Most LCG members know nothing about this because LCG doesn't bother to tell them.
As we keep the Holy Days, many from the Charlotte office have been travelling, including Dr. Meredith to Houston, Mr. and Mrs. Ames to Michigan and Ohio, and Dr. Winnail to Northern California. All told, we are blessed to have 238 ministers conducting Holy Day services for 375 congregations spanning the globe! Rod McNairWhile LCG members seek to understand what REALLY is going on, this has also created disconcerting speculation in UCG. COGWA is made up of huge break-off of ministers and members from UCG who because disgusted by the shenanigans that Vic Kubik, Webber and others were pulling. Now for these former brethren to be saddling up beside Rod Meredith as a slap in the face to the most perfect Church of God this side of Wadsworth.
Many in LCG think Meredith is trying to do all he can to forestall a major split in LCG once he dies. LCG members can's stand this son who was at one time was the heir apparent but who has now turned out to be a bumbling money squandering dolt. LCG members are not fans of Richard Ames or Gerald Weston. Many see Ames as getting old and senile like Meredith while others see Weston as perched and waiting to usher in a hardline stance that makes Meredith's legalism pale in comparison. LCG members have chaffed under this abuse for two decades and they won't put up with it much longer. With membership and income in decline, a unification with COGWA may just be the lipstick the pig needs for a couple of years.
35 comments:
In the last issue of LCG's Living Church News Gerald Weston cited some person as saying there were only five sexually transmitted diseases around back in the 1950s. Astoundingly he seems to have believed this bizarre claim.
"... a prominent lecturer on the dangers of sex outside of marriage, points out that in the 1950’s there were just five common sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Today, there are more than 30, and 30 percent of them are incurable. They will be your companions for the remainder of your life!" (Gerald Weston, Christian Courtship, Living Church News, May-June 2016, p. 13.)
Is there any real or actual evidence that proves that Roderick C. Meredith met with leaders from Church of God a Worldwide Association (COGWA) while he was visiting in Houston, Texas during the Passover/Feast of Unleavened Bread (April 21 - April 29)? Did his son-in-law, Richard Stafford who is the Pastor in Houston and any of the leadership of the Houston congregation accompany Mr. Meredith to said meeting? Is there any information about what was discussed during this alleged meeting?
Congregants here in Houston (and elsewhere) want to know.
One not to be openly admitted hurdle for all the leadership in the splits, (UCG, LCG,PCG) splinters (COGWA) and slivers (RCG), and the most sure of all, is that ALL the current and future leadership as well as all of the membership will grow old and die before any Wonderful World Tomorrow changes them in twinkles and blinks. The great motivator of "soon" and "3-5 years, 10 at the most...no more than 15...20 tops" will be soon turning into leadership switching over to "I fought a good fight, ...bye by now" to be followed by the next in charge telling the brethren "the last thing Mr_________ said to me was "fellows...finish the work"
Boy, wouldn't Dave Pack go nuts if everyone rejoined up together leaving him out to dry? LOL. Prophecy gone badly!
The other day returning home from a bike ride along the Columbia River in North Portland I accidentally crossed Klikitat Street where HWA lived in the 20's as a "failed businessman" The street n homes reminded me of smaller versions of the homes in and around the AC campus. I looked up the specific address but that number does not exist so not sure which home was his where Richard was born. Ted was born on another steet and home a bit to the east. Somehow it was another small piece of closure.
All of the bombastic and fantastic pronouncements about how it all will be and what God is doing, along with all that HWA made the Bible to mean that it never meant simply was not true. So it will prove with those who insist on holding on to it.
"LCG members have chaffed under this abuse for two decades and they won't put up with it much longer."
Once you allow abuse in a relationship the likelihood that it will ever stop is almost nonexistent. Even if you individually sever ties the abuse will continue to someone else. Armstrongism is abuse point blank. If LCG members really are to the point of "not putting up with it any longer" I suggest they look elsewhere because that abuse train ain't stopping any time soon.
LCG merging with COGWA would certainly make more sense than LCG merging with UCG.
Might be a good fit.
Has Jelly weighed in on this? I wonder if Jelly's jellous.
New acronym when the merger is completed will be.... CLOGWAD !
There are many (dozens in fact) You Tube videos warning of a world wide economic collapse. Some are saying that it will be the worst in recorded history. I suggest people have a listen. Just because salesman Herbie repeatedly lied about the end being around the corner, doesn't mean that something big isn't on the horizon. I keep thanking God that I have lived my life in the 'good times.'
7.16AM. Well put.
Anonymous,
Leave Jelly alone. Jelly has done nothing to harm you and yet you insist on wronging him and maligning his reputation.
He is a simple, sweet, innocent puppet--a rare things in this evil world today--- so leave Jelly alone!
I recall when a brave YouTuber had to make a video ordering the masses to leave Britney alone too.
Now I join the fight against bullying and I say LEAVE JELLY ALONE!
Of course difficult times are around the corner. It does not follow that a "stronh arm from somewhere" will deliver the organized n true ones from it all and put them in charge ...
