Brent,
Thanks, I am glad that there are those who can profit from what I post. I am also glad that there are current Assembly members who read here and I hope that they are blessed as well.
From the contact I have recently received regarding the Valley I would say that things are much more oppresive then when I left! I was told that they don't have fellowships any more because the Leaders felt "the Saints" shouldn't have friendships?!!
I also heard that George's teaching is getting more wacko then ever. According to a brother, who recently left, he is teaching that God created man on the 7th day(?). He was said to teach that you need special vision to see this as it is not explicitly mentioned in scripture. I think the Assembly cup needs not only washing but possibly some crack repairs as well.
You are quite correct Brent; there is no way to "fix" a system without first admitting you have a problem. We experienced this many times over the years during our involvment in the Assembly. One such situation was the child discipline in the meetings. Mothers were instructed to bring little switches, or wood spoons into the meetings to enforce good behavior for their kids. An "outsider" observed this and complained so the whole program went underground. (which meant you took the kids out to the bathroom for their beating--- er-- ah-- I mean discipline.) When my wife was told there was to be no more switching in the meetings she asked, "why the change in policy?" and was told that, "there is no change as no one was ever told to discipline in the meetings." Why couldn't they just say, " we were wrong"? Because once you've set yourself up as God's messenger, in the center of God's will, who hears God's voice, there is no room for error.
All the wonderful teaching regarding grace in the Bible can not find a place to dwell where stubborn pride exists. God dwells in the humble and contrite heart. For the heart that is honest with God, and with others, will be flooded with the washing and renewing of the Holy Spirit. This is why, my dear Assembly friend, you have to confront you leaders re. issues that you know are wrong. Where does the money go that I put in the box? Who is Brother George accountable to? How does he square his teaching with the bible and with orthodox evangelical teaching? Why is it so difficult to leave and why are you shunned when leaving? and etc.
If the leaders are not entreatable it shows that they are not men of God for the bible teaches that wisdom from above is not only entreatable it is EASY to be entreated. My experience was that the leaders not only would not hear any questions regarding their teaching, and/or practices, they would turn the tables on you and attack you for even asking such questions!
If any would like to challenge my statements above or have them expanded upon please e-mail me and we will keep the whole thing private. I am not in the Assembly now and only hear 2nd hand messages so maybe you would like to straighten me out. I would look forward to such discussion.
MC3073@aol.com (please send no viruses-thanks) God Bless, Mark