Living Church of God On Attending Church As Country Reopens

As the country reopens and restrictions start dropping on groups gathering togehther, LCG has released some well thought out guidlines for church services, masks, and vaccinations.

 

Dear Brethren, 

 

While COVID-19 rages in parts of the world such as India, it seems to be abating in other nations. New Zealand reports very few cases and here in the United States, Texas reported zero deaths from COVID yesterday for the first time. Nevertheless, one of our members in Texas succumbed to the virus a few days ago and she was in her mid-thirties. We know of others who contracted the disease recently and have had a difficult time with it. 

 

It might be easy to let up entirely if we were only a localized church, but we are an international Church, serving people in many different countries, provinces, territories, and states. (Please read the message from Mr. Paul Shumway below, regarding a visit from the COVID Police in Barbados on Pentecost.) One size does not fit all, and we should not stay locked down where it does not make sense. Sadly, everything about this pandemic has become political in the United States and some other countries, making it nearly impossible to trust any one source. So, what is God’s Church to do? 

 

Attending services in a crowded room with poor ventilation for two or more hours is a high-risk situation for spreading any kind of airborne virus. We also know that we have many members who are vulnerable due to age and underlying conditions. We want them to be safe and feel safe, but we cannot hide out in caves and wear masks until Christ returns. We must get back to some kind of normalcy as there are also risks to isolating ourselves and continually wearing masks for too long. 

 

After consulting with others this past week about the evolving situation, we want to loosen up where we can. For right now, we will continue to require masks while singing, and in fellowship before and after services while inside, but we will not require masks during the speaking portions of services where this is reasonableand allowed by law and the facilities we are using—keeping in mind that the priority is to do what we can to protect the vulnerable among us, particularly in areas where transmission is not low. We were looking forward to this in Charlotte last weekend as the result of a regulation change, but our meeting facility changed our meeting room and some 200 of us were crammed into a smaller room in which social distancing was not possible. It made sense to continue another week with masks for the whole service until this Sabbath, when we will be in our regular, larger room. Many areas are already doing this. We will continue to use social distancing in seating, where possible. 

 

In addition, in areas where there is low to no transmission, where mask mandates are totally lifted, and where we are not putting vulnerable people at risk, we want to go back to our normal practice. This does not mean that one cannot wear a mask or that people should be pressured or shamed to take off their mask. Those who choose to wear a mask are free to do so. Any decision to make a congregation mask-optional for the whole service will be made by the pastor after consulting with his Regional Director or Regional Pastor. Regional Pastors should consult with Church Administration when in doubt. 

 

And please, brethren, let us not judge one another regarding vaccination or non- vaccination, on masking or not masking, or what one congregation does based on its unique circumstances versus another congregation. Whatever we do, let’s show love and outgoing concern for one another. 

 

Sincerely, in Christ’s service, 

Gerald E. Weston

LCG: Gerald Weston...COVID hits close to home

From an LCG source:

Dear Brethren and Fellow Servants of God,

Here in the United States, as in some other areas of the world, governments are beginning to ease up on COVID-related restrictions. Texas Governor Greg Abbott’s directive to leave it up to each business to decide on what to require regarding face coverings has obviously put pressure on other states to do the same and several have followed suit.

Leaders here in Charlotte met with Texas pastors Gary Stein and Rick Stafford on March 4 to discuss what to do going forward. We had a free discussion, hearing all sides of the question, and decided it would be best to bring all U.S. Regional Pastors into the discussion. We held that meeting this past Wednesday, March 10.

I opened both meetings by reviewing how the Church, once we understood more about what we were dealing with, opened up for services everywhere we could. Where possible, we chose to continue with planned summer camps for our children. The Feast of Tabernacles was a success, in part due to decisions made early on that were not popular with all, but which, in retrospect, made it possible for the greatest number of brethren and families to attend a wonderful Feast. We have been in favor of opening up as much as we can, while still streaming services for individuals and areas where needed. We have left the decision to attend in person during this difficult time to the individual to make based on personal concerns and risk factors.

