Busy Day At UCG: Another Resignation!

Another resignation letter has hit my mail box.  This time it is Paul Carter.

Friday, November 26, 2010

Dear Denny,

I have known you and some of the men on the council and administration for many years. I now write to you the president of the United Church of God an International Association, with regret for the position we find ourselves in as an organization and body. When hired into the full time ministry of the United Church of God, I never imagined the Church or myself coming to a day like this.

For many years now the ministry of the United Church of God has not been walking together. It is clear that the differences go back long before the recent troubles began, but have escalated to a devastating degree, as men who longed for something different whatever that might be, finally achieved positions on the council or in the administration. These men, in a very short time, have proved they do not have the leadership ability to serve the people of God in a righteous manner. We are told in Matthew we can know individuals by their fruits. The fruits of these men have been shown, and are quite evident, and quite disheartening.

Not one of us can claim to be a perfect leader, and yet all of us as pastors were called to dedicate our lives to the work, and to the people of God. Some members of the current council and administration have shown by their own fruits they do not care for the people of God. Proverbs 26:28 tells us “A lying tongue hates those that are afflicted by it; and a flattering mouth works ruin.” The lack of concern became even more apparent with Latin America. Some council members have spoken very openly that Latin Americans will keep the Sabbath and have Feast sites of their own; they just won’t be with us. They ARE our church family! It is a disgrace how faithful members of the church and ministry have been treated. Council and administration, and some of those who support them, have continued to strive for power, pride, their own agendas, and even their own interpretations of doctrine, or the application of doctrine in the church, without adhering to our own policies.

The explanation of the crisis we find ourselves in has been “twisted” when expressed to the members. Some are told it is over “people” wanting one man rule. Others are told that it is over people wanting their former positions back. Still others are told that this is because of the move to Texas, when in truth and reality the Council and administration know otherwise. That is deceit.

You and others as leaders have accused many in the ministry of being “rebels,” “Korah’s rebellion,” and “wolves.” I have also been personally accused of “undermining the faith of the brethren.” For what reason? I have been told it is for not supporting the council. Yet it is simply for no other reasons than the following:

* I as a pastor and elder in good standing will not accept unethical behavior such as what has been displayed by the CoE, and the administration over the last few years.

* I and other ministers are labeled “rebellious” because 167 elders in good standing, wrote and appeal to the Council humbly asking for reconciliation with Latin America.

* Nearly 60 elders in good standing, and other smaller groups of elders, wrote appeals to the Council humbly asking that they address major concerns, and unethical behavior in the government of the church.

* Elders and members have shown concern for doctrinal integrity when the approved teachings of the church have been compromised. White papers written by men other than you and Melvin Rhodes were made available to the church without going through the doctrinal committee, and without recognizing that the doctrine (teaching) was contrary to what had been previously approved and taught. Melvin Rhodes and you signed your names to these, and thereby show your support of such papers.

* I have a responsibility to teach and to warn the flock, yet I am labeled as rebellious and undermining in doing so.

Does labeling men as “rebellious” and denying their requests for reconciliation, and asking that the CoE honestly look at unethical behavior, make individuals rebels? These are simply men who will not give up on personal and doctrinal integrity and hold fast to the truth!

Members of the Council and administration have refused to answer letters of concerns from members and ministers across the U.S. yet they simply tell those concerned that they have answered questions, and will not answer any more. They have refused meetings and resolutions presented to them to address the current situation. We have followed the principle over and over of going to our brother. The message is very clear that “our brother will not hear us.”

Well-respected men such as Leon Walker and others have had their names slandered by deceitful words, twisted reports, and direct lies. Other faithful men have been accused of things by false witnesses who speak lies. This is something that God hates. (Proverbs 6:16-19)

The list of reasons why I cannot support the current Council and administration goes on and on. The last three years have been recorded in detail, and the substantiated evidence is almost surreal.

I was ordained, not hired, to be a shepherd. My responsibilities and duties as a shepherd are given to me through Gods Word, as you yourself also know. I have been called to feed and care for God’s sheep, and it is a tremendous blessing and privilege to do so.

