One never knows what craziness will come out of the Living Church of God anymore.
Today we have Rod McNair talking to loyal LCG members about supporting "the cause." I guess since they have no active "work" that delivers a real gospel message to the world, they now need to refer to themselves as "the cause." No matter what they call themselves, it all boils down to one thing. LCG members are expected to financially support "the cause."
McNair writes:
Support the Cause Financially
It matters that we support the Work of God with our wallet as well as our words. As Jesus said, “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven” (Matthew 6:19–20).
God will provide for the Work—He says that all the gold and all the silver is His. But He provides through people. Our Father is not limited in resources, and it is to our benefit to put our heart into His Work. He could even raise up stones to do that Work (Matthew 3:9; Luke 3:8), but He has chosen to give us the privilege of playing a part. We are blessed for and experience the joy of being part of His Work, and He takes care of us. Putting our hearts in the Work involves faithfully tithing and giving offerings.
Support the Local Chapter of the Cause
All around the world, members of the Living Church of God are united in support of this cause. Members support Headquarters, and they also help in supporting the local ministry. They help support local Sabbath services. They bolster and encourage one another. Some deliver telecast tapes to broadcast stations and help at live Tomorrow’s World Presentation events. Many share YouTube telecasts, Viewpoint videos, whiteboard videos, articles, or sermons on social media. One way or another, they are directly involved in supporting the Work!
We need to think about what we can do on a personal level in our interactions with outsiders, in our neighborhoods, on the job, and in the community. Historically, many of our brethren have been called through personal contacts or family members. We must not be afraid of shining as lights, convicted so others can see who we are and what we stand for.
This does not detract from our support for the weekly Tomorrow’s World telecast, the Tomorrow’s World magazine, the many aspects of our Internet outreach, and other media efforts. In this world, mass media efforts are extremely effective—easily the most effective way to get a message in front of the most people. God is opening new doors for us to do just that.
Yet our individual contribution at the local level is also vital. Just as with any cause in the world, support at the local level—a good “ground game”—is crucial. Notice what Paul wrote about the importance of each member to the function of the body: “For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith. For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another” (Romans 12:3–5).
A few of the functions of the body are roles of the ministry, but many are not. As needs arise, everyone’s service in the body is vital in a different way for the support of our “chapter” to preach the Gospel locally and around the world. Together, as we serve God and His Church, we are laying down our lives as “a living sacrifice,” as Paul explained in Romans 12:1.
As we would expect from LCG, the banner they wave is the banner of Moses and not Jesus. It's all about lifting up the hands of Moses (Weston) instead of BEING the hands of Jesus in a hurting world today.
Our Cause, Our Banner
Before the Israelites ever reached the foot of Mount Sinai and committed the idolatry we discussed earlier, there was another event worth noting. Angry bands of Amalekites had attacked the congregation of the Israelites, and Moses sent Joshua to fight against them. Scripture tells the inspiring story of how God defended His people when they needed it—and it gives us a clear, concise understanding of where our loyalties should lie.
And so it was, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed; and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed. But Moses’ hands became heavy; so they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat on it. And Aaron and Hur supported his hands, one on one side, and the other on the other side; and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun (Exodus 17:11–12).
God’s servants were holding up Moses’ arms, just as we “hold up the arms” of our leaders today. And then Moses built an altar to honor God’s deliverance. Notice what he called that altar: “Moses built an altar and called its name, ‘The-Lord-Is-My-Banner’” (Exodus 17:15).
There are a lot of slogans people get excited about today. You can find them written on hats and T-shirts, posted on social media, and promoted at sporting events and political rallies. All these slogans are brands for causes of this world. But what is the cause we support? Which “flag” do we wave? And are we on God’s side? Is the Lord our Banner?
Jesus told His disciples, including us, to preach the Gospel to the world as a witness, in preparation for the establishment of the greatest kingdom the world has ever seen. There is no greater cause than that. Who is on the Lord's side?
25 comments:
Imagine a cause so pathetic that it spawns Bob Thiel for an even worse church. Jesus is weeping
Associating the ministers with Moses is kinda rich. Since when did Moses oppress those he led, or use abusive cult tactics?
Supporting that cause is like accidentally urinating your slacks in a dark suit. It gives you a nice warm feeling, but nobody notices.
Rod, can one be on God’s side and have the Lord as one’s banner and not be a member of the LCoG?
