United Church of God continues to have problems. Recently Malcom Murray told his congregation in Flint and Detroit that he was stepping down as a preaching elder a few weeks ago but would still be a pastor.
Malcom wrote on August 9:
I have not taken a leave of absence and am still a full time minister in the United Church of God. What I have done is taken a leave from speaking for a short while. I am still working in the ministry in every other capacity except speaking for this interval. Serving God’s people, God’s work and God’s purpose on this earth is still the focus of my wife Francie and I in every aspect of service that we are able to perform.
Apparently the Big Boys in Cincinnati did not take too kindly to that. He has been removed from his ministerial duties and replaced by Steven Shafer who will pastor the Flint and Detroit churches.
Strangely though, Murray is still listed as the Traverse City pastor.
This is no great loss, though Shafer is not much better. Both are ineffective preachers who still promote legalism and place unnecessary rules upon members. If UCG HQ really had any integrity they would close UCG down and set the people free.
ReplyDeleteI wonder what really went on behind the scene in this story. If the UCG is really the Amstrongite church with-out the abuse as they claim they will be totally open about what really happened behind the scenes.
ReplyDeleteIt's difficult to realize sometimes that these are not just generic, nameless, faceless unknowns in a forgotten and failed religious movement, because in some way, everybody means something to someone. Honestly, the scale has contracted to the point where even the presenters on the various cookie cutter media broadcasts are forgettable. For that matter, HWA himself has pretty much passed from the consciousness of the general public.
ReplyDeleteGenerally, people are either part of the problem or part of the solution, depending on their impact. In a way, being a neutral unknown qualifies as being just slightly positive in the wacky world of Armstrongism.
BB
From what I have heard he did not toe the party line coming out of Cincinnati and this was retribution. Its funny to watch the current leadership be so nasty to those who don't agree with them and kick them out, yet these are the same ones who in acts of rebellion started UCG because they disagreed with something. It was ok for them, but not for anyone else. Credibility is still an issue in Cincinnati.
ReplyDeleteThe one thing about Steve Shafer is that knows how to quote himself -- in various sermons he will quote what he said in one of his previous sermons.
ReplyDeleteDidn't he retire?
Whenever Shafer speaks you can see people zone out in church. He is boring as hell. Same canned sermons he has given for the last 15 years or so. Why is it that COG ministers can never preach anything fresh and interesting and on topics other than standard Armstrongist baloney?
ReplyDeleteThe UCG articles are sooooo flat. I can't even bring myself to have a browse of their monthly magazine, cause of the flatness. At least 'give me your money' Dave, Malm, and some others, believe in something.
ReplyDeleteYour not alone in thinking that. They are so flat because many of them don't actually believe what they claim to. They are hypocrites who talk the talk but don't walk the walk. That's why the is a lack of originality and genuiness. They don't believe anymore and are chomping at the bit to change. Murray will be the first of many.
ReplyDeleteThis is very sinister
ReplyDeleteMembers for a short while.... then brought our daughter and four children in from out of state. Churned our daughter (yes, churned) against us. Biggest mistake was my wife and I thinking that they (Shafer, Murray, etc. et el)... Then we tried to help a druggie (prescriptions drugs) and her mom and dad wanted to get rid of her for the weekend. the daughter got all pissed off at us because we wouldn't take her back home (she was free to find another way). She accused (she was still drugged crazed) me of trying to "get into bed with her" (imagine it might have been the drugs that was getting in bed with her. Murray came to visit my wife and I at Micky deees to tell us we were excommunicated. The World Wide Churches little whores (the smaller ones like philadelphi and united etc) are a joke. first of all churches are not biblical. Church comes from the English word kirk...and means a building. The Greek word Ecclessia means called out. Churches and other harlots are not called out. So goes it. I hope Murray and Shafer are reading this. YOU both are class act pharisaical hypocrites. Dave Childs, so are you you liar.
ReplyDelete