As an employee of the United Church of God, I have responsibilities to my employer. I have carried out those responsibilities and duties with diligence. My first responsibility is to God and His people, and sadly my responsibilities as an employee is now in direct conflict with my calling, and the responsibilities given to me by God as a shepherd.

As an employee, I can no longer support the current Council or administration because of their actions, based on Gods standards and scriptural principles. I hereby tender my resignation as an employee of the United Church of God AIA effective immediately. My signature is affixed to this letter. I in no way resign as a minister of Jesus Christ.

I pray that God will grant repentance to you, the Council of Elders, and the current administration of the United Church of God. I will continue to pray that God will deal with all of us, including myself, with mercy as we strive to become more like Him and operate according to His way of life, and His government.

Respectfully,

Paul Carter

Another UCG Resignation: Jonathan Pinelli Resigns

November 26, 2010

Dear Mr. Luker,

It is with the heaviest of heart that I must write this letter to you. I write to you as the highest human level in the administration of the United Church of God.

Clearly for some time now, the United Church of God, (UCG), has experienced a turbulent, troubling, ungodly atmosphere. When did it all start? Some say it was with the removal of the former administration. Those who foster this idea seem to think that the former administration has fomented this rebellion against the Council of Elders and the current administration and thus we find ourselves in the current climate within the organization. I do not believe that to be true in any way, shape or form.

With your selection as the new president of UCG, many saw a chance for healing to take place; that the bitter attitudes that some have had over the former administration’s decisions and philosophy would have the salve of a Denny Luker to heal the division. Understandably and most assuredly first and foremost it is God’s Holy Spirit that must lead us as members of the body of Christ to heal, but many put their faith in you to lead this spiritual healing. Sadly what many of us, myself included have witnessed is not a healing, but rather a “doubling down” on rhetoric and actions that speak to further division rather then healing and spiritual vision to look onward and upward. This has saddened me and surprised me. I expected so much more of a man of fifty years dedicated to serving God’s people.

Over the past seven months, I have found little that I could agree with in terms of your administration and the Council of Elders in words, deeds and actions. Your letters profess love and outgoing concern for the brethren, as do the letters from the Council of Elders, but the actions are clearly not in line with your words or Council’s words. Some examples:

Removal of the Director of Latin America who has served God’s people for 50+ years. Lies and cover-ups told in the aftermath to make it appear as if Leon Walker was the “bad guy” in a situation that was clearly “botched” start to finish. The level of character assassination against Leon Walker has been epic. Never in my forty eight years growing up in the Church have I seen this level of vilifying of a spiritual brother. This includes our time spent under the Worldwide Church of God after Mr. Armstrong’s death. The administration and Council of Elders of the United Church of God should thank God that Leon Walker is a converted man. Many of us believe that he could take this organization to the cleaners for defamation of character.

A minister of Jesus Christ who has dedicated 50+ years of his life deserves much better – both from a human standpoint but more importantly as a spiritual brother. The actions of this church organization with regards to this situation have been very, very far from the love that so many of the Council and you profess. This is not an example of love!!

Appeal for Latin America.

167 members of the General Conference of Elders out of concern for the members and ministry of Latin America, our spiritual brothers and sisters, signed an appeal to ask that the Council of Elders look at this matter, reevaluate and seek the path that we all have been called to; reconciliation. The response? On August 6, 2010 an official letter was sent out. The first paragraph expresses the fact that the Council and Administration have sought to have reconciliation. The letter then goes on to further chastise Leon Walker and other Latin American ministers. This is not the hallmark of reconciliation; this is not love.

White papers entitled “Observing The Sabbath” and “Fasting, Prayer and the Will of God”.

These papers do not agree and mesh with our doctrinal teachings and fundamental beliefs. These papers have not been submitted and vetted through our approved doctrinal processes. These were processes that were put in place so as to protect and preserve our doctrines. You may not have written these papers, nor had any say in there editorial review however as president you are responsible for your operations managers. You have allowed the media department of the Church to post these papers on line on our web site. Therefore the Council of Elders and you have condoned their content by allowing them to be viewed by members and the world at large.

