It's a local issue - Don't interfere
I am glad that the apostle Paul did not have this attitude, because then we would not have benefitted from the many epistles he wrote to the churches in various localities. The epistles are not transcripts of messages he preached while visiting. He wrote them and they were delivered - an indication that he was not in that locality at the time that the message was given.
The various assemblies request and receive prayer requests from each other for their NOPs. Thus, they admit an 'involvement' with the other assembly gatherings. When issues arise that demand their involvement, however, they take a 'hands off' approach.
This mentality delayed the exposure of DGs abuse, thus bringing much devastation to his household. To date the 'abusive' system continues in the assemblies because the various ones are too cowardly to rise up and speak the truth about issues within their own gathering and in other gatherings that they have 'involved' themselves with.
Lord bless,
Marcia
This local issue thing is absolutely farsical.
George calls himself a "minister of universal appointment," in his book, The Itinerate Ministry. He clearly saw himself as someone who was used worldwide, not just in a locality.
Dealing with his sin should take into account who he was, how he functioned, etc. It is ludicrous to say, "It's a local issue." Just because someone has adulterous relationships in So. Cal, doesn't mean they are without sin in No. Cal.
They say this sort of thing because they are blind fools.
Brent