Can the leadership of the Living Church of God EVER say anything positive to the membership without denigrating them, week after week? Once more, LCG members are doing things wrong. It is never the overlords in Charlotte who seek to make life so difficult, but it is the back-sliding members.
Brethren usually follow by example. When they see the ministry being truly loving and grace-filled, people respond enthusiastically, when they see ministers acting like stupid jerks, they start ignoring the ministry and criticize it. Truly, when has the ministry every led by the right example?
Do You Love Your Neighbor? Jesus commanded His disciples to love one another, and He stated that the capacity to show love for one another would be a sign that would identify His truedisciples (John 13:34-35). This command from Jesus takes on even more meaning when we realize that this instruction was given at the Passover—the last meal the disciples would have with Jesus until after His crucifixion—and in light of the fact that the disciples had actually been arguing among themselves at that dinner about who would be the greatest in the Kingdom of God (Luke 22:24). Regrettably, these same attitudes of strife and competition are still with us today, even within the Church, the body of Jesus Christ. According to the Scriptures, if we profess to be Christians and followers of Jesus Christ, but continue to hate (offend, despise, argue with, talk against, or be jealous of) our brothers and sisters in the faith, we are deceiving ourselves and actually walking in darkness (1 John 2:9-11). The Spring Holy Days that we have just completed are designed to help us identify and root out these wrong and sinful attitudes so we can more faithfully follow Jesus’ instructions to love our neighbors. Let’s strive to live up to this commandment in the days and months ahead.Have a profitable Sabbath,Douglas S. Winnail
Of course they're walking in darkness.
ReplyDeleteThey listen to Armstrongist leaders who are freaking idiots.
How could they not be in darkness?
I noticed how Doug condemns 'competition' and 'argue with... our brother and sisters in the faith.' In fact neither are wrong. Arguing if done in a non destructive manner, purifies relationships. It is a present in all healthy relationships. As humans, we compete for friends, mates, jobs. Competition is normal healthy behaviour. Competition is why for instance, smartphones are getting cheaper and better.
ReplyDeleteThe reason why competition and arguing is condemned is rule rigging. It's the thieves talking to their victims, saying 'don't compete with me so that I can win,' and 'don't stand up for yourself by arguing.' Notice how the ministers do the opposite by lusting after the chief seats and 'arguing' by verbally bashing members. One standard for me, another for thee.
It because of such exploitative rule rigging, that God does not bless these churches.
10:19 anon said
ReplyDeleteCompetition is why for instance, smartphones are getting cheaper and better.
True. I don't think God is against working hard and out producing others. The parable of the giving of "talents" and what was produced shows God wants motivated workers.
However on the level of being a part of the Church, developing social relationships, striving to improve the community we live in, cooperation is more Christ like. The Apostles were debating among themselves as who was to be a "top dog" in Christ's Kingdom. Jesus answer was to be the best servant, put others first as a Godly way to be a leader.
I have a friend at church who likes to debate things. I have mellowed in my old age to say, "how about we just exchange our incites and opinions". I know longer feel the need to prove I'm smarter than the next guy.
Weston doesn't agree that the mere "members" are necessarily his brothers to whom those warnings apply.
ReplyDelete11.12 AM
ReplyDeleteThere is no dichotomy between any of Gods laws or ways. Hence cooperation is not 'more Christ like' than competition. Competition means pleasing your customers. It means cooperation. You left out that the chief seat belongs to the chief giver, since no one gets something for nothing. In church culture 'putting others first' means abdicating self interest,(another rule rigging ploy) which is self murder.
In the churches, expressions such as 'social relationships,' 'striving to improve the community,' 'cooperation,' are loaded code words for the losers plundering the winners. It is socialism/communism with a moral/religious veneer.
It is what the bible calls the parable of the unjust steward.
Why not move to North Korea and join your pals there, comrade.
"Why not move to North Korea and join your pals there, comrade."
ReplyDeleteToo close for comfort.
How about sending them to settle Mars?
Has anyone else noticed that Doug seems to write about this topic a lot?
ReplyDeleteThere is very clearly a problem at LCG HQs with brotherly love and a spirit of competition.
Unfortunately for Doug, he could write about it until the cows come home and until some people get fired, things ain't gonna change!
Doug definitely belongs in a less harsh ACOG group but like so many, he lacks the courage to leave his status quo so he continues to put up with the total lack of the Fruits of the Spirit in those that he is forced to work with.
Man-up Doug.
In many cases, people who are successful are the ones who take control. In the world of the ACOGs, you've got to have a godfather type running interference for you in order to do this. Rod Meredith obviously has others who are higher in his established hierarchy, so Winnail must employ soft and subtle methodology in his approach.
ReplyDeleteBB
The very best sermons were the ones that made us feel awful about ourselves. The stuff even scum doesn't want clinging to it.
ReplyDeleteAhhh the good ol' days.