These are only three examples of a myriad of doctrinal, ethical and moral failings of an organization that was founded on many different principles in May 1995 then those we now see. You were at those meetings Mr. Luker. What has happened to you? Why do you not see the demise of our founding principles? Where is the passion and the fire that I saw when you as a Regional Pastor in WCG stood up to Joe Tkach, Jr., Mike Feazel, et al.? I am so very sad at what I have witnessed since you took the office of president. It has not been the Dennis Luker that I saw in 1995.

My responsibilities and duties as a shepherd of God’s people are clear. Those are defined through the Bible as you already know. Feeding and tending God’s sheep has been a tremendous blessing. I thank God that I have been called to care for His people.

I also have duties and responsibilities as an employee of the United Church of God. However, when the duties and responsibilities of the physical organization are in conflict with my spiritual duties as a shepherd, something has to give. I CANNOT NOR WILL I COMPROMISE THOSE SPIRITUAL DUTIES.

Therefore, with my signature affixed to this letter, I tender my resignation as a pastor in the full time employment of the United Church of God, (Effective November 27, 2010 6:00 p.m., MST). I do not resign from the ordination to the ministry that God has given me. I intend to fulfill my calling as a minister of Jesus Christ.

I regret having to make this decision, but the Council of Elders and your Administration make it necessary at this time. I wish no ill will towards any member of the Council of Elders, Administration or you. I will continue to pray that God deal with us all, myself included, in His mercy and bring us to the perfection of His son Jesus Christ not just in words but in deeds and actions.

Respectfully,

Jonathan R. Pinelli

Leadership Skills For UCG's Preachers With Cojones

Here are some fun leadership skills for the new 'leaders' with balls from UCG who now have the opportunity to actually lead people to freedom in Christ and not into some more conservative splinter cult seeking to preserve all things HWA.  Does UCG have any leaders with balls to stand alone, without a paycheck, without parsonage allowances, without free assistance at Feast time, without $10,000.00 year end bonuses, and actually LEAD??????





Derek Silvers Blog on Leadership


Transcript:
If you've learned a lot about leadership and making a movement, then let's watch a movement happen, start to finish, in under 3 minutes, and dissect some lessons:

A leader needs the guts to stand alone and look ridiculous. But what he's doing is so simple, it's almost instructional. This is key. You must be easy to follow!

Now comes the first follower with a crucial role: he publicly shows everyone how to follow. Notice the leader embraces him as an equal, so it's not about the leader anymore - it's about them, plural. Notice he's calling to his friends to join in. It takes guts to be a first follower! You stand out and brave ridicule, yourself. Being a first follower is an under-appreciated form of leadership. The first follower transforms a lone nut into a leader. If the leader is the flint, the first follower is the spark that makes the fire.

The 2nd follower is a turning point: it's proof the first has done well. Now it's not a lone nut, and it's not two nuts. Three is a crowd and a crowd is news.

A movement must be public. Make sure outsiders see more than just the leader. Everyone needs to see the followers, because new followers emulate followers - not the leader.

Now here come 2 more, then 3 more. Now we've got momentum. This is the tipping point! Now we've got a movement!

As more people jump in, it's no longer risky. If they were on the fence before, there's no reason not to join now. They won't be ridiculed, they won't stand out, and they will be part of the in-crowd, if they hurry. Over the next minute you'll see the rest who prefer to be part of the crowd, because eventually they'd be ridiculed for not joining.

And ladies and gentlemen that is how a movement is made! Let's recap what we learned:

If you are a version of the shirtless dancing guy, all alone, remember the importance of nurturing your first few followers as equals, making everything clearly about the movement, not you.

Be public. Be easy to follow!

But the biggest lesson here - did you catch it?

Leadership is over-glorified.

