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In Reply to: Re: Come, gather around for some New Wine... posted by Easter Bunny on April 14, 2009 at 12:11:12:
...a few pertinent paragraphs.
It's funny that a big part of this is devoted to preparing for a big influx of new members "thousands". It goes to show that the leadership lives in complete and utter denial. The Family membership has been going steadily down. Since the Offensive began more than a year ago, more members have left than have joined - by far.
It also seems that they decided to totally let go of their toxic assets, much in inline with current US main stream strategy. Proclaiming to now be planning 50 years or more into the future negates their drunken prophet's end-time phobia and paranoia and in a way will erode ever so softly their followers faith in his "divinity".
OK, here are a few things I picked out. I still think if you really want to grasp what's going on it is worth speed reading the whole thingie:
130. I'll give an example: In the '70s the Family believed the Lord would return in 20 years, in the early '90s. This thinking shaped our thoughts, plans, and actions for many years. If we were going to be raptured in 20 years, what type of education would be practical and relevant for our children (most of whom were not even born) to receive? Was it necessary to financially invest for a longer-term future when the then young membership of the Family would only be in their 40s or so? The context of "Rapture in 20 years" framed our decisions and actions. We thought and acted based on the context of the time.
131. Note to Family: One very positive result that came from this context was the much-needed impetus to go out into all the world to witness and win souls. We were very clear on the responsibility we had to "deliver our soul," as per Ezekiel 3:17-19. That motivated us to give everyone we met the opportunity to receive salvation. This is still our responsibility—to be instant witnesses—and we should have that same commitment and perspective today.
145. I'll use an example of context and culture that needs to change: The Lord has shown Mama and me that we need to set goals up to 30 years or even farther into the future, and make plans to reach those goals.
146. We don't know when the Lord will return, but in the back of our minds, I think that most of us harbor the possibility that it could be earlier than in 30 years. This makes it difficult to set truly long-term goals and to work to reach them. However, if we change the context in regard to when we surmise the Lord might return, then we will have a change in our thinking, our planning, and our faith.
153. The point isn't when the Lord returns. We don't know when the Lord will return. It might be in 7, 10, 30, 50 years or even more. The point is the context that we need to set in order to make the right kind of progress that is necessary for our future success, and the outlook, vision, and faith that will be generated as a result of having new contexts. Identifying the culture and contexts that hold us back is very important for the future. Exploring these matters is preparation for the Family's future.
245. Based on the premise of becoming more professional as an organization in order to do the job we need to do today and in the future, we are going to be looking at what needs to be changed in our culture, context, rules, restrictions, attitudes, and application of our beliefs, our relationship to society, lifestyle, and the care and education of our children, etc.
246. The following are some of the points that came out of our brainstorming meeting with some of the RSs toward the end of last year. The list that follows is not a complete one, nor does it indicate an order of importance or a "clue" as to what or how the changes ahead might develop; rather, these are some of the things we're going to be looking at and asking the Lord about in the months (and years) ahead:
* Examining our guidelines regarding secular education for Family children, and the Family's overall outlook on education.
* Exploring avenues for preaching the Gospel that haven't been considered or tried yet; business opportunities that further the Offensive; breaking into new circles of society in order to spread the Gospel.
* Generating income for the Family's work/Family Homes on a large scale through fundraising ventures and business methods.
* Creating an environment for individuals to fulfill personal dreams and goals for serving the Lord; develop their unique gifts; become more confident and professional in their ministry.
* Reassessing our views on former members; developing a positive transition process for Family members who choose a life outside the Family.
* Issues that concern new/second generation parents.
* Old age and the care of aged members; intra-Family options for retirement from active service.
* The application of "going for the gold."
* Sex between FD and MM/FM circles.
* Family membership circles.
* Charter rules related to our internal lifestyle and time-based requirements, which might need to change in order to more practically sync up with/help to facilitate Offensive progress.
* Mindsets/education on health/medical matters/the medical profession (including consulting doctors, regular checkups, operations, immunization, medication, greater health/medical awareness, etc.).
268. We do believe that Jesus is going to return soon, and the signs of the times point to that, but "of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of Heaven, but My Father only" (Mat.24:36). Wanting to get the job done before the Lord's return is definitely a powerful motivation, and we're by no means tossing that out. But in the core of our hearts, we do the job and live for Jesus, because that's what we've given our lives to, and we'll witness, win the world, teach and train disciples for as long as we live and are able—no matter how little or how much time we have.
269. Making plans for 15, 30, or 50 years from now is wise thinking on our part. At the same time, projecting and planning for the long term doesn't mean that we can do nothing for 15, 30, or 50 years—or even 1 year—and think that we will somehow wind up at the end of the journey with our goals accomplished. Long-term success comes from working day by day, and making our goals happen year by year, getting to the summit camp by camp.
270. It's unprofessional to be haphazard. It would be slothful to not "shtick," to not see through the things that are the Lord's will and plan for us—either because we think the Lord will return so soon that "it doesn't really matter what we do now," or because we think that we have so much time that we can while it away in an undisciplined, non-diligent manner. Whether the Lord returns in 5 or 50 years, we must work with the same level of motivation, dedication, love, faithfulness, obedience, and urgency. That's what will make for success, both in the short and long term—especially in the long term.
