LCG: Building Character, the Church of God Way

Profound wisdom continues pouring forth from the Living Church of God! In a stirring Weekly Message titled something along the lines of "The Importance of Character" (because nothing says "profitable Sabbath" like a gentle reminder that your entire nation is morally bankrupt), Dr. Douglas S. Winnail has graciously lectured the world—and especially its wayward members—on the urgent need for righteousness. After all, as Solomon so wisely observed, "righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people" (Proverbs 14:34). And when the wicked rule, people groan (Proverbs 29:2). Deep stuff. Truly.

One can almost picture the scene: faithful brethren nodding solemnly in their living rooms, perhaps jotting notes about how the United States (or Britain, or whichever modern "Israelite" nation is currently failing to meet God's lofty standards) has become "sick from head to toe" just like ancient Israel in Isaiah 1. Leaders turning from God's ways? Consequences incoming! The people chosen to be a holy nation, a light to the world? Yep, that's us—er, them. We must develop righteous character so we can point nations toward the coming Kingdom of God. Inspiring. Uplifting. Utterly devoid of irony.

Because if there's one group perfectly positioned to lecture the rest of humanity on moral fiber and godly leadership, it's the heirs of Herbert W. Armstrong's legacy. Let's take a moment to appreciate the sheer consistency here.

Remember Herbert himself, the apostle who restored "true" Christianity after 1,900 years of apostasy? The man who taught strict obedience to God's laws—including sexual purity, financial integrity, and humility before the Almighty? Yet somehow his own household managed to produce headlines that would make a soap opera blush. His son Garner Ted, the golden-voiced broadcaster of The World Tomorrow, got the boot in 1978 after dear old Dad cited "personal misconduct" (code for repeated affairs, by most accounts). Before that, there were the 1970s-era allegations of financial shenanigans: millions in tithes allegedly funneled toward luxury jets, palatial homes, and a lifestyle that made third tithers wonder if "God's government" came with complimentary caviar.

And the incest accusations leveled against HWA himself? Well, those have been hotly denied by loyalists for decades, often with the helpful reminder that critics are just bitter ex-members influenced by Satan. Fair enough—nothing says "righteous character" like dismissing decades of sworn testimony as a vast conspiracy.

Fast-forward to the splinters, including the Living Church of God, founded by Roderick Meredith after yet another dramatic exit from yet another Armstrong offshoot. Meredith, a man known for fiery sermons on prophecy and obedience, presided over his own share of organizational drama, including the tragic 2005 shooting at LCG services in Wisconsin (where intense end-times teachings played a role in some analyses). But hey, every family has its quirks.

Now here comes Dr. Winnail, longtime evangelist and voice of calm authority, reminding us all that sin brings reproach, wicked rulers make people groan, and we must strive for righteousness so we can lead in the Kingdom. Because nothing builds credibility like a movement whose founding family tree looks like a flowchart of excommunications, lawsuits, and "restored truths" that somehow required multiple resets.

It's almost as if the very people most obsessed with spotting national character flaws have spent the last 90 years providing a masterclass in institutional ones. But don't worry—it's all part of God's plan. The splintering, the scandals, the endless cycle of "this is the one true church now"—just tests of faith. Or perhaps divine comedy. Either way, the next time some poor schlub in Cincinnati gets disfellowshipped for watching the wrong TV show on the Sabbath, at least he'll know the leadership is out there somewhere, solemnly warning America about its lack of moral fiber.

Truly, as the good book says: Physician, heal thyself. 

The Importance of Character: Character refers to the sum of moral qualities that describe a person—or a nation. Solomon records that “righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people” (Proverbs 14:34). Solomon also observed that when the righteous rule, people rejoice, but when the wicked rule, “people groan” (Proverbs 29:2). Righteousness involves obeying the laws of God (Psalm 119:172). When the nation of Israel and their leaders turned away from God’s ways, they were referred to as a sinful, unrighteous nation, sick from head to toe, and told that the people and their leaders would reap serious consequences (Isaiah 1:1–9). The Israelites were chosen to be a holy nation of godly people and a light to the world (Exodus 19:5–6; Deuteronomy 4:1–9). We have the same mission today (1 Peter 2:9–10). As individuals, let’s strive to develop righteous character so we can point nations in that same direction in the coming Kingdom of God.
Have a profitable Sabbath,
Douglas S. Winnail