Titus Chu's writings

[SpeakersCorner]

All:

This link is to a new web site which contains many writings of brother Titus Chu:

http://ministrymessages.org/

I hope this is a help to all.


SC

[Cal]

Who is Titus Chu? The website doesn't tell us.

[UntoHim]

Excellent question Igz!

Also this from the title page of this website:
"the expression of Christ in His Body in the genuine local churches"

What, pray tell, is a "genuine local church"? My church is local (duh, else I wouldn't make it to the meeting)....but what makes it genuine? At my church we have elders and teachers and such. The gospel is preached, the word is expounded upon, we baptize new believers and we partake of the Lord's Table (every Lord's day thank you very much). I still wonder if Titus would consider my local church a genuine local church. Could someone who knows him please ask him for me and report back.

Thanks!

[Suannehill]

Originally Posted by Igzy

Who is Titus Chu? The website doesn't tell us.

Well, I don't have his bio in front of me...but he came from China in the 60's was the brother who labored to establish the Church in Cleveland...and many others.
Presently, he is the focus of LSM in that they went to great lengths to smear him and even had a long video outlining his many shortcomings in Whistler Canada. He is "QUARANTINED" by LSM until he meets their demands of not publishing his own writings (and other things).
This is the nutshell version...Toledo...give them more...please?
Sue

[countmeworthy]

Originally Posted by Suannehill

Well, I don't have his bio in front of me...but he came from China in the 60's was the brother who labored to establish the Church in Cleveland...and many others.
Presently, he is the focus of LSM in that they went to great lengths to smear him and even had a long video outlining his many shortcomings in Whistler Canada. He is "QUARANTINED" by LSM until he meets their demands of not publishing his own writings (and other things).
This is the nutshell version...Toledo...give them more...please?
Sue

I'm sure it's been discussed time and time again..but it's worth repeating....That's CENSORSHIP!!! Last I checked, we live (maybe not for long....) in a FREE country to write and publish what we wish...

[Cal]

Originally Posted by Suannehill

Well, I don't have his bio in front of me...but he came from China in the 60's was the brother who labored to establish the Church in Cleveland...and many others.
Presently, he is the focus of LSM in that they went to great lengths to smear him and even had a long video outlining his many shortcomings in Whistler Canada. He is "QUARANTINED" by LSM until he meets their demands of not publishing his own writings (and other things).
This is the nutshell version...Toledo...give them more...please?
Sue

Sue, I know who Chu is. I was just pointing out the oddity of a website which presents the ministry of someone but doesn't tell the public a word about who he is. I mean, don't you think that is strange?

[Suannehill]

Originally Posted by Igzy

Sue, I know who Chu is. I was just pointing out the oddity of a website which presents the ministry of someone but doesn't tell the public a word about who he is. I mean, don't you think that is strange?

Sorry,
I understand better now.
Well, I guess we don't know the purpose of the website , do we?
Odd, yes...but this whole mess is odd!
Sue

[Cal]

No problem, Suanne.
BTW, I wasn't trying to nitpick. I just hoped someone over there would read this and think to put a bio of Chu on the site. Most non-LC readers (i.e. people in the real world) are going to expect some kind of description of the writer.

[Ohio]

Originally Posted by Igzy

No problem, Suanne.
BTW, I wasn't trying to nitpick. I just hoped someone over there would read this and think to put a bio of Chu on the site. Most non-LC readers (i.e. people in the real world) are going to expect some kind of description of the writer.

This is just not the LC way ... and, btw, that's why I was so surprised to see a little bio on Myer's book. Obviously, the audience for the website is only LC folks, and they don't need a bio on TC.

[YP0534]

Originally Posted by Ohio

This is just not the LC way ... and, btw, that's why I was so surprised to see a little bio on Myer's book. Obviously, the audience for the website is only LC folks, and they don't need a bio on TC.

Well, Ohio, I don't know if I qualify as "LC folk" or not but I could benefit from some background.

I never heard the name before I started hanging around you guys and I still don't know anything much really.

