[aron]

Another question: why did Witness Lee publicly claim the affiliation of 15 to 20 million 'shouters', but 10 years later LSM spokesman Chris Wilde said there's no connection whatever?

The LSM elder will deny the first claim because they didn't print it, but I was there & heard Lee. See recent remarks in the 'publication' thread, on what they call the polishing. What's said & known versus what's printed & formally acknowledged.

And while we're on the subject of affiliation, why did all the 1997 LC 'locality' websites state, "lovers of Jesus affiliated with the ministries of Watchman Nee and Witness Lee"? What is the difference between "affiliated with" as used there, and the "I am of Apollos" or Peter or Paul that was categorically condemned in the NT epistle? What's the difference between "affiliated with" and "of"?