Ah, just what church members and the world needs, UCG calming everybody down. Who knew they were able to do such things?
Given their track record of rebellious ministers causing numerous several church divisions are we expected to look to them for direction on how to be calm and peaceful? Seriously?
So many people in the United States are anxious and depressed. This anxiety and uncertainty knows no borders. It stretches around the globe. Psychologists talk openly about “election stress disorder.” People were already fatigued by the never-ending coronavirus pandemic and the rioting that swept through our country a few months back. This is now compounded by the uncertainty of a national election that has not yet ended, with both sides claiming victory and/or fraud. While relative calm existed on the American election day, civic unrest now froths in U.S. cities. This all takes its toll. In the United States, essentially 50 percent of the population is guaranteed to be unhappy with the final election results, even depressed and angry, no matter what the outcome. It’s a tough time.
This angst of anxiety even threatens the bond of love and peace among some of our brethren! Our words between us have power and we must be careful not to weaponize our words, inadvertently indulging in accusations and counteraccusations, judging and condemning each other, and causing offense.
We must maturely and sensitively realize that many people—both in the Church and outside—hurt deeply, even feel torn apart, on all points of being human. While we must remain true to our mission and purpose, we must also exercise spiritual discernment, and as the apostle Paul writes to us: “Let us aim for harmony in the church and try to build each other up” (Romans 14:19, New Living Translation).
How are we handling the tumult in our midst? The answer is vitally important because the proper response allows us to plant our feet firmly on the ground, put our shoulders back and stand firm, even when earthly forces storm and howl around us.
We must remember who we are as Christians. We must remember our calling more than ever at this time. We must not forget our primary citizenship. When we surrender our lives to obedience at our conversion, we are granted citizenship in a coming Kingdom that will last forever, one that God Himself preserves for us in heaven, awaiting the return of the King of kings to this strife-torn planet (Philippians 3:20).
We need to confidently fix this in our mind—no matter the outcome of any earthly election. God is still in charge! We can boldly embrace these words: “Remember this and stand firm . . . I am God and there is none like me, declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying ‘My counsel shall stand’” (Isaiah 46:8, 10, English Standard Version). Personal from the President
20 comments:
Oh hell no! UCG is the last COG I would go to find peace, unity, and calmness.
You cannot trust the UCG at all.
The UCG brings in perverts and stalkers. It kicks out their victims if they complain and tells them that “the UCG meets in peace.”
Victor Kubic's past behavior in the WCG under the apostate Tkaches and in the UCG is not reassuring or comforting at all. Rather, it is a serious warning that needs to be heeded.
Maybe UCG should borrow from ABC and Disney. Have everyone join in a Jelly singalong night.
My dear friend was one of those women in UCG who was stalked and inappropriately touched by a UCG member. Despite repeated molestations by this man and repeated complaints to the minister the only thing that happened was my friend getting kicked out for "causing division" in the local congregation because some members supported the man and said he was just being friendly.
I TONTO COME IN PEACE!
BLM--- "Banned Lives Matter"
RL- wrote "Maybe UCG should borrow from ABC and Disney."
MY COMMENT :
They already have, as did the WCG. Ambassador Bible College is called ABC, and the various monikers used in "COG church speak" are right out of Disney as well. For instance...
World Tomorrow Land
Mr. Ted's Wild Ride
Great Moments With Mr. Armstrong
B/I King Arthurs Carrousel
and others!
Tonto forever trying to bat away serious discussion about UCG.
10.37 PM
Agreed. Humor having to do with abusive cults is inappropriate. Where's the respect for the victims?
They can never calm down or ease stress. Classic Armstrongism is based on their fanatical prophecies about horrendous events that will happen in the near future to those who won't obey the ACOG prophets. If they gave that up, they would overnight lose their grip on their members, and their cults would shortly fall apart.
Anonymous Anonymous said...
Tonto forever trying to bat away serious discussion about UCG.