Most areas where we meet require social distancing, size-limited groups, and face coverings. Those requirements are being relaxed by some governments, but not necessarily by our meeting facilities. Whatever the requirements or lack thereof, our main concern is the health and well-being of our members. We have many elderly and others with pre-existing conditions such as diabetes, heart issues, and obesity. In discussing our path forward with the Regional Pastors, we found that we have a variety of circumstances in the Church, but many of the men felt it was a little premature to drop our COVID-related protocols too quickly. While we are not aware of members getting sick from attending our live services, members and their extended families are still getting sick.

Let me add a personal comment here. My wife takes a 31⁄2 mile walk most mornings with several ladies in the neighborhood and was exposed to the virus from one of them. Several days later, Carol did not feel well and tested positive for COVID. I was tested the next day and came back negative. Carol felt a little under the weather for about a week, but is now back to her long walks and doing well. Our neighbor who unknowingly exposed her is back to normal, but her husband is not doing well. It has been about 11 days since I was clearly exposed, and I have had no symptoms that would indicate a problem, other than what appeared to be my usual seasonal allergies.

Carol and I have self-quarantined for two Sabbaths and, unless I can get tested in time, will probably miss attending in person for one more Sabbath. I have not made this generally known until now as I did not wish to cause concern among any of you. While my wife and I are in a risk category due to age, God seems to have been merciful to both of us. The point I want to make is that COVID has not gone away just because a few government mandates have. Even now, new, more contagious strains are beginning to circulate and bear watching.

Yet, brethren, we cannot hole up in caves forever. We have over 200 members now meeting safely here in Charlotte, some with a variety of pre-existing conditions and risk factors. Not a one of us wants to wear a mask indefinitely, yet we must also keep in mind that our decisions affect others: “Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 2:3–5).

By the meeting’s end, we decided to meet again in three to four weeks, after the Days of Unleavened Bread, to consider modifying our current protocols, based on how things develop. In the meantime, we continue opening up areas for services wherever possible, planning for summer camps, and the Feast of Tabernacles. Thank you for your prayers and let us continue to stand together as we see this challenge through.

Sincerely, in Christ’s service, Gerald E. Weston

Gerald Weston: It is now OK to sing "softly" in church

 

COVID Guidelines—Singing at Services
During his sermon of December 26, Mr. Weston explained the updated policy regarding singing hymns during congregational services. In case some brethren did not hear the sermon, we will briefly summarize his comments in this issue of The World Ahead. He explained that last summer it was decided we would not sing aloud because of reports of how the virus is transmitted. We’ve also been wearing masks and social distancing since that time (in the United States—in some cases outside the United States, the protocols have differed). Thanks to God, we have not had any major outbreaks from Sabbath or Feast services during this time. Therefore, Mr. Weston explained we would like to carefully move forward with singing softly while wearing masks, if local regulations and restrictions allow it. He explained that singing softly is reasonably similar to what we are already doing in fellowship. The overall format of services—two songs at the beginning, and one at the end—will stay the same for now. We can be thankful for this decision and encouraged by the opportunity to sing as we worship God together!

GCI Pastor Joins With Buddhist and Muslim Religious Leaders From 8 Countries to Pray Away COVID-19

 

This will send God's favorite self-appointed prophet, Bob Thiel, into a meltdown. How dare he participate in ecumenical prayers!

While The COVID-19 pandemic has led the world to an unprecedented despair, causing economic and social disruption, HWPL, an international peace organization, held “Online Prayer to Overcome COVID-19” on Oct. 17 with religious leaders from eight countries, including Myanmar, Thailand Rwanda and Burundi. 

Attended by 37 religious leaders representing Buddhism, Christianity, and Islam, the event was held with the intent of breaking down the walls of religion and denomination by praying in harmony to overcome the disaster under one common purpose for humanity. 

