PCG's Andrew Locher Has Died

Keeping Pope Gerry Comfortable In His Lifestyle 

as he spreads the Gospel message through Irish dance.

One of their most dedicated Gestapo-style tithing agents that the Philadelphia Church of God has ever produced has finally shuffled off this mortal coil. For years, this paragon of piety was held up as a shining example: a relentless enforcer who demanded that struggling members cough up their tithes even when they could barely feed their own families. After all, in this glorious dispensation, God's top priority is clearly keeping the Flurry family living in the lap of luxury. Why let pesky little details like rent, groceries, or basic human decency get in the way of divine favor?

Money, it seems, is the true beating heart of the Philadelphia Church of God. They piously claim it's all about "getting the Gospel message out," but let's be real: it's first, foremost, and almost exclusively for the exclusive enrichment of the Flurry dynasty and their ever-expanding brood of offspring, who coast through life on the backs of faithful members' hard-earned tithes and offerings.

Just look at the lavish perks: a private jet for globe-trotting in style, a traveling Celtic dance troupe (because nothing says "end-time warning message" like fancy footwork), state-of-the-art dance studios, an extravagant office setup in Jerusalem, a moldy old house in England they're still desperately trying to unload, and those oh-so-cozy faculty homes on the Edmond cult compound—complete with cushy, high-paying salaries. Truly, the sacrifices of the brethren are making a real difference... for the inner circle.

And then there are the shameless money grabs disguised as sermons. Take Andrew Locher's April 2020 sermonette, for instance. Even as the world reeled from the pandemic, he had the audacity to pressure brethren to keep giving to "the church" despite having next to nothing left. How touching—especially after the organization had already pocketed $1.1 million in U.S. government relief funds, thanks to their convenient nonprofit status. Yet in the same breath, they love to berate and label government leaders as modern-day Jeroboams destined to evict them, while hypocritically comparing their own situation to the Israelites plundering the Egyptians. What a pathetic display of selective biblical amnesia.

Fast-forward to July 2022, and Locher was at it again with his sermon "Keep the Father First." He droned on (and on) about tithing, using the economic collapse in Sri Lanka as a heart-wrenching example. Brethren there were apparently scraping by just to put food on the table, but no worries—God (or rather, the PCG "Government") still needed their tithes most of all. He made a special point of assuring everyone that, as far as he knew, the church didn't have a "tithing problem." Of course, only God truly knows... though it's funny how the actual CFO seems to struggle with basic accounting and forecasting. Even funnier: when they catch someone skimping on tithes, they suspend them faster than you can say "stealing from God." (Oops, I mean from the Flurrys.)

A quick glance at the UK financial accounts tells its own story—the "tithe of the tithe" came in at a mere 8k when it should have been closer to 37k based on second tithes. But who cares about numbers when the Spirit is moving? On a side note, one does wonder who those mysterious "other creditors" are—the ones owed a cool £3.17 million. Just a minor detail, I'm sure.

Meanwhile, members were treated to the usual sermons and Bible studies on "sacrifice" and "financially doing our part"—the standard guilt-inducing dribble. All this while learning that the shiny new archaeology building in Jerusalem sits in one of the city's most affluent neighborhoods, right near the Prime Minister and President's residences. They're locked into a three-year lease (never mind that pesky upcoming Tribulation). The site hasn't been used in six years, so they're shipping over "volunteers" (slaves... erm, students) to handle the grunt work, while still needing professional builders for the heavy lifting. And the kicker? The dig only covers the period from 400 AD to 1400 AD—hardly the ancient Israelite golden age they idolize. It's all a elaborate sham to prop up their Herbert W. Armstrong worship and keep the cash flowing.

In the end, the Philadelphia Church of God stands as a masterclass in religious grift: a polished operation that preaches sacrifice and impending doom while its leaders enjoy every earthly comfort the tithe-payers can fund. They demand loyalty, obedience, and open wallets from the faithful, all while building personal empires under the guise of "God's Work." One can only hope that more members will eventually open their eyes to the irony—and the exploitation—before another generation is bled dry in service to a family that long ago forgot the difference between ministry and monarchy. After all, if tithing truly were about pleasing God, wouldn't the fruits look a little less like luxury real estate and a little more like genuine care for the flock? What a divine comedy indeed.

