After you read some of the posts here regarding doctrinal issues and problems you may be thinking about change. Making a decision to leave the LHMM might be one of the most difficult but also the most rewarding things you could do to change your life for the better. Here are some steps that may be helpful in getting over the obstacles to leaving the LHMM.
1. ADMIT that the group is not right on everything.
Admitting who Russell, Johnson, Jolly, etc. were...fallible men
2. REALIZE that important doctrines of the LHMM are not unique. Many people study them in Christian college theology classes or seminaries all the time. The doctrines have names and various followers. Examples: earthly kingdom, Trinity http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trinity, oneness doctrine, annihilationism (hell) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Annihilationism.
3. REJECT unsupportable, unfactual, unscriptural things. Some details are not true or you would never believe them unless you implicitly trust the source.
4. ACCEPT new worship styles, new study practices, and a new way of living.
5. CELEBRATE freedom, fellowship with God’s people, God's grace, seasons, and variety of life.
6. CONCENTRATE on what is important. What doctrines are truly edifying? What will help you be more loving and fulfill the primary commands of God to love God and others?
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Posts
3 comments:
"Making a decision to leave the LHMM might be one of the most difficult but also the most rewarding things you could do to change your life for the better."
Leaving the group? it is a work... a fund... a movement, not a denomination, church or organization... there are no memberships... let's consider the truth of the matter
" 1. ADMIT that the group is not right on everything."
I know of no one "in the group" that believes they have been right about everything... there is no such claim, never was. Their publications often point out where they had been previously wrong.
"Admitting who Russell, Johnson, Jolly, etc. were...fallible men"
This is a given... published also in their publications.
"2. REALIZE that important doctrines of the LHMM are not unique. Many people study them in Christian college theology classes or seminaries all the time."
Nor has the LHMM ever claimed to have come up with these teachings. The majority of them came for previous church leaders down through the ages... we call them star members... you used to.
"3. REJECT unsupportable, unfactual, unscriptural things. Some details are not true or you would never believe them unless you implicitly trust the source."
yes, this is a basic rule of them amongst the Christian brethren who affiliate with the LHMM
"4. ACCEPT new worship styles, new study practices, and a new way of living."
Such as??? Are you talking about acting like other to gain acceptance? Just who are you going to follow into new practices?... or is it that we should follow you, the great anonymous teacher.
"5. CELEBRATE freedom, fellowship with God’s people, God's grace, seasons, and variety of life."
I celebrate the freedom to think for myself, and to consider all believers as God's people...
"6. CONCENTRATE on what is important. What doctrines are truly edifying? What will help you be more loving and fulfill the primary commands of God to love God and others?"
While it is true that doctrines can edify... it sounds more like you are talking about ethical teachings... do you know the difference? what are the doctrines you previously believed and have now rejected? Is it ethical to operate such a site as this one in an anonymous fashion, while disallowing other to be such?
In reality, leaving the group is VERY difficult. There are people involved. To say, that the LHMM is simply a movement is to over simplify what being involved means. For most people in the LHMM it is their lifeblood of fellowship. They meet twice a week with these people and travel hundreds of miles to go to a convention to fellowship with 30-60 people that believe in a similar way.
In fact, the publications almost NEVER correct previous errors. This is left as an exercise for the readers.
Most people in the LHMM truly believe that others do not have privy to the special knowledge gained through the writings. They also study literature that was written in the 1800s with little corrections.
We believe that there are many healthy, vibrant, Christian communities where people might land...right in their own backyard. This will provide uplifting and helpful support to people that due to the beliefs of the LHMM have previously been isolated.
Your comments show that you may be quite unique among those that associate with the LHMM. You seem to have a more open heart to associate with others and believe they are God's people. For that you are to be commended. It is not the typical LHMM view.
As far as ethics on this blog are concerned. The main reason the authors remain anonymous is to avoid potential family issues that may arise. Also...you are fully anonymous. We have no idea who you are...though you have signed up for a Blogger account with some name of your choice.
"Your comments show that you may be quite unique among those that associate with the LHMM. You seem to have a more open heart to associate with others and believe they are God's people. For that you are to be commended. It is not the typical LHMM view."
Wow, you think I'm unique in this group? YOu should visit our class, for there are some 40+ unique ones here... and what a misnomer that is, since unique means one of a kind... I am not unique. It is the typical view of the LHMM that I listed above, for any who are rightly disposed.
"As far as ethics on this blog are concerned. The main reason the authors remain anonymous is to avoid potential family issues that may arise. Also...you are fully anonymous. We have no idea who you are...though you have signed up for a Blogger account with some name of your choice."
Do you hold that the affairs of your fleshly family are more important that that of your spiritual family?
and by the way, I'm not so anonymous... jonalfred... or jon alfred... last name Hanning
jonalfred@dragonbbs.com
call on me anytime
Post a Comment