Yes it started with the shirtless guy, and he'll get all the credit, but you saw what really happened:

It was the first follower that transformed a lone nut into a leader.

There is no movement without the first follower.

We're told we all need to be leaders, but that would be really ineffective.

The best way to make a movement, if you really care, is to courageously follow and show others how to follow.

When you find a lone nut doing something great, have the guts to be the first person to stand up and join in.

© 2010 Derek Sivers

Ken Giese: UCG HQ "...demonizing anyone who would question their authority...

AN OPEN LETTER TO MEMBERS AND MINISTERS OF THE UNITED CHURCH OF GOD

November 26, 2010

Dear Friends,

It is with great sadness and grave concern that I write to you all regarding the current crisis gripping the United Church of God. Clearly, we are a house divided against itself and in danger of disintegrating. We have been told that there is a rebellion in our midst, led by wolves who are causing division and seeking to draw brethren to themselves in an effort to “start their own church”. Our current leadership continues to accuse dedicated pastors with decades of faithful service and experience of leading an organized conspiracy, while at the same time, dismissing some 2,000 Latin American brethren and their pastors without due process, demonizing anyone who would question their authority and demanding the support of members and ministers alike despite their egregious misconduct. The income of the United Church of God is dropping precipitously, morale is sinking and we are about to lose what we have all worked together to build under Christ’s direction for fifteen years. Enough is enough.

As many of you know, on November 4, 2010, I resigned from my responsibilities as an employed pastor of two UCG congregations (Reno, NV and Sacramento, CA) due to the fact that I could no longer in good conscience support the actions and decisions of the current Council of Elders majority or their appointed administrators. As I wrote to Dennis Luker and Victor Kubik, despite the fact that I resigned from employment, I wanted to retain my membership in the United Church of God as well as my status as a credentialed elder in UCG in hopes that the current Council of Elders and our administrators would accept responsibility for this debacle and seek reconciliation and peace rather than confrontation and war. Sadly, they have chosen the latter.

As one who has been identified as a wolf who is sowing discord, I would like to set the record straight. The last thing I or any of my fellow elders want to do is leave the United Church of God and start another organization. NOTHING COULD BE FURTHER FROM THE TRUTH. We (some current COE members, former administrators, regional pastors, concerned elders and members) have been working diligently behind the scenes to bring the current Council of Elders majority and our administrators to the table for frank discussions on our current state of affairs as well as exploring methods and means whereby we could all work together to bring reconciliation and peace, but our efforts have been consistently rebuffed and ridiculed. We desperately want to remain a part of the United Church of God, but we are being falsely accused and forced out by those who have clearly disqualified themselves as our spiritual leaders.

Therefore, I am calling upon the General Conference of Elders to step up and demand that the current Council of Elders and their appointed administrators be held accountable for bringing the United Church of God to the point of imminent disintegration. I encourage GCE members to fulfill their responsibility as the only “members” of the corporation – The United Church of God, an International Association. I encourage the GCE to call for a special meeting for the purpose of restructuring the organization with new leadership. Our current leaders have proven themselves incapable of correcting the problems that are clearly facing us all.

Please do not let the cries of “foul” deter you from taking these appropriate and necessary steps. If these actions do not take place, the United Church of God has little chance of surviving intact.

In light of my personal circumstances and the fact that roughly one-half of the Sacramento UCG congregation has stopped attending, I feel compelled to offer a place of refuge for myself as well as those members who feel they have been forced out of the United Church of God. At the same time, I would love to remain a member of UCG as well as a credentialed elder in UCG and work with the entire GCE in taking the necessary steps noted above, but I cannot in good conscience do so. Therefore, I hereby resign as a member of the United Church of God and as a member of the General Conference of Elders, effective immediately. This coming Sabbath, November 27th, I plan to meet with other brethren who no longer feel they can affiliate with the United Church of God. My purpose not to start a church . . . I am attempting to provide a place of refuge in hopes that we can eventually return to fellowship in a healthy, vibrant and Godly United Church of God.

