What made the assembly hard to grow up in as a kid, and especially as a teenager? I would say that in my case it was hard to have close relationships with many who were'nt in the assembly. Also, there was rarely an oppurtunity to invite someone to an assembly meeting without something strange happening. But many good things kept me from evil as well. My parents kept me accountable in who i was friends with and how often i was reading my bible, praying, etc. Please share your ideas on what made the assembly hard to grow up in, but also maybe some great things that you have learned their as well.  

Hey, Luke, you definitely know where you're coming from. I could sit here and post a loooong list of the travails of being an Assembly Kid, but I let go of that. Had to or I'd give myself too many excuses not to live a commendable life.

So when I found the website I decided to focus on what good there was. Of course the gospel is the most important but I would have gotten that other places.

That makes the best thing about being an Assembly Kid other Assembly Kids! Our "lodge" was loaded with families. I grew up with dozens of brothers and sisters.

We saw each other half a dozen times a week. We stayed at each other's homes. We sat next to each other in meetings - if we were behaving. We went to Youth Fellowship. We camped. We had crushes on each other. We got into A LOT of trouble.

We had lunch together every Sunday. We passed notes. We made faces across the room during prayer meetings. We guarded tents together. We went to Six Flags. Hay rides. Rented a local gym to run around in.

Through it all we stuck together. Had to. No other kids knew what we were talking about half the time!

Now 15 years later, I'm talking and reconnecting with these same people and we're picking up right where we left off. And I'm meeting people from all over the country that I never knew before but know exactly what I'm talking about.

That's the best thing about being an Assembly Kid.

First of all, i am an AK. That said, i would add that due to recent events, i have been dwelling on this very issue, and thinking about what teachings were ingrained in me while "growing up under the ministry".  I will like to add that all the saints have been supportive to me my entire life, and i have no regrets about having grown up in this manner.  In fact, i view myself as blessed beyond measure. I post the following as a logical analysis of what happens, not as a vent for frustration in the way it was done.

The first issue, i personally feel that most of the "hardship" lies in expectations.  In the gathering where i grew up, there were plenty of other AKs my age, and many of them are my best of friends (true, mature friends in whom i can confide and in whom i can recieve consoul) so in that aspect, i cannot relate with Luke here.  The expectations i speak of stem from assumed knowledge (knowing what is what spiritually, knowing why) but also in assumed actions.  The first one, i do not find fault in what was done, teaching the Youth the things of Christ, but i would greatly encourage the teachers to expand the Youths vision, show them other Godly writers and show them what they feel about various theological topics.  Too often, the AKs are left with a final decision on why we do something, although usually with the biblical backing as to why, but seldomly with additional knowledge as to how else it might be done.  I understand that this is done to keep Young believers from getting confused, and that it all comes back to Christ any way you look at it, but more often than not, i have seen AKs perceptions toward other forms of worship (ie, speaking in tounges) completely skewed.  I *do* agree with the way the children are taught, but the teachers should be excercised in the totality of the decision to do something a certian way, rather than communicate the simplified version, or at least meantion that there are other manners in which to do things.

The expected actions of an AK revolve around the idea that since we grew up under the ministry, we would know exactly how to walk the Walk.  We would know all the various parts, and what they mean.  It is expected that armed with this knowledge, we will be able to keep on a straight path.  Granted this is true in a sense, but the expection that i feel is present (although i see it only in my mind, and i havent inquired of other AKs whether it is also prevelant in their thinking) is that it is surprising when it is heard that an AK has fallen away from fellowship in Christ, or has committed a harse sin.  I, myself, have done maybe stupid things which i eventually repented of.  At later dates, i would be giving testimony to a friend for some reason or another, and i would meantion my stumbling.  More times than not, they would be instantly shocked, but would immediatly praise the Lord that He pulled be back to him.  Now, i am not saying that we are at all hindered by the saints caring for our lives, show in their consern for our continued wellbeing (i am uttering thankful), but it is something that comes to mind when i think about how the older assembly crew relate to the younger.  
 
Now, as for what is ingrained into me.  I have done OK in school, an event that i would like to attribute to the emphasis on studying the bible that has been placed.  I have a respect for my elders, rooted in awe of the value of their experience.  I know what i believe in the most important things (the youth teaching has taught this part very well, the most important part of being a christian is Christ).  

