When Sheldon Monson, in a fit of rebellion and backstabbing, left the Living Church of God to form his own group, it seemed perfectly fine to him to disregard respect for Roderick Meredith (and later Gerald Weston) along with any criticism directed at him. So he goes and pulls a Bob Thiel, launching his own organization—the Church of God Assembly—while drawing away as many members as he can persuade (or, some would say, con) into following him.
Then, lo and behold, two of his highly placed men turned their backs on him, and he was not happy. Suddenly his followers needed to be reminded—via a staff writer in the April–June issue of A Good Report—that they must submit to the ministry at every level and must never criticize their leaders. Doing so, the piece insists, is nothing less than rebellion against God!
The irony is almost too rich to ignore. The very man who once found it acceptable to break ranks, question authority, and lead a significant portion of the flock out of LCG now oversees a publication that hammers home the classic Armstrongist refrain of top-down church government: absolute submission, zero criticism, and the equation of questioning human leaders with opposing God Himself. What was once framed as necessary faithfulness or standing for truth when he was the one departing is recast as satanic rebellion the moment the shoe is on the other foot and his own subordinates walk away.
This pattern is painfully familiar across the Churches of God landscape. Leaders frequently invoke the language of divine hierarchy and “God’s government” only after they have secured their own position. Criticism is tolerated—or even celebrated—when it justifies a split; it becomes anathema the moment it threatens the new structure. The April–June A Good Report article simply continues that long tradition, admonishing the rank-and-file to keep quiet, stay in line, and treat every level of the ministry as beyond reproach, all while the group’s own founding story is one of open break with the previous hierarchy.In short: rebellion is fine when you’re the one rebelling. Once you’re in charge, it’s suddenly an unforgivable sin against God.
10 comments:
Sheldon wrote that his followers must be "willing to go the extra mile to hold up the hands of those he has appointed so long as they are not leading into sin."
In Sheldonworld, practicing Romans 13 during the COVID scare, wearing masks and distancing for a few months so that services could continue uninterrupted, was "leading into sin." But refusing to acknowledge even the simplest misstatements made accidentally during sermons is Godly leadership, not bad teaching, and certainly not sin. And refusing to be transparent about use of the brethrens' tithes is Godly leadership, not financial irregularity, and certainly not sin.
Also, if it's so important to treat ministers with respect, let's look at the example Sheldon set by his treatment of Mr. Fritts.
As you sowed, Sheldon, so have you reaped!
Losers like Sheldon Monson cling to imagined power because it’s all they have.
What can one say? When I look at all these wannabe HWA clones, I feel a little sickened. ‘Our sh*t doesn’t stink’ sums up their attitude. A reading of the gospel accounts and of the book of Acts, leaves one with the distinct impression that what we see here in Armstrongism is something far removed from what was envisioned by Jesus and the apostles. They enslaved us and loaded us with burdens, and it was heavy to carry. But He came to set us free, and what freedom we have once we are freed from the Armstrong embrace. I feel sorry for those still caught up within this movement, acknowledging also that many may well be perfectly happy within. Such is the human condition. Cheers.
I don't understand all of this second guessing of Covid reactions after the fact. There were other Covid viruses, that is why the number 19 was tacked on. Number 19 emerged as the worst, it was spreading fast, and nobody had ever seen a virus that behaved like this before. It appeared to be an instant existential threat, and actually was for many people! The Big One! People (leaders) reacted with an abundance of caution, and concern for others, which was totally appropriate! President Trump did a beautiful job of accelerating the approval process of the vaccine, only to have idiots, imbeciles, and morons reject the most outstanding achievement of their guy! They're pissed because it derailed his presidency, but fail to embrace his solution! It makes no sense at all! If they had shown themselves as being on his team, might he have been re-elected in 2020? They killed his presidency in a more effective way than Antifa ever could!
Alas, it became political not so much for the president, but to some of those who formed his base, so, many people did not treat it as we have traditionally reacted to epidemics in the past. Quarantines, as an example, have quite a history. My personal opinion of those who would not go along with precautions and mandates is that they were indicative of the fact that many citizens of the USA had surrendered their survival instincts to a political agenda. What if folks had responded in this same anti-common-sense fashion to polio, tuberculosis, or diptheria??? Surely, we have the Black Death, Influenza, and Bubonic Plague as negative examples serving as lessons for our own modern times! That may very well have been our fate.
So, Sheldon Monson, who should trust and obey you? You staked your claim with those who rebelled, many of whom are now fertilzer, because they died for lack of commom sense! Bad leader, there, Buford! People of other Christian persuasions were dying from their insistance on going on with their family Christmas parties. Who are you? Are you looking out for your members, or are you the type of person whose followers die for your lack of intelligence and common sense? You don't have the mantle! You are as bad as the rest of the self-appointed imposters!
Oh well! The ACOG multiverse is miniscule and totally inconsequential anyway!
So where is Jason Fritts now? Did he start his own church? Inquiring minds want to know.
Doesn't look like freedom to me, complaining and having to type vile swear words. What freedom!
He's attending UCG, where his father has been attending for many years.
At least CGA has its own "headquarters" office now - no longer using that UPS Store box.
Yet I'm reminded of Isaiah 53:1. "Who has believed our report?"
Around here, very few.
In that article by Mike Dickson, that you had screenshots of, they have "many areas of life where Christians are placed under leadershi—in the family," — I wonder where the proofreader was?
Also I cannot help noticing that the cover art was probably done by a 5-year old.
I find it interesting, the usage of the model of Aaron and Hur, comparing them and their attitudes towards Moses with brethrens' attitudes towards contemporary teachers of Armstrongism.
Where did God dwell back in Moses' time? To whom did He speak, and therefore, from whom did Moses derive authority, and authenticity as the leader? Uh huh! Louder, I don't think everyone could hear your answers!
Who told you that an Armstrongite minister has the same authenticity and authority over you that Moses had over the Israelites? The Armstrongite minister who "left the church" multiple times, and then started his own??? Unless that guy is refraining from uttering false prophecies, and performing some pretty convincing miracles and/or breathing fire, you'd better put on your Berean ballcap, and be questioning and checking everything that guy tells you! Anyone can keep the sabbath and holy days and adhere to proper cuisine! You need deeper verification which goes beyond that!
Shells? You got your work cut out for you, Bubba! Something about a spiritual birth certificate? One that requires authentication and validation by the members of the deity! Otherwise, you can no longer fly!
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