I have been associated with the worldwide and its spinoff churches since the early 1970's. I hate to be a jerk, but most people now have never heard of LCG, UCG or Flurry's Cult. They seem to have minimal impact and if that us there idea of spreading the gospel or witness, is one takes a moment to look and ponder, they gave been a colossal failure. Sermons or messages about church government are not going to bring new people in.
Also, there is no evidence that Moses and the leaders lead a lifestyle way above that of the assembly. They did not eat like kings. lay on beds of goose down, or sat on seats made from the choicest animal hair.
Even the tithing system that was used to enable the priesthood was based on only 10% used for three purposes. Three tithes are NEVER mentioned in the Bible. Various instructions were written down that spoke of ALL the tithes and not three separate ones.
Three times in a year one was to attend a festival gathering bringing all their tithes whether the tithes were animals, vegetables, or other. The assembly was instructed to eat from their tithes, give part to the Levites etc. All enjoyed the feasts as laid down by Yahweh. The idea of a separate socalled second tithe did not come about until the second century thereby showing that it was of men and not ordained by Elohim. Greedy men wanted more for themselves just as today governments add new taxes to our lives making our lives a misery. Socalled third tithe was the act of not going to Jerusalem during the third tithe year, but by celebrating Yahweh's feast at home and sharing it with the poor.
The system of today brings abundant living to the upper class within the assembly leaving the actual payers living hand to mouth. Certainly not what Yahweh intended.
Even in the Sabbatarian community of SDAs, COG 7th Day, and Messianic Christians, groups like UCG, LCG, Flurry/Pack/ Thiel/ Weinaland , are virtually unknown to 98% of them.
Armstrong COG splinter groups are dead in the water (at best), and are declining in membership and reach each year. They need a new paradigm, but alas, such a revolution is seldom to be found in human organizations. Look for the business and operations model of the COGs to continue along the lines of Sears Roebuck, with a paced decline into oblivion.
Associating the ministers with Moses is kinda rich. Since when did Moses oppress those he led, or use abusive cult tactics?
Don't you know? Moses kept a tithe database so he could check up on murmuring Israelites. He also kept files recording the gossip people were sharing about each Israelite, even though the gossip was often inaccurate.
As for Rod McNair, he has been on the WCG/GCG/LCG payroll for his whole life, and has no idea of what it is like to work for a living without having older relatives around to further his career and protect him from the consequences of his incompetence. LCG members who trust him for counsel are setting themselves up for disaster.
Mentions of "cause" in this excerpt: 8.
Mentions of "work": 7.
Not exactly the end of the "work."
Weaker and weaker. I wonder if there will still be COG remnants in the year 2050. 2070, 2090?
It's all going to die out eventually without the "Work" having done anything of note except be a thorn in people's sides, so why not just pack it up now and leave, members?
I wonder if there will still be COG remnants in the year 2050. 2070, 2090?
There are still remnants of LDS splits that formed in succession crises after Joseph Smith died. Armstrongites will be around at least until the Hebrew calendar year 6000 has come and gone. We're currently at 5781.
Fun fact: I learned about Banned while researching this human piece of filth Ron McNair.
My WCG experience started in 1968 and I’m not going to bore all of you wit the details but I did do one semester at ACBC, and I did see HWA/GTA in Jykell Island under the tent….
I still have family stuck in the LCG cult in Charlotte so that is the main reason I even come here.
Rod McNair is the kind of dirtbag that breaks up families and will probably lead to the deaths of members.
I could make names but for now I will not.
I know about the Scarboroughs as well….all because of this scumbag. I wonder if he thinks the judgement is just a joke…??
McNair wrote this to try to convince the people they are part of a great cause.
It's no longer called the work because there's not much work being done and the results are about the same as if you snoozed all day at work.
The people are worn out psychologically from doing their part in tithes and offerings and there's nothing tangible to show for it.
Herbie gave the people the Auditorium, Ambassador College, meetings with world leaders, and lots of big numbers for telecasts and publication distribution.
LCG provides the people no showy return to excite the people.
Gerald Weston has no star appeal and the ministry is the same dull reflection of him.
LCG needs a cause but since they mostly reject Jesus they are bound to keep stumbling in the dark.
This cause-deficient cause and sad state of affairs will be acceptable to too many members, but their numbers are dwindling.
Jesus is the answer to all LCG problems, but instead they look to Moses.
A cause would be to the heart and hands of Jesus - reaching out to those around to care for their physical needs and preach a message of grace for their spiritual needs.
No other cause will really have any positive impact on LCG or the world they come in contact with.
