Local churches (affiliation)

The term Local churches (German local communities or local communities, sometimes little flock [ little flock ] ) originally referred to a special manifestation of Protestant Christianity in China. It is essentially due to Watchman Nee and Witness Lee, whose doctrine is distributed today by the California Living Stream Ministry publishing house. She has co-founded the tradition of Chinese house churches, this case has parallels to the house church movement in general and is now also found in other countries. The former house churches are now grown significantly.

Background

Watchman Nee and Witness Lee met for the first time in 1932 in Tschifu. Both came from Christian families. Lee later became the closest collaborators of Nee. Together with other employees and established churches throughout China and Southeast Asia. When in 1949 the communist revolution came, there were at least 600 local churches. Since this group wanted to give a name, it was called by outsiders "Little flock" because they sang songs of the British Plymouth Brethren whose hymnal entitled Hymns and Spiritual Songs for the Little Flock wore. Nee was imprisoned in 1952 and died in a labor camp 20 years later. Witness Lee emigrated to Taiwan in time and built a variety of communities. From 1958 first trips were added to the United States in 1962, he settled in Los Angeles, in 1969 there were already local churches in California, New York and Texas.

Theological Aspects

Typical aspects of the local churches are also found in European Brethren, as a body of elders, the priesthood of all believers, the rejection of a clergy - laity system and the central role of the Eucharist. Special traditions are emphasizing the common knowledge of Christ and the theology of the " recovery " of the early Christian role model for the local churches.

Ecclesiologically importance of emphasizing the spiritual unity of believers was in the respective city or ( secular ) community, which should lift denominational divisions. This also has implications for the liturgy and worship flow, the well is unusual for newcomers and also includes aspects of speaking in tongues and charismatic worship styles. In China, among others, the name shouter ( eng. Schreier ) for the associated communities is common. Watchman Nee and Witness Lee emphasized the New Testament indications which designate the municipalities according to the respective city. So the Christians in Corinth are called " the church of God which is at Corinth " (1 Cor 1.2 ELB ) refers.

Nee and Lee taught that there should be in every city but one church and that the scope encompasses the city in which she finds it. Accordingly, the parishioners of the local churches their meetings described as "the church in (city name ) ". This statement does not mean, however: " We are the only true church ", but: " We are the true church, as are all true believers." This has contributed to their proliferation.