LCG - Spiritually Deleaven Your Mind Just Like We As Ministers Do Daily

 

I feel sorry for the perpetually unfortunate souls at the Living Church of God—always landing squarely on the blacklist as such epic failures in literally everything they attempt. They're branded as covetous little lusters, overflowing with enough hate to fuel spontaneous outbursts that spark delightful divisions and endless contention throughout the ranks. But perish the thought that any of their ministers would ever stoop to such behavior! Heaven forbid.

This Passover season, the faithful are graciously instructed to sit down and dutifully scribble out a lengthy list of all their nasty attitudes and rotten behaviors that they simply must overcome in the coming year. Never mind that their spiritual slates were supposedly wiped sparkling clean on Passover night—apparently, divine forgiveness has an expiration date, and it's time for round two of self-flagellation.

LCG members must learn to forgive others exactly as the ministry so magnanimously does, while remaining eternally thankful for Christ's sacrifice.

Doug Winnail warns LCG members to eliminate their spiritual leaven. He says, the Scriptures command us to remove all leaven from our homes before the Days of Unleavened Bread and to avoid eating any during that time (Exodus 12:15). But let's be honest—this is merely a quaint physical ritual designed to remind us of the far more critical task: identifying and purging the spiritual leaven from our lives. You know, charming little sins like lusting, coveting, hating, throwing fits of wrath, sowing seeds of division and contention, peddling personal doctrinal heresies, chasing selfish ambitions, and all those other delightful ways we compromise with or outright rebel against God's commandments (Galatians 5:19–21).

As we plod through the Days of Unleavened Bread, we should earnestly beg God to spotlight every last bit of this spiritual leaven lurking in our souls so we can eliminate it. Writing out a handy list of attitudes and behaviors to conquer in the coming year is just the motivational tool we need to try extra hard this time. And while we're at it, let's be forgiving of others—just like the ministry models so perfectly—and stay oh-so-thankful for the sacrifice Jesus Christ made so we could be forgiven.

The exquisite irony. Year after year, the same leadership that can't seem to avoid scandals, splits, and internal drama lectures the rank-and-file about purging "outbursts of wrath," "sowing division," and "selfish ambitions"—sins that somehow never seem to stick to those at the top. Their slate gets "wiped clean" at Passover, yet the membership is immediately handed homework to list all their failures again, as if true forgiveness comes with an annual performance review attached. It's almost as if the real spiritual leaven isn't the average member's bad attitude... but the endless cycle of control, finger-pointing, and selective amnesia coming from the pulpit.

One can only hope that next year, the ministry might take a moment to apply that same list to themselves. Now that would be a profitable Holy Day indeed.

Eliminating Spiritual Leaven: The Scriptures tell us that leaven is to be removed from our homes prior to the Days of Unleavened Bread and not eaten during those days (Exodus 12:15). However, this is just a physical exercise to help us understand the importance of identifying and eliminating spiritual leaven from our lives, which includes lusting, coveting, hating, outbursts of wrath, sowing seeds of division and contention, promoting personal doctrinal heresies, pursuing selfish ambitions, and other examples of compromising on or rebelling against the commandments of God (Galatians 5:19–21). As we go through the Days of Unleavened Bread, we should ask God to show us spiritual leaven that we need to eliminate from our lives. Writing out a list of attitudes or behaviors to overcome in the coming year can help us to make a greater effort to eliminate these sins. Let’s also be forgiving of others and thankful for the sacrifice that Jesus Christ made for us so we can be forgiven.
Have a profitable Holy Day period,
Douglas S. Winnail

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)

Gerald Flurry and Cal Culpepper On The Caves Of Adullam

 

The caves of Adullam

Gerald Flurry and Cal Culpepper have been regaling their followers with their latest masterpiece of delusional prophecy for quite some time now.

These two towering intellectual giants have solemnly declared that the Caves of Adullam — you know, those charming, damp, bat-infested holes where David once hid like a fugitive — will serve as the exclusive, five-star Place of Safety for the Philadelphia Church of God’s oh-so-special, spiritually spotless elite.

Because heaven forbid Flurry’s pure, superior, hand-selected remnant should have to rub shoulders in Petra with all those filthy, Laodicean, half-baked COG rejects, Protestant losers, certain Messianic Jews, and other assorted spiritual trash. The very idea is simply too horrifying for words!

No, no — his precious snowflakes deserve their very own private, members-only cave system. After all, when you’re running God’s One True Work, and you alone have the “correct” understanding, you can’t possibly be expected to share end-time real estate with the great unwashed masses. That would be... egalitarian. Or worse — common.

So while the rest of the COG world and others crowd into Petra like desperate end-time tourists, Flurry’s enlightened few will be huddling in their own deluxe, divinely appointed rock holes — where the caves are drafty, the ambiance is biblical, and the exclusivity is second to none.

Truly, the height of end-time spiritual sophistication.

Truly, nothing says “God’s favored remnant” quite like demanding your own private apocalyptic bunker because sharing is for lesser Christians.

From The Exit and Support Network 

In The New Throne of David by Gerald Flurry (copyright 2018/2021) he said the place of safety was in Adullam. “We must be prepared to go to the cave of Adullam, the place of safety.” (Chapter 2: The New Throne of David, p. 25.) However, he is still telling members that Petra is the place of safety. 

 

One Way Ticket? 

