Rod Meredith has sent out a "special" letter to his faithful detailing the horrendous down-spiral of civilization, as only he can, and to announce the imminent appointment of Gerald Weston. With the raid declining heath of Meredith and Ames, it is important to get Weston into position to lead the church.
Greetings from Charlotte, NC! Because of quickly moving prophetic events, and because of the appointment of Mr. Gerald Weston as soon coming President of this Work, I want to write all of you this special letter.
We are living in truly exciting times! As I write this, we have just experienced “Brexit!” As far back as the 1940s, Mr. Herbert Armstrong predicted that the coming European Empire would not contain Great Britain in its final form. He knew—based on God’s Word—that the British and American peoples would be separate from any revival of the Roman Empire and would, in fact, be the object of their invasion and punishment later on, as God is using certain nations to punish other nations as He has always done.
Now, continuing prophetic events seem to be speeding up. We have just witnessed the horror of 49 people murdered in the Orlando, Florida “massacre.” Another 45 people have been killed in a terrorist attack in Istanbul, Turkey. Other events will have happened along this line even by the time you read this.
Since “Brexit,” the European insiders are already planning for a “European Superstate,” as reported in The Sun newspaper in Britain:Then after breathlessly reporting on Brexit, Meredith gets to this:
My friends, it now looks like the actual beginning of what will eventually be the “Beast” of Revelation may occur very soon! We, in this Work, are the continuation of the Work Jesus Christ used Herbert W. Armstrong to begin. As many of you know, I am the only one of the early leaders of that Work still ministering and serving actively in God’s Work.That big old beast that Meredith has been spouting off about for decades is about to arise and slaughter the true white nations of the US, Canada, England, Australia and New Zealand.
Meredith also has to try and impress his members that he is the last original big wig from the foundation of the college and church in the 40's. Given the horrendous track record of abuse, failed prophecies and bodies left piled up in his wake, I don't think this is something to be gloating over.
Meredith then make sit sound like he was the main instrument that HWA used to form the entire foundations of the church. It is through his mighty works that we are all here.
After graduation from Ambassador College in June, 1952, I fervently desired to assist him in doing the Work—and was used by Christ to help him start churches, lead baptizing tours, be designated as Deputy Chancellor of all three campuses of Ambassador College, serve as Second Vice-President of the entire Work for twelve years—write scores of articles for the Plain Truth and Good News magazines, teach more Ambassador College Bible classes than any other person, etc.He never mentions that Herbert Armstrong had to move him continually around because of his abusive treatment of members and students He also fails to mention that Armstrong removed him from his positions and exiled him at least two times. Meredith has been sent out to pasture more than any other COG leader ever has been. Other than Garner Ted, no Church of God minister has been more scandal prone.
Meredith then makes an appalling statement that everyone knows to be entirely false. The families of his slaughtered Milwaukee members, the family and friends of members who have committed suicide those families ripped apart because he ordered them to divorce, Leona McNair, the Scarborough's, these all know what a lie this is:
After Worldwide came apart and it became generally apparent that they were not going to get “back on the track,” Christ used me to raise up the Global and now Living Church of God. We have tried to carry on Mr. Armstrong’s work in a loving and positive way—not crucifying people in the way we conducted the Work, or breaking up families, as some others have done. This Work is growing in a consistent manner and we will soon, no doubt, explode on the world scene as our power increases.In spite of all the goodness he has done, and due to the fact his health is rapidly declining he needed to appointed "younger meat" into a leadership position. So he appointed Gerald Weston. After giving a glowing report about the most wondrous man to ever grace the portals of the Living Church of God, Meredith ends with this. Weston is the most "scandal free
Dear brethren, Mr. and Mrs. Gerald Weston have served faithfully and very capably in Christ’s Work for over 47 years. In all those years, there has been consistent productivity, integrity, loyalty and accomplishment. They have never had any “scandal” or anything approaching that in the fine service they have given Christ and His people full-time in Christ’s Work at the end of this age. So, after much prayer and study, I have felt strongly led by Christ to make Mr. Weston the President and administrative leader of the Work of God at this time. I hope all of you will be praying fervently for him and his wife. Many challenges are coming and will come. Satan the devil will “go after” them in every way he can. So I will appreciate, personally, your thoughts, your loyalty, your encouragement and, again, your fervent prayers for Mr. and Mrs. Weston in their new responsibilities. And I want to thank all of you, once again, for being so loyal and encouraging to me throughout the 64 years, full-time, that I have served in God’s Work. May God guide all of us to continue on faithfully and truly prepare for God’s Kingdom in every way we can.Stories about Weston's abuse have been around for decades. Now that they will come to light it will be a direct assault by Satan upon the man. Again, Satan is the most powerful dude the LCG seems to follow.