The economy and nature both track along upwards and downwards cycles. People make money on the upside, and others make money from the downside.
An economic downturn would be a really crappy reason to join an ACOG, because of their horrible record with prophecy, and because of their insensitive and cruel style if governance. From everything we know and have experienced, being part of an ACOG in times of bad trouble would just multiply the misery factor. There is no way that they are God's church, or you would see a consistent pattern of validation. Fulfilled prophecy on the timeline they presented, healings, financial blessings, happy families, and productive lives were all promised, but in most cases missing in action. They've been pretending long enough for us to have seen that that is all it is.
BB
But Jelly isn't a innocent Sesame Street muppet. Religion is involved and the writing in my view, is nowhere near Sesame Street quality.
They should make a muppet show using muppets of Herbie, his son Ted, RM, Elijah Bob, David Pack etc. The David Pack muppet would say 'Hi kiddies, break open your piggy bank and sent me the money. Also, remind your parents to take out a mortgage on the family home, and send me that money as well. Err, and send me your lunch money as well.'
But, I heard that the Teddy Church of God's "Peanut Butter" puppet wants to have kinky sex with Jelly, even though traditionally jelly is normally on top of peanut butter.
Dennis said, "Of course difficult times are around the corner. It does not follow that a "stronh arm from somewhere" will deliver the organized n true ones from it all and put them in charge ..."
MY COMMENT - Nor does it follow that "the strong arm from somewhere" will deliver the very Elect from the Great Tribulation taking the Philadelphians by wings of an eagle to Petra Place of Safety - for 3 years of training by listening to old Gerald Waterhouse recorded sermons preparing to rule this earth with a Rod Meredith of Iron along side with the soon coming Christ for 1,000 years.
Fantasy land delusional things we use to believe!
Richard
Anyone remember that Rod Meredith actually went to Oklahoma to meet with Flurry, early on?
Commented then that no matter what common ground they found, chances of finding a way of "working together" or "reuniting" or whatever grandiose description might be used, were ZERO . . . because disagreement was inevitable about Who Should Be At The Top.
Applies here, too.
The world has to know that Jelly still has his fans.
Jelly needs to know that he still has his fans.
Just know that.
And how fucking dare anyone make fun of Jelly, after all he's been through!
Those missing cows, with everybody blaming Jelly and his hillbilly buddies!
Leave..(sniff)...Jelly(sniff)...alone...(sniff)...already!
Jelly's Life Matters!
Richard
Aren't COGWA'S headquarters in Dallas? Houston and Dallas are nowhere near each other. I'm guessing he went to Houston to visit his daughter Elizabeth but who knows! You can't expect anyone in LCG to be honest or transparent that's for sure. The do tons of stuff in secret from the brethren and they've gotten away with it for years. That is what has allowed the corruption and abuse of power to grow to the completely out of control point it's at currently.
Larry Salyer is Pastor of the Houston South congregation of the Church of God a Worldwide Association (COGWA). Richard Stafford ("Rick") is Pastor for Texas congregations in Houston, Austin, Temple, Corpus Christi, San Antonio, and Edinburg as well as Regional Pastor for the Caribbean.
According to the websites listed below it seems to appear that Larry Salyer was involved and responsible for the downfall of the Global Church of God (GCG). Afterwards he formed the Church of God a Christian Fellowship (CGCF). Rick Stafford was working as a one of six corporate directors who were serving as the spiritual & operations decision making body with Raymond McNair & Larry Salyer in the Church of God a Christian Fellowship (CGCF). It also seems that Salyer, McNair and Stafford were involved and responsible for the downfall of Church of God a Christian Fellowship (CGCF) which then lead to a merger with the United Church of God (UCG). Lastly, it appears that Salyer was involved and responsible for the schism that occurred in the United Church of God (UCG) that produced the formation of Church of God a Worldwide Association (COGWA). Had UCG not fired Salyer, he may have brought about the downfall of that organization as well.
http://www.cesnur.org/testi/Journal.htm
http://www.hwarmstrong.com/email_018.htm
http://coe.ucg.org/council-report/council-elders-meeting-tyler-texas-2000-12-06
http://www.sabbathcog.org/081509.htm
http://ejm.tripod.com/global_gone.htm
http://archive.ucg.org/news/council-member-profile-larry-salyer/
https://groups.google.com/forum/#!topic/alt.religion.w-w-church-god/4XBriRBY6aA
http://www.eternalgod.org/lit/letters/Resignation.html
http://www.cogwriter.com/news/cog-news/ucg-crisis-and-larry-salyer/
Profiles:
• Mr. Roderick C. Meredith (born 1930): Ambassador College, class of 1952; Ordained by Herbert W. Armstrong on December 20, 1952; disfellowshipped by Joseph W. Tkach and Joseph Tkach, Jr. following heated exchange in December 1992; founded the Global Church of God and later the Living Church of God; In terms of seniority of ordination, regardless of current denominational affiliation, Dr. Meredith has the most longevity and seniority in terms of ordination.
