[UntoHim]

Originally Posted by Ohio

This way does not address the source of the problem, rather causes members to look at one another with critical eyes. I believe this method was inherited from TC.

You're forgetting the title of the book: "A Future and A Hope - Churchlife Beyond the Local Church Movement". I think Myer is trying to point people to the future, a future beyond the Local Church Movement. Any examples he gives regarding the teachings and practices are used as a springboard for his writing about how to go on as a local church. For example, at some point he gives the readers a short laundry list of what should NOT be taught or practiced (especially to first time visitors):
• Say that man is becoming God.
• Condemn or mock other Christians, even in jest.
• Say that the church or biblical truth or the experience of Christ was lost and now your group has “recovered it.”
• Tell them that Satan lives in them (the fallen archangel himself; not just the sin nature).
• Keep over-referencing Brother so-and-so."

John is very much aware that these are some of the mainstay teachings and practices, treasured by most of the members, so why would he make this point so strongly? It is because, after many years of struggle and careful reflection, he is very much aware that these are some of the things that have kept the LC Movement from receiving the blessing of having new Christians and new believers become lasting fruit, and not "one and doners".

His concern is not so much to chide the current and former members for believing and practicing these things, but more of relating a "lesson learned" for those wishing to go on with the Lord as local church apart from and beyond the Local Church of Witness Lee.

I would strongly encourage all the forum members to read and re-read this chapter of A Future and A Hope, for it contains some of the very same attitudes and "hopes" I would like to see expressed and fostered on our little forum. It is very easy for us to become mired in the quicksand of negativeness, petty arguments over non-essentials and wishful thinking about "what could have been". After all, as Christians we are the only people on earth with "a future and a hope", and one of my wishes for this forum could be a place where we could be encouraging each other...."but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near"Hebrews 10:25