You can read the entire letter here.
When Global got started, Weston was the pastor in Kansas City, where dozens of members of the Scarborough family attended the new church. Relations between Weston and the Scarboroughs were tense. Sheryl Meredith was best friends with clan matriarch Pat Scarborough, and Weston was bitter that his authority in Kansas City was constantly challenged by the Merediths from Charlotte. Eventually it got so bad that Weston was exiled to oversee the churches in Canada. With Weston coming to Charlotte, expect further hostility against the Scarboroughs and their friends.
ReplyDeleteRod said that he wrote scores of church articles. It's rampant in American culture to have ghost writers, with some leader taking all the credit. Which is why celebrities in many fields, come out like clockwork with 'their' new book. It's obvious since it takes any person several years to research all the subject matter in a given book. I know this from personal experience. In fact many popular blogs have several 'research assistants.' Even Herbies 'Mystery of the ages' was written by several ministers. Herbie said that he didn't feel that he wrote the book. He was right about that.
ReplyDeleteWeston is no "spring chicken" either, and is 71 years old. His reign thus, will not last long, and may end up being transitional until a Meredith namesake heir is groomed.
ReplyDeleteMaybe with RCM stepping out of the way, Dave Pack could rejoin with LCG. With all the "common" money a great work could be done if these two organizations were to join together. After all there is only 3- 5 years to go!
ReplyDeleteHaving personal experience with GW on this, the ironic thing that RCM doesn't know or acknowledge, is GW wasn't ready to leave WCG until the associate in KC forced his hand. He also was waiting to see what would happen with the forming of United and that Global wasn't even an option, until 2 weeks prior to him leaving WCG.
ReplyDeleteDavid Pack, who at the time was the Global wonder boy with all his 30 Reason write-ups, came to KC, spoke with GW and set up a meeting with RCM in Arizona. Without asking those who had left WCG, what options might there be to go with, GW went to this meeting, told RCM he would bring 200+ members ($$$$) with him and then came back to KC and got up in front of those who had left and declared this was now a Global Church of God. This didn't set well with many, where most of the deacons and elders, did not go with GW and Global.
When RCM got in trouble with the money issue and putting his wife on the board,with Salyer and the rest of the Global board, GW was also one of those who mortgaged his home to help keep RCM afloat, while Living got on it's feet. This was probably the key moment when GW went higher on RCM's radar.
As far as the Scarborough's, GW never felt the patriarch, Ralph, was one who could be trusted to completely toe the HQ line. What's ironic, is the Scarborough family probably gave more in time, money and resources to the KC congregation (and HQ) than anyone did (and no, I'm not a Scarborough :) ).
They also were extremely loyal to all things Global/Living, until Living started changing HWA doctrines. That is where they probably have brought much criticism upon themselves, in their iron clad loyalty to any and all that HWA ever said or taught.
RCM did send his younger kids to KC to see if GW could straighten them out, but GW often voiced his opinion on what exactly could he do with their out of control actions and basically not lose his credibility with RCM? Not sure how it transpired after this, but my guess it must have passed muster with RCM.
When GW came to KC, his first sermon set the tone, where he stated, in essence, there was a new sheriff in town who was not taking guff from anyone and he started by totally alienating all the parents of YOU aged kids.
GW was also asked often to go to SEP back in his WCG days, so somehow he became an "expert" on how to raise kids, even though he's never had any of his own. Probably half or more of the kids, at least, left the church under his time in KC, so the proof of his heavy handedness in this alone, reveals his iron fisted approach that is so tantalizing to RCM.
Word from within LCG says that a 3 way split may happen when RCM is out of the picture and that Winnail may have actually told the truth about the Scarborough's during his deposition, so if that is true, it makes you wonder what will happen to/with him. Rumor says he has ties to United, but who knows? There is also some who feel that some will break off and go with COGWA and the rest will stay with LCG/GW.
As far as GW being scandal free, I guess the definition must start with absolute loyalty first and damn those pesky details of tyranny and abuse that many can attest to.
Meredith is obviously attempting to shore up the troops in the face of the Scarborough lawsuit, a lawsuit which will most likely sap LCG's energy and cripple any great work which they could possibly do.
ReplyDeleteThere really isn't any person in any of the so-called splinter groups who has been noteworthy or prominent in the news for gospel-related matters. None of them has captured the public's attention in any meaningful way. The ACOG leaders each seem to dramatize their own prominence when differentiating themselves competitively from the other groups, and some of the little guys bemoan the fact that nobody seems to be paying any attention to them or offering any financial support.
