A blessed gathering (call it a convention) was attended Oct. 3-5, 2008 by scores of brethren who used to be LHMM adherents. It took place in Chicago. Brethren travelled from several states and from Canada.

For the first time since this current plague of turmoil sprung up in the LHMM, a gathering was organized for the 'outcasts'. (But wait, thinking on the root issues, aren't we really the STALWARTS?)

The overall climate among our group was encouraging. The reported number of individuals attending was 59.

This event was invaluable to offset the sad and perplexing experiences for many of us in recent years. Collectively we've endured a number of misdeeds by the current Executive Trustee and additionally those who have a mistaken sense of loyalty to him and his 'new views' on doctrine.

On the first day several brethren from the local Bible students attended. Though I personally didn't arrive in Chicago until day 2, the report I heard is that these brethren were welcomed in the same way as at previous LHMM conventions (under a different Executive Trustee).

I think it's important to mention that no particular individual either presented himself, nor was held up, as 'the leader' of the convention. A question meeting was given by a brother who has previously given question meetings at LHMM conventions (having been a long-time appointee up until two years ago).

There was nobody making overt or covert demands for allegiance. No one berated members of audience either directly or indirectly.

No one at the microphone insinuated that we must disfellowship unnamed individuals alluded to as 'a former brother who did such and such' (a tactic used by someone we all know).

So...

How did the brethren attending behave?

They spoke and acted the same way we're used to them doing for all the years we've known them.

In short it was very similar to any other convention as we've been used to attending. The IMMENSE VALUE of this will be understood by any who were accustomed to it prior to the time that things changed within the LHMM we used to know.

Yes,

It was a spiritual meeting and we especially appreciated the visit from some of our Bible Student Brethren on Friday night.

Warm Christian Love was sent to all the Brethren!

james...

the last chicago conv. I attended you leaned over and asked my what was the motive of these Bible Students who were attending. You didn't think they belonged. I told you that half of them I had personally invited. I set up an appointment for three of them to visit the Bible House.

again, just recently you told me you came to a convention and I shunned you... but that Carl Hagansick, whom you called a sifter, came and we welcomed him.

Now they are your friendly brethren?

I don't know about you two, but I have always tried to be consistent about how I treat people. I know that I have seen some quite inappropriate treatment of people - 1st hand, and things have been said about me that are quite untrue.

One only need to listen to the Bible Question Meeting from the last four conventions to gain an appreciation of how "former brethren" (phrase used at conventions) are thought of and treated.

I have been thinking about this post and it's really been bothering me. I think it was inappropriate to name a brother right on the blog.

And, it appears you are mentioning something Bro. James said in the past (I think the Chicago convention was over two years ago) in relation to his experience of being shunned at the Muskegon Convention this year.

How does something he may have said in the past affect how you would treat him now? I don't think you can use someone else's poor behavior to justify your own.

Bro. Jon,

Yes. I did make this statement in anger and frustration. It was inappropriate and Judgmental. I was wrong and take responsibility for that.

The current controversies and trials concerning the LHMM is teaching me to be more loving and kind towards my fellow Brethren. I'm in the school of Christ and a work in progress with much work to do.

I'm very glad to hear that... and I'm sorry you were angry. I'm not angry... I'm a bit disapointed, but not angry.

You folks seem to be busy pointing out lots of what you consider to be inconsistencies, so I thought I'd point out one, mainly because Carl Hagansick was a friend of mine and so are those brethren who have attended the LHMM convention in Chicago in the past. On numerous occasions I asked them to sit with me and I took them for meals. They did the same for me at their conventions and we did discuss Epiphany Truth. I'm glad you sought to make them feel welcome... it was not always that way.

Dont' get me wrong... there are plenty of Bible Students who do not like me... because the do not like my thinking on the calling. Nothing I can do about that. And once again, this difference of opinion on the YW teaching is not the reason I did not welcome you at a convention... it is the mail I have been receiving in my home, as well as my childrens homes and many many others, which has been a direct violation (according to Bro's Russell, Johnson and Jolly) of the Lord's arrangements... plain and simple.

If there is any "violations of arrangements", it is most certainly more on the LHMM side, not from those of us upholding the truth.

of course that would be true, as it allows you to skirt this issue. PT60;60-65

Let's take it line by line and see who has skirted the arrangements.

What does the little guy with the sword mean?

Means battle is happening or go battle at war board?

what is war board?

No one is skirting any issues Bro. Jon, but the brethren who have followed a leader and gone away from the truth, persecuted and allowed their brethren to be persecuted, will someday have to face the music.

No skirting of the issue will be allowed at some point I'm sure.

My past Anger was a mirror image of the anger that is coming from the LHMM movement!

Jesus had a proper anger. Mark 3:5 That is the anger I have now!

If we can't show each other common decency and respect, how is God ever going to allow us to work with the world of Mankind in the Kingdom?

At first this post rubbed my flesh the wrong way. After meditating on your comments, I'm glad you posted. We might never come to an agreement in this lifetime over these thoughts we disagree on; however, I know you are a Christian and seeking to fulfill your consecration vows.

Grace and Peace to you Bro. Jon

Your Bro. By God's Grace,

Bro. Jim

when jw's or others want to share their view lhmm has I thought advised to take it.
bro mailed quotes, almost entirely, from Volumes.
why then the shunning?
-hap

I think it is perceived as the brother trying to have people follow him.

You are right, the mailings were basically all quotes straight from our own (LHMM) literature, and not from the brother's own pen.

It seems to be a defense of the truth against this new error and nothing more.

No one should be afraid of our own literature and direct quotes only, with no elaboration. It's just our stuff. That's my opinion.

Yeah. I went too and it was sweet!!!!!

I love how cool everyone was. No anger. No picking on anyone.

It was great.

I love how we had a sense of humor...such as, some people who were there, "I never saw them" cause if other people knew they were there....whoa.

We all have something so special. I don't know if we'll get together again - us stalwarts, but I want to say, that it was evident that we still love our brethren who have jumped to the other side of the fence along with their current leader.

We miss you! We love you! : - )

And we love God and His plan. What other plan is there for the world? What other plan explains what is happening now? What other plan makes you not worry about some of the ways the world is being shaken? - financial markets and such. What other plan values the earth for mankind to live upon?

There are issue and strife sometimes because Satan is not going to go after error. He will go after Truth. Read the Divine Plan and The Time Is At Hand. Then, Bro. Johnson's Millenium Book. : - ) Enjoy!