Living Church of God's Rod McNair: God needs to work through men with “brash” human spirits and that the Holy Spirit isn’t enough

Posted today regarding the sermon by Rod McNair at LCG services earlier today:

With all these new revelations on the Internet, and all the concern about whether LCG wants to oppress its members rather than help them flourish as Christians, what would you guess Rod McNair chose as the topic of his sermon in Charlotte today?   


You guessed it. Government. McNair titled his sermon, “Peter and the Key Man Principle.”

McNair’s sermon revealed again just how sheltered and ignorant he really is. For example, he mentioned “key man insurance” as a proof that even people outside the church understand the importance of a strong leader. McNair seemed unaware that in its real world application, “key man insurance” is rarely taken out on replaceable CEOs, but much more often taken out on creatives or salesmen who make money for the CEO. In the real world, servant leaders not only value their subordinates but even put their money on it, a concept LCG leadership seems unable to understand.

You could see the political wheels turning in McNair’s head as he explained how, though Peter was the key apostle, Christ had a small “inner circle” of three or four apostles with whom he worked more closely than the other eight or nine. I can imagine the politicking going on in LCG right now to be one of Gerald Weston’s favorite “inner circle” people even as he pushes some COE members and HQ managers out of favor.

The main point of McNair’s sermon, though he wouldn’t have put it this way, was that twelve apostles with the Holy Spirit could not have functioned in harmony without an org chart that put one as the top man. In making his point, McNair completely screwed up HWA’s old explanation as to how both Peter and Paul could have been “top man” at the same time, a point that would have argued in favor of the Holy Spirit and against the need for an org chart. McNair also asserted that God needs to work through men with “brash” human spirits and that the Holy Spirit isn’t enough. Translation: don’t complain if your minister is an a$$h0le, because God hates the meek and favors the creeps, and can lead through a creep more easily than through a meek Christian.

McNair and his LCG peers want you to judge a leader by his position in the leadership. The last thing LCG wants you to do is use Jesus Christ’s own standard, as given in Matthew 7, verses 15 through 20:

“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. 16 You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles? 17 Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Therefore by their fruits you will know them.”

I guess the apostle John was wrong when he wrote in John 13:35, “By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” The LCG version of this verse is, “By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you obey the man in charge.” It’s the “Nuremberg Defense” made into a religion.

In short, it was just like a typical RCM sermon on government. It appears that LCG isn’t going to change much under a Weston administration.

June 24, 2017 at 4:59 PM 

Living Church of God: We Don't Care, We Have Insurance (Part 4)

From an LCG source:

After Living Church of God sent the Scarboroughs the pathetic release of claims (see the previous posting) the Scarboroughs sought out an attorney.  After reading the release form, it should be quite obvious that no lawyer would have ever let a client sign such a release as that.  The letter below was sent by the Scarboroughs attorney in response to the release form.

If you notice the last paragraph of the letter, the Scarbroughs made it quite plain that they "would prefer to resolve this matter outside of court and are hopeful that Living Church will be agreeable to beginning discussions in furtherance of such goal."

LCG was written to over 40 times per the letter posted a few days ago and then they were sent a letter from the Scarboroughs attorney asking for "discussion" to work toward peaceful resolution. Instead of acting like the Christians they pretend to be, LCG made the decision to let the 7 day time period pass without a response. They could have PREVENTED THE WHOLE THING with discussion but they are so stiff-necked that they refused. It's inconceivable!

They are so short-sighted. Imagine how much bad PR LCG could have avoided. 

It would be interesting to hear what LCG brethren will feel knowing that the entire lawsuit could have been so easily prevented?

LCG ministry has stated that they had insurance to cover this type of situation and I have heard from several ministers in LCG that that is true. What they don't want the members to realize is that the insurance has a HUGE deductible which they paid with tithe-payer money. 

Can you imagine some poor LCG member who works his ass off to send in 10% of his money, thinking it's going to "preach the gospel" but in fact, it's paying insurance deductibles because the men at their headquarters have their heads so far up their asses that they can't be peacemakers (or grown-ups for that matter) and sit at a table for "discussion".

July 13, 2015

Living Church of God 

P.O. Box 3810 Charlotte, NC 28227  

Re: Patrick & Elizabeth Scarborough Representation 

To Whom It May Concern:

This letter serves as formal notification that Mr. Patrick Scarborough and Mrs. Elizabeth Scarborough (hereinafter referred collectively as “the Scarboroughs”) have retained the Law Office of Nesmith & Rucker, LLP with regards to defamatory statements made against them by several agents of Living Church of God (hereinafter “Living Church”).

On or around September 20, 2014 during a church service at the Living Church in Charlotte, North Carolina there were several defamatory statements made about the Scarboroughs. The statements made specifically about the Scarboroughs were made during the announcements portion of the service by Mr. Bob League. These statements were made to communicate to the congregation that the Scarboroughs were what the Living Church terms as “marked” and were of such vile and loathsome character as not to be associated with by other members of the congregation. Members of the congregation reached out to the Scarboroughs during the church service making inquire about what had caused them to be “marked”. Thus, from the statements made during this service, it was clear that the statements were of and concerning the Scarboroughs.

In the accompanying sermonette on that same day that it was announced the Scarboroughs were “marked”, the sermonette was in its entirety articulating distinctions of congregation members that had discontinued coming to the Living Church, those “disfellowshiped”, those suspended, and those “marked” or “noted”. The speaker spent sufficient time explaining that members marked were done for the protection of the congregation because this designation “denotes the most severe of all” the categories. The speaker explained, using Biblical Scripture to support his position, that those members “marked” must be brought up by name because those persons cause discord and congregation members were to be put on notice so that they would not be at risk of following their “sinful” ways. While the speaker indicated that the details of why the member was badged with such “marking” were not disclosed to ensure slanderous statements were not made, the actual designation of this “marking” and statements made about the Scarboroughs at the time of the marking were, in fact, slanderous.