MY RESPONSE:
Im no cheerleader for UCG. I do not financially contribute to it, am not a member of it. It is very reluctant to practice the "creative destruction" necessary to move into the 21st century. It is satisfied with just being a "status quo" and maintaining its salary structure , in spite of the fact that it is on a trajectory just like the retailer Sears, dying a slow death. It is an org that is going nowhere fast, spinning its wheels, and in a steady slow decline, as I have said often.
It can be argued that the UCG is the least toxic of the Armstrong spinoff groups. Having elections for the oligarchy was a good first step. Enfranchising its membership with a vote, would be a great step forward, but alas will never happen for those guys. Like most COGS, and even Protestant churches, it is a gray haired, aging, tired organization.
Anon, do you have issues answers that we need to know?
Victor Kubik concludes asking us to remember something: "...We need to confidently fix this in our mind—no matter the outcome of any earthly election. God is still in charge! We can boldly embrace these words: “Remember this and stand firm . . . I am God and there is none like me, declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying ‘My counsel shall stand’” (Isaiah 46:8Open in Logos Bible Software (if available), 10Open in Logos Bible Software (if available), English Standard Version)..."
Remember what? "God is still in charge?"
The Bible speaks of another Jesus, another spirit, another gospel, but who/what is God?
Could there be such a phrase as "another god?"
What "God" did Victor have in mind? Vic quoted Isaiah 46:8, which is full of personal pronouns. That is, the verse did not say this:
"I (We?) am God (there are 2 [pick another #] of us?) and there is none like me (us?), declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying ‘My (our-there are 2 [pick a #] of us?) counsel shall stand'"
Well, whatever, Vic says to "Remember this and stand firm..."
Why remember that? Did Vic remember that and stand firm b/c it was something he learned from his days in the former WCG days?
Usually, personal pronouns refer to only one. For example, we may read this:
"For I lift up my hand to heaven, and say, I live for ever." Deut 32:;40
Is that verse one we should remember and hold fast to? One, not 2 [pick another #], said those words.
What God did Vic have in mind? Does Victor believe "my hand" cannot apply to the Word's hand or to the hand of Jesus Christ?
Time will tell...
John
This is counter to the flow of information coming from many Armstrongist groups. Most Armstrongists groups, if they are true to their apocalyptic Millerite roots, want their congregations in a perpetual state of agitation. This conduces to a healthy flow of revenues into church coffers and membership obedience. If their congregations are not antsy, they manufacture crises or once again enact the "Jesus Returns Now" high liturgy.
I would speculate that the only time Armstrongist leaders would advocate calm is when they see that the induced and desirable state of agitation is out of hand and is leading to instability. Probably, they see a schism coming and this is the first step in the direction of a clamp down.
8.04 AM
Most of the difficult personalities in my congregation moved to the UCG. So I'm surprised that you call them the least toxic of the splinters. Perhaps they are the least controlling since the members wouldn't stand for it.
"Creative destruction"? Hmm, I recall Connie using those words.
Legalistic churches with overbearing pastors are major sources of stress.
The only one with issues Tonto is you. Has Tonto not realized trap setting doesn't work these days. How's the wi-fi?
Well said Anon 9:40. Tonto and Connie are one in my opinion.
Anonymous at 9:40 AM said...“Most of the difficult personalities in my congregation moved to the UCG. So I'm surprised that you call them the least toxic of the splinters. Perhaps they are the least controlling since the members wouldn't stand for it.”
The UCG is full of unrepentant, unconverted unbelievers running wild and out of control. The UCG is toxic in its own way. Perverts rule in the UCG, and their victims get kicked out, the same as in satanic cults like the PCG.
There are NOT 666 different true COGs, but there might be 666 false ones. All the false ones are toxic.
And Anon 9:40 and 1:04 are one in my opinion.
"Anon" 7:04 No wrong Ha!
7.04 PM
In the early days of the web, it was common for guys to use a women's name in chat rooms in order to gain attention. But a man using a woman's name and pic on a religious blog is out right dishonest in my view.
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