Quote:
Originally Posted by Ohio
I have been mulling this thought against the facts of history for several days, and to me it presents several frightening aspects of "Recovery" ministry.
First consider the foundational ideals of those in the US who initially espoused WL's ministry as a co-worker of WN: Local assembly/churches each governed by local elders seeking the Lord to best care for their members while rejecting established traditions, and faithfully adhering to the N.T. pattern in the word of God. Localism without headquarters, eldership without hierarchy, all the saints functioning by the Spirit, centered on Christ, only Christ -- all watchwords for the blossoming movement.
How did we get from there to here? Was it normal evolution, chance happenings, or an orchestrated plan of events? How did the members and local leaders agree to these monumental changes? Did we all just go along willingly?
Here's what's troubling me. The pattern I'm seeing is the same one used by organized crime. Simply stated, goons are sent into "local" businesses and in the aftermath of the resulting dangerous chaos, "protections" from these same people are then promised in exchange for "local" assets and their liberties. In the resulting state of fear, this is then justified as the "cost of doing business."
Study both the "Max" and "Ingalls" rebellions, and I cannot arrive at any other conclusion. Did not WL effectively use the tactics of organized crime to transform the entire movement from an "Antioch Principle" local movement to a "Jerusalem Principle" high-control headquartered movement? Comments?
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Ohio, I think the reason you see a pattern is because the same guy is driving both vehicles, namely, Satan. Same driver, same patterns of behavior, same old story. I see so many similarities in behavior when I contrast the unsaved with the local churchers. The unsaved (the whole world, in fact) lie in the wicked one, and it is impossible to discern any difference between the lack of love there(think shunning) and the lack of love and shunning the LCers dish out. I see patterns and similarities wherever that devil works, even if there is no blatant connection.....