The accompanying sermon made by Mr. Rod McNair during this same service made many references to what can occur if the congregation associates with those that are “evil”, “liars” or those against the ministry and why it was deemed necessary to “get rid” of those persons or what the Living Church calls as “disfellowship.” This accompanying sermon to the defamatory statements previously made about the Scarboroughs earlier in the service, further painted an overall sentiment that the Scarboroughs were of vile character and should not be associated with by persons of the congregation. Mr. McNair indicated that former members of the congregation who were “put out” of the church were in risk of being “herded into concentration camps and tortured.”

Pursuant to North Carolina law, a Plaintiff has a cause of action for defamation by showing that the defendant: 1) made false, defamatory statements of or concerning the plaintiff; 2.) which were published to a third person; and 3.) causing injury to the plaintiff’s reputation. The statements made by agents of your church were defamatory and would constitute as slander per se in which the Scarboroughs would not have to prove special damages or malice as it is presumed based on the nature of your defamatory statements.

If this case is litigated, the Scarboroughs will be able to provide evidence that includes but is not limited to: testimony from members of your congregation that heard the defamatory statements; corroborating testimony that the Scarboroughs were “marked” based on a letter sent from your international headquarters written by Mr. Bob League and Mr. Rob McNair; Mr. Scarborough’s unique knowledge of the workings of Living Church based on him working in the church a history of defamatory statements made against former congregation members; and previous judgments won against you in a court of law for these same types of defamatory statements. If this case is litigated the Scarboroughs will likely prevail and be awarded a substantial judgment. The Scarboroughs will also seek attorney’s fees and punitive damages.

The Scarboroughs would prefer to resolve this matter outside of court and is hopeful that Living Church will be agreeable to beginning discussions in furtherance of such goal. We expect to receive your response on how you wish to proceed with this matter in seven (7) days from the date of this correspondence. If we do not hear from you by this time we will see your lack of response as an unwillingness to resolve this out of court and will initiate civil action in the Superior Court of Mecklenburg County.  This letter is formal notice that any communication you have regarding this matter should not be directed to the Scarboroughs but should be directed to our office. If you should have any questions or concerns please do not hesitate to contact our office.

Sincerely, 

Erica R. Nesmith

How Living Church of God Sucker Punched The Scarboroughs (Part 3)

From an LCG source:

It looks like LCG sucker punched Patrick and Elizabeth when they marked them without merit and then kicked them while they were down by asking them to relinquish their legal rights in the attached Release of Claims. 

Not just their rights, but the rights of their heirs. Is that even legal?

And not just regarding this one incident but for any and all incidents from the beginning of time until forever.

No one in their right mind would have signed this! It's madness.

It's shameful that a church would ask any one to sign it. Let's just imagine Jesus Christ in the same situation... Can you see our Savior whipping up a little document like this? 

It looks like the Scarborough's decided to get some legal advice once they received this legal document from LCG. Thankfully they didn't sign it. It appears to be the spark that lit the haystack regarding legal involvement.

I wonder if the lawsuit would have ever happened if LCG hadn't sent this first. I'm sure it must have felt like another punch in the gut to these people who were obviously devastated after the initially marking and subsequent loss of all their friends and shunning.

RED ALERT!!! Code Red at LCG headquarters!!! (Part 2)

From a reader: 

 RED ALERT!!! Code red at LCG headquarters!!! 

The sky is falling and the powers that be are trying to figure out damage control. There are quite a few pieces of information that were attached to this letter originally and LCG does not want them released because it doesn't exactly show them in a favorable light. 

Hearsay is easy for them to spin but black and white is a little more challenging!

The Charlotte indicators on the spinning globe to the right of this page have been lit up since yesterday when the Scarborough letter was leaked.

An ethical Christian ministry would acknowledge publicly that they made a mistake and correct it. But, do not hold your breath on that ever happening.

Rod McNair and the LCG has contended that the Scarborough's never sought reconciliation.
This proves otherwise:

McNair deposition pg 110 line 7 

Q.You keep saying that you want them to repent in order to come back to the church, right? 

A.· ·Right. 

Q.· ·Do you know that Elizabeth Scarborough has written over 40 emails and letters trying to repent and reconcile with you? 

A.· ·Right, yes. 

Another reader said this, which implicates the Council of Elders for their inaction too. 

It looks like Mrs. Scarborough sent this to LCG COE over 6 months ago. There has been no reconciliation so it appears that the Counsel of Elders told them to piss off. How very Christian of them. Sure it's easy to lay the lions share of blame on Mr. McNair, but it appears that the COE had an opportunity to make things right. Obviously they cared more about a pay check and ass kissing than obeying our Lord's instructions on matters such as this. 

Did anyone really expect more from this group of men?

Of course, it has always been common knowledge in the COG's when it comes to Council of Elders.  They have proven to be nothing more than "Yes" men, who never have the balls to take a stand and do what is right when needed. To do so might jeopardize their jobs and buddy status with the "dear leader."  They all learned well in the Worldwide Church of God on how safe it was to be "yes" men.

Another reader had this to say:

Can anyone, especially the readers who attend with LCG, imagine Jesus Christ acting like these LCG ministers??? 

This comment from a friend of the Scarborough's sums up what is wrong with the LCG leadership:

I'm Elizabeth's friend on Facebook and I can tell how much this ordeal has effected her. I hope ALL the totally un-Christian jerks who have shunned them on the lying words of Rod McNair and Rod Meredith read this and feel deeply ASHAMED. 

In your blind obedience to LCG ministry you have shown you DISOBEDIENCE to God the Father. 

How can you let a man tell you not to be friends with someone you know to be good?

Being a blind, spineless sheep will get you nowhere!

Oh, I know, you're praying about the situation and know that God will sort it out in the end, right? Not acceptable! By going along with this type of abuse you are complicit!
You saw something bad happen to good people and you became a part of it when you engaged in the group shunning. Be assured, you will ultimately reap what you have sown.

