The Kingdom Principle of Relationships

[Indiana]

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

[77150]

5:11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
5:12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.

[TLFisher]

Originally Posted by 77150

5:11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
5:12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.

Yes, just like in Luke 6:22-23

Blessed are you when men hate you, and ostracize you, and insult you, and scorn your name as evil, for the sake of the Son of Man. Be glad in that day and leap for joy, for behold, your reward is great in heaven. For in the same way their fathers used to treat the prophets.

[77150]

Originally Posted by Terry

Yes, just like in Luke 6:22-23

Blessed are you when men hate you, and ostracize you, and insult you, and scorn your name as evil, for the sake of the Son of Man. Be glad in that day and leap for joy, for behold, your reward is great in heaven. For in the same way their fathers used to treat the prophets.

Praise the Lord!

[TLFisher]

Originally Posted by 77150

Praise the Lord!

Amen! When brother John was treated as he was at the restaurant, when Benson spoke about Thankful Jane at a Winter Training, or when Ron spoke about Indiana at a conference in Ecuador, it may not some like it but from reading scripture these dear saints were being blessed.

[TLFisher]

Originally Posted by Indiana

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.

A prime example where the kingdom principle of relationships is lacking. Perhaps this couple did not hear Ron's message. Go back and read Mark 11. Better yet since Ron is the brother who gave the message, has his concept towards John Ingalls changed?
This couple as beneifical as they apparently may be to Vista is an example of a systemic problem. Only willing to look at one side, aka "what the brothers said". Just as Ananias sold property in Acts 5 and expected it to stand as the whole, is a word given about former elders such as John Ingalls and expect it to stand as the whole. This couple is not the first ones I've heard of. There have been others directly or indirectly who have stated no desire to learn the other side of the coin other than what Witness Lee presented in Fermentation of the Present Rebellion. On a personal note I do appreciate one brother from the table (next to Indiana and John Ingalls) who acknowledged John. A brother I remember from my time meeting with the Church in Bellevue.
In regard to what this couple experienced in San Diego. One possibility I raised is those saints this couple loved and cared for who left could have had concerns of their own and John's speaking brought their concerns into focus and confirmed.

[Indiana]

Originally Posted by Indiana

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.

A response to the China Buffet incident from a quarantined brother in Illinois:

Thanks Steve for sharing that; pretty sad.
Did I mention that I went to a memorial service for an older sister (Margaret Simms) at the meeting hall in Chicago a couple of weeks ago? Actually quite encouraging. The saints were very welcoming.

How is Brother John's health? I've heard he's declining a little.


He is declining very much. Movements were slow. His vitality low, but his spirit was sensitive. I was told saints just hope he can stay with them a couple more months.

He said to me resignedly, "you know what I would like to do? There are two brothers I want to see..." He has never lost his longing for fellowship, mentioning only two brothers that day. He said that he felt very close to Benson since their early years in the churches till the time John departed, John beginning with Brother Lee at the very start in 1962, and Benson joining local church fellowship in 1965. He said he never had a problem with Benson and that he had taken hospitality in his home and Benson the same in John's home, on a number of occasions. John also mentioned that Ron Kangas is another brother he would like to see. He said "these two", and noted with a big smile, with definite emphasis, "especially Benson".

When we got back to his place, he wanted us to go in and we did so, having a short time of prayer regarding the incident and for Chris Nerstad and his wife; two brothers with them; and for Benson, Ron and other blending brothers, that the Lord would have His way with us all.

[TLFisher]

Originally Posted by Indiana

There are two brothers I want to see..." He has never lost his longing for fellowship, mentioning only two brothers that day. He said that he felt very close to Benson since their early years in the churches till the time John departed, John beginning with Brother Lee at the very start in 1962, and Benson joining local church fellowship in 1965. He said he never had a problem with Benson and that he had taken hospitality in his home and Benson the same in John's home, on a number of occasions. John also mentioned that Ron Kangas is another brother he would like to see. He said "these two", and noted with a big smile, with definite emphasis, "especially Benson".

When we got back to his place, he wanted us to go in and we did so, having a short time of prayer regarding the incident and for Chris Nerstad and his wife; two brothers with them; and for Benson, Ron and other blending brothers, that the Lord would have His way with us all.

Amen! Hearts need to be softened. Strongholds torn down. Brothers and sisters brought into unity.

[Ohio]

Originally Posted by Indiana

He said to me resignedly, "you know what I would like to do? There are two brothers I want to see..." He has never lost his longing for fellowship, mentioning only two brothers that day. He said that he felt very close to Benson since their early years in the churches till the time John departed, John beginning with Brother Lee at the very start in 1962, and Benson joining local church fellowship in 1965. He said he never had a problem with Benson and that he had taken hospitality in his home and Benson the same in John's home, on a number of occasions. John also mentioned that Ron Kangas is another brother he would like to see. He said "these two", and noted with a big smile, with definite emphasis, "especially Benson".

What a gracious brother!

John Ingalls longing to see the two brothers who smeared his reputation and disgraced him before all the saints.

That's the expression of Christ as the love of God so sorely missing in the Recovery. There's more real grace in this short testimony than in years of hard labor at LSM.