UCG Member Survey: Repetitive Sermons Lacking In Depth, Cliques, Inner Circles and More

 

UCG just wrapped up their fancy little member survey about programs and the oh-so-fulfilling congregational experience they provide. Shockingly, members are still finding those same old repetitive, tired, canned sermons they've been force-fed for decades to be boring and utterly lacking in depth. What a surprise. They had this golden opportunity to reinvent everything when they launched their shiny new-and-improved COG, but apparently, old habits die harder than a bad sermon illustration.

The numbers, of course, paint such a rosy picture: the Church is still viewed as this powerful positive force for spiritual growth. So many respondents gushed with deep appreciation for the teaching, resources, and rock-solid stability UCG so generously offers.

Yet somehow, a few pesky themes of "improvement opportunities" managed to sneak in:

At the same time, several themes emerged where members see opportunities for improvement:

• Congregational care and belonging show mixed results. Many feel loved and supported, while others feel less engaged or unsure how to connect.
• Biblical resources are valued, but some members desire more support during difficult personal trials.
• Weekly messages are appreciated but sometimes described as repetitive or lacking depth; there is room to elevate the delivery style and effectiveness of messages.
• Service and involvement remain areas of both strength and challenge. Many serve regularly, yet others want to serve but don’t know how to begin.
• Being a light in the community is an aspiration for many, but members desire clearer pathways and encouragement to do so.

Go ahead and be a dazzling light in the community WITHOUT waiting for a COG minister to hand you an approved checklist of exactly what, when, and how you're allowed to help. Shocking concept, I know.

Just pick whatever needs you personally see in your community that needs help, do whatever you feel moved to do—no permission slip required. Dare to surround yourself with—brace yourselves—people who aren't UCG members, and (prepare to be scandalized) actually enrich your lives in the process!

You might discover that there are tons of wonderful, caring, generous human beings out there in the big bad world. And get this: shockingly, a whole bunch of them are Christians... the very ones you've been carefully taught your entire life are spiritually inferior, deceived, or just plain lesser. 

Next, the focus went to members serving in the local area.

UCG is still dragging around the exact same problem WCG had: the same handful of people do everything repeatedly while everyone else gets ignored. Offer to help? Crickets. No wonder people eventually withdraw.

Some described congregations where the same small group carries most of the responsibilities. Others noted that service is often associated only with visible tasks—speaking, leading music, organizing activities—rather than the broader, relational service Scripture describes.

A recurring theme was the longing to feel invited. Several comments reflected this sentiment: “I don’t feel like the Church gives me an opportunity to serve; I step out on my own and offer myself to anyone who needs it” and “There are brethren with talents who want to serve, but they are never asked.”

At the same time, those who have been serving for many years expressed feeling stretched thin. This creates a cycle where some are overloaded while others stand back, unsure how to join in.

When people withdraw, surprise—they get ignored even more, leading to charming responses like this. Cliques still reign supreme. The minister's inner circle of chosen pets still rule the roost, leaving the rest of the members on the periphery.

A large majority of respondents feel cared for and treated with Christian love in their congregations. Many described their local church as “family,” a refuge, and a source of strength.

Yet the comments also reveal a quieter reality: some members feel overlooked, lonely, or unsure how to break into established social circles. A number of respondents used words like “cliques,” “inner circle,” or “outsider” to describe their experience.

One comment captured this poignantly: “I have been here almost two years and only a few people even know my name.”

UCG members apparently still have this crazy desire for deep spiritual conversations that aren't being met. In Armstrongism, this is hardly breaking news. Deep, meaningful spiritual conversations were never exactly encouraged. Members weren't supposed to gather in homes for honest discussion without a minister playing babysitter. The second a minister walks in, the real talk dies, honest questions get stifled, and everyone snaps back to script. Imagine a group doing a Bible study together without a single minister or official literature in sight—pure chaos, right?

...many respondents expressed a desire for:

• Practical guidance for Christian living in a rapidly changing world
• More opportunities for meaningful spiritual conversations

Some noted that fellowship can feel superficial, with members unsure how to discuss biblical topics or navigate differences of opinion peacefully. This is an area where congregations can continue to grow— creating environments where spiritual conversations feel natural, safe and enriching. 

Armstrongism has never been big on putting faith into action in our multicultural world. The world was always seen as sinful and out to "get" COG members. The ministry and leadership apparently thought members were so feeble-minded they'd bolt at the first exposure. You rarely saw a COG member volunteering at a homeless shelter or food bank—too risky.

Members expressed a strong desire to be more active in their communities and to shine God’s light beyond the walls of the church. Younger adults in particular expressed interest in service projects, outreach and opportunities to work together in meaningful ways.

Many respondents noted that while personal example is important, coordinated congregational efforts could help members feel more confident and connected in this aspect of the Church’s mission.

The survey ended with this:

This year’s survey paints a picture of a deeply valued Church, but one with opportunities to grow stronger, be more connected and more welcoming.

The most consistent message across all comments is simple: people want to feel included. They want to serve. They want to belong. They want to grow. They want to feel wanted. And they want to help others grow.

These are not tasks assigned to a few—they are responsibilities shared by all of us. Each of us has the ability to notice someone standing alone, to invite someone into a conversation, to ask someone to help, or to offer help themselves. Service is not a checklist; it is a way of being with one another. 

Sadly, for most of the church's existence, members have been viewed as little more than tithing units. Brethren, we need a new jet. We need a new auditorium. We need a college campus. We need new recording studios. We need a new magazine. We need a new web server.

Members soon found out that no matter how much they gave, it was never enough. They thought they were serving. They thought that by serving, they belonged to something bigger than themselves. They wanted to feel wanted for more than their money. Sadly, the church has never looked at them as being needed. Most COG groups count their "members" as tithing units. Those are the real members; the rest are just stragglers mooching off the community.

Imagine, if you can, what today’s Churches of God would be like if they actually practiced 1st Century Christianity as they all claim to do. What a different world we would be living in.