Living Church of God: The Moral Turpitude Of Its Leadership (Part 1)

 "moral turpitude" 

"act of baseness, vileness, or depravity in the private and social duties which a man owes to his fellowmen, or to society in general, contrary to the accepted and customary rule of right and duty between man and man."^[3]

The following came from a confidential Living Church of God source.  I hesitated to post this since it was "old" news, but after reading the letter below you will quickly see that some the leadership of the Living Church of God is debased in so many areas.  The shocking thing is, knowing as you read this, that these are ministers saying and doing these things.  Men who SHOULD know better and SHOULD be setting the example. and who SHOULD NOT be lying.

I was somewhat hesitant to share this letter publicly because these people have been through so much and it's kind of old news but I decided ultimately that shinning a light on the evil behavior occurring in LCG was more important. LCG members need to know what kind of people they are supporting with their tithe money and blind obedience. If reading about LCG ministerial abuses helps just one person find the courage to stand up for what's right, then my goal will have been achieved. Rod McNair and men like him have gotten away with bullying, lying and abusing church members without accountability for far too long. I've already begun to read through McNair's deposition and it is glaringly obvious that he attempted to crush these people without cause.  

The ministry of the church has never been trained in ethics.  Ethics were not taught in the colleges of the past nor is ethics a part of the culture of the "universities" present in a few splinter groups. Men who have been taught how to make ethical decisions will make moral decisions based upon what is right and what is wrong.  Even with the gray areas in life, good moral and ethical training will lead a leader to make the right decision in most cases.

This has not been the case in the Living Church of God since its inception.  From the corrupt actions that led to the founding of the Global Church of God to the highly immoral activities when Living split off of it, the LCG has been in an ethical crisis mode ever since.  Men of good moral character have been routinely throttled and eventually driven out.

What follows is a letter regarding the Scarborough lawsuit and their interaction with certain Living Church of God leadership.

Living Church of God 

Council of Elders 

2301 Crown Center Drive 

Charlotte, NC28227

                                                                                                                                                              December 9, 2016

Dear Gentlemen,

Patrick and I recently learned that writing to the COE was an option for getting our case heard and so we are writing you today in hopes that the enclosed information will facilitate an enlightening of the facts surrounding the events that led to our marking and the subsequent filing of our lawsuit. Even if you collectively decide to continue to ignore us and continue to refuse to meet with us to work through our problems, as true Christians are commanded, we feel it’s important for you to see actual evidence regarding the facts. Not opinions. Not rumors. No spin. Just facts.

After great amounts of energy, time, prayer and expense we ultimately discovered that Rod McNair and Bob League marked us for 3 trivial events (this was confirmed in the depositions which were given under oath/affirmation): 1. we had a Greek-themed party in 2009 and were asked to take the pictures off of Facebook because Mr. McNair and Mr. League felt they made the church look bad and we declined because NOTHING inappropriate happened at that party (ministers were present), 2. I sang the Andrew’s Sisters song ‘Rum & Coca Cola’ in 2011 upon request, with pre-authorization from Mr. McNair and Mr. League but was then asked to take the videos off of Facebook because they alleged that it made the church look bad and I had a “bad attitude” about this accusation and, 3. we had the Rothenbachers and the Colon’s over for a bbq on Labor Day 2014 and spoke negatively about the men/events that led up to their (Pete & Reynaldo) suspensions.  After years of wondering why were disfellowshiped, these were the reasons you will see outlined in the attached depositions.  The depositions will further reveal that we were marked because it was assumed that we provide Bob Thiel information that he posted on COGwriter.com that was unflattering to LCG. An accusation that we have been fully recused of at this point, yet we are still marked for it. An accusation for which I (Elizabeth) was never blamed for, but yet I was still marked for it. Further, it was revealed in the depositions that the information we were marked for on COGwriter WAS ACTUALLY ACCURATE AND TRUTHFUL information. So we were marked for TRUE information that we didn’t provide Bob Thiel which is difficult to fathom.

We were also accused of “causing church division” but there is not one person that can be pointed to when asked, “who did we divide” because we never attempted to divide anyone from LCG. We didn’t want to leave ourselves so why would we convince others to leave? It doesn’t even make sense that we would try to get others to leave and then fight so hard to stay ourselves. If every LCG member who has ever voiced criticism of a minister is guilty of causing church division and worthy of being kicked out of church, then a lot more people need to be kicked out. Further, Bob Thiel and Charles Bryce ACTUALLY DID CAUSE CHURCH DIVISION and yet they aren’t marked, but we are. It seems we were treated much more harshly than many others ever have been. It appeared in Mr. Meredith’s deposition that Rod McNair had given him the impression that there were actually members who left LCG because of use (100% untrue).

The one thing that LCG leaders can not stand is to have anyone criticize them in any manner whatsoever.  To do so is to place one's eternal salvation at risk, at least in the angry ministry's eyes.  It is also interesting to note that many in LCG knew Bob Thiel was creating division in the LCG

In the months following our marking several LCG members were told by Rod McNair that we were “starting our own church”. This is an accusation for which Mr. McNair does not have one shred of evidence. He will try to somehow link it to a comment that I allegedly made to Catherine Ogwyn in 2011 but Charles Ogwyn himself supports my rendition of this event, not Mr. McNair’s (please read Mr. Ogwyn’s deposition and listen to the audio recording of one of his phone calls with Patrick). I NEVER asked Charles Ogwyn to leave LCG and start a church with me and Patrick. Perhaps Catherine Ogwyn had too much to drink that night and has created a false memory in her mind but it simply isn’t true. Furthermore, how do you mark someone in 2014 for a comment they allegedly made in 2011 for which you never talked to the accused about? That doesn’t seem the least bit logical or fair.

