Ministry Churches

[UntoHim]

Originally Posted by Freedom

I believe that this is a trap for current members. My experience was that my LC was constantly declining in condition. I know other members who have felt that way too. In spite of this, no one speaks up. Why is this? Are they really that afraid of the confrontation that might follow, or they just couldn’t handle possibly being kicked out, thus being forced to meet somewhere not practicing WL’s ground of locality? I'm afraid that for many, the answer might be the latter. Some members are so thoroughly convinced that the only correct standing is that of locality, that they might be willing to tolerate an unreasonable amount of nonsense for the sake of locality.

Nearly every Christian Church/Church group releases their membership numbers. The Local Church of Witness Lee never has, at least here in America. It's almost like a state secret at this point. The reason is obvious. Despite their best efforts over the past 20-30 years, the membership growth of natural born, non-Asian members in America is pathetic. Most longstanding Local Churches in America have dwindled in size. When is the last time you heard of an American Local Church expanding to another location because of natural growth? If God actually cared about "locality" (aka the doctrine of dirt) would he not at least bless it a little?

[Freedom]

Originally Posted by UntoHim

Nearly every Christian Church/Church group releases their membership numbers. The Local Church of Witness Lee never has, at least here in America. It's almost like a state secret at this point. The reason is obvious. Despite their best efforts over the past 20-30 years, the membership growth of natural born, non-Asian members in America is pathetic. Most longstanding Local Churches in America have dwindled in size. When is the last time you heard of an American Local Church expanding to another location because of natural growth? If God actually cared about "locality" (aka the doctrine of dirt) would he not at least bless it a little?

It seems that for the current LC, 'standing' has also become an excuse for lack of increase or having any noticable influence in the larger Christian community.

They knowingly admit that other Christians are doing more dynamic things, but they claim their standing according to locality is more meaningful or important than all of that.

[TLFisher]

Originally Posted by UntoHim

Nearly every Christian Church/Church group releases their membership numbers. The Local Church of Witness Lee never has, at least here in America. It's almost like a state secret at this point. The reason is obvious. Despite their best efforts over the past 20-30 years, the membership growth of natural born, non-Asian members in America is pathetic. Most longstanding Local Churches in America have dwindled in size. When is the last time you heard of an American Local Church expanding to another location because of natural growth? If God actually cared about "locality" (aka the doctrine of dirt) would he not at least bless it a little?

In my estimation the diminishing membership growth of natural born non-Asian members is directly tied to the late 80's turmoil and leading coworkers and elders unwilling to address unrighteousness.

Usually creation of new local churches is at the cost of another locality losing members. When Renton took the ground, it was at the expense of Bellevue and Seattle losing members in order for Renton to take the ground. Let's call it what it is, ministry churches. Given where I live in Renton, there are easily 3 if not more non-denominational churches within a mile or two that have existed for years prior to "taking the ground".