From Gerald Weston's last co-worker letter.
This record has been skipping in the same spot for 70+ years now.
Nothing new is ever mentioned, even though we are in the 21st century now.
Same tired and worn out words.
The world is still depraved, the same begging for money, the same "final push" malarkey.
I think we all know that our world is in trouble. Stock markets around the world may be up for the time being, people in some countries may have full wallets and purses, but this does not indicate all is well. Precious few people are alive today who remember the “Roaring ’20s” of the last century, but we might do well to remember that those days were followed by the Great Depression and World War II.
We are living in a world filled with conflicts, moral degradation, and in our Western World, a lack of awareness of God. God is lampooned at every turn, and those who stand up for morality and godly values are equally despised and put down. Where this is leading, is not good! God will not put up with this depravity forever! “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life. And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith” (Galatians 6:7-10).
Dear brethren and co-workers, let us work while it is day, for “the night is coming when no one can work” (John 9:4). Jesus referred to His own Work, but if He is living within us, it must surely be a message for us to take to heart. The Work He refers to is “the works of Him who sent Me….” God calls us to do a Work. It is difficult to see in every detail how events will play out, but free speech is under assault, and there is this sobering prediction: “‘Behold, the days are coming,’ says the Lord God, ‘That I will send a famine on the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the Lord. They shall wander from sea to sea, and from north to east; they shall run to and fro, seeking the word of the Lord, but shall not find it’” (Amos 8:11-12). Is this a warning for us?
Let us work the Work of God while we have time. And thank you for your prayers and generous support. I look forward to that day when we will stand together before the throne of God and hear the words, “Well done, good and faithful servants!” May that day come quickly!
Sincerely, in Christ’s service,
Gerald E. Weston
12 comments:
We are living in a world filled with conflicts, moral degradation, and in our Western World, a lack of awareness of God. God is lampooned at every turn, and those who stand up for morality and godly values are equally despised and put down.
Gerald, Gerald, Gerald. It must be lonely inside your bubble. Don't you realize that millions of "nones" are spiritual, but have grown tired of huckster religious organizations? They lampoon a false god who is omnipotent and omniscient, but somehow needs you to send your money to a con man who spends it on fancy hotel rooms and expensive corporate cars. It is because these spiritual people respect their idea of God that they don't associate themselves with false religious leaders who misuse God's name and who twist His teachings to make you their tithe-slave.
Gerald knows that he is also living in a HQ filled with conflicts and moral degradation. Why doesn't he look at the log in his own HQ instead of trying to pick the specks out of ours? Gerald is looking the other way at some serious sins that LCG members (especially in Charlotte) know about, and it stands to reason that there are others we don't know about. At least two of his HQ ministers are known to be habitual liars and amoral politicians, to a degree that goes far beyond ordinary carnal instincts for self-preservation. Gerald appears to have adopted Rod Meredith's idea that if you are an "essential" employee he is willing to let you get away with behavior that Jesus Christ calls murder, and also with adultery, fornication, lying, stealing (using LCG resources for personal gain), laziness (getting paid to post on Facebook instead of performing job duties), and more.
Weston wrote: "free speech is under assault"
He is right, especially in the COGS and even in his own group. I wonder what the Scarboroughs would have to comment about the idea of "free speech under assualt" !
Imagine how the brethren would respond if Gerald Weston were to announce that he intends to put LCG "back on track" and that the first step is not only to apologize to all the brethren hurt by imperious liars posing as ministers of Jesus Christ, but to publicly invite reconciliation with:
- Every member thrown out of GCG for daring to report Dave Pack's conduct to HQ.
- Every member thrown out of LCG because of a run-in with one of the spoiled children of Rod Meredith and Carl McNair.
- Every member who has left LCG rather than submit to the will of a morally compromised minister.
- Every member who was thrown out of LCG for honestly admitting that the "new upgrades" to doctrine are poorly explained and contract key elements of long-understood end-time prophecy.
Imagine the renewed energy that would sweep through LCG if brethren felt safe under the care of shepherds who would let them use the Holy Spirit they received at baptism. Imagine the relief if brethren saw Gerald Weston disciplining wayward ministers the way HWA dealt with GTA and Stanley Rader and others who were using their WCG positions for their own self-interest.