Because their behavior and past experience with prophecy has rendered them as not credible, there is no way that God could use any of the Armstrong groups to sound a warning to the world if these were indeed the end times. He'd need to raise up someone who was uncontaminated, and had not falsely cried "wolf" in the past. And, "Laodicean", though convenient, does not begin to explain away the failures and historical behavior of these groups. It's just a nasty name they call one another, or a justification for continuing to believe that a decadent movement was even of God in the first place.
Maybe if Rush Limbaugh converted to Churchofgoddianism, which ever ACOG he joined would have a ghost of a chance of rising into prominence, and warning the world. Short of that, watch for these groups to continue to reside in the doldrums, with many of the problems which afflicted Karl Beyersdorfer affecting all of the church members who had actually believed that their churches were destined to do something great.
BB
In all of my years with LCG I have never heard one positive comment about Weston. Tyrant and bully seems to be the most common descriptor. The commenter above is entirely correct on how he treated the Scarborough's. He is a nasty man.
ReplyDeleteWhat I have never understood is how one can consistently maintain the demeanor and behavior of an asshole over the span of one's entire lifetime. That requires considerable determination, as well as the repudiation of incoming data. Life's experiences, and interaction with fellow humans normally round off all of the sharp corners and rough edges.
ReplyDeleteI've recently learned that if one exists in a closed culture of assholes, where becoming an asshole is held up as the ideal, then it becomes a way of life, almost the path of least resistance. This dawned on me earlier in the week when I read the piece about Gerald Flurry forcing his members to be confrontational in all things. He may teach this overtly, but all the others teach it as well, although some do it subliminally.
Denis Leary did a comedy song called "I'm an Asshole" in the early '90s. That should be the theme song for the Armstrong ministry! Such an easy and natural fit, and it explains all things ACOG!
BB
Funny how things work out, the trial this week. So on Saturday, will the discussion be about the trial or the new president. President in name only, as rod's still in charge. Will he have to check with rod on any changes?
ReplyDeleteJust a few though's.
Every church area he has served in he has led most of the youth eventually leaving the church.
ReplyDeleteNot sure about this, but Bob Thiel's website indicated that it looked like the arbitration was being pushed back to September.
ReplyDeleteBob your last comment is spot on. I have had the exact same thoughts. It baffles me that people continue to lie for Meredith and cover up for him decade after decade. He has been awful since the beginning. I get it if you are an LCG member in another country or in a congregation other than Charlotte. What I fail to understand is people at LCG HQ's can go on after they know the truth. Sure there are other assholes at HQ's that are unconverted and just want more power so they puff RCM us. But there are also good people there. I don't understand how those good people can tow the line knowing what they know.
ReplyDelete"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing." - Edmund Burke
Rod Meredith, speaking of prophetic events wrote: "...Because of quickly moving prophetic events, and because of the appointment of Mr. Gerald Weston as soon coming President of this Work, I want to write all of you this special letter...Now, continuing prophetic events seem to be speeding up..."
ReplyDeleteRod has told us about prophetic events speeding up for decade. What does Rod think? Are they finally going at the speed of sound? At the speed of light? He is always so vague about them prophetic events. Rod's words about speeding up prophetic events cannot be believed, as most, if not all of us, know by now.
Rod continues, "...My friends, it now looks like the actual beginning of what will eventually be the “Beast” of Revelation may occur very soon!..."
Who is the beast? Where is this beast? Rod does not know, but it "may occur very soon," so Rod tells us. Why say that? Why tell us that? Rod cannot identify the beast. Why bring up something Rod knows nothing about.
Two verses identify the Beast:
Revelation 13:1 "And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy."
There it is! The beast has 7 heads and 10 horns, so who is the Beast? What/who else has 7 heads and 10 horns?
Revelation 12:3 "And there appeared another wonder in heaven; and behold a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads."
Some red dragon! Does one need to go further to identify the Beast? Look up Revelation 12:9. Many of us have that verse memorized.
The Bible also identifies the Beast with 7 heads in Revelation 17.
Revelation 17:8 The beast that thou sawest was, and is not; and shall ascend out of the bottomless pit, and go into perdition: and they that dwell on the earth shall wonder, whose names were not written in the book of life from the foundation of the world, when they behold the beast that was, and is not, and yet is.
9 And here is the mind which hath wisdom. The seven heads are seven mountains, on which the woman sitteth.
10 And there are seven kings: five are fallen, and one is, and the other is not yet come; and when he cometh, he must continue a short space.