May God bless and guide us all in these difficult and challenging times.

Sincerely,

Kenneth Giese

Another UCG Minister Resigns: "...no process of reconcilliation possible..."

Open letter to the Council of Elders and Administration of the United Church of God, An International Association

Bogotá, November 18, 2010

It is with great sadness that I write this letter.

Since June I have been hoping and working for a process of reconciliation for me and the other ministers in Latin America. Mr. Luker’s letter of November 11th to all the Latin American ministers, in which he gives them an ultimatum, finally makes his intentions clear and reveals what the Council really thought of this entire process. That letter has nothing to do with what you, the President of the Church and the Council, had told me and had given me to believe would happen regarding Latin America. In fact, it goes completely against everything we supposedly agreed to during my visit to the home office on September 13-15 of this year.

During the last few months I have tried to honor and respect the letter of appeal that 168 ministers sent to the Council, requesting an opportunity for reconciliation with the ministers and members from Latin America. Their courageous and firm stand was important and significant and it has been constantly on my mind. And before God, with the support of the congregations I have the privilege of serving, we have been seeking a fair opportunity for everyone, but in the end it never came.

While it is true that Mr. Luker did not send that same letter to me, as part of the reconciliation process he and the Council demanded that I submit to Mr. Mario Seiglie and speak with him to resolve the situation. I suddenly find myself in the same situation as on June 23rd of this year when the Council, against all sensible judgment, wisdom, and every ethical principle, sent him as their representative in order to set things straight. The fruit of that decision is plain to see: the Work that God has carried out in Latin America through the United Church of God these past 15 years has been divided and splintered; there is chaos and confusion.

I have great satisfaction before God of having fought with the armor of light. Today I finally know that no process of reconciliation is possible because there is no desire on the part of the Council and the administration for that to occur.

It causes me great pain to have to resign as a minister of the United Church of God. Fifteen years ago it looked like a refuge, a place of peace, a remnant of the Church of God, the “pillar and ground of the truth,” in the midst of the tremendous chaos that existed at that time.
I know for certain that God will have mercy on his people, on the small and the humble, and that he will provide a place where we will be able to “worship him in spirit and in truth.” I hope that he will soon hear our cry and intervene on behalf of his people.

Sincerely,

Eduardo Hernández

The Thanksgiving Dilemma of Armstrongism

 

American Thanksgiving is fast approaching.  A day filled with cool crisp temperatures (usually), football, turkey, stuffing, and other gastronomic wonders.  A day filled with thanks for things seen and unseen and for blessings immeasurable.

It is also a time for certain COG splinter groups to start their anti-Thanksgiving messages which quickly lead to tirades against Christmas and New Years.

Several COGlet splinter cults write all kinds of stupidity about the day.

The Obedient Church of God states:

All the other COGS (Churches of God) have wandered out of the ways of God into the spiritual wilderness of: Darkness, confusion, and the adoption of Pagan ways, including the settler's Corn God Festival, cloaked under the name of thanksgiving. It is the "same" trap of Pagan ways that the original Israelites fell back into, via adding practices to God's Bible, which is exactly what all the COGS including TPM have done.

Some who have left the COG and still hold to Armstrongite mind-speak and have aligned with Messianic Judaism believe this guy:

Why do we need another fall harvest Festival?! God has given us Sucote (Lev. 23:33-44). It seems apparent that to keep Sucote, and then to keep, only 30 or so days later, another harvest day of thanks to God, is not only repetitious but very strange. Thanksgiving Day is an outright copy of Sucote. The Counterfeiter has struck again! Did you ever wonder why the majority of God's People don't keep the days He has designated as holy? The majority are deceived by Satan. The majority also keep Thanksgiving Day. For those of us whom He has called out of Babylon, this ought to be cause for concern. Seed of Abraham

Why is Armstrongism filled with such grumpy sad little people? They are not happy about anything.

COG/Armstrongism Stories Currently on the Web (Updated)

Some news stories floating around on the web that may interest some.