[SpeakersCorner]

Igzy brings up a good point. They really should have given some background on Titus Chu. I'll contact the site's creator's and tell them. Actually, they probably already have noted this conversation.

I've noticed the Brethren used initials to refer to others. I'm sure this is meant to minimize the individuals. The LC has always gone out of its way to obscure personal bios and so forth. I recall awaiting with anticipation Lee's book on Nee only to put it down half-read because it was just a bunch of stuff from messages he gave.

I don't like this approach and think it hurts rather than helps the cause. Yes, we're all just brothers and we should not be trying to get personal glory but there are other things at stake here as well ... like the need for outsiders to know us better and not look at us as some kind of reclusive sect (whew! almost typed "cult").

When the Great Music Debate arose several years ago I was privileged to witness a leader angrily denouncing these new "rock bands" standing up in front getting glory. A compromise had been worked out to put the band -- or at least the drummer ... can't recall -- behind a partition.

How ridiculous. The big fear that the band would soak up glory (which they would and did) was never squared with the fact that every speaker who stood in front soaked it up as well. I know the drug of being in front of a crowd (I wanted to write "adoring crowd" but reality prevented me). No speaker escapes it. That certainly played a role in all those people lining up at the microphones to give testimonies after each message back in the day.

Sorry, don't mean to be cynical. I'm not saying saying it was wrong, just that it is a fact. Put a person in front of a group and the ego does get touched. And it is a problem. But the problem is inherent within man and, I believe, not one that the Lord can't overcome. He does it all the time. Actually, the ego is quite useful to the Lord. "Love thy neighbor as thySELF."

The best way to deal with the danger of ego-inflation (and this relates to the putting up bios on web sites) is to withdraw from the adulation immediately after the speech is given, just as Jesus almost always did.

A brother addressed this in another way in a gathering for musicians we had awhile back. "Don't worry about getting your big ego all inflated. The Lord will have a way to [at this point he made a gesture like someone with a pin in his hand popping a balloon] pop it."


SC

[Toledo]

Originally Posted by SpeakersCorner

The best way to deal with the danger of ego-inflation (and this relates to the putting up bios on web sites) is to withdraw from the adulation immediately after the speech is given, just as Jesus almost always did.

Years ago a brother advised me to begin my speaking with a strong spirit, and to sit down under the covering of the blood.

I was also cautioned to be careful of those who would come up to me afterwards to compliment me on the message. Surely everyone has to know that we are subject to vanity (that is to say "ego-inflation"). Why would anyone risk giving the speaker a "big head" by careless remarks like that?

That caution always served to keep me from getting (too) puffed up. Besides, I've found the Lord is well able to give us a lot to be humble about...

As an aside, I was always bothered when some would say adoring things about Witness Lee after his messages. I always thought they were improper. I was bothered, as well, that Brother Lee didn't stop them.

[YP0534]

Originally Posted by SpeakersCorner

I know the drug of being in front of a crowd (I wanted to write "adoring crowd" but reality prevented me). No speaker escapes it. That certainly played a role in all those people lining up at the microphones to give testimonies after each message back in the day.

I'd love to have this addiction. It would really come in handy.

Unfortunately, I'm acutely allergic to public speaking.

Speech classes in college, public musical performances and other speaking occasions in my line of work have never lessened the sheer terror such as I experienced on the one occasion when I actually went up to the mike after a training message, at the insistent prompting of the elder who later gave me the boot.

Shaking, sweating, voice cracking, wide-eyed. It's horrible. I think I'd rather HAVE the hives.

Some of us small potatoes are quite content to remain anonymous, I think, SC.

I am envious of your gift.

[SpeakersCorner]

Originally Posted by YP0534

I'd love to have this addiction. It would really come in handy...Unfortunately, I'm acutely allergic to public speaking...Some of us small potatoes are quite content to remain anonymous, I think, SC...I am envious of your gift.

YP,

Strangely, I have public speaking terror myself. I have stood in front of groups and literally clutched up to the point I couldn't speak. Somehow, I was able to get through it by waiting for the demon of fear to subside (he has a short half-life). I taught public high school for over 30 years and, while I was mostly unaffected in the classroom, I did have moments even there.