The "one is" that existed when John was inspired to write verse 10 was the 6th head, the Roman Empire. Rod probably still believe that old college "beast chart" that was widely distributed in the WCG, but it is in error. Rod and Doug Winnail need to revise their theories on the Beast.
The 7th head, Gog, will not occur until Satan comes out of that bottomless pit, and not BEFORE Rod's Mickey Mouse Millennium. That event won't be sped up for Rod or anyone!
To be con't...
John
Continuing...
ReplyDeleteRod goes on to write: "...We, in this Work, are the continuation of the Work Jesus Christ used Herbert W. Armstrong to begin..."
No, Rod's Global, and/or Living, groups were not the continuation. Rod was never chosen, because Joe Tkach Senior was chosen to continue on...not doing the work of HWA, but a different work, which led to the establishing of Laodiceans. Some in Rod's group may be a part of the Laodiceans, but they did not continue the work Jesus Christ did through HWA, who completed the work given to him to do and then he died. Another work was done through Joe Tkach Senior, and when that was completed Joe died. Where did Rod fit in on any of that? Absolutely Joh 6:29 Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.owhere! Rod has exalted himSELF to a position God never put him in.
Finally, Rod tells us: "...As many of you know, I am the only one of the early leaders of that Work still ministering and serving actively in God’s Work..."
Who knows that? It's all in Rod's mind only. There is no way at this time that Rod can repent of that thought. There is none so blind as those who refuse to see.
What is God’s Work? What is the work of God? Jesus Christ told us this:
“Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.” John 6:29
And God is big enough to do His own work without any of Rod’s help. Besides, how does Rod know that he may have, by another spirit, been preaching to us about another gospel and another Jesus?
Why the big deal about Gerald Weston? How does Rod know that the Devil has any interest in the living group. Is it possible that Rod and his group may already be captured within one of Satan’s snares (2 Tim 2:26) with all of them prophetic event ideas that amount to nothing to brag about?
I conclude with one bit of advice that applies to people like Rod Meredith and Bob Thiel, and any others who boast about themSELVES and things they know nothing about:
"But now ye rejoice in your boastings: all such rejoicing is evil." James 4:16
That evil is present with Rod, just like it was with Paul:
“I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me.”
And Rod hasn’t sinned in awhile? Well, sin is within Rod, just like it was within Paul:
“Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.” Romans 7:17
“Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.”
These are part of some laws that actually are contrary to us and Rod is no exception!
John
"In all of my years with LCG I have never heard one positive comment about Weston. Tyrant and bully seems to be the most common descriptor."
ReplyDeleteWell, your mistake is in thinking that "tyrant" and "bully" are not positive comments. Armstrongism is Opposite-Land.
That Weston stayed with Meredith so long is itself the scandal.
ReplyDeleteWhile Weston and the Kansas City Scarborough's were not the best of friends, I think the Scarborough's in Charlotte (the ones with the lawsuit) were close to him. I seem to remember the Weston's staying at their house for years whenever they visited Charlotte. From all appearances, they seemed pretty chummy.
ReplyDeleteI wonder if Weston will try to make peace with them once he officially takes the reigns. His pride isn't involved so maybe he can see this like many of the rest of us see it and do the right thing.
"What I have never understood is how one can consistently maintain the demeanor and behavior of an asshole over the span of one's entire lifetime. That requires considerable determination.."
ReplyDeleteHey, just look at 'The Donald' !
If I recall, someone at AC once said that RCM would have made a great Nazi. Do you think that he models himself after Reinhard Heydrich?
ReplyDeleteReinhard Heydrich was nicknamed "The Blond Beast" by the Nazis, and "Hangman Heydrich" by others, Heydrich had insatiable greed for power and was a cold, calculating manipulator without human compassion who was the leading planner of Hitler's Final Solution in which the Nazis attempted to exterminate the entire Jewish population of Europe.
ReplyDeleteAre you old enough to remember the quiz show, TO TELL THE TRUTH? Three people all claimed to be the same person and the panelists had to decide who was telling the truth. "My name is Reinhard Heydrich" . . . . "My name is Reinhard Heydrich" . . . At the end of the show the announcer says, "Don't forget to tell the truth." Yeah, right.
I disagree. Heydrich, for all of his atrocities, was quite competent and effective at what he set out to do. Meredith strikes me as more in the archetype of Hermann Göring. Blustering, decadent, petty and coasting on glory days long behind him.
ReplyDeleteI believe RCM to be a Pope Benedict like figure.. A remenant of a much more popular regime, sticking to its hardline tenants. I wish a liberal would take the reins but they're mostly in UCG.
ReplyDelete