We were “counselled” two times. Once in 2011 and once the week we were disfellowshipped and marked. Mr Meredith testified that he had been told that we were counselled “over and over again and were at an impasse” before he agreed to Rod McNair’s suggestion to mark us. That simply is not true. I’m not sure if Mr. Meredith was lied to or if he just had his facts wrong but we met with Bob League and Rod McNair only twice over a 5 year time span. We were never warned or suspended. We had no idea that we were in any sort of trouble at all. In fact, when we left the meeting the week we were disfellowshipped, we were all hugging and talking about our plans for the upcoming Feast. We were completely blind-sided by the news that we were suddenly “enemies of God’s church”.

Counseling in the Church of God has never ever been about "counselling."  It has always been a lecture where the "guilty" party never had the right to respond to allegations and accusations.  Even if one attempted to, the were branded as "in a bad attitude" and were in need of "correction."  True counselling is always done with empathy.  All training classes in counselling always include long discussions on empathy. Empathy is NOT something taught to the ministry nor do many of them actually know what it is.

Being marked and shunned from the Living Church of God has been the single most painful, horrible, traumatic experience of my entire life. It will leave its effect on me until the day I die.

Marking and shunning in the Church fo God has always been a weapon to publicly humiliate the accused.  It is never done in "love" or "compassion" no matter how much they say it is.  It is always done in anger and revenge.  Grace and mercy are never components in the equation.

I have written gut-wrentching letters over and over again, begging for forgiveness; begging to just sit down and talk through our problems (this letter marks the 45th letter I have written LCG). Making peace and talking things through is all we have ever LCG to talk to us before we ever dreamed of initiating a lawsuit but they all went unanswered (except Doug Winnail who did reply on several occasions). Our lawyer sent a letter (attached) further stating that we had NO DESIRE to litigate but just wanted the opportunity to talk things out as Christians but again, no reply. The lawsuit would have never happened if Rod McNair and Mr. Meredith would have made ANY effort to pastor us, lead us or talk to us. Instead they “cast us to Satan”.

Thankfully, we have been chosen by the Almighty. He is our Father and we are His. No man has the power to change that. No man is the gatekeeper to His Kingdom. We live our lives to the best of our ability in hopes of finishing the race and receiving that crown. Do you really think God is going to put people who cannot make peace in such a small matter in positions of rulership over cities? I don’t think so! Let’s take this opportunity to show Him that we want to obey His word! Once again, we beg you to meet with us and work toward reconciliation.

Can the Great Creator, who gives you life and breath, trust you to obey His word? Do you want to do what’s right in the sight of God no matter what? Or dig in your heals in pride? I can point to a dozen scriptures that support our desire to make peace, swallow pride, forgive and walk as brothers and not one that says to ignore people and stay as stiff-necked as possible. We need to do what is pleasing to God and make peace.

We have only sent this letter and it’s attachments to LCG COE. We weren’t 100% sure who is currently sitting on the COE so we made our best guess.

We are well liked and active members of our new church (just like we were in LCG) and it is hard for them to imagine why we have been treated as we have by LCG. We are the same people we have always been. We are dedicated to God’s way of life and enjoy serving God’s people. Please understand that it makes LCG look bad when people in other branches of the COG

We will continue to pray that you men will hear our plea and reach out to us to work toward peace. You know how to get in touch with us. We would love to hear from you.

Sincerely,

Patrick & Elizabeth Scarborough

SUGGESTED POINTS TO NOTE WITHIN THE DEPOSITIONS

·         Meredith depo pg 17 line 16 - Q. Can the Council of Elders, if they voted to un-mark somebody overturn your decision? A. Yes.

·         Meredith depo pg 18 – Meredith states that people have started to leave LCG because of us which simply isn’t true. A. [they were] continually making put down remarks and divisive remarks around the congregation and more and more people were being upset and some were starting to leave.

RCM is unable to state a single specific thing we said to warrant being marked.

·         Meredith depo Pg 23 line 22 Q.· ·Again, I asked you this earlier. Can you give me a specific example of something they did to deserve or warrant marking, a specific instance? A.· ·No.

RCM states that McNair had (lied to him) told him that he and Mr. League and been working with us for months to no avail (we met once the week we were marked and once in 2011)

·         Meredith depo pg 33 line 11 A. We warned them for months to stop that type of atmosphere they had been creating against the church, divisive atmosphere at some of their get-togethers and so on.

·         Meredith depo pg 53 line 15  Q.How do you help someone change but not allowing your ministers to counsel with them? A.· ·Our ministers counseled with them over and over for quite a number of months, but they didn't change. They would pretend to change and not change.

The above statement by Rod Meredith is 100% untrue

Starting on pg 46 it is detailed how far from the Ministerial Handbook Rod McNair and Bob League strayed in handling this case. McNair also facilitated the Release of Claims (authored by Dexter Wakefield asking us to waive our legal rights in this matter) which RCM states he knew nothing about.

·         Meredith depo pg 73 line 10 THE WITNESS:· Well, I told you again and again, we heard many dozens of reports that they were spreading negative things about the church, and they were causing division and people would spend time with them and leave.

Mr. Meredith states that “dozens” of people reported this. I contend that your only “witnesses” were the Rothenbachers and the Colons who were guilty of far worse than Patrick and I ever were. The assertion that there were “dozens” of witnesses is a flat out lie.

·         Meredith depo Pg 87 line 23 Q.You stated earlier that you had members of the church leaving the church because of Patrick and Elizabeth Scarborough.· Do you know who any of those members are?  A. No.

Mr. McNair’s  depo is filled with just as many untruths.

McNair depo pg 20 line 23 (regarding the Rum & Coca Cola incident) A. Elizabeth had on social media expressed her displeasure with the ministry's actions, expressed by name, Mr. League, and that she would not comply with the actions with his decision

McNair depo pg23 line 4 (states I spoke of League online about the toga party and then again about rum and coke) A. she online was expressing talk about people who have perverted minds, and mentioned Mr. League by name

This is 100% untrue. While it is true that I wrote Mr. League a personal letter voicing my frustration over the situation I absolutely never made any Facebook post naming Mr. League. There is no way Mr. McNair can prove this lie because there is no post to produce as evidence. He is confusing a personal, private letter with public Facebook posts. Even if it were true (and it’s not) why wait 3 years to disfellowship and mark me for it?

