Things are not rosy in the disUnited Church of God. What was once seen as Armstrongism's best hope, has turned into a ruptured and fragmented irrelevant sect with an expensive office building complex and an infrastructure it is struggling to support. The income level has dropped so dramatically that the new UCG Chairman, Robin Webber has sent out a pleading letter to the membership for more money. Typical of Armstrongism, this is another letter letting the membership know that they should be sending in extra money because UCG is the greatest thing on earth.
UCG members got to experience the Feast at official UCG sites around the world. These sites were funded, in part, by money from the Home Office. Ministers sent by HQ preached at these sites and the membership should not forget that! You experienced a great Feast because of UCG. Plus, since we are all one big happy family, you should be more than willing to open up your wallet.
Webber writes:
We have some very important matters to discus with you in this letter.
But first, we hope you had a very inspiring Feast of Tabernacles. As
you will see in the November United News, we had an encouraging increase
in attendance over last year. Many members commented to us about the
peace, unity, and harmony they experienced–and we are very thankful to
God for that.
This years Feast sermon video was titled,”Fitly Framed Together”. Our
vision mirrors God’s desire of a Church led by His Holy Spirit, joined
and knit together by what every member supplies, with all doing their
share,and growing in love to fulfill God’s great purpose for humanity–to
bring many children to glory (Eph. 4:16, Heb. 2:10)”
Now that Webber has the positive back patting comments done with it is time to get to the meat of the letter. Money!
But now we have a special request. As you may have heard, we
recently asked all employees and ministers to cut back expenses from
their already lean budgets. This was so we can continue to direct our
God-given resources to to proclaiming the gospel and serving you.
Please remember brethren, our ministers are sacrificing their lives for YOUR benefit and it is YOUR duty to support them! Our hard working employees are doing God's work in the world and they need your financial support too! We are working sooooooooo hard. Just look at us!
And that’s why today we’re asking you to make a special offering.
Since the unnecessary upheaval of a couple years ago we have been
tapping into our modest financial reserves to fund our gospel outreach,
provide congregational care, and sustain important Church programs like
our youth camps. The Churches income has been stable and we deeply
thank you for your continued commitment and dedication. But we must
find ways to cut expenses and raise income if we are to effectively
continue the work of God.
Brethren, because you are withholding money, we are going to have to eliminate the youth camps! It's all your fault. If you would only give more money we would not have to hurt the children. It will be on your shoulders when little Johnny is told that the summer camps have been done away with causing him to run off and join a gang.
The UCG membership are already funding the high lifestyles of the minister and Council of Elders. These are "kept" men. Men who have never worked an honest days worth of manual labor like the membership have been struggling within this economy. High food prices, high gas prices, sky rocketing utilities, rising health care costs, and a failed economy, have hit the general membership hard. The ministers not so much. They still make their full salaries. Not a single one has offer to take a large pay cut in order to save the summer camps.
If Webber and the rest of the Council want the members to step up to the plate then let the Council make the first move. Take large pay cuts! Reduce your income for the first time in your lives. Get a real job. Be MEN for once. When will the COG 99% stop funding the 1% in the hierarchy?