From The Exit and Support Network

Shameless Sermonette by Andrew Locher Exploits Members Financially:
April 27, 2020 

 

In the recent PCG sermonette Andrew Locher continues to ask brethren to give to the “church” despite having little. What a shameless organization that could still ask their lay members for more money when they have already received $1.1 million from the U.S. government, the reason being that they are a nonprofit. They continue to berate, criticize and even label this government leadership as Jeroboam who will evict them, yet had the audacity to compare their plight to the Israelites benefiting from the Egyptians. How pathetic. –sermonette critiqued by L. S.

Andrew Locher Sermon Was Recent Money Grab:
July 18, 2022 

 

In a recent sermon by Andrew Locher entitled “Keep the Father First” he rabbited on about tithing and how Sri Lanka is in the midst of turmoil and that brethren there are struggling financially to just put food on the table but how important it is to pay your tithes (especially those that are struggling–because you know God doesn’t need the money, the “Government” [in PCG] does). 

 

He made a special point that, as far as he knows, the PCG doesn’t have a tithing problem, only God knows. (Yes, the actual CFO apparently doesn’t understand basic accounting forecasting. But funnily enough, when they find that someone isn’t paying tithes, they suspend them immediately from stealing from them…oops, I mean stealing from God). However, even looking at only the UK Financial Accounts [see July 9 letter above] we can see there is an issue as the Tithe of the Tithe is definitely not 10% of 2nd Tithes (it was only 8k but should have been closer to 37k). 

 

Also, on a side note, I would love to know who the “other creditors” are that are owed 3.17m–but I digress. 

 

We had sermons/Bible studies on “sacrifice” and “financially doing our part,” etc., and all the normal dribble, just to find out the new Archeology building that is in Jerusalem is in the most affluent part of the city; i.e., near the PM and president’s abode and that they are committing to a 3 year lease. (what about the Tribulation?) The property has not been used in 6 years so they are sending over slaves…erm I mean students to do all the manual work but it will still need builders, etc., to do the majority of the work. This dig isn’t about God’s Work at all as the era that they are digging is only from 400 AD to 1400 AD. It is all a sham to bolster their HWA idol worshipping! I am so over it!!! –[name withheld]

Andrew Locher Is Definitely Not a Good Person!
August 14, 2024 

 

I wanted to write in response to C. P. [see 8-12-24 letter] who wrote about Trisha Locher dying. He mentioned that Locher” seemed like a good person” and “one of the better ones at HQ.” He definitely is no such thing! His MO is to come across as a kind, meek, and humble man. In reality he is none of those things. It is a facade that he wears well. I’ve personally known him since 1993. He has been in the upper rankings and operations of the PCG for a very long time. He is well aware of and fully participates in all the underhanded, manipulative tactics that are used in controlling the membership. As many people know, this is often cruel and rarely if ever has the person’s best interest in mind. It’s always to get money and/or control for the benefit of 1st, the Flurrys and 2nd, the organization. Locher is the CFO. He knows things! Just ask him why Richard Williams quit as the CFO many years ago! (Richard could not in good conscience and legally work their books the way Stephen and Gerald Flurry wanted him to, so he quit and is now CFO of a tire company and fairly successful). This is when Locher took over the church’s (PCG’s) finances. And he knows, according to the UK charity commission, 0.06% is the TOTAL expenditure given for financial support to those in need; 0.06% of their total UK and European income is all they give to help people, as of 2021. Unfortunately, I cannot get these number for the USA as it is not public knowledge as it is in the UK. (See Five year PCG UK Financial Review, posted on this site June 2, 2023) 

 

Andrew Locher directly assists people in setting up their estates in back-handed ways, so they can’t be challenged by family members. This, of course, is done after the usually elderly or sick person is manipulated in leaving everything to the PCG and none to family who are not members of the “church” (PCG). He instructs them on how to remove assets outside of the will/living trusts jurisdiction. Ultimately usurping the Biblical admonition to leave your children and children’s children an inheritance. I, unfortunately, have first hand experience with this. 

 

Locher also knows full well that members are not healed, nor can he site a tangible case of it. He knew his wife was going to die if she didn’t seek medical treatment! He undoubtedly encouraged her to keep the faith and rely on God to heal her, as all members are told in such a situation. If she didn’t, it would have been a colossal embarrassment to Locher and the other ministers. So does Andrew Locher sound like a good human being, let alone a Christian, one of God’s “chosen few”? –-R. M. (former PCG member)