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Date: January 2, 2013
Dear Fellow Ministers around the world,
Greetings from Charlotte! God is continuing to bless the Work in so many ways—
including the fact that we had an approximately 11% increase in our income in 2012.
We are very thankful for this and all the growth in our TV coverage, the impact that our
Internet and the campaigns are providing, etc. And I am especially thankful for the
wonderful response and warmth and enthusiasm we had over the recent 20th
Anniversary celebration of the Church. We have much to be thankful for to start 2013.
My purpose in writing all of you ministers is to ask you to read carefully the attached
copy of the letter I sent to Dr. Thiel several days ago by email. This will give you a
reasonably thorough understanding of the problems he has had over the last few years.
So you will be able to answer the questions any of our brethren may have if they are
confused or disillusioned in any way by anything Dr. Thiel sends out or says.
However, Dr. Winnail and I both agree that it is best for you not to read this letter to the
congregation or share it in any public setting. It is actually better for Dr. Thiel—and the
Church as a whole—that he not receive “too much publicity.” Most people already
realize that he is often “over the top.” And has not been a reliable source of information
in many cases. Also, at least a few dozen people realize his dreams of grandeur and
the fact that he is fixated on the fact that he thinks that he is a “prophet.” So because of
the above situation, we do not plan to “publically” mark Dr. Thiel at this time. However,
if any of you hear of any of our people leaving to join Dr. Thiel or that they are greatly
affected by any of his attacks, please let us know.
Thank you, again, for all the work and loyalty you have shown in your individual
ministries. Let us all continue to pray for one another, for unity in the body of Christ, and
that God’s blessing on the Work may continue even greater in the secular year 2013.
May God be with and bless and protect you and your families.
With Christian love,
Roderick C. Meredith
12 comments:
Due to this getting out, I believe the "Marking" will be imminent. I wouldn't be surprised if other COG's will also "Mark" Thiel, since he appears to be very aggressive in growing his "Church" in every way possible.
For those who don't know, a public "mark" is a church-wide avoidance of all contact of an individual for an allegedly serious infraction or "threat" to the church by causing division, etc.
FWIIW, I found it interesting that Rod commented with: "...However,
if any of you hear of any of our people leaving to join Dr. Thiel or that they are greatly
affected by any of his attacks, please let us know..."
"Our people?" What is that? Does Rod own "our people?"
I thought those associated with God's Church were God's people.
"Our people?"
Perhaps the Living group are just that: "our people,"...Rod's living groups's people.
Well, maybe God's people, God's sheep, are elsewhere and Rod really is only dealing with "our people."
It'll be interesting to see how Bob Thiel speaks of those people/sheep that opt to follow him.
Time will tell....
John
Relax John, "our people" in context means LCG members who are also considered "God's People." It's just a way of saying "those that are members of LCG."
Bob will call his people, "the small remnant of the true church of God who like prophecy whether it is real or not."
In all honesty, Thiel is indeed dangerous.
I would say that his megalomania rivals Weinland.
Weinland did not fleece ex-COG as much as he did non-COG people with his huge internet campaign and self promotion to non former WCG members.
His recycling of $1 Million investment in Google Ads produced $4 Million into his personal honey pot. Again most of this from non COG types.
Thiel's following based on internet numbers , such as compete.com shows that he receives the bulk of his traffic from Non COG as well. Compete shows 60 thousand unique visitors a month to his drivel, and the entire Sabbatarian COG has no more than 25 thousand individuals, most of whom likely never go to his page.
I estimate that at least 80% of the traffic to Thiel, some 50 thousand individuals each month, are gullible , innocent , Non COG people , ripe for the fleecing.
Thiel, currently self supporting, will likely recycle donations to grow his base through internet advertising. Like Weinland, the claims will have to get bigger and crazier to maintain the following and to extract more allegiance, and subsequent more donations.
Im no Meredith fan, but in this case , he has treaded too lightly, and was downright patient. However, Thiel is dangerous and very much self deluded. My sympathies to anyone who gets caught up in his web.
Joe Moeller
Cody , WY
NEWS FLASH - THIEL ANNOUNCES FEAST OF TABERNACLES LOCATION AND WEBSITE FOR 2013!
Enjoy the facilities and fun activities for this years FOT at the Agnews Insane Asylum in beautiful Santa Clara California.
Conveniently located near our WORLD HEADQUARTERS in Arroyo Grande, CA , book now to reserve your "permanent room" now!
http://www.nps.gov/nr/travel/santaclara/agn.htm
Joe Moeller
Cody, WY
Refer to folks as "God's people" or "our people" - it still doesn't change the reality that in practical terms what it actually means is "our source of income." And the threat of THAT diminishing is a constant source of concern in any COG group.
To a great degree, it always was, still is, and always will be more about money than anything else.
It's sickening to see the fractured state of COGdom! If only Armstrong really knew the ultimate consequences his actions would bring to untold millions when he chose to listen to his wife and the dream she naively believed was inspired of God. How very much like Adam following Eve who naively thought the serpent's witness was untainted as well!
These men behind "COG Inc" act more like the "Jesuits" did throughout the Counter-Reformation via their double-handed tactics, word-smithing and manipulation of groups. Like others I've seen every possible angle and NONE of them are good for those still within these toxic, deficient and unbalanced organizations. FWIK these double-minded cults by their words and deeds resemble the traits of a harlot not a virgin bride. So my message to those still trapped within: GET OUT while you still can before it's too late! For some it might already be too late. But, only YOU can make that call!
Give us a break: Mark him already -- do what Scripture says to do.
He's causing division, you don't have a choice but to disfellowship him.
And while you're at it, since you've caused so much division, mark yourself.
Dr. Winnail and I both agree that it is best for you not to read this letter to the congregation or share it in any public setting. It is actually better for Dr. Thiel—and the Church as a whole—that he not receive “too much publicity.” Most people already realize that he is often “over the top.” And has not been a reliable source of information in many cases. Also, at least a few dozen people realize his dreams of grandeur and the fact that he is fixated on the fact that he thinks that he is a “prophet.” So because of the above situation, we do not plan to “publically” mark Dr. Thiel
That's odd of Meredith to say. Scripture says to mark those who cause division (Romans 16:17). It doesn't say, "Risk the souls of the brethren in order to play a publicity game against your opponent." Why won't Meredith simply do what Scripture says to do? Doesn't he trust his God? Is he more interested in something other than his God?
Thiel's visions of grandeur are rivaled only by the visions of grandeur of the entire COG world, including, obviously, some of the people who comment here as though any of it should be taken seriously.
Repeat after me: It should not.
Makes life a lot more worthwhile, it really does.
Also, at least a few dozen people realize his dreams of grandeur and the fact that he is fixated on the fact that he thinks that he is a “prophet.”
I would call that an understatement.
Meredith stabbed Bob in the back telling him he was a prophet and now wants people to think Bob is just a bit loony and fell on his own sword. Wake up simpletons.
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