Open Letter to the Elders of the United Church of God
December 13, 2010
Dear Fellow Elders of Jesus Christ,
An “open letter” addressed to me was submitted on Saturday night, Dec. 4, carrying the names of a number of ministers. It restated various allegations, many with roots in past issues considered resolved by the Council of Elders, but which appear unresolved by some signers. Since the letter was addressed to me personally, I wish to make a few comments.
Let me give the only answer available to any elder—from Scripture inspired by Jesus Christ and written by the apostle Peter:
The elders who are among you I exhort, I who am a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that will be revealed: Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly; nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock; and when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away. Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for “God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble” (1 Peter 5:1-5).
I have received verified factual information showing activity of a number of men that was unbecoming of any minister of UCGIA. Consequently, Ministerial and Member Services notified each man of his error providing him time to reconsider his actions. Good-faith exchanges occurred where accepted. Some came in to talk. Others chose little or no response. A few decided to resign. Others proved by words and actions against, or in competition with the Church, that they do not wish to be part of UCGIA. Would you continue to credential ministers who have chosen not to work with us, but against us? I think not.
I would that we were all at peace together, working hard to serve Christ and preach His gospel of the Kingdom. But since the signers of the “open letter” asked, here is what I would have you to do:
- Would Jesus Christ have said the things that have been said—even perhaps by some of you? Bring back your loyalty to the governing structure that Christ has built in United since 1995. Give positive, supportive, healing sermons and faithfully “shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers” (1 Peter 5:2).
- Are you taking the authority of Jesus Christ to yourselves? Step back from stoking the fires of our Church’s crisis and truly believe that Jesus Christ is “head over all things to the church” (Ephesians 1:22). Think about what that means.
- Is a minister’s job to be a politician or a spiritual healer? As elders in the faith you are to “be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity” (1 Timothy 4:12).
- As president of the United Church of God and an elder with you in the faith, I would have you “to be subject to rulers and authorities, to obey, to be ready for every good work, to speak evil of no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing all humility to all men” (Titus 3:1-2).
With all my heart I sincerely hope and pray that you will rethink and re-pray your position and truly unite with us. But if not, then we are at an impasse.
Fellow elders of the “open letter,” you know where I stand from my president’s message given to the Council of Elders last week. Where do you stand?
Your fellow elder,
Dennis Luker
3 comments:
Sheesh!
Joe Jr would have had every right to have written this same letter to the ministers leaving "the new" WCG back in the '90s. Perhaps he did write a similar one.
The only thing which can be stated as a certainty is that no splinter has been blessed with growth, and no splinter seems to be any kind of standout exemplifying who may or may not have the witness of God behind them. And, it's not as if GCI has done any better.
No, this is one case where there was no baby in the bathwater! False theology taught by false teachers. Sadly, some very sincere individuals were caught up in this movement. I'd like to encourage them to seek out better spiritual resources, organizations which are bearing abundant fruit, and who are preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ. They're out there, one only needs to look. No need to become one of the spiritually homeless!
BB
Sadly, the entrenched will not seek out better spiritual resources. They have had it so ingrained in their minds to stay away from books, literature,and web sites of 'worldly' Christians who are 'fake christians' in their eyes.
That is a hard mold to break. It does work, since so many of us are living testimony to that.
They will either stay in UCG because of friends and family, jump ship to an even more conservative splinter personality cult or leave Christianity all together.
For some I know leaving all together was the best thing that happened to them. It gave them room to breathe, reassess their lives and heal. Then almost every single one so left have eventually come back. But they are back with caution. No minister will ever lord it over them again. Nor will I ever let that happen to me again!
I’m a long time member of the Church (1968). To be honest, I’m disappointed and disgusted with the ministry — the ones causing the problems because — bottom line — “how dare you try to rule us” is your baby cry. You morons. Where were you when Mr. Armstrong taught you the lesson about what God is looking for. Loyalty. God does not want rebels in his Kingdom. Duh! Satan has you where it hurts most and YOU are causing discouragement, bitterness, confusion and baying in the flock. If you don’t like it, get out. The loyal brethren are in United to worship in peace with truth. They’re sick of your backbiting, politics and division. Seeing that you can’t seem to be ruled over perhaps you should practice saying those famous words: “would you like fries with that?” You know something — the fryer can get really hot — and that’s straight where you’re headed.
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