The Church of God's power structure
It's another day in our vibrant, beautiful world, yet Living Church of God members are being criticized for not being team players. Can they ever get it right?
Unfortunately, Armstrongism has ingrained in its members the belief that they are the lowest of society, unworthy to stand before God. Despite this, they face constant reminders of their perceived worthlessness. As members, they’re placed several levels below the revered, enlightened leaders. Remember, boys and girls, God calls the dogs of the world, and you are right there under the table with the rest of them. You can't be a team player if you are fighting for the crumbs under the table.
Apparently, if they aren't team players working toward a common goal, they may not even be considered Christians. Weston lists several other issues, but his points seem to highlight problems with the church's ministry rather than the members themselves.
Are You a Team Player? Just as Jesus chose His disciples to help preach the Gospel, God has called us to be part of a team. Effective team players have skills and perspectives that can be identified and learned. Christian team players must be focused on the same goal—the Kingdom of God (Matthew 6:33)—and work together to preach the Gospel to the world (Mark 16:15). They avoid saying or doing things that offend others (1 Corinthians 10:32). They are forgiving (Matthew 6:14–15). They focus on the positive (Philippians 4:4) and look for ways to serve others and contribute to the mission of the team (Matthew 20:26–28). Effective team players learn to be peacemakers (Matthew 5:9) and are able to defuse tense situations with calm words (Proverbs 15:1). They don’t make negative comments about or sit in judgment of other members of the team (James 4:11), but they are teachable, willing to listen and make adjustments to achieve the goal (Matthew 7:1–5). They appreciate that a team is made up of individuals with different talents and abilities, just like the body has different parts with important functions (1 Corinthians 12). Good team players learn to love their neighbors (Matthew 5:43–48). Jesus’ disciples had to develop these vital qualities—and so must we. Let’s all strive to be more effective team players!
Have a profitable Sabbath,
Douglas S. Winnail
4 comments:
In COGolese, being a team player always means "taking one" for the team!
True team work is based on the foundation of individuality, ie, every person being the steward of his or her life. One example being the Berean Jews in Acts 17:11 who "examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true." But as the beginning of the article points out, the constant narcissistic devaluation of members by the ministers is designed to grind down such independence. "Teamwork" without member's independence just creates yes-men or Borg drones.
The bird illustration is cool, but in these situations, I tend to gravitate to the Bear and the Bunny Rabbit fable.
A bear and a bunny rabbit are sitting on a log in the middle of the forest, doing their morning business. The bear suddenly asks, "Bunny Rabbit, when you are taking a poo, does it stick to your fur?"
"Of course not!" replies the bunny rabbit, indignantly, whereupon the bear abruptly picks up the bunny rabbit, wipes his rear with him, and sets him back down on the log.
Or, in the immortal opening words of the ultimate guitar and drum dinosaur dad-rock classic, (laughter) "Wipe Out!"
BB
Hilarious BB.
I remember ‘Wipe Out’ by the Surfaris. Was all the rage back in the day, and played at many a party. That brought back memories, thanks. Never heard it at a cog gig ‘Feast’ etc. Once heard Most beautiful girl in the World by Prince done at a ‘talent’ show in New Zealand. Ministers must have had a meltdown ha ha.
They got a big applause from us sheep though. As Mick of the Rolling Stones would say ‘it was a gas gas gas’.
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