Bill Mallon's Passing

[JB482]

Originally Posted by Ohio

Wasn't 1974 the first Life Study -- Gospel of John or Romans?

Nell's chart shows no messages in 1974 until the emd of the year.

I had heard that 4 brothers had to speak for WL because he was sick.

Btw, Bill's comment would then correspond with Don Hardy's observation at this time -- post-Daystar -- that the "anointing on WL was waning."

For what it's worth,I found on that pdf file that Nell posted if you go to page 61 it shows that on Oct 1st 1974 the first life study messages were given on Genesis in Anaheim. But any reference to that conference when the 4 brothers spoke has probably been purged from their catalog file because of who they were.

[Nell]

Originally Posted by JB482

For what it's worth,I found on that pdf file that Nell posted if you go to page 61 it shows that on Oct 1st 1974 the first life study messages were given on Genesis in Anaheim. But any reference to that conference when the 4 brothers spoke has probably been purged from their catalog file because of who they were.

I think you’re right. If you look at 1997 past the date of Lee’s death, all who gave messages are not named beyond “Misc.”. How petty.

Nell

[JB482]

Your love and service to our Lord Jesus and your care for others will always be appreciated by many many brother's and sister's Bill Mallon.

[aron]

Originally Posted by Bill Mallon letter to Witness Lee

Later, at an Irving training, the office called on the carpet Brothers who represented the churches in the South. With video cameras trained on them, the office reprimanded them for not financially supporting Roger Fiero, berated them for not being one with the ministry, and pressured them for monthly pledges under a cloud of intimidation. In fact, the brothers were asked to write out checks totaling $6,000 right on the spot for his personal debts, and then to pay monthly amounts for his pledged support.

But before this time, not once was the opportunity for fellowship given to the brothers, for they were not aware of this matter. Afterwards, when Tom Cesar asked Ray Graver for an explanation for the seriousness of the meeting, Ray sharply answered, "we do what we are told!" This incident is contrary to your fellowship with the churches in that the full-timers should be approved by the churches. (Recently, it was discovered that Roger had received double, overlapping support for a few months after this training from both the office and the churches--what a bungled mess!)

Several months later, Roger was manifested to be the wrong brother, because of such weaknesses as fabricating stories and practicing opportunism. Once Tom Cesar and John Little called the office about problems he was causing; they were accused of an impure heart, being not supportive of the work on Davison campus.

Bill Mallon's letter showed what we're looking at here: a two-faced, duplicitous ministry. When Ray Graver told Tom Cesar, "We do what we are told!" this was in clear contradiction to Witness Lee telling the newspaper reporter in Seattle WA, "Here we are so free!" I appreciate Bill having the courage to speak truth to power, and to unmask the lies that enabled the ministry to control so many for so long.

Originally Posted by Bill Mallon

Later, Tom was told that the ministry never makes a mistake! Although the brothers in the South are not perfect, having many weaknesses, they nevertheless attempt to run backwards in order to be in one accord, but the office fails to give them the opportunity of fellowship to demonstrate their oneness. The principals from the office who are involved in these affairs are Phillip, Benson, and Ray (I hesitate to mention these dear ones by name, but please allow me this liberty for the sake of honesty). Much embarrassment, confusion, harassment, and demoralization resulted from their attitude and behavior. On June 11, 1986, during the time in your home when you fellowshipped with me, you Identified the problem in every region as having the deficiency of the intrinsic fellowship of the one accord, but in this case, it is not the region, but the office who violates this principle and practice. It takes both the giving and receiving sides to release the intrinsic flow of mutual fellowship.

Disclosure: I'm also duplicitous - only God is good. But I don't hold my ministry above scrutiny or critique. Witness Lee did, and people like Bill Mallon and John Ingalls and Jane Anderson were important to show us what happens to a ministry that covers itself by saying "my ministry never makes a mistake".

If you look at the terminology Mallon uses you may recognise that he's channelling ministry-speak: "in order to be in one accord" and "the intrinsic fellowship to be in one accord", and "the opportunity to fellowship to demonstrate their oneness". But as Ray Graver and Mel Porter and Paul Hon made clear, it's all pseudo-spiritual claptrap.

[UntoHim]

I fully understand that the civil notion of "checks and balances", and even the general notion of accountability from leaders, is a modern convention of Western civilization. Nevertheless, I think that church history shows us that when any leader within the church becomes too powerful, then the adage that "power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely" rears it's ugly head. Is there any doubt that John Ingalls, John So, Bill Mallon et al found this out the hard way?

For 50+ years Witness Lee reigned supreme in the Local Church. There were no checks - there were no balances. There was absolutely no accountability. Even if he was wrong, Witness Lee was right. I am quite sure that Bill Mallon THOUGHT he was following the Person and work of the Lord Jesus Christ...and he may very well would have been...in his own heart and mind. But when push came to shove - when the rubber met the road...Bill found out that he was actually, and as it turns out, quite literally, following the person and work of Witness Lee. This stark reality hit him and hit him hard, as evidenced by the long letter he wrote to his "dear brother Lee". I cried the day I read this letter. I cried because I realized that I was just like Bill Mallon. I too thought I was following the Lord Jesus....but I was actually following a man. May God have mercy on us all.
-

[Ohio]

Originally Posted by UntoHim

For 50+ years Witness Lee reigned supreme in the Local Church. There were no checks - there were no balances. There was absolutely no accountability. Even if he was wrong, Witness Lee was right. I am quite sure that Bill Mallon THOUGHT he was following the Person and work of the Lord Jesus Christ...and he may very well would have been...in his own heart and mind. But when push came to shove - when the rubber met the road...Bill found out that he was actually, and as it turns out, quite literally, following the person and work of Witness Lee. This stark reality hit him and hit him hard, as evidenced by the long letter he wrote to his "dear brother Lee". I cried the day I read this letter. I cried because I realized that I was just like Bill Mallon. I too thought I was following the Lord Jesus....but I was actually following a man. May God have mercy on us all.
-

I have to believe that Bill Mallon, UntoHim, aron, I, and many others were following the Lord Jesus Christ within the LC's. Then at some point Lee and his minions thrust their loyalty demands upon us. Each one of us was then forced to make a decision. Would we then continue to follow the Lord Jesus Christ, or would we follow a man, serve a man, and become man-pleasers. Church history is filled with many cases such as our own. Indeed, perhaps every child of God faces this test, this fiery trial, in their Christian walk. Every single faithful martyr faced this identical trial -- and chose Christ!

I believe the Lord allowed each of us, in our own time, or perhaps His own time, to be confronted with this crucial decision. The Apostle Paul addressed this very decision in II Corinthians 10-12. He mentioned all sorts of pertinent criteria in following the leadership of ministers that we would remain as a "chaste virgin to Christ." (11.2)

Peter said the "proving of our faith was more precious than gold which perishes." Isn't it more distressing to see Christians who sail thru life without ever facing this trial?