LHMM followers meet in small classes of 3-40 people once or twice a week for Bible Study, to hear a talk, or for a testimony meeting. This is their primary form of fellowship. It is estimated that there may be about 20 classes in the U.S. with an average of 10 followers making the number of followers in the U.S. at about 200 people. There are more LHMM followers in other countries. These estimates are believed to be correct based on some of the known congregations:
Chicago, IL - 7
Minneapolis, MN - 5
Athens, Ohio - 30
Muskegon, MI - 15
Chester Springs, PA - 10
Florida - 4
Norfolk, VA - 7
Oklahoma - 5
At national gatherings which they call a General Convention, adherents will commonly meet at a hotel and listen to talks (sermons) for 3 days at a time. Most conventions in the U.S. currently will draw an average of up to 60 people and at most 100. For 2008, there are 4 conventions planned in Florida, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Oklahoma. See the official Bible Standard web site.
The incredibly small numbers is an indication of the importance of pure doctrine to this group. They will divide at even the smallest doctrinal differences. This severely limits their fellowship causing followers to make travel to conventions across the country extremely important so that they can meet with others "of like minded faith". For followers is difficult not to feel alone in the world with so few people that believe as they do.
Regarding their numbers, they appeal to the "quality not quantity" mentality and quote Scriptures like Mt. 7:13-14 "Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it."
and Deut 7:7 "The LORD did not set his affection on you and choose you because you were more numerous than other peoples, for you were the fewest of all peoples."
LHMMers take pride in practices that are different than mainstream churches such as meeting in homes and not passing a collection plate at services (called meetings). This is a positive spin on the fact that when your numbers of people gathered are so small, there is little reason to have a facility or have an orderly request for donations.
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The purpose of this blog is to discuss the teachings and practices of Bible Standard Ministries (BSM)...formerly known as the Laymen's Home Missionary Movement or LHMM.
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6 comments:
Hey... interesting list of pseudo-facts... my congregation (LHMM affilated) is 45 brethren (and growing)... meet Sundays and WEdnesdays... I went to all 4 conventions last year... some with more than a hundred brethren... 20 classes???
Sounds like you have an inside track that is outside the truth of the matter...
Nor my friend, do any of us consider christians of the various denominations to be false Christians, unless they are deceitful in their own hearts (which only the Lord would know)... and we often are affilated with such in various works, including other Bible Students groups.
"Chicago, IL - 7
Minneapolis, MN - 5
Athens, Ohio - 30
Muskegon, MI - 15
Chester Springs, PA - 10
Florida - 4
Norfolk, VA - 7
Oklahoma - 5"
I might add here that I did not see these numbers posted here last time around... your knowledge of the size of these classes leaves something to be desired. I attend the class at Athens Ohio and have for 27 years. There have been occasions when 30 or 35 brethren gathered there to celebrate the memorial feast and this is the only time that any numbers are published. However, this has no reflection on the size of this given class. Some of the more elderly have stayed at home and kept it in the privacy of their own homes, while others who were not able to attend kept it 30 days later. I, for instance, for that last 3 or 4 years (along with my family) have not been present at that meeting because I was giving a similar service in another class.
Our class is currently about 45 brethren (no large number by anybodies accounting) and smaller than it has ever been in the last 20 years. There is another class of similar size in Ohio that you don't list and still others. In addition there are numerous brethren around this particular state with whom we fellowship in all four quadrants... and other groups that we serve from time to time (one that also numbers around 40). Groups such as these you have stated do not exist, for according to your synopsis of the LHMM brethren, we do not consider any who think differently to be brethren at all (which claim is false). There is easily 100 brethren in this state (still not comparable with the JW's or Roman Catholic Church; and if your suggestion is that numbers count, then surely one of these two groups must be the one true church, eh?)
In addition, I have made dozens and dozens of internet friends with whom I study and share thoughts, some of which I have also visited and in some cases served; many of which are also in Ohio, but also CA, FL, ME, Alaska, TN, WVA, KY, etc etc... not to mention numerous english speaking foreign countries.
Part of your problem seems to have stemmed from (while you were LHMM affiliated) your thinking that only those folks who attend conventions are brethren... no wonder you left this fellowship.
(also, some of the classes you list do not seem to remain as LHMM affiliates.. you should really do a fact check)
Well, the numbers are not published by the LHMM...so they were best guesses...and it seems they are somewhat off. Within the limits of those guesses we're happy to revise the estimates with your help.
Several times at conventions and other places, it is obvious that those who are not committed to the LHMM teachers are not "in the truth". At one time a newcomer was even introduced as this "This is ___...he's visiting and not in the truth." That's a great way to welcome people. He must be "in the error". It sounds as if your group in Ohio has a more open format with your association with Bible Students for example. Growing up in the LHMM several of us attempted to find some other teen-agers that we could fellowship with a common bond. We began attending Bible Student conventions and found some great people. The older generation discouraged us and even chastised us for this association. This is not far from the way Johnson would treat people when they would "manifest themselves as revolutionists" by going against his teachings. All we wanted was some common fellowship. All the while, there were plenty of Christians right in our home town among many churches here. But we thought those people were in error and needed to be avoided. It's really sad.
I have battled some over the years who lived in fear of fellowshipping with BS brethren or other Christians... they are not the majority... perhaps your parents or your class did not have adequate experience along these lines. On the other hand, all you wanted was some "common fellowship" and evidenty you had not realized that the differences between LHMM and BS groups is not really all that common. Most BS groups claim to follow Pastor Russell's teacings, but they really do not... I have been kicked off thier sites for preaching pastor russell.. they called me a Johnsonite... not having the ability to know what either man really taught, because they are bent to the high call, and Pastor Russell's teachings do not support such a stance. Perhaps your family was trying to protect you from that... and evidently you need something to protect you from losing the place where you were standing.
You have to understand the difference between recognizing other christians and what is common between groups. Evidently you have the ability to judge the group you formerly met with as guilty of things that perhaps your ecclesia was guilty of... or at least that was you perception.
I was baptized in our local class and a BS brother gave the discourse. I have not only seen many BS brethen at our conventions, but have invited many of them to come and then have discussed with them the content of those meetings later on. I continue to attend their conventions, and believe it or not, have done so at the suggestion of the LHMM...it has been that way for years.
In Poland LHMM has 64 classes of 10-120 people. Total 1338 people.
It's interesting to note that in other countries there still may not have all of the Epiphany writings of Bro. Johnson translated into their native language. This may be an advantage to them and larger numbers of people...because some of the writings that are most damaging to Johnson's character may not be available.
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