The first is about Billy Graham, a story about the interview with The Plain Truth.  The Plain Truth magazine is no longer associated with WCG /Grace Communion International.  It is an independent spin off run by Greg Albrecht.    One interesting side note is that one of Billy Grahams sons is married to a former WCG Pasadena HQ employee.  I imagine Herb is spinning in his grace over that one!  

ASSIST MinistriesMONTREAT, NC (ANS) -- Back in 1997, I had been invited to a media event at his at Billy Graham’s mountaintop home in Montreat, North Carolina to write a cover story for Plain Truth magazine about Mr. Graham and also to ask him what it meant to be “born-again.”
This cover piece was to help re-launch the magazine, and that in itself was quite an historic event as Plain Truth had once been a publication arm of Herbert W. Armstrong and had at the time just became the first “cult” in history to change to an Evangelical theology and had even joined the Evangelical Press Association (EPA). 

Billy Graham story in Plain Truth

Armstrong, who also founded the Radio Church of God (later renamed the Worldwide Church of God), Ambassador College and The World Tomorrow radio and television programs, had originally called the magazine The Plain Truth, and following his death in 1986, it ceased publication by the Worldwide Church of God and began as publication by the non-denominational Plain Truth Ministries (www.ptm.org).
The new Plain Truth was to have radically different editorial content, and mainstream Christian teaching, featuring a variety of Christian authors.
Before the media event began, Mr. Graham had kindly shown a group of us around his modest home and I marveled at how humble it was. Here was a man who was a world figure living in this simple log cabin with his wife Ruth, who has since passed on.

Dan Wooding meets with Billy and Ruth Graham after the interview at their home

Then, about 50 of us journalists, gathered in the back yard, and Billy took his seat on the porch and began taking questions under the supervision of his long-time media man, A. Larry Ross.So now, as Billy Graham has recently celebrated his 92nd birthday on Sunday, November 7, 2010, I thought it was time to re-run the story, with a few light edits to bring it up to date.
So here it is as it appeared in Plain Truth in their 1997 March/April edition:


Read the rest of the story here:  Just As I Am

From Here & Back Again: The World is Ending in 2012 … or is it?

By Jim Coufal

There have been many predictions of the end of the world; they have all been wrong. But they do provide both humor and pathos and the opportunity to reflect on human nature. These include prophesies/predictions of the end of the world, Armageddon, the rapture, the coming of a messiah, the second coming of a messiah and other such world-ending events.

In America today, perhaps the most thought-provoking prediction is that of Jesus, who said, “Verily, I say unto you, there be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom” (Matt. 16:28).

This implies Jesus’s second coming during the Apostles’ lifetime, and they expected it. It did not happen.

Yet there are those today who believe the Bible is the literal, unerring word of God.

John Wesley, founder of the Methodist Church, foresaw the millennium beginning in 1836. It didn’t happen.

One missed millennium date leads to another.

William Miller, leader of the “Millerite Movement,” predicted the return of Jesus sometimes between March 21, 1843, and March 21, 1844, allowing himself a little wriggle room. Wriggle or no, it didn’t happen.

But Miller had gathered thousands of devotees, and when Jesus failed to show, the cult experienced a crisis of faith and began reinterpreting the prophecy and aggressively proselytizing. An offshoot became the Seventh Day Adventists of today. Perhaps it would be fair to call our major religions “cults” – grown large and powerful.

Skipping plenty of other prophecies and moving ahead to times in which many of us have lived, Herbert W. Armstrong of the Worldwide Church of God told his followers that the...Read the rest of the story here: From Here Back Again. The World is Ending in 2012

The Grace of Our Lord Jesus Christ – His True Grace, Not the Watered Down Religious Version!

