Doug Winnail is hard at work again guilting LCG members who do not show up every single week for church services. A family day at the park or the zoo is far more spiritually beneficial than wasting 2 1/2 hours listening to canned sermons that are from the 1970's or straight out of a church publication.
The Importance of Fellowship: David wrote, “How good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity” (Psalm 133:1). Jesus enjoyed and looks forward to enjoying the opportunity of future fellowship with His called and chosen disciples (Luke 22:15–16). He also stated that His true disciples would be recognized by the love they have for one another (John 13:35). In the same manner, the Apostle Paul urged Christians, “let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day [of Christ’s return] approaching” (Hebrews 10:24–25). The Sabbath is a wonderful time to enjoy the opportunity to fellowship with God, with Jesus Christ, and with others of like mind.
Have a profitable Sabbath,
Douglas S. Winnail
10 comments:
"Not forsaking the assembly of ourselves" is not a law, but an application of one of the ten commandments. There's always assumptions in such advice. If a church is toxic, keeping the Sabbath at home is acceptable.
Don't Skip Church is kind of a every church tells their members that, right?
Does Sherry Winnail still attend her Baptist church more often than she attends LCG services with her husband?
The audacity of LCG is amazing. They were the ones that prohibited assembling together, leading to the formation of COG-Assembly. Others were forced out by LCG because they didn't want to bow down to the fear of covid and wear masks and avoid singing hymns. All these people wanted to do was assemble together, and LCG said "no". Any steam that LCG still had was gone once the zealous people left and formed CGA.
Sounds like LCG improved their gene pool, 10:00 PM! I did not know this. Who are the leaders of this CGA? How big is it?
Sounds like LCG improved their gene pool, 10:00 PM! I did not know this. Who are the leaders of this CGA? How big is it?
I do not have any insider knowledge. This is what I have observed. Sheldon Monson was the pastor in Maryland and had been the director of the LCG teen camp. In 2020, when most (perhaps all) of the churches of God cancelled their camps because of covid, Sheldon persisted in holding LCG's camp. People pressured him to cancel, but he said that with prayer and faith, they were going to hold it. It went well, no covid. After the camp, LCG stated that any congregations that were meeting together (many were still meeting on zoom) were required to wear masks. Sheldon resisted, stating that they had just finished a successful camp with no masking and no covid. The LCG leadership fired him. One other paid pastor, Jason Fritts, left at this time also (I do not know if he quit or was fired). Between 300-400 people also left LCG and they formed a new church, Church of God, Assembly (CGA). They held their feast at Lake of the Ozarks that fall. Fast forward to summer camp, 2021. CGA of course planned their camp. LCG planned their camp also, although it appeared their heart wasn't really in it. Whether they were shamed into it by CGA, or maybe they were still very fearful, they went ahead and planned for it. As it turned out, it was at the same location as CGA's camp (after CGA completed theirs). CGA's camp went fine, no covid. LCG's camp (at the SAME location) was cancelled after 3 days due to many covid cases. One might say that God was with CGA and He was not with LCG, but it could just be plain biology. CGA had spent the previous year assembling together every week, greeting with hugs and handshakes, having potlucks, game nights, campouts. LCG, on the other hand, had spent much of the previous year cowering in the basements with little personal interaction (in spite of Hebrews 10:25 and Lev 23:2). CGA's immune systems were robust, the natural result of personal interaction. LCG's isolation resulted in a compromised, weakened immune system. So, perhaps God didn't have to lift a finger. This incident reminded me of Numbers 14, where the fearful and faithless Israelites didn't want to enter the land and wanted to stone those who encouraged them to act in faith. After being chastised, their half-hearted attempt to enter the land failed miserably. You might liken Monson and Fritts to Joshua and Caleb. Weston and the rest of LCG were like the worried, rebellious, faithless, pathetic Israelites who wanted to return to Egypt -- they shall not enter into the land.
Anyway, I believe CGA today has about 600 members.
Anyone with more info, please contribute.
I remember Doug skipped out on a holy day service at the FOT to attend a college reunion.
Interesting comments, 3:26. Of course, LCG would likely use human reasoning to justify themselves and say it was just happenstance. Like some Democrats and Republicans, they fiercely hold on to their corporate image and political ties. They think they're being wise and smart by obeying the government's orders all the time. That's how one gets the mark of the beast.
Correct to the first comment: "If a church is toxic, keeping the Sabbath at home is acceptable."
Also if the minister is toxic, staying at home is acceptable. If the distance is too far to travel staying at home is acceptable. If the leadership acts like a bunch of pharisees, stay at home also.
Remember Daniel was greatly beloved and he was in captivity, the Apostle John was kicked out of the physical congregation but he received Revelation from God.
If your own minister is toxic, and your church is toxic, do you send your tithes to Franklin Graham? How about COG7? Maybe a little money would raise them from the dead?
Does anybody even know of an ACOG that is not toxic?
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