What a Lack of Increase Really Means for the LC

[Freedom]

The LC has been trying to implement the same formula for decades now, and it's all been a big failure. They've blamed it on "evil books", the "turmoils", etc. In the 80's WL claimed that the "new way" would fix the problem. Then when that didn't work out, he blamed people for not practicing it right. The blame-shifting just goes on and on.

At the very heart of the LC is the notion that they have what people need and want, and in their minds, that seals the deal. No need for change, no need for reevaluating anything. End of discussion. The state that the LC finds itself in is the one and only outcome of that kind of mindset.

If they could look at their situation even the least bit objectively, they might realize that they're nothing more than a fringe group that people could really care less about. That's not to say that they never had anything beneficial to offer or that there weren't any well-intentioned members. Actually they probably had a lot going for them in that regard. The problem is they made assumptions about their status that proved to be wrong long ago, and they are still operating off those assumptions. The result is continual failure and increasing obscurity.

As an example, let's say someone does a google search for churches in a city where an LC is located. There's probably a good chance the LC there doesn't even have a website, and if they do, it might not have been touched in 10 years. Even the ones who do have a maintained website are really geared more towards current members rather than someone who might be browsing churches in the area. By contrast, with mainstream Christian churches, I could easily google a church and find a professionally maintained website with all kinds of information, social media links, and videos of their services, etc.

I remember a meeting where there was a newcomer, he was an older gentleman who was a bit hard of hearing. He asked why there was no audio system, because he couldn't hear everyone who was standing up and speaking. Frankly, I don't think most of us could hear what people were saying half the time. But that kind of stuff never crossed anyone's mind. I could go on about this kind of stuff this all day long. Maybe I'm being a bit harsh, but what I'm trying to say is that the LC doesn't give much of a thought to how they are presenting themselves to others. They think that doesn't matter.

LCers reading this thread might excuse this as just focusing on "outward things" or whatever, but that is a misconception. What I'm saying is that they can't expect anything to happen without a little effort on their part to make that happen. They assume a special status and think that good things will follow. Meanwhile there are so many other churches out there making every effort to give people reasons to want to be a part of their group and feel welcome. It's just a night and day difference.