The following is Rod McNair’s summarization of why he decided to ruin our lives and reputations and cast us out of a church we loved and take away all of our friends…

McNair depo pg 23 line 13 Q.· ·Okay.· So I have the Labor Day weekend event, the Charles Ogwyn event, the toga party and the Rum And Coke. Do you have any other reasons why they sowed discord? A. That was what I was aware of.

Mr. McNair acknowledges that we wouldn’t be marked were it not for the post of COGwriter which we have now been cleared of.

McNair depo pg 32 line 20 Q. Would you agree with me then if I said that had it not been for Bob Thiel's website post, that Mr. Scarborough and  Mrs. Scarborough may not have been marked?  A. Absolutely, that may be a very real possibility

Yet upon learning that we were not responsible for the post and that the information on the post was actually accurate, Mr. McNair made no attempt to clear us of the charge, remove the marking or reconcile for months and months prior to us filing the lawsuit.

When Mr. McNair was questioned about following the procedures outlined in the Ministerial Handbook (giving the benefit of the doubt with brethren) he answers as follows…

McNair depo pg 69 line 1 Q. (a minister is supposed to err) on the side of assuming the best. Did I read that correctly? A.· ·Yes. Q. This talks about how members might not realize the problem they are causing, is that correct? A.· ·Correct. Q.· ·You never gave the Scarboroughs a warning before their disfellowshipment, isn't that true? A.· ·Correct. Q.· ·And when confronted with the information about Bob Thiel's website, would you agree that the church administration assumed that Patrick was the one responsible without any hard proof? THE WITNESS:· Direct proof, yes, yes.

Both Mr. Meredith and Mr. McNair repeatedly stated that they couldn’t trust anything Patrick said in his own defense because he (Patrick) is a liar. Yet when question, neither Mr. McNair nor Mr. Meredith were able to vocalize A SINGLE example of Patrick lying.

McNair depo pg 76 line 4 Q.· ·So you have an opinion that Mr. Scarborough was dishonest when he worked for the church, but you can't even remember one instance of why you think that way? A.· ·I don't have -- right.· I don't have that information readily available. Q.· ·So you have an opinion that Mr. Scarborough was dishonest when he worked for the church, but you can't even remember one instance of why you think that way? A.· ·I don't have -- right.· I don't have that information readily available.

Patrick was a good employee and both Mr. Davis and Dr. Winnail wrote him glowing letters of recommendations after his employ with LCG. Why would they do such a thing if Patrick were a liar? This is further evidence that this entire incident was a result of a personal vendetta and character assassination.

McNair depo pg 81 line 7 Q.· ·Just a few months before the Scarboroughs disfellowshipment and marking, there was a party at their house, right, a 4th of July party? A.· ·Maybe, I don't know. Q.· ·Were you present? A.· ·Huh-uh -- maybe I was.· I didn't recall, but, yes, I think I was. Q.· ·And no, nothing out of the ordinary or wrong happened at that party, right? A.· ·Correct. Q.· ·A lot of the church administration was there, right?  A.· ·There were others, yes. Q.· ·I guess my question is, how do you go from everyone hanging out at their house having a good time to two months later them being kicked out of the church?

LCG’s lawyer objects to the question and Mr. McNair never answers but we still think its odd that Mr. McNair and other leading LCG (Mr. Ames, Jim Meredith and Wyatt Ciesielka to name a few) were at our home as our brothers in July and we were marked as enemies in Sept for reasons that were either entirely fabricated or occurred in 2009 and 2011 (outside of the bbq with the Rothenbachers and Colons who were not punished for the exact same offense we committed – speaking negatively).

Our lawyer goes on to confirm that the ONLY two witnesses against us (Dawn Rothenbacher and Jennifer Colon) suspiciously gave their reports to Mr. McNair and Mr. League and then amaziningly their husband’s suspensions were shortened from 6 weeks to 3 weeks. As a side note, Patrick and I were NEVER involved in any of the private Bible studies and heresies that the Colon’s and Rothenbachers were involved in yet we were cast out and they remained unscathed. This reeks of corruption and favoritism.

McNair depo pg 98 line 6 Q.· ·So just the people whose wives talked to you about the Scarboroughs had their suspensions shortened? A.· ·Right, right.

I attached one of the heartfelt letters I wrote Mr. McNair begging to meet with him and repenting for my mistakes. Please read it. When Mr. McNair is questioned about why he/LCG has refused to counsel us or answer our letters for nearly 2 years he says…

McNair depo pg 110 line 7  Q.You keep saying that you want them to repent in order to come back to the church, right?  A.· ·Right. Q.· ·Do you know that Elizabeth Scarborough has written over 40 emails and letters trying to repent and reconcile with you? A.· ·Right, yes.

I wonder how God feels about a minister who has a member pouring out her heart, begging for forgiveness and peace, yet that minister repeatedly and continually ignores her. Is that what a shepherd does?

In summary, the evidence shows that we didn’t give any info to Bob Thiel. We never tried to start our own church and we never attempted to divide LCG members from LCG. We were guilty of having a bad attitude when we were falsely accused of impropriety in 2009 and 2011 and I was guilty of being involve in a negative conversation with Dawn and Jennifer on Labor Day 2014. You will read in the depositions that both Dawn and Reynaldo testified that Patrick had no part in the negativity that night and that he, in fact, made several attempts to defend LCG ministry and get people to stop talking about it.

We pray you will weigh the evidence, see that we are not the evil people that Rod McNair would have you to believe we are, and meet with us to work toward reconciliation. Please ask yourself if we were handled fairly and justly. It’s not too late to make this right. We have all fallen short. Let’s put pride aside and correct the situation!

Using Rod Meredith's Death As A Membership Recruitment Tool

It looks like Gerald Weston has learned well over his decades in the church.  Church of God groups have used world events and tragedies as weapons of fear in order to scare people into joining their respective groups.  Now the Living Church of God is getting ready to cash in on the death of Rod Meredith.