Image : http://www.flickr.com

I was a member of a legalistic cult, known as The Worldwide Church of God, for seven years, where the ministers behaved like Pharisees and regularly laid guilt upon us through Old Covenant teaching i.e. trying to get us to keep the Old Covenant Law under our own strength. We, the congregation, were as those described in Galatians1:6 (foolish Galatians) only most of us, in all fairness, had never heard the original true message of grace in the first place. In defence of the cult, what I will say is that we learned Old Testament scriptures very thoroughly indeed, which in itself, as a study, was not a bad thing. I will also add at this juncture that cults do not have a monopoly in legalism – they are not the only grace killers, but I have digressed somewhat – just a little about my background.

Entire article is here: The Grace of Our Lord Jesus Christ

Ron Weinland continues to make a jackass of himself.  The God Discussion is discussing him now.

Worldwide Church of God Offshoot: Jesus Is Returning on May 27, 2012, Mockers Are Issued a Stern Warning

Filed under Interesting Stuff25 comments

The Worldwide Church of God, once led by the late Herbert W. Armstrong, was considered by many to be a cult.   It allegedly had over 140,000 members in its prime.   The church changed its doctrines after the 1986 death of Armstrong, which led to numerous people leaving the church and the formation of various "splinter churches."   The Worldwide Church of God  changed its name to Grace Communion International, probably a move to cut its ties to its cult reputation and the dozens of Armstrong splinter groups.  The new organization is not considered to be a cult, but more in line with mainstream Christianity.

Although Armstrong has been dead for over 20 years,   those familiar with his church are still passionate about his influence.   Some staunchly cling to his teachings; others feel abused, disillusioned and/or angry.   Various websites and blogs continue to provide news and support for former members.

The various splinter churches that rose from the ashes of the old version of the Worldwide Church of God each appear to be proclaiming to be "the one true church" and true champions of Armstrongism.  They are strict Friday  sunset to Saturday sunset Sabbath keepers.  They continue to follow the "holy days" set forth in the Old Testament.  They follow Armstrong's teachings about the Trinity, dietary laws, tithing and other subjects, including a belief in "the tribulation" and end times.  Read the rest of the story and comments here:  Worldwide Church of God Offshoot: Jesus is Returning on May 27 2012

Unique Book Of Inspirational Sermons Now Available Through Christian Archives

NILES, Michigan -- Christian Archives (www.christianarchives.org) has debuted Inspirations Volume One, a book of sermons for everyday living.

The collectible book contains more than 20 inspirational sermons, each hand-picked from submissions from pastors and religious leaders world-wide. Mark Batterson, National Community Church; Cardinal Justin Rigali, Archbishop of Philadelphia; Dr. Johnny Hunt, Southern Baptist Convention; Dr. William H Willimon, Grace Communion International; and Doug Batchelor, Amazing Facts Ministries are just a few of the notable contributors to this publication.

Proceeds from the book will go to Christian charities and continue to support the goals at Christian Archives.  

“We hope this collection provides comfort and inspiration to readers,” explains Brian Callahan, co-founder of Christian Archives. “We worked with members of the religious community to create a book that will be well-read by Christians everywhere.”

Christian Archives has been providing churches with an easy-to-use online platform for storing and serving sermon files and other content to their membership and the online Christian community. Since the demand for sermons online has been growing and inspiring.

Rest of article here:  Sermons

Smackdown 2010: Leon Walker vs Mario Seiglie

Letter from Leon Walker regarding UCG accusations:

11-19-10
Hello everyone,

As you know, Denny Luker sent a letter to the Spanish ministry still credentialed by UCG demanding that they choose between him or me—as though that was the issue. The letter contains many errors regarding this issue—including the concept that I have formed a group in competition with UCG. This is totally false. I have not formed any new group. I have visited with and spoken only before United Church of God congregations in Latin America, pastored by ministers still credentialed by UCG. However, Mario Seiglie has traveled to Latin America and formed groups in competition to the UCG congregations—contrary to the UCG Rules of Association.

This morning Mario began a telephone campaign calling the Spanish ministry and asking what they plan to do regarding Mr. Luker’s letter. Mario attempted to intimidate them by stating that if they reject the Council of Elders they are rejecting the government of God. How arrogant! Did Mario believe that when he rejected the WCG Pastor General in 1995 that he was rejecting the government of God? Rejection of a system that has gone astray from God is not rejection of the government of God. Mario even attempted to intimidate one minister by implying that his rejection of Mr. Luker will send him into the Great Tribulation.