Anon 3:36AM doesn't know what he's talking about. LCG talks a lot about the Work, even if Rod McNair doesn't. Rod McNair is a pitiful sociopath who rose to power because his father and uncle were LCG bigwigs. Now, he's just one of the people Weston needs to treat carefully so they don't spill the beans about LCG's many scandals.
Rod is scary enough that at one point he even went sniffing around his Uncle Dave's RCG cult, looking for a better deal than he was getting at LCG. That should tell you how morally derelict he is. And it reveals that he is basically an atheist, and doesn't really think LCG is "the Work." Maybe that's why he's so eager to present things differently to LCG members.
[COGs] are virtually unknown to 98% of them [Sabbatarians]
And COGs make a point of being a "small flock". They just want to be a bigger small flock. Perhaps they would prefer an insignificant flock but lots for generous coworkers.
The Dying Church of Rod is a BAD CAUSE and a LOST CAUSE.
LCG is slowly fading away. Part of the problem is the idea of preaching the gospel on TV.
If it worked for WCG, it will work now, or so goes the thinking. The problem is the media environment has changed dramatically. No longer can one man speak to thousands. Today, thousands of men speak to thousands. LCG's top-down controlling government thwarts any of its people from preaching the gospel themselves wherever and whenever they can. No, they need to shut up, pay their tithes and let headquarters do that.
LCG is dying from its covid cowardice. Some congregations were reduced to zoom services for months. Other radical covid protocols were enforced. And while the people still wait for things to get back to normal, Church of God Assembly has left them in the dust. It is busy, moving forward by leaps and bounds, and full of life. CGA has over 500 registered for their feast. Why? LCG is afraid of covid, despite the repeated Biblical admonitions to "be ye not afraid". CGA is stepping out in faith, boldness, courage, and trusting in God's promises (Psalm 91).
The biggest disappointment in LCG is Mario Hernandez. He used to talk so passionately about the faith of Daniel and his companions. He used to powerfully encourage us practice faith. In the past, he would have been one of the first to step out in faith and courage. But now, after 11 years in Charlotte, he is reduced to being a mouthpiece for Weston. Sad.
LCG Expositor wrote:
" despite the repeated Biblical admonitions to "be ye not afraid"."
ROTFL
Yep, this is why I never wear seat belts. God is my seat belt! I don't need no preventive measures! (God is also my vaccine) /s
How is CGA moving forward by leaps and bounds? All I've seen from them is a website and summer camp. A year out from formation, are they preaching a gospel message to the world? Are they producing any literature? Any radio/television/podcasting in the future? And trusting in God's promises of protection from COVID? How many members have come down with the stuff? Even Monson himself admitted to catching it, and spending five days in the hospital. If he fully trusted God, why did he spend five days in the hospital? Sad.
Hi Anonymous @ 9:35am: Out of curiosity, why is radio & TV your benchmark for “preaching a gospel message to the world”?
Weston & Monson both caught COVID (Weston now twice). Why does “trusting in God’s promises of protection from COVID” mean to you that no one will catch COVID? Fully trusting in God means that *no matter the outcome*, one trusts that God is in control. Even to death, people who fully trust in God will continue to keep God’s commandments (i.e. holding holy convocations on the Sabbath) until the end of their days.
I believe the people in CGA are striving to do so because they love God (if you love Me, keep my commandments). LCG leadership is missing the mark on this currently; however, they are still brethren & God’s chosen - will they prove themselves faithful?
The better question to be asking: Will we all be deemed faithful in the end? I hope to be among that group & hope you are too.
Instead of the work or the cause, how about the "Mystery of Christ"?
Most COGers would scoff at that wording, yet it is biblical.
While reading a devotional this morning from one of those "Christians, falsely so called", I came across this verse:
AND PRAY FOR US, TOO, THAT GOD MAY OPEN A DOOR FOR OUR MESSAGE, SO THAT WE MAY PROCLAIM THE MYSTERY OF CHRIST. ( COLOSSIANS 4:2-3 )
You'll never catch the COGs speaking that way or actually proclaiming the mystery of Christ.
The “CAUSE” is a FAMILY *BUSINESS*!! They are trying to ensure that it continues to the next generation of:
WINNAILS
MC NAIRS
LYONS
ETC. ETC. AD NAUSEUM!! Almost EVERY Lyons family member ordained?? I smell a RAT!!
Almost EVERY Lyons family member ordained?? I smell a RAT!!
This complaint cannot be coming from an LCG member, as Rod Meredith often enough told LCG members, "God usually works through families." If it is from an LCG member, it must be from a jealous young man who thought spending a year at LCG HQ would put him on the fast track to ordination despite a lack of basic social skills.
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