oldman

I left in January, 1987. I was in the 15th Corps and in my last year in residence. It became very clear to me, being at Hq with RD that the ministry was going down the slippery slope and there was no hope for recovery. I called my fiance and she came and picked me up. Funny thing is, I told Bob M. that I was leaving and said he understood and wished he had the guts to leave!!!???

Pond, I've been following quite a few of your posts throughout GS and I really have to wonder what world you live in and what bible you refer to in making some of your observations. You said "WE NEED GOD, not the other way around." I wonder then why Jesus said that we would do the works that he did and greater works, why Corinthians says we are ambassadors for Christ, why we are exhorted to be imitators of God, etc. Seems to me if God doesn't need us, then I can just sit back and watch Him do His thing. I really think you miss out on the greatness of what we have by ignoring the fact that we are to be fellow laborers with God which means we get to help with what He's got going on. God does need us, otherwise life and the bible are just a joke and I really don't have any responsibilites to God or anyone else. It's God's job, not mine. I don't think so. Oldman

Hi all, I wasn't in the corps in the early years or even a part of the Way in those days. I took the class in 1981 and went in the 15th corps in residence in 1984. Because of my military background, I had no problem with the discipline foisted on us. I was on staff my interim year when VP died. The people I was with at the time were very loving and I really enjoyed my interim year. That all changed my last year in residence. I was at HQ after POP and really began to see the evil that had become The Way. I also chose to go in the corps believing that it would enable me to really serve God and His people. When I became aware of all the bs going on behind the scenes I was heartbroken. I still serve God and His people, I just do so from a different path. I'm thankful for what truth I was able to glean from my time in the WAY, but I'm thankful too that I had the guts to leave before I graduated from the corps. -Oldman

T-Bone, I agree with you to one extent, and that is that the apostles were someone exceptional. That is why I don't believe any church or ministry can assign these titles to people of their choosing. I do believe that the fruit these people produce is what will deterimine if they are truly operating one of the gift ministries. However, I belive scripture is very clear about the ministries being needed by the church. I don't believe from the scriptural evidence that these functions were exclusively for the new church or to the jews specifically. It appears to me that the church is in as much need today as it was in Paul's day when the epistles were written. As God says, " there is nothing new under the sun". -Oldman

T-Bone, Ephisians is pretty clear in chapter 4 that the Lord gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists and some to be pastors and teachers. IMHO there are those that have been called by the Lord to operate in these ministries for the perfecting of the saints. I don't see anywhere in scripture where it says that we have come to the place of perfection, so therefore, I believe that these ministries are still something that tha body needs to provide a service to the saints.

Tzaia, You said "It's been two years since I've stepped in the office or had any involvment in the ministry." I was curious as to where you got all of the information you shared about the people and events going on in the office and on the board.