Thank Y and Christian S...you have posted the same thing for 3 months now. Never answering a question directed to YOU specifically. I am 99% certain that Thank Y is NHJjr and Christian S is CDO..no surprise there!\r
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Let me post something NEW!\r
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James 1:17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.\r
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There are many who preach out of petty worldly ambition, seeking a deceived ""following"" for themselves, or for some favorite doctrine that they have come to idolize, so that they may ""lead"" - while arrogantly ignoring the Biblical command that Jesus Christ is our only Leader i.e. ""Christ is the head of the church"" (Ephesians 5:23 KJV).\r
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Those who add rules not clearly stated in the Scriptures and the breaking of which is treated as a reason for disfellowshipping step away from Christ Jesus by hampering true Christian freedom, even stifling and grieving the spirit of God. (Eph. 4:30). The biblical position is not about a Christian who does not agree with the teachings of those in this place whose claim to speak for God cannot be substantiated and some of whose teachings are changeable and can be shown from the Bible to be incorrect or misguided.\r
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The prime reason for the leadership's distorted disfellowshipping/shunning policy is to remove those who disagree with the organization whether rightly or wrongly according to the Scriptures.\r
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Here is how to tell if you are or were part of a “cultish” church:\r
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The teaching does not come from the Bible, or when scriptures are used they are lifted way out of context.\r
You are told how to think; when you think for yourself and speak of it you are rebuked.\r
Church leaders shame others publicly and gossip about others in casual conversation.\r
When someone leaves the church the remaining members are publicly or personally counseled to avoid the departing brother/sister at all costs.\r
The mistakes of leaders are covered up; the same mistakes of “regular members” are exposed.\r
There is no accountability or safety net in place for the leadership.\r
If there is an “accountability safety net,” it does not hold abusive leadership accountable, only the “regular members.” The lack of love, care and gentle restoration is generally absent.\r
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Some of the ""rules"" at LCLC appear to only apply to the flock and not to those in leadership...why is that??\r
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Norman...a direct question to YOU...when was the last time you visited the sick, sat by the bedside of a gravely ill member other than a 'friend', comforted one who had lost a loved one, reached out to those lost and hurting in your community or anywhere in the world?
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