The plot thickens in this masterclass of spiritual whiplash from Jim Franks' February 2026 member letter. After breathlessly praising the stunning humility on full display at the Australian Open—where young Carlos Alcaraz and even Novak Djokovic graciously deflected praise and pointed to others instead of thumping their chests—our intrepid President couldn't resist taking it up a notch. He marveled at how "refreshing" it was to see such rare, almost mythical humility "in our society, especially among athletes, politicians, and world leaders."
Politicians. World leaders. Got it. These are now the unexpected role models beaming down heavenly vibes of meekness for all to admire.
But wait—there's more! In a twist so delicious it could only come from the top echelons of COGWA leadership, Franks immediately pivots and sighs wistfully: "What a different world it would be if humility were more evident among its leaders." Translation: Sure, the secular world is occasionally knocking it out of the park with humility, but let's be real—those godless politicians and athletes still aren't doing it enough. The world is still a mess because humility isn't the default setting among the powerful.
And who, pray tell, is going to fix this glaring shortfall? Not the Church as an institution, heavens no. Franks is crystal clear: "While we cannot bring that about, we can choose to focus on others rather than ourselves, thereby fostering an atmosphere of love, humility and service within the Church." In other words, brethren, the ball is squarely in your court. You lowly members—yes, you—get the sacred duty of cultivating all that warm, fuzzy love, humility, and service right here in the congregation. Because, let's face it, God knows the leadership and ministry aren't about to lead by example on this one. They've got far more important things to do, like writing letters about how everyone else should be humbler.
And just like clockwork, because no COG seasonal message is complete without it, he seamlessly ties this all into the upcoming Passover season. This year, apparently, we're not just focusing on Christ and His perfect example—no, no. We're supposed to elevate the shining beacons of humility we've witnessed in the world's top athletes and government officials (yes, those same ones he just implied aren't humble enough overall) as pointers to "something better." Members are urged to seek out and emulate that level of humility this Passover. Because nothing says "examining ourselves before taking the symbols" like benchmarking against tennis pros and career politicians who occasionally say nice things in victory speeches.
Truly visionary stuff. Forget Philippians 2 and Christ's emptying of Himself—let's look to the ATP tour and Davos for inspiration. After all, when has the Armstrongist leadership ever needed to practice what it preaches on humility? The endless cycle of splits, name-calling, power plays, and "my group is the one true remnant" declarations have always been dripping with the stuff. Why start now?
Passover prep just got a whole lot more... worldly. Thanks for the guidance, President Franks. We're all feeling properly inspired (and slightly nauseated) already.
Brethren, I pray for all of you every day. Our world truly seems to be reeling out of control, yet it is vital that we not become so caught up in its politics and tragedies that we lose sight of the most fundamental principle of all—the need for humility, both in our worship of God and in our attitude toward one another.
What a different world it would be if humility were more evident among its leaders. While we cannot bring that about, we can choose to focus on others rather than ourselves, thereby fostering an atmosphere of love, humility and service within the Church. I believe this is exactly what God expects of us.
As we approach another Passover, when we will once again follow the example of Christ, I have been encouraged by the humility I have witnessed during this trip—among the brethren and even between two professional tennis players with no connection to the Church. Seeing such examples is a reminder that humility stands out when seen and continues to point us toward something better.
Sincerely, your brother in Christ,
Jim Franks
12 comments:
"Brethren, I pray for you every day...." so that humbly you keep sending in the money.
There's no COMMAND to tithe in the Ex 24 covenant. Sure, Abraham and Jacob gave tithes but there is no evidence the giving was by command.
Tithing did come 430 years after the exodus and after Ex 24, to support a Levitical priesthood who dealt with the transgressions of the commands in Ex 20-23. Until Christ came - Gal 3:16, 19; [Heb 7:12 which should read........of necessity a removal also of the law].
They don't want to know the truth for the same reason that Armstrong refused. He was hell bent on creating and doing his 'work' and that took lots of money as we all know. All wasted as this alleged commission/work/warning role has come to nought and now virtually forgotten.
Here we go again picking on COGWA. Why so much hate towards them.
Well anon 7:23:49 PM PST…..I don’t think it is hate at all. They receive from Banned and the commentators here the same scrutiny as anyone within the Armstrong movement. The good the bad and everything in between. A public organisation, a political movement, a religious denomination, all are in the public domain and should rightly be not afraid to be subjected to examination. Many have been badly hurt by this movement. Its core theology has been found wanting, as revealed by this blog and others, plus their multiple divisions speak against them and the gospel of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Rather simple aren’t it. Have a safe and happy Shabbos.
If you see hate you're looking too hard.
