The LCS Factor

[Peter Debelak]

I've witnessed what Thankful Jane described. But it wasn't my or most of my peers experience.

In Cleveland, where I grew up, all of my comrades were involved in all sorts of extra-curriculars. Sports, music, art, school governance, etc...

I recall thinking in high school that therer were so many things off limits. I had a hard time in high school - due to self-imposed concepts of what was acceptable. I didn't spend much time with my high school friends and I was growing distant from my church friends who attended other schools. I think my parents noticed this. One night, when my family was sitting down to dinner, I received a call from a classmate. He had invited me to a "party" that he was throwing (and his parents would be there). Without consulting my parents, I declined the invitation. Me? At a "party"???? Christ wouldn't do such a thing, right? When I got off the phone, my family asked who it was. I told them about the invitation and, with a little pride, I told them I declined. I couldn't believe it when my dad said "why don't you go?"

Anyway. Involvement in extra-curriculars was a mainstay among my peers growing up. It wasn't just allowed, it was encouraged.

Can't tell you how many Indians games a whole mess of us would go to ($2.00 general admission - can you blame us???).

That said, there was a strictness to our upbringing that my non-believer friends later would find intense. There were LC friends of mine, and myself included, who got into myriad trouble through our late teen/early twenties years. Some who seemed beyond repair. Thing is, with only a few - very few - exceptions that come to mind, most re-found their faith and, at that, a dynamic one. Whether or not they re-entered the LC is another matter...

In Anaheim, there was a mixed bag as well. There were a number of brothers I got to know - many children of BBs - who "went off the deep end." But I also know how their fathers ached for them. And they had brothers and sisters (blood) who weren't as rebelious. Can I place that at the feet of the LC experience? I'd be hard pressed.

Personally, at age 19, I felt like the LC was just a human culture with its own norms and mores - to the point where I couldn't see God in it and rejected Him. After a long process, I know I was too harsh.

I'm sorry, but if God predestinates someone, the fact that he is born into a particular group - even an errant group - is not going to affect his calling. God WILL find a way. That is not an condemnation or a license to errant teaching in the LC.

Within the same family, which raised each of their kids on the same principals, I've seen one kid turn out to be a validictorian, spiritually intense and committed to Christ - while another turns to drugs etc... Same church life. Same parents. Different result.

We should point out teachings and practices which can tend to be unhealthy. But ultimately, we have to pray and pray and pray. What else can we do? We have to believe He is sovereign, right? Even the harshest circumstances that kids go through - or put themselves through - He can have a way.

Enough rambling on this.

Grace to you all,

Peter