After weeks of fasting and prayer, God was apparently influenced:
[CINCINNATI, MAY 20, 2022] After weeks of prayer and periodic fasting, the Council of Elders selected Mr. Rick Shabi to serve as the next president of the United Church of God, an International Association. Mr. Shabi’s three-year term began on May 18. The Church’s home office staff in Cincinnati looks forward to serving under the leadership of Mr. Shabi and his wife, Deborah.
Behind every good cult leader is a good woman, or so the photo suggests.
ReplyDeleteI find the photo to be demeaning, but the text says "serving under" and mentions Deborah, so this may just be another example of UCG's daft optics.
Now, please, don't call him shabby, as I heard a minister once mispronounce his name.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations Rick Shabi
ReplyDelete.
Was Jelly involved in this decision?
ReplyDeleteKicking Kubic to the curb ? What's Kubic done to deserve that titled response ?
ReplyDeleteAnyone have any experience with Shabi? Is he a hardliner or a progressive?
ReplyDeleteHe is a straight shooter. He is a kind man. A good listener and not a power freak at all. His sermons are spot on and he is not a control freak. He believes in servant leadership. He has degrees in Finance and was a hospital administrator in the private world. He will be a good leader for UCG.
DeleteI never heard of him. It looks like he is about 70. Looks like the same old foggies are running the show at the home office!
ReplyDelete"Kicking Kubic to the curb ? What's Kubic done to deserve that titled response ?"
ReplyDeleteUm...It's common knowledge that Kubik did not want to go and wasn't entirely too happy when they voted him out.
Aw come on guys, wouldn't it have been great if the WCG had elections and HWA would have stayed humble under those conditions? If you are going to bitch, then have something real to bitch about.
ReplyDeleteWhat does "serving under the leadership of Mr Shabi" mean? Oh, I just remembered, in ACOG culture, this means that Mr Shabi has all rights and others have none. Yep, those darn pesty rights.
ReplyDeleteWas there a change announced on who will be on the council now?
ReplyDeleteI saw Len Martin remains chair. Beyond that, try coe.ucg.org.
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ReplyDeleteAfter the big UCG–COGWA splinter split of 2010, what was left of the UCG became a haunt of demons, unbelievers, and every unclean Bird.
After the big UCG–COGWA splinter split of 2010, what was left of the UCG became a haunt of demons, unbelievers, and every unclean Bird.
ReplyDelete...and Jelly.
After watching his 'Living Stones' sermon I give Shabi about 18 months max. Possibly one term. I very much doubt he'll survive more than one term. Not electing Aaron Dean as President will have ruffled feathers as much as not allowing Kubic a third term to finish off his projects and wind up his Presidency. Kubic kept them steady for nine years it looks bizarre how they chose someone as untested as Shabi over him.
ReplyDeleteNever allowing any of the Beyond Today presenters to become President is also starting to look odd. What's the point of giving them so much prominence if they can never be President?
They like to blame God for it all but changing leaders every few years on a whim and a prayer isn't biblical.
Will Shabi be his own man or a Council of Elders puppet? Time will tell.
11.47 AM
ReplyDeleteShabi is being paid to be the council of elders puppet. That's what all employees are. Puppets of their employer.
Just once I would like to see a Church of God pick their new leader the biblical way, by casting lots. Just like the original Apostles did when they replaced Judas with Matthias.
ReplyDeleteActs 1 must be the last time we see anyone cast lots. We don't see it after that. Eg in Acts 6:1-6, or Acts 14:23, or in 1 Timothy 3:1-13 or Titus 1:5-9.
DeleteCrisis: ACOG membership is shrinking.
ReplyDeleteAre they still throwing big money to air their dumb TV shows?
Somebody tell them it's not 1975 any more; these don't work - ask Dave Pack,
his shows picked-apart by critics on you tube, withdrawn from broadcast.
Since Armstrongism is passe and of no interest except to fringe people, it doesn't really matter who is president of UCG. However, it should be an interestimg experience for Rick and his wife, and if he is ever in search of new employment, it may look good on his resume. I suspect that this position has equal value to a degree from Embarrassing College.
ReplyDeleteI know Rick and he won’t be anybody's puppet. He’s smart, humble and a true man of faith. He was well known to the Elders, handling the Church finances.
ReplyDeleteHe’s also a great speaker and is ease to talk to about any subject
Good that brings hope. The decent ones don't always win through in UCG.