LCG teaches its people to examine themselves before Passover, and to repent of any sin they find. Maybe Gerald Weston this year repented of his role in abetting so many sins of the LCG ministry, and has decided to take decisive action.
Or, more likely, pigs will fly.
He is right, especially in the COGS and even in his own group. I wonder what the Scarboroughs would have to comment about the idea of "free speech under assualt" !
In Armstrongism, free speech has always been under assault. Look at the "charges" the COG can bring about on its' members who dare exercise "free speech!"
Charge 1: Causing Division
Charge 2: Rebellious Spirit
Charge 3: Unconverted Nature
Charge 4: Insubordination of a Minister
Charge 5: Hostility against God's Government
Other possible charges: Attitude Problem, Demonic Influence, Malice, Lack of the Spirit, Twisting Scripture, Hatred.
And in Armstrongism, there is no innocence until proven guilty. There is no trial. There is no defense attorney. There is no view of evidence. Hearsay is considered "evidence beyond a reasonable doubt".
The next time a minister says "free speech is under assault", just say something to him that he absolutely disagrees with in front of the church. Then, you'll see just how much "Free speech" there is in his congregation. Or you won't, because you won't be there next week, or the week after, or the week after that. Which will lead to:
Penalty 1: Disfellowshipment
Penalty 2: Loss of Friends and Relationships
Penalty 3: Possibility of "Marking"
Penalty 4: Casting of your attitude as "Bitter"
Penalty 5: Emotional and Spiritual damage
Most hear know all this. But it bears repeating. Especially when a minister whines about free speech or the lack thereof when the culture of Armstrongism has no clue about free speech.
In Armstrongism, "free speech" is not "free speech". It is a minister's right to say whatever they want on whatever medium they wish, and a member's duty to put up, to shut up, and to obey without question.
I can't help noticing how open society is becoming more like the Herb culture. Free speech never existed within Herbs church. Members being verbally bashed because a minister snitch/bootlicker twisted some members words, was common.
But, then again, what would these “Forest Gump” type ministers have done with their lives had they not had the opportunities presented to them by Armstrongism?
BB
Almost two thousand years now, and the message is still, "time is short." It's worked real well to keep the peons being pissed on while that think they're enjoying April showers. Why couldn't I see way back there decades ago that the original promise to return in the lifetime of those living was a big crafty lie the authors of that hodge podge made up. The wonder of it all is that it still works on the gullible. Yeah, I know, I was once among the gullible.
The Formula
Remind Brethren the World is bad even it looks good
Remind Brethren scoffers (Noticers) abound but won't get away with it
Remind Brethren time is really short again
Remind Brethren to do the Work before time is up
Remind Brethren it all works out and we win
Remind Brethren they will hear "Well done Thou good and faithful servant..."
Sign off in Christ's Service
And too
Gerald says "“‘Behold, the days are coming,’ says the Lord God, ‘That I will send a famine on the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the Lord. They shall wander from sea to sea, and from north to east; they shall run to and fro, seeking the word of the Lord, but shall not find it’” (Amos 8:11-12). Is this a warning for us?
Actually no it isn't. Go seek ye what that meaneth
HWA said his prophecy was the news in advance. What he didn't say is that it was just fake news in advance. The COGs are not doing anything the rest of the world is doing. Faking it has become the norm.
Poll: 77 percent say major news outlets report 'fake news'
https://www.politico.com/story/2018/04/02/poll-fake-news-494421
I would like to second the idea of "putting things back on track" by kicking out the liars and bullies of the ministry. While I realize that would not leave many to run things, the result would be profound.
Reconciliation, especially at this time of year, would be actually following through with the meaning and intent of the season and associated Scriptures.
One day this will happen: If God is as just and fair as He claims, then there is a reckoning awaiting the corrupt ministers and those who are complicit in their actions. For their sake, I hope that God is far more lenient with them than they have been with those they "lead", or they do not stand a chance.
Please Mr. Weston, take an honest look and strong action! Put sin out of the ministry!
Got it, 8:10. You think that now having a fake president should make us feel better about having been part of a fake church. Reality is one doesn’t make the other look better. Both suck.
BB
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