But years ago I made a vow to myself: step up to the plate (or mike) no matter what. I decided never to turn down an opportunity to speak. I've had many since then, some to large crowds, many to small (smaller are, strangely, more terrifying usually). My victory lies in accepting the challenge, not in being especially successful in the delivery.

I would encourage you, brother YP, to not shy away from the mike at all. Speak though your voice be halting, stammering, emotion-charged. Speak though demons of fear are active and in battle array. Fear them not. Facing fears is the greatest act of courage man can show.


SC

[Cal]

I think it's a mistake to try to keep each other humble, other than with good natured jabs.

In particular I'm bugged when the group at large, the leadership or for that matter some well-meaning but clueless brother or sister takes it upon themselves to act as the humility police. I mean, how presumptuous can you get?

I don't see any commandment which tells us to make sure each other are not getting too proud. On the contrary, the Bible tells to bestow honor on each other, and to esteem others as better than ourselves.

It's up to God to speak to each of us about pride. Certain things are just normal, like appreciating someone's gift, and wanting to know something about the person whose ministry you are considering receiving.

I hate it when hyper-spirituality gets in the way of the simple, yes God-given, pleasures and freedom of being human.

I've also noticed that if it's recognition you want, God has a wonderful way of chasing it away, like the fish when Peter fished all night and caught nothing.

[YP0534]

Originally Posted by SpeakersCorner

YP,

Strangely, I have public speaking terror myself. I have stood in front of groups and literally clutched up to the point I couldn't speak. Somehow, I was able to get through it by waiting for the demon of fear to subside (he has a short half-life). I taught public high school for over 30 years and, while I was mostly unaffected in the classroom, I did have moments even there.

But years ago I made a vow to myself: step up to the plate (or mike) no matter what. I decided never to turn down an opportunity to speak. I've had many since then, some to large crowds, many to small (smaller are, strangely, more terrifying usually). My victory lies in accepting the challenge, not in being especially successful in the delivery.

I would encourage you, brother YP, to not shy away from the mike at all. Speak though your voice be halting, stammering, emotion-charged. Speak though demons of fear are active and in battle array. Fear them not. Facing fears is the greatest act of courage man can show.


SC

Thanks for the encouragement, SC. I do try not to shy and have consistently attempted to challenge myself in the way you suggest. Unfortunately, I just end up living in terror most of the time. I actually avoided school teaching in part because of this issue. But I always have the hope that it will somehow improve one day!

Grace to you!

[Cal]

I see the bio has been added.

Can anyone recommend a seminal book by Titus?

That's a good-looking website by the way.

[SpeakersCorner]

I'd like to recommend the "Daily Words" section of the "Ministry of Titus Chu" website. It is a short, very fresh word similar to Watchman Nee's "Table in the Wilderness." Here's today's Daily Words, one that touched me.

She had heard in the country of Moab that the Lord had visited His people and given them food.
— Ruth 1:6

During our first years in the church life, we fell in love with the revelations, the meetings, the sweetness among the believers, and the atmosphere of blessedness. In spite of all these enjoyable experiences, eventually we find we are unable to fully put our trust in the One who provides them. Therefore, when any of these precious experiences dry up, we immediately take off on a sojourn. We remove ourselves from the Lord and His people and in the process find out who we really are. We are not the great believers we thought we were. After we are touched by the Lord about our relying upon other things, we are finally able to come to Him as we should. Now the focus is no longer on the food, but on the Lord Himself. Needless to say, where the Lord is, there will be food.

This is the journey of every believer who seeks the Lord. When we come to this stage, our heart returns to Bethlehem, for that is where the Lord is. Our heart desires the Lord and focuses on Him, not on the blessings He provides. Therefore, we rise up to go to where we hear He is, and we re-consecrate ourselves to Him.

http://ministrymessages.org/dw-2008-11-22/

[kisstheson]

Dear brother SpeakersCorner,

The portion you shared is really marvelous! It captures our experience in words that are full of grace. I too was touched by this portion.

I will have to check out these "Daily Words" much more often!!