They are rebel outlaws, the splinter of a splinter. You have to remember, these churches do not believe in evolution. They do not believe that each generation or iteration evolves and improves. It would be hypocritical and disingenuous for us not to critique them! Turns out they are not the super blessed '"true" splinter for which everyone is waiting, so reunification can take place. They are just another place holder for HWA, no better than any of the others.
Retiring ACOG ministers are difficult to replace because even the most recent graduates of the late Ambassador College are reaching advanced age. Over the years, nothing has effectively replaced that training ground in the minds of members and ministers. The ones most sought after graduated from the AC which existed during the "O.G. Apostle" HWA era.
The post Tkach splinters were birthed circa 1995. That is now 30 years ago. To judge effectiveness of these ACOG splinters, you really have to look at where HWA was thirty years into his ministry. So you'd need to compare with HWA's stats during the mid to late '60s. There is just no comparison, and the population of the US and BC is much greater today, so a real comparison would involve even bigger numbers just to be accurate. The splinters are still working on being noticed. Zilch. Nothing. Hee Haw doesn't exist any more, but none of the leaders have been invited to participate in "The Voice". Not even Jude Flurry!
Franks writes that the world is reeling out of control? Doesn't he know that the President has resolved 8 wars in one year's time, all of this in spite of constant Democratic opposition?
Christ is coming to rule with a rod of iron, folks. Thru Trump He is cleaning things up in America and in the world.
"You (Israel/USA) are my battle axe and weapons of war, for with thee I will break to pieces the nations, and with thee I will destroy kingdoms (over a 2500 year period)." (Jer 51:20)
Like it or not, brethren, you have to have a dominant power crushing other powers for their sins. (Jer 51:24) It is the way God works.
Not to mention setting up the dramatic end.
Why the whining 723? Cogwa calls non-COG Christians false Christians. That's worse than a little criticism don't you think?
7:23. They hate COGWA's very existence because they are always the ones who got away.
You are just hilarious, 9:52! Ponder this! What happens when you take a bunch of medications without considering the horrible side effects certain meds when taken together will cause. Any good the meds might have produced if taken alone, becomes toxic, and often life-threatening when inappropriately combined.
You simply cannot make so many radical major changes without causing unintended consequences, some of which become existential threats. You make a change, observe the effects, and only then make another. We are just beginning to witness the combined effects of these massive changes, some of which will require decades to undo. Slow and steady wins the race. I find it odd that the people who objected to Tkach ramming all his changes down their gullets actually applaud Trump (what is it about T-surnames??? Does it have anything to do with crosses?) for doing precisely the same thing.
I used to wonder, when pondering Armstrong prophecy, "In the era of the UN and NATO, what could possibly turn all of the allies of the USA against us? What would motivate Germany to rearm?" These military actions you cited were primarily based on unilateral decisions made by an authoritarian president. One who has gone so far as to make our backing of NATO members conditional or transactional, so that members can no longer rely upon us. Do I believe that Armstrongism is suddenly coming to pass? Heck no! You would need to do some major identity reversals of the players for that to be even remotely true!
What is so hilarious, 9:52? These are life and death matters. People take multiple medications because of bad advice. In Trump's case, judgment day has come for these corrupt regimes.
"Slow and steady" wins the race? Obama and Biden tried that for years and it got us into this mess. You can't play nice with the enemy if he persists. "Slow and steady" means more lives lost, more abuse of citizens, more time to build nuclear bombs to reach America, more drug trafficking, more criminals loosed, etc. Don't you know that you have to put the fear of God in men to stop them from sinning? If you don't believe Jer 51:20 do you believe Rom 13:3-4, where it says that "rulers are not a terror to good works but to evil... for he bears not the sword in vain."
We're talking about the world, brother, where God is working out His plan. Existential threats to worry about? Decades to undo Trump's damage? Come on, there will be no settled peace (aside from a fake peace) until we reach the climax at the end. Even the Lord said so in Mt 24. Look at Israel. It has been fighting off its enemies for 4000 years.
You are getting too much of your news from leftists. The fact of the matter is that the US, which is in massive debt, has been carrying and financing NATO for years while the other members have been paying little to nothing on their 1% to 2% commitments. If you are not holding up your end of the bargain, you ought to be scolded. This is a godly principle, as the Lord said the same thing in Luke 16:2:
"Give an account of thy stewardship (in NATO); for thou mayest be no longer a steward (with support)." (Luke 16:2)
So you think a Harris-Walz combo would have been better than Trump? Or maybe an AOC-Crockett tag team for heavy-duty international politics? Or Nero? You should be glad that God had mercy on the US by placing Trump in office.
People here have relatives in the ACOGs. Although first choice would be that they see the light and leave, most of us are happy if our family is in a relatively benign one. What you call hate is our outrage reserved for the tyrants. I never heard of a COGWA minister advising members to leave their disruptive handicapped child at the mall, or telling a grandma she would go to the Lake of Fire if she didn't stop using her glaucoma medication.
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