 

In a June 2013 sermon Cal Culpepper (“Come Out of This World”)13 stated, “Do we really think it is going to be that easy? There’s a lot of details that we don’t know yet. We are going to be packing our bags–it will be an act of faith. We don’t know how it will be. Maybe the government will give us a one way ticket.” 

 

So now we need to ask another question: 

 

Do we think the government is actually going to let Gerald Furry leave the country with a bunch of money? Even if he tries to place it all in offshore accounts, wouldn’t he be watched? (More extreme, fanatical groups are being watched today since the Jim Jones and David Koresh tragedies.) 

 

We need to realize that these stories members are hearing about HQs fleeing “first,” or skipping the country and leaving the members behind, usually turn out to be lies or wild guesses, or a rumor handed down from someone higher up the pyramid.14 

PCG believes they will be persecuted in the future. They believe “the Work” will finally end and armies will surround Jerusalem. It is at this time that they believe it will be time to “flee.”15 Herbert Armstrong preached this same fear doctrine for decades. No one ever fled anywhere. Members simply continued to pay in more and more money, as PCG members are doing. 

 

No One Fled Anywhere: 

 

HWA, for decades, predicted end-time scenarios and talked of a “place of safety.” When every one of his WW II prophecies failed, he said his “timing was wrong” but they would be fulfilled in the “next war”–WW III. In the meantime he convinced his co-workers and members that a college needed to be built. When his later prophecies also failed–especially the 1972 one–he merely said God had given them “more time to do the Work” and shifted their attention. Flurry will undoubtedly say something similar. 

 

As Gerald Flurry continues to use the “place of safety” ploy the same way HWA did, members will fear to leave PCG lest they be left to go through the Great Tribulation. Leaving PCG, in their minds, is the same as “leaving God.” Flurry tells them, “Fear of God must always be with us.”16 But this is the wrong kind of fear. It is the fear of a man whom they are unknowingly putting between themselves and the Lord Jesus Christ. They do not know they have been deceived, as countless thousands before them were deceived by the false teacher and false prophet Herbert Armstrong. 

 

By D. M. Williams
Exit & Support Network™
December 2, 2005
Updated June 30, 2021; March 19, 2024; December 3, 2024

Galatians

Paul writing to Galatia

 

Palm Sunday

 

The scene depicts crowds welcoming Jesus by spreading their cloaks and palm branches on the road while waving palms and shouting "Hosanna!" (meaning "save now" or "save us, we pray") and "Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!" (quoting Psalm 118:25–26). Jesus rode a young donkey (or colt), fulfilling the prophecy in Zechariah 9:9: "See, your king comes to you, righteous and victorious, lowly and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey."

Key Symbols and Their Meanings

Palm branches

• In ancient Jewish and Greco-Roman culture, palms represented victory, triumph, peace, and joy. Victors in athletic games or military conquerors were often honored with palm branches.
• The crowds waved and laid them down as a sign of homage and celebration, treating Jesus like a king or conquering hero. They expressed hope that He would deliver them—likely expecting political or national liberation from Roman rule.
• In Christian interpretation, the palms point to Jesus' ultimate spiritual victory over sin and death through His Passion, death, and resurrection. They foreshadow the "Paschal victory" (Easter triumph). Blessed palms are often kept in homes as sacramentals—a reminder of faith in Christ as the Messianic King—and some traditions burn the previous year's palms to create ashes for Ash Wednesday.

The donkey (or colt)

• Unlike a warhorse (symbol of conquest and military power), a donkey symbolized humility, peace, meekness, and servanthood. In ancient Near Eastern tradition, kings rode horses into battle but donkeys when coming in peace.
• By choosing this humble animal, Jesus presented Himself as the Prince of Peace and a servant king, not a political or military ruler. This act deliberately fulfilled Zechariah's prophecy, publicly declaring His messianic identity while contrasting with expectations of a warrior Messiah.
• The donkey also evokes themes of burden-bearing and gentle strength, mirroring Jesus' mission to serve and save spiritually rather than through earthly power.

"Hosanna!" and the crowds' actions

• The shouts combined praise with a plea for salvation. Spreading cloaks was a royal gesture of honor (similar to coronations in the Old Testament, like 2 Kings 9:13).
• The moment highlights a tension: the crowds acclaimed Jesus as the "Son of David" and king, but many misunderstood His kingdom as earthly and political. Jesus came to establish a spiritual kingdom through sacrifice, not immediate national deliverance. This sets up the dramatic shift later in the week, when some of the same crowds (or others) cried "Crucify him!"

Spreading cloaks on the ground

Spreading garments was a known act of royal homage and submission in ancient Jewish (and broader Near Eastern) culture. It treated the person as a king. The clearest Old Testament parallel is 2 Kings 9:13, where people spread their cloaks on the steps for Jehu when he was proclaimed king.

With the cloaks and the palms, these actions created an impromptu “red carpet” — an improvised royal welcome — as the crowd acclaimed Jesus as the “Son of David” and “King of Israel.”

Broader Significance

Palm Sunday captures a beautiful irony: a day of joyful welcome that foreshadows suffering. The palms and cheers represent human hopes for a triumphant Messiah, while the donkey and the events that follow reveal Jesus' path of humble obedience, leading to the cross. Christians see it as an invitation to welcome Jesus as King—not on our terms, but as the Savior who brings true peace and eternal victory.