DeleteIs he a 'company man' or will he do the right thing regardless of who it is when judging a situation?
ReplyDeleteOne qualification for an ACOG leader is he must know how to take the Helm of a sinking ship: Captain Joseph Hazelwood of the Exxon Valdez comes to mind.
ReplyDeleteGreat question, 11:11. From my experiences most men are "company men" and not fully committed to doing righteousness and justice.
ReplyDeleteI could take him up with my own grievance but I fear the worst.
Why do I fear?
Because it has happened MULTIPLE TIMES!
Be forewarned unfaithful elders of the persecution that is coming.
1:11 When do UCG Presidents 'judge' a situation ?? What do you mean by situation?
ReplyDeleteThey don't parse things to that level, because they are either blinded to terms like company man and party line, or see it as a false dichotomy. An organization that thinks of itself as being "God's" church equates being a company man with doing the will of God. That IS doing the right thing in their particular world. It's why they are impervious to our criticism.
ReplyDeletewhen do presidents judge a situation, 11 pm?
ReplyDeletecome on, you sound as if you are an elder in ucg, maybe from company hq, because you ask questions for the sake of asking questions, like an academic (which may be your background) who just wants to provoke debate.
the president's role is primarily administrative but he does get into talks with the coe now and then, doesn't he? you don't remember when kubik (who gloated over his "successful" nine year run in office) had to run out to minnesota to disfellowship the adulterer/wife-murderer elder for his diabolical deeds? he had to JUDGE THAT SITUATION as prez, didn't he? (why didn't the coe send one of their own or one of their appeal court judges to do the dirty work?)
oh, pardon me, you might say that he was delegated, but therein lies the massive problem in the churches. if an elder, a prez, a coe member doesn't like the ominous tones of a coming judgment situation, he delegates, backs off, goes to sleep or screws it up worse, generally resorting to condemnation, running away or lukewarm pass-the-buck tactics, deceiving himself into thinking that it's not his responsibility under the corporate structure even though scripture teaches about taking action in various forms - witnessing or bringing in witnesses, interceding, correcting, mediating, convicting, making peace, discerning first before judging, etc., i.e. it ought to be a congregational effort -- not just a partisan committee affair to be judged in a disengaged, intuitive and arbitrary manner by cold hearts trying primarily to protect the corporate bubble first from getting a "bad rap".
instead of worshipping their corporate nest, hierarchy, legislation, logo, treasury, cliques and selfish will they ought to be doing the spiritual things of an ordained priest as found in 1 sam 12:3, and say... "respond to me (the elder) before the LORD (God) and His anointed (Christ): have i the elder stolen anything (money, membership) from you? have i violated, oppressed or offended anyone? have i broken anyone? from whose hand (of the condoning fellow accomplices, dupes, lackeys, sychophants and bootlickers) have i received a bribe to blind my eyes from righteous judgment? i will restore all things with you".
please post as a new thread and let the people judge.
if you can't do what's right, you won't be in the kingdom, which is why we have been blown to pieces and nothing grows and weeds increase.
Are you on drugs 9:03?
Deletehey, 2:20, maybe you are drinking of the wine of babylon's fornication if you think all is well with you and the church?
ReplyDeleteguess who holds up the bottom on which you are walking? (if you live in california maybe you will see?)
why would i take a drug when a minister murders his wife in the church?
why would i take a drug when i tried to reconcile with the church multiple times?
the holy spirit is more powerful than drugs, brother.
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Rick is definitely PROGRESSIVE!! He taught his daughters to worry more about their RESUMES than obeying the word of God!! And the fruits PROVE it!!
ReplyDeletePRESS RELEASE!! 😂😂😂😂😂 Like I said BEFORE he was elected; Rick Shabi and Victor Kubik are BEST FRIENDS!! Victor will most likely still be running things covertly. They had to find a way to cover Victor’s (conflict of interest) LIFENETS debacle because too many people were skeptical of it and were asking too many questions. Rick Shabi is people pleaser and does not possess the backbone to run the CULT solely on his own. I can guarantee that Victor will STILL BE AT THE HELM and making the decisions. After all, he “KNOWS *WHY* GOD PUT HIM IN CHARGE”!!! Funny because most converted Christians are still trying to figure it out because God’s Spirit is one of HUMILITY and NOT of VANITY!! I knew at the very second that Victor spoke those words that he was a FALSE so called Minister!! WATCH and see if it is not BUSINESS AS USUAL!! By the way, WHERE IS THE WORD **PRESIDENT** IN THE BIBLE???? United is a CORPORATE organization!! If it quacks like a duck it IS A DUCK!!