However, the ministry in Latin America will not be intimidated by such bullying.

Warmest regards,

Leon Walker

Woe To The Shepherds Destroying My Sheep

I found it very interesting that today's Lectionary reading for the last Sunday before Advent (Feast of Christ the King) was scriptures directed towards deviate ministers, particularly in light of the deviate behavior of the Philadelphia Church of God that has been exposed in the last few days and in the ongoing collapse of United Church of God.

Today reading is from Jeremiah 23:1-6

Jeremiah 23:1-6 (New International Version)

The Righteous Branch

 ¹ “Woe to the shepherds who are destroying and scattering the sheep of my pasture!” declares the LORD. ²³ “I myself will gather the remnant of my flock out of all the countries where I have driven them and will bring them back to their pasture, where they will be fruitful and increase in number. ⁴ I will place shepherds over them who will tend them, and they will no longer be afraid or terrified, nor will any be missing,” declares the LORD.  ⁵ “The days are coming,” declares the LORD,
   “when I will raise up for David^[a] a righteous Branch,
a King who will reign wisely
   and do what is just and right in the land.
⁶ In his days Judah will be saved
   and Israel will live in safety.
This is the name by which he will be called:
   The LORD Our Righteous Savior.

Jeremiah 23:1-6 (The Message)

Jeremiah 23

An Authentic David-Branch

 ^1-4 "Doom to the shepherd-leaders who butcher and scatter my sheep!" God's Decree. "So here is what I, God, Israel's God, say to the shepherd-leaders who misled my people: 'You've scattered my sheep. You've driven them off. You haven't kept your eye on them. Well, let me tell you, I'm keeping my eye on you, keeping track of your criminal behavior. I'll take over and gather what's left of my sheep, gather them in from all the lands where I've driven them. I'll bring them back where they belong, and they'll recover and flourish. I'll set shepherd-leaders over them who will take good care of them. They won't live in fear or panic anymore. All the lost sheep rounded up!' God's Decree."  ^5-6"Time's coming"—God's Decree—
   "when I'll establish a truly righteous David-Branch,
A ruler who knows how to rule justly.
   He'll make sure of justice and keep people united.
In his time Judah will be secure again
   and Israel will live in safety.
This is the name they'll give him:
   'God-Who-Puts-Everything-Right.'

These are pretty damning words directed at

The Message Bible version is rather plain in what God is going to do to these men and all other fools like them:

"Well, let me tell you, I'm keeping my eye on you, keeping track of your criminal behavior. I'll take over and gather what's left of my sheep, gather them in from all the lands where I've driven them. I'll bring them back where they belong, and they'll recover and flourish"

The lost and damaged sheep will be gathered in and made safe.  They will have time to recover, heal and flourish without any ministurd of Armstrongism running their lives any more.

They will be like the frolicking calves in last weeks Lectionary reading. Malachi 3: 19-20.  Anyone who has ever seen calves running out of a barn into a wide open field will see them jumping and kicking in pure bliss.

See, the day is coming, burning like an oven, when all the arrogant and all evildoers will be stubble; the day that comes shall burn them up, says the Lord of hosts, so that it will leave them neither root nor branch. ²But for you who revere my name the sun of righteousness shall rise, with healing in its wings. You shall go out leaping like calves from the stall.

Great will be the day in the future when no Armstrongite ministurd will be around to influence and destroy peoples lives!

I will be a time like what is described in Adrian Plass's book and CD, "City of Gold".

When I'm in heaven
Tell me there'll be peace at last.
That in some meadow filled with sunshine
Filled with buttercups and filled with friends
You'll chew a straw and fill us in on how things really are...

That is the hope of things to come.  Sitting in conversation with a God who sits down with us and tells us how "things really are",  The pure bliss of frolicking calves and baby sheep.