• Mr. Larry Salyer: (was for a while associated with Roderick C. Meredith and the Global Church of God; and with the United Church of God, now with the Church of God Worldwide).
• Mr. Richard H. Stafford ("Rick"): Ambassador College class of 1967. Was for a while associated with Larry Salyer and the Church of God a Christian Fellowship and then with the United Church of God due to a merger between the two organizations. Stafford divorced his former wife and later married the daughter of Roderick C. Meredith (the former Elizabeth Meredith Martin) and is now a Pastor in the Living Church of God.
Many speculations could be formulated as to what could be happening between LCG and COGWA. No matter what they are doing, one thing is undeniably clear, and that is that Rod Meredith, Larry Salyer and Rick Stafford have a knack for destroying church congregations and church organizations.
If a merger occurs between the LCG and COGWA, it won’t take very long before Rod, Larry and Ricky decide to do something to tear down another organization. That seems to be the trend in their character and behavior.
Jelly simply can't touch this... One of my personal favorites!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qLa0ewGdWm4
Ronco
Meredith probably used his trip to Houston during the FUB to meet with GOGWA leaders, given the fact that both Salyer and Stafford both live in Houston. Maybe Meredith and Salyer are trying to work out their differences. I sense a merger, but as always they will say that it was just a friendly meeting to discuss sharing information blah blah blah
A comment was made during a round table discussion after services about 4 or 5 years ago. There were about 8 or so folks at the table with the discussion being about religion. I offered no comment for several minutes but eventually said this, “All religion is man made.” Immediately someone at the table responded with, “Except ours.” I again said nothing for several more minutes, then stood, leaned on the table and said, “Remember this, all religion is man made.” I then walked away from the table. The response, “Except ours,” is common to many religious organizations and subsets of those organizations, especially within the Churches of God. Each group may say they are the only “true church” which is recognized by God. They cannot all be correct. However, all may be incorrect if there is no such organization which neither now or ever has existed.
May 10, 2016 at 7:37 AM
Is that a parable?
Jelly is afraid of foreskins.
With my own ears I have heard Gerald Weston say that COGWA and UCG are "not churches of God". Seeing as he's taking over LCG in July, I am doubtful of a merger.
John Wayne Gacy!
Gerald Weston. Sieg Heil!
To Anon @ 11:45 AM
In my opinion, the Bible is largely parable, allegory, metaphor, and “dark sayings” (as identified in the OT). Not dark as in evil, but as hard or difficult or with hidden meanings like a parable. Even the NT uses the word allegory to describe an OT example we have been taught as a literal historical fact. I no longer accept the bible as literal history but as lessons to learn about us as individuals, not lessons to be dictated to by an organization.
Weston is Putin. Not Hitler.
I was just thinking. If these ministers regularly read here and know what is thought of them not only by ex-members, but also by their own people, it's kind of like actors in the theatre reading horribly negative reviews about themselves. It can set off a really negative spiral for them on a deeply personal level.
BB
Bob you are giving them too much credit as normal human beings. Rod Meredith, the McNair boys (Jonathon and Rod), Wyatt Ceiselka, Doug Winnail and many others in LCG are so far removed from reality that it would take more than a few smacks in the face to bring them into our dimension. I know all of them personally. They are much meaner, more sadistic, vindictive and power hungry than you can imagine.
I spent the majority of my life not in the church. I came in by marriage to a member. I can honestly say, that I have never met a meaner, less joyful, legalistic group of people in my entire life.
Your average "worldly" Christian has 1000 times more Christian character.
LCG is a legalistic cult filled with sheeple who are controlled by fear by the abusive men who lord over them.
I fairly certain our conscious should be clear of any concerns that our comments are going to set them "off a really negative spiral".
Wow, 4:33. My perspectives are usually based on experiences from the original WCG. It sounds from your description that conditions in LCG have become much worse than what we experienced in our era.
My concern is that these personal negative spirals would ultimately filter down to the church members and have an even worse effect on them. But, of course, I guess that could end up being a good thing if it caused members ro reinvestigate and rethink many of their positions.
Clear consciences are always the best ones.
Thanks.
BB
LCG is a sinking ship.
COGWA would be crazy to join them.
"A comment was made during a round table discussion after services about 4 or 5 years ago. There were about 8 or so folks at the table with the discussion being about religion. I offered no comment for several minutes but eventually said this, “All religion is man made.” Immediately someone at the table responded with, “Except ours.” I again said nothing for several more minutes, then stood, leaned on the table and said, “Remember this, all religion is man made.” I then walked away from the table. The response, “Except ours,” is common to many religious organizations and subsets of those organizations, especially within the Churches of God. Each group may say they are the only “true church” which is recognized by God. They cannot all be correct. However, all may be incorrect if there is no such organization which neither now or ever has existed."
This is the special pleading without which no religion would have survived the meeting of other cultures or civilizations. Everyone says "...Except ours," yet it can be true for no more than one. If something can be used to defend every incompatible religion, it can be used to defend none.
"The more I study religions the more I am convinced that man never worshipped anything but himself."
Sir Richard Francis Burton
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