ReplyDeleteBTW, his wife has more balls than him!!
ReplyDeletePresident!! ROTFL!!
ReplyDeleteRick is easy to talk to because he is a PEOPLE PLEASER and will tell you what you want to hear. WAKE UP!! Rick is a CORPORATE man who cares about his RESUME and making money!! His sermons are devoid of any substance!! Nothing but Armstrongism regurgitation!! Why did he have to send an EMAIL PEP TALK about KEEPING THE SABBATH??? It was sent out EVERY Friday!! Give them all MEANINGLESS little jobs, keep them BUSY, keep them COMING for their weekly sabbath BRAIN WASHING session so that they can continue to PRAY, PAY and STAY!! WAKE UP!!
ReplyDeleteEvidently you know nothing about Rick Shabi. He is definitely not a puppet nor a people pleaser. As for his sermons, they are always consistently on point biblically. His bible studies are outstanding and interactive. They is no shred of evidence that he is seeking a position money or a big title. I know Rick, he is a fine minister that is always assessable and willing to help. A true leader. Believe me he will be nobody’s puppet. He will lead this church to a closer relationship with God. You guys will continue to find fault with him and the UCG. It’s like a religion with you guys. Find fault with UCG and others. But you will not win nor will you ever be able to extinguish the church of God. Nic and pic all you want. Regardless we will march on and proclaim Gods kingdom until HE comes
DeleteAs long as there are religious LEMMINGS around who will continue to support this FACADE it will continue!! President?? SERIOUSLY?? Your humility is NAUSEATING!!
ReplyDeleteCalling humility nauseating ? That's a shocker. NOT !!
DeleteIn my time I have witnessed so called sabbath keeping christians get extremely irritated by humility being mentioned. Even the discussion gets some highly agitated. You should ask yourself why ?
Quite the opposite of Jesus Christ's character. Its always a question of character 9:03 always.
If you are lucky, DEBBIE will influence Rick for good!! She has more brains than Rick!!
ReplyDeleteShe may be smarter, if so, they are one smart couple and a Godly couple
DeleteCongratulations Ricky, you CLIMBED THE CORPORATE LADDER!! WWJD????????????????????????????????????????????????????
ReplyDeleteHe could care less about the corporate ladder. He cares about living and preaching Gods word. We know Rick well.
DeleteWe only heard him speak one time at the Feast several years ago. It seemed like the theme that year was "The Great Tribulation and persecution of the United COG". It was a total turn-off for us and we haven't been back to the UCG since. Incidentally, that theme isn't what the FOT is about. So much for "spot on" sermons.
ReplyDeleteWe only heard him speak one time at the Feast several years ago. It seemed like the theme that year was "The Great Tribulation and persecution of the United COG". It was a total turn-off for us and we haven't been back to the UCG since. Incidentally, that theme isn't what the FOT is about. So much for "spot on" sermons.
ReplyDeleteJust heard him for the first time when UCG broadcast his first "stones" sermon to the whole membership. He said our growth comes from the body of Christ, or the church. No scripture was cited.
ReplyDeleteI think my growth comes from my relationship with God--not "the church". Not sure if he misspoke. My hackles get up when they promote the organization as the most important part of the teachings. Lately, that seems to be the trend.
Cathy, what is the link for that message?
ReplyDeletehttps://www.ucg.org/sermons/living-stones-2
ReplyDeleteI beg to differ with you DELUDED ANONYMOUS!! I know Rick Shabi and his family VERY WELL and I have seen the fruits or should I say LACK THEREOF!! You are obviously a newcomer or unskilled in discerning the truth when it is hiding in PLAIN SIGHT!!
ReplyDeleteAnyone who supports the hierarchy is a participant in stupidity!!
ReplyDeleteWhen his mouth is moving he is mis-speaking!!
ReplyDeleteGrow a brain 12:10!, I was being FACETIOUS!! Everything they do shows a LACK OF HUMILITY!! WHERE is it WRITTEN that one should be called the PRESIDENT of a church???? NEWS FLASH, you won’t find it because it DOESN’T EXIST!! You are lacking in mental acuity!!
ReplyDeleteDREAM ON 5:41!!
ReplyDeleteTIME WILL TELL 11:27!!! JC was NOT a PEOPLE PLEASER!!
ReplyDelete