Anyway, i would be glad to answer any questions you have about AKs, and i will prob add to this when get ideas to paper

Hi, gang, especially Brad,

Here is what I have OBSERVED (no judgement): 1: The very fact that there are Assembly Kids in their late teens to early 20's is significantly different from what we are used to seeing.

Of approximately 75 Assembly Kids from Tuscola, Champaign and Springfield from the late 70's to late 80's APPROXIMATELY 70 of them left fellowship and never looked back. No numbers, but the vast majority of the 70 were so turned off to the TRUTH about Jesus Christ that they are just now achieving a peace about about their theological heritage.

The fact that this next generation of Assembly Kids is still clinging to and defending the Assembly patterns means something is different. Is this significant?

2: This difference in their upbringing and their willingness to stay involved in the Assembly is NOT significant. How can I say that, you ask?

It only means that the LOCAL assemblies in this region have learned enough from their mistakes to loosen the reigns on their children enough that the children can say, after viewing some of the posts concerning the horrific abuses of Assembly leaders, "What? That's not the way it is! We never saw anything like that!"

The problem is they firmly believe that since they have not personally experienced the life altering spiritual abuse of the Assembly doctrine, that therefore it does not exist. Part of the problem is they cannot know if they have experienced spirtual abuse because they have no other experience on which to base their experience!

They have no understanding that there are inherent flaws in the doctrine of the Assembly, in the Assembly's patterns of worship or in the Assembly's leadership structure.

If anyone who reads this post takes any one thought out of it, please take this: The Assembly pattern/docrine is designed/pre-conceived/tailored so that one man or a small group of leaders can spirtually dominate large numbers of well-intentioned believers.

This domination can manifest itself in terrible abuses such as have been proven to occur in Fullerton and San Luis Obispo, OR it can be much more subtle, demanding labor for inheritance, legalism, causing humiliation, USURPING CHRIST"S AUTHORITY IN A MAN'S LIFE.

Some areas of a man's life where the authority of Christ can be usurped (i.e. the freedom of life in Christ paid for by His blood): How often he should attend meetings, what his contribution should be when attending meetings, what personal standards are kept in his home in regards to dress (levels of modesty for his wife and children), what television shows (i.e. entertainment) are appropriate for his family, what foods he should eat, where he should work, how he should FEEL about other believers, how he should FEEL (not think or believe) about other doctrines, what hymns should be sing, how should he couch the phrases of his prayers, how many questions and of what nature should be put to the appointed leadership in his local gathering, what time should he awake in the morning so that he has an "appropriate" amount of time to spend on his knees, etc.

This list is literally endless as the choices that are given to a man are endless and freely given to him by Christ.

Do not take this to mean that there is no accountability. Do not take this to mean that Godly leaders have nothing to offer or do not have a responsibility to correct or teach or counsel or even discipline.

However, the patterns and doctrine of the Assembly allow, even cause, even encourage, even require, that its leadership go a step beyond and usurp the authority and freedom of Christ in a man's life.

I'm tired. I'm done for now.

Please feel free to correct my doctrinal flaws! I'll listen.

Scott

yes! thank you for that  

rich mullins has been my favorite christian artist for years. i have all of his music, and a few of his autographs. there is a depth and genuiness (word?) he conveys that really appeals to me. ready for the storm, all? or perhaps a game of stratego?  

several great points, brad. its great to have you around. i look forward to reconnecting more when i have time to breathe again.

Most kids tend go the opposite path of their next oldest sibling.  I think that might partially explain why much of the second generation remains willfully ignorant of the many flaws of the Assemblies.  That and parents who keep their kids as ignorant as possible by telling them that the website is a pack of lies, (if they allow them to read the website at all.)  It's a shame.

Ben,

Your post is really interesting.  

Suzie

Scott...

What your saying seems to be true. Pat Matthews just said almost exactly that word for word in a private message to me. Her view of  why her kids were doing so well with LEAVING the Assembly was the families de-emphasizing the Assembly acitivities as "exclusive"...long before they actually left.

Boy...don't remember that being a popular theory in our time...