Gerald Weston writes in the latest LCG Coworker letter the following:

Dear co-workers, while these letters often focus on world events and how this Work is doing, I believe it is appropriate at this time to focus on something more personal. There is nothing like death to wake us up to the reality of life. When we were young we thought it would last forever, but time seems to speed up with age, and we see the end coming as a train speeding out of control. The end of the track comes more clearly into sight, and the realization sets in that there is no way to stop the train. Life is short!

  It is with great sadness that we announce the death of Dr. Roderick C. Meredith, Presiding Evangelist of the Living Church of God. He had been suffering from cancer and died peacefully late Thursday night, May 18, 2017. He would have been 87 years old in June and took his 67th Passover this year. He is survived by his 6 children, 10 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren.

     Dr. Meredith was one of the first evangelists ordained by Mr. Herbert W. Armstrong in 1952 and spent 64 years in the Work that Christ began through Mr. Armstrong. He was active in the Work until recent months. The Living Church of God, which Dr. Meredith raised up, has more than 350 congregations in 55 countries worldwide. He is succeeded as Presiding Evangelist by Mr. Gerald E. Weston.

     Even after the partial paralysis of a stroke in 2008, Dr. Meredith pushed himself to continue to preach the Gospel of the Kingdom of God to the world and to shepherd the flock. His greatest wish was for the Work in which he labored for so long to go forward in unity and power under Jesus Christ. We look forward to seeing him again in the resurrection at Christ’s return. 

------- 

    I have often asked the question, “What is success?” If you live a hundred years, amass great wealth, have a wonderful husband or wife with dozens of children and grandchildren, but never know WHY you were born, can you truly claim success in life? If there is no life after death, no overall purpose for your existence, what difference does anything make? Once you die, you will never know what happens afterward. All your efforts, no matter how seemingly successful, will never matter to you. If we are a product of blind chance and if there is no God, mankind will eventually disappear from the universe, and it will be as if we never were. That is the hope of an atheistic world, but not the hope of Dr. Meredith and those who know the true God!

     God does exist! He has a purpose for you and me, and you can prove that to yourself. As we have brought out in Tomorrow’s World articles and telecasts, the proofs of God’s existence are there for anyone brave enough to look at the facts as they are. The very idea that mankind can arise from something as simple as a bacteria cell is preposterous. Scientists, even evolutionary scientists, tell us that a bacteria cell is more complicated than the most sophisticated machine made by man, and animal cells are even more complicated. They report that cells are constructed by hundreds of miniature molecular machines that work in harmony to make life possible. 

     But because God is rejected, His plan and purpose is totally unknown to almost everyone. How sad! Our world is rapidly moving toward a crisis of unimaginable proportions. Godless men and women struggle for solutions, yet find none. Note this CNBC headline:  “‘Looks as if the world is preparing for war,’ says former Soviet president Gorbachev.” Mr. Gorbachev is then quoted as saying, “Politicians and military leaders sound increasingly belligerent and defense doctrines more dangerous. Commentators and TV personalities are joining the bellicose chorus. It all looks as if the world is preparing for war” (January 27, 2017).

As usual for the Living Church of God, the world is going to hell in a hand basket. Everything is evil and wicked and never has there been such a time in human history.

     This should come as no surprise to Tomorrow’s World followers. How many times have we reported what Jesus Christ warned in His Olivet Prophecy regarding the end of the age? “Now as He sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, ‘Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?’” He answered, “You will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet” (Matthew 24:3, 6). Of course, we have always had wars, but never has war been so potentially dangerous. This prophecy speaks of wars and rumors of wars in general, and when we look at the world as a whole that is exactly what we see in the Middle East, the Korean peninsula, Africa, and Eastern Europe. Rumors and fears abound! 

Weston attempts to send chills down coworkers spines that they are only "playing church" when they only give a few bucks here and there for some LCG booklet.  Real Christians must attend LCG services every weekend.

     Dr. Meredith often reminded us that we are not here to “play church.” Our lives are temporary, and we live in a dangerous world that is spinning out of control. Nations are more and more frequently turning to leaders whom they see as strong enough to make hard decisions that will solve our problems, but sometimes the result ends in disaster. 

Weston pretends to lay his heart on the line for these lazy coworkers.  He wants them to fear that they are not being called now.   The pathway of the LCG is not one for the weak and slovenly who cannot make it through the narrow gate.

     May I be totally open with you? Jesus tells us that “many are called, but few are chosen” (Matthew 22:14). He also tells us, “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it” (Matthew 7:13-14). 

The only REAL Christians and co-workers out there are those that send in tithe money of  20-30% or give substantial amounts of money. The LCG does not need your measly offerings to cover a couple of booklets. Your membership is required!  Members are tithe machines, plain and simple.

     Dear co-workers, we are very thankful for your dedication, your generosity, and the fact that you go beyond monetary support and offer up sincere, heartfelt prayers on behalf of this Work of God.  Never think that we do not appreciate you! However, I often wonder why many do not take the next step and become more intimately involved with those of like mind. The Apostle Paul wrote the Hebrews and reminded them of something very important. We are not to forsake “the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some.” On the contrary, we should be “exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching” (Hebrews 10:25).

Co-workers...our concern is NOT for your money, it is for your very salvation! Salvation does not exist outside the Living Church of God.  Of course the 
by-product would be that you would give more money to the church as members, but we really are not after your money...

     We often say, “You will not be asked to join anything” when you are invited to attend one of our live Tomorrow’s WorldPresentations, and that is true. We never want to pressure anyone to do what he or she is not ready, willing, or able to do. But I want you to understand that our concern is not for your money. You are already donating! Our concern is for you! While we will never come knocking at your door unless we are invited, we want you to know that we would love to meet you and offer to you what we enjoy—fellowship with others of like mind. So if you are interested, let us know. If not, we will continue to appreciate you as a faithful co-worker. We will continue to send you any, and all, of our literature free of charge. And we will continue to care for you in our prayers. 

