The Students for the Truth - The Local Church on Campus

Practices

The Local Church fosters some unorthodox practices, which have drawn criticism from more mainstream Christians.

One of these critics is Jim Moran, who studied the group for more than 1 1/2 years "on the inside," and who has continued to study it since 1989.

"I have nothing personal against the members of the Local Church," Moran said.  "In general, they are nice, loving, sincere Christians, but I feel their sincerity is misplaced and their theology is wrong," Moran added.

Among the practices that Moran and others criticize is "calling the Lord." This occurs when some members will spontaneously cry out "Lord Jesus!" at the top of their lungs.

Another practice that has been criticized is what is known as prayer reading.  A group will gather with their Bibles (or biblical readers) and simultaneously pray and read the material repeatedly.

The idea of "mingling" is another practice that has concerned some theologians.  Mingling is the idea that God can enter a person of the proper mind set, becoming one with that person and filling him or her with religious joy.

However, Hon and other members of the Local Church and Students for the Truth cite biblical passages to validate these practices.  For example, Hon quoted Romans 10, 12 and 13 from the Bible to justify the calling of the Lord.

Hon defended prayer reading with a passage from Ephesians 6 which says "Receive the helmet of salvation and sword of the spirit which is the word of God by means of all prayer and petition, praying at every time in spirit."

Lastly, the more controversial idea of mingling was defended by interpreting Corinthians 10:17 and Leviticus 2, 4 and 5, which discuss the "mingling" of "divine oil" with human "fine flour."

"The term (mingling) has been misused in church history and practice, but the word 'mingling' is in the Bible, so when people disagree with the term, they are disagreeing with the Bible," Jacobson said.

Hon added, "We understand that we may intimidate or offend people, but it is our faith, and we have the right to express it freely."

The behavioral changes that tend to go along with these activities can often be unsettling to those who do not understand or are unfamiliar with them.  The most profound impact is felt by those who have experienced mingling.