For the last 11 years I have reported on the actual history in the Local Churches, as opposed to the official, yet filtered version which changed history from what it was to what leaders want it to be. This action sacrificed truth for fiction, and the errors in judgment among former members, especially leaders have prevailed ever since.
An example of this occurred yesterday (Dec 31, 2011) when I was at lunch with a former leader. We encountered a couple who recognized the former elder and would not greet him though he extended his hand to the brother for a handshake. They had already shunned him, (and me), minutes earlier and now this took place. They sincerely felt that they could not greet him as they would have liked since they still remembered and were grieved about the damage he brought to their regional church life through his visit 23 years ago. He had “killed” saints by his speaking, including ones they were close to that left the church.
He listened attentively to their vehement protestations and when given the opportunity he said calmly and slowly with a smile, “This is a misunderstanding”, indicating that there was more to it than what they had observed. But more pent-up protestations came forth from the couple. I had asked the brother if he ever considered the other side of the story and he admitted that there is always two sides, but they were not interested in this. They knew what happened to those they loved and cared for and John was to blame.
The sister said they were just being honest with him in letting him know where they stand. I suggested to her that if she really wanted to be honest she needed to hear the whole story.
This couple is from the church in Vista, where the brother, Chris Nurstad is an elder. They had just attended a training meeting here in Anaheim before having lunch where we were sovereignly sitting next to them in a huge Chinese restaurant.
John Ingalls is the former elder, and co-worker, the subject of their grief. Aside from their insensitivity to him as an aged person and formerly beloved leader, who they couldn’t forgive and grace with a handshake, they had been badly misinformed on his history and the root causes of turmoil that reached them in the region of San Diego that had nothing to do with John.
I have several times asked the leaders to give an accurate account of our history but they have steadfastly refused. Since 2001, they have never refuted my writings, but have done their best to ignore me, and the truth. They have been bearing false witness for many years and train others to do the same and will not repent. They continue in their proud manner and sin without conscience. Such shameful occurrences as I witnessed should stop, as should the perpetuation of sacrificing truth for fiction, and the practice of hiding history in the Lord’s recovery.
www.HidingHistoryintheLordsRecovery.us
Steve Isitt