Sincerely, in Christ’s service,

Gerald E. Weston

Gerald Flurry: Salvation Only Available through the Sabbath

Gerald Flurry has a new article up on his web site about the sabbath.  His byline starts off with this:

If we properly keep the Sabbath, we would never look to hopeless men.

The proper translation to that should be:   "If we followed Jesus, we would never look to hopeless men like Gerald Flurry. "

He starts by quoting Jeremiah  17:19-25 and then says this:

The Laodiceans can stop the curse. They must start with properly keeping God’s Sabbath day. The Sabbath is a sign that we are God’s royal Family.  

“Speak thou also unto the children of Israel, saying, Verily my sabbaths ye shall keep: for it is a sign between me and you throughout your genera­tions; that ye may know that I am the Lord that doth sanctify you. Ye shall keep the sabbath therefore; for it is holy unto you: every one that defileth it shall surely be put to death: for whosoever doeth any work therein, that soul shall be cut off from among his people. Six days may work be done; but in the seventh is the sabbath of rest, holy to the Lord: whosoever doeth any work in the sabbath day, he shall surely be put to death. Wherefore the children of Israel shall keep the sabbath, to observe the sabbath throughout their generations, for a perpetual covenant. It is a sign between me and the children of Israel for ever: for in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, and on the seventh day he rested, and was refreshed” (Exodus 31:13-17). 

Today we must look at these verses spiritually. It is far more serious now than it was anciently. We get to know the true God through proper Sabbath-keeping. Only the firstfruits are called to that honor today. If they turn away, they won’t just die physically as ancient Israel did. These saints entered into a covenant with God. Now their eternal lives are at stake!

No ones salvation is contingent upon Sabbath keeping or law keeping, regardless of what the apostate COG leaders claim.

"I look back now and I cannot believe how damn stupid I was!!! I KNOW BETTER THAN THIS!!!!"

The following is from False Prophet Ronald Weinland: Don't Drink the Flavor Aid Served by False Prophets

A question was directed towards a former follower of Ron Weinland to respond to.  It is a question that almost all who have left Armstrongism and the Churches of God get asked by people when they hear stories about the corruption, lies and aberrant doctrines that members were expected to overlook or believe.  It was a specific question concerning Ron Weinerdude Weinland's teaching that Christ did not preexist.  The preexistence of Christ is almost a universal understanding of Christianity, but not for some COG followers.

A person was asked why they got sucked into Weinerdude's teachings.  The same can be applied to how could people have been sucked into Herbert Armstrong's, Rod Meredith's, Dave Pack's, Gerald Flurry's, Bob Thiel's, Vik Kubik's and other COG leaders lies and deceptions.

I look back now and I cannot believe how damn stupid I was!!! I KNOW BETTER THAN THIS!!!! 

The only thing I will give nothingburger weinland credit for is this, “he is one hell of a salesman”!!! Until you realize that, this is all he is, a salesman!!  

The good news is that I am far wiser now than I was then. I stand on “what I know” and “what I believe” and I do not give a damn what someone like weinland has to sell. As a matter of fact, I would welcome a face to face encounter with weinland!! He knows and I know he would NOT stand a chance against me ever again!! weinland is a liar and he lacks the courage to face any opposition that would challenge him and/or embarrass him in public and/or in front of his remaining worshipers (they worship weinland not God). If they truly understood what God teaches they would have left long ago!!! 

Ask yourself this question, where the hell is he?? All of his boisterous claims about God’s only chosen one and how the world will tremble at his feet, well, where the hell are you nothingburger weinland!!??

"Salesman" is a good term to describe all past and present Church of God leaders.  They are selling their version of a product no matter how bad and stinky it might be.  Like people who buy products on late night TV, Christians get sucked in by "dynamic" preachers who make them feel special and set apart from the world with insider or exclusive truths that have been supposedly revealed by the preacher's god.

In Armstrongism alone, there are between 400 - 700 different splinter groups that have arisen over the last 80 some years.  Everyone of these blowhards claim an exclusive inside track to knowledge not reveled to any other COG minister.  From the bombastic big boys like HWA, GTA, Flurry and Pack to the latest pissant upstarts like Bob Thiel and James Malm, these men of deceit are destroying peoples lives.

In every single group out there today, there are members sitting there every week thinking, "Why am I here?" or "Why don't I have the guts to get up and walk out?" or "How can Dave say such idiotic things?"  We have all done it.

So the next time you are sitting there and hear something incredibly stupid or appalingly wrong, remember that you KNOW BETTER THAN THAT and take a bold move and set yourself free!

COG False Prophet Twists World Refugee Day Into An Attack Against Other COG's And Christians

Syrian refugee camp

It has always fascinated me as to how COG leaders can take everything that happens in the world and twist it into something completely out of context and then use it as a weapon to smear other COG members and Christians in general.  99% of the time these theological buffoons have self-appointed themselves to their positions.

Our favorite deluded false prophet and godless wonder-kid has posted about World Refugee day that draws attention to the millions of people currently refugees from their own countries and home because of war, famines, and despotic leaders.

In marking World Refugee Day Saturday (2015), the United Nations refugee agency [UNHCR] said a record number of people, 59.5 million people compared to the 51.2 million from the previous year, have been forced to flee their homes in search of safety. 

“We are witnessing a paradigm change, an unchecked slide into an era in which the scale of global forced displacement as well as the response required in now clearly dwarfing anything seen before,” U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees Antonio Guterres said of the new report. 

The U.N. said one in every 122 humans is now either a refugee, internally displaced or seeking asylum.

So how can this be twisted into something used as a weapon to smear other COG members and Christians?

This is how Almost-arrested Elisha, Elijah, Amos, Habakkuk, Bob Thiel does it:

However, before then, there will come another time when all real Christians will be subject to intense persecution.

