Again, this is parallel to the Eastern concept of dissolving individual consciousness into the all-inclusive Absolute. In either case the result is mindlessness given over to the control of an authoritative teacher. Most members come from mainline Protestant denominations and Plymouth Brethren assemblies. A typical member was disenchanted with a denominational church and didn't really understand the meaning of salvation until joining The Local Church in his city. Now he realizes that The Local Church has the real truth while the denomination he left wallows in error and corruption.
Members submit to a strong authority structure of elders.
A family may need approval for trading a car, changing jobs, or moving to another locality. Russell T. Hitt, consulting editor of Eternity , knows of one Local Church member ordered by his spiritual authority to leave his wife and children in California and move to Chicago. Partly because of the search for security and authority today, The Local Church is growing. Already there are congregations in 30 U.S. cities, with more being established as groups of 50-100 members move to new locations under direction of their spiritual authorities. Three recent converts are former Southern Baptist ministers.