to be targeted and coerced by headquarters as not sufficiently "one with the ministry." All sorts of tactics were used to force compliance or be expelled.

Consider the tools they had to force compliance:

1. They could cut off the ministry from LSM. That would immediately distinguish this locality as being "off".

2. They could cut off the fellowship with other churches.

3. They could foment a challenge.

4. They could use their legal team to try and seize control of the meeting hall.

5. They could establish another "church" in that city.

Notice how 2-5 are divisive and thoroughly condemned by the NT yet were practiced by LSM.