But this will come in stages. First, mainly the faithful Philadelphia Christians will be affected: 

Of course, the only "real" Christians out there are those poor deluded fools in his personality cult.

25 He shall speak pompous words against the Most High, Shall persecute the saints of the Most High, And shall intend to change times and law. (Daniel 7:25a)

33 And those of the people who understand shall instruct many; yet for many days they shall fall by sword and flame, by captivity and plundering. 34 Now when they fall, they shall be aided with a little help; but many shall join with them by intrigue. 35 And some of those of understanding shall fall, to refine them, purify them, and make them white, until the time of the end; because it is still for the appointed time. (Dan 11:33-35)
13 Now when the dragon saw that he had been cast to the earth, he persecuted the woman who gave birth to the male Child. (Rev 12:13)

The Philadelphia Christians who survive will then be protected:

The Philadelphia Christians flee to become refugees in a place in the wilderness: 

Some believe that this place in the wilderness will be in or near Petra in Jordan 

Prophecy scholars tend to recognize that the expression “time and times and half a time” equates to 3 1/2 years. The fleeing to the wilderness happens just after the Philadelphians have successfully preached the Gospel of the Kingdom to the world as a witness (Matthew 24:14) and just prior to the start of the Great Tribulation(Matthew 24:15-21). 

For some reason, apostate Thiel thinks he is doing a "work" that is preaching the gospel to the world. NO witness is being done in the United States.  World leaders know nothing about the self-appointed buffoon.  No global reaching work in happening.  Nada...just crooked bookcases, 1980's curtains, thumping bibles, nonsensical sermons on scores of subjects that never discuss Jesus, grace, justification, or mercy.

He next writes this:

Jesus said to watch and pray to be accounted worthy to escape, indicating that not all Christians would be accounted worthy:

One guess as to who the worthy Philadelphia Christians are.  It is not anyone in Living Church of God or Restored Church of God or Philadelphia Church of God and most certainly would not be anyone in Grace Communion International!  Only those in the improperly named "continuing" Church of God are true Philadelphians.  

As if any of his followers in Africa care about this church era malarkey.   

According to the lying fool, no one in the other COG's has any chance because none of them are Philadelphians.

So, what about the rest of the Christians in those days?

The Bible shows that they will be subject to death and persecution:

17 And the dragon was enraged with the woman, and he went to make war with the rest of her offspring, who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ. (Revelation 12:17)

25…Then the saints shall be given into his hand For a time and times and half a time. (Daniel 7:25b) 

While he and the rest of his little flock are in Petra, the rest of the COG's will be suffering intense persecution because they refused to "gather together" with apostate Bob and crew.

So, this second period of persecution for those who do not flee to the wilderness lasts 3 1/2 years as well. Those subject to the persecution from the Beast power are mainly Laodicean, Sardisian, and Thyatiran Christians (though some of the Thyatiran remnant may be protected per Revelation 2:22-24). Those Christians would be those that failed to heed various parts of the Bible as they should and will ignore the warnings in Zephaniah 2:1-3 to gather together prior to the time to flee.

The apostate one has said over and other that those in the other COG's have the wrong view on prophecy and understanding.  Therefore they will not know when the time to flee happens.  Only apostate Bob knows this.  All of the other COG's will not be ready and will certainly have not joined forces with Bob.  This has been a bitter pill for Thiel to swallow, just as it has been for Dave Pack. Everyone in the other COG's know these men to be false prophets and liars.

While we Christians go through our day to day lives, the Bible is clear that those who live long enough are going to be subject to intense persecution and becoming refugees.

Apostate Bob is suffering intense persecution now, or so he claims, and it is only going to get worse. 

So if you do consider the plight of the millions of refugees on the Earth, you may also consider that if you are truly a Christian, that you will be subject to intense persecution and even being a refugee yourself.

Won't you join apostates Thiel as a refugee in Petra?  Doesn't that sound fun?  Just imagine 3 1/3 years listening to him pontificate as his whiny voice wafts around the valley sides.  That would be the ultimate persecution!

Dave Pack and the Stork Women

Beware the Stork Women!

But we need to appreciate, once you understand where the land of Shinar is, all of a sudden you understand the ephah is shooting from the Vatican to Jerusalem—not from some unknown place to the Vatican. You have to clarify that. Then all of a sudden…Ahhh, his resemblance through all the earth…I get it. This is “Christ” coming on the Mount the Mount of Olives. The whole world has to see it, or obvious scriptures in the gospels are just slaughtered. And he has to sail through the air, meaning, he comes down on the Mount in a visible way that…Ahh, that, and it happens fast—the wind is in their wings. Tuesday, the world is a normal place. Wednesday—BOOM—we escape, fire explodes into the cab and drops on the whole world, and this guy drops in on Jerusalem…to put it mildly. So there’s a lot here, and it’s a grander story as to why, of course, this temple will be built for another man and then ultimately destroyed.

So, the stork-women, if you will, are first seen flying at high speed before lifting up the ephah to bear it. Now that’s interesting. They may be visible in some way, to those of us watching, before they start on this high-speed move to Jerusalem. We’ll have to see. Or that may be over reading it. If you are there in Zechariah, you can clearly see that they just come forth. In verse 9…

“Then [I lifted] up my eyes, and looked, and behold, there came out two women, and the wind was in their wings…they had wings like the wings…and they lifted up the ephah” (Zech. 5:9). Now, if it’s literally the way it’s written there, then maybe we see them, or we know of them, a little bit before we know who this man is. But it’s not in any way that ruptures, or fights the principle of…of the snare, because it still has to snare the whole world in a single day.

The devil has the ability…Let me just throw in an interesting thing here…has an extraordinary capability, has the ability to cast apparitions and do all kinds of trickery and gimmicks and devices. His wiles and his depths are just almost unlimited. It’s no trick for the devil to be able to pull off a trick. It’s barely a trick to him…Let me put it that way…for the whole world to see this happen. He comes with all of his power—all of this deceptive and destructive capability—and his ability to purport fraud on people who are eager to be frauded.