Religious leaders took the opportunity to pray for those affected, the end of the COVID-19 along with pray for overcoming the crisis that is emerging throughout society. They also had conversations to share the difficulties in each country. 

Eugene Sibomana, a pastor of Grace Communion International Burundi said, “It was a wonderful program and plan of linking religious leaders for a such prayer meeting and sharing ideas and experiences. I do encourage HWPL leaders to keep up this good vision and we pray for that your ministry be expanded around the World.” 

Meanwhile, HWPL is an international peace organization founded for global peace and cessation of war. HWPL has partnered with citizens and organizations from over a hundred countries in order to advocate peace. The HWPL Interfaith Dialogue, the World Alliance of Religions’ Peace (WARP) Office Meetings, has been conducted through virtual meetings in 253 offices in 129 countries.  Religious Leaders from 8 countries pray online to end COVID-19

Gerald Weston: "...was sanctioning the wearing of face shields in place of a face mask wise, or were you tempting God?"

 

From a reader:

Dave Pack's group isn't the only ones to be hit with the Covid virus, LCG members have started coming down with it too now that the Feast gatherings have ended. 

Weston has openly accused and mocked Monson for his stand on face masks and has told the LCG membership that Monson was acting recklessly and tempting God...so, was sanctioning the wearing of face shields in place of a face mask wise, or were you tempting God? 

Did the KC members who were wearing homemade face shields that didn't cover their noses and barely came up over their mouths...was that tempting God, was that reckless? 

Was having the Feast in a highly populated tourist hot spots wise or was that reckless and tempting God?? 

Come on presiding Evangelist Weston, your church members are waiting to hear how you justify your actions?? You pronounce condemnation on Munson's group for their faith in God, but look at what your actions have produced! 

UCG: Relax, COVID is not a sign of the end times, but is a "Dress Rehearsal"

 

We must never forget that the boys in Cincinnati are the authority on all kind of things, and in this case, prophecy. They have determined that there is no need to worry about the pandemic being a sure sign of the end times. Whew! What a relief!

Interest in Bible prophecy has been sharpened by this pandemic. Very early on, we said this was not the time of pestilence defined by the fourth horseman in Revelation 6. Certainly, it has been a serious health emergency, but we understand there were other pieces of the prophetic puzzle not yet in place. There will be larger disease pandemics in the future. To use Mr. Mead’s phrase, this has been a “dress rehearsal.” 

 

More recently some have concluded that an impending vaccine for this virus could be the “mark of the beast” mentioned in Revelation. Such speculation does not match the biblical descriptors of what will come upon the world during the coming great tribulation. God’s elect will know when this mark arrives and will have the fortitude to resist its defining features. Unsound and unscriptural speculation today should be avoided. We are not yet at the moment when the beast power has appeared and is enforcing its mark. 

They know this is not a sign of the end because Darris McNeely has not seen the 4 Horsemen ride across the country. 

We haven’t run with the horses yet. But we have come through a period we should consider as a dress rehearsal for bigger things to come. Let’s learn from what we’ve experienced.

So there you have it! Bob Thiel eat your heart out!  

Wade Cox is being conned by Africans like Bob Thiel...and...Those that preach Petra as a place of safety are "Dumb Dogs"

One would think after all of these years that the crackpots leading various Churches of God would have slithered away into their own little snake pits and would have disappeared.  But no, they still open their mouths and make asses of themselves for our pure entertainment.

This Sabbath we will pause to reflect on the work of God in the World through CCG and what He appears to be doing with us in our various operations.  In this past year we have received reports of quite some amazing growth. We have also had some reports of serious corruption in the ministry in one or two areas. We are dealing with those.

When most COG's talk about their growth they actually post numbers.  Not so with Wade Cox. He claims millions of members and at one time said half of the continent of Africa were members of his own church, even many Muslims.  Yet, he also claims he has no accurate records of how many members he has because he doesn't keep track of them. Apparently, that's the duty of his god.

With all those millions of people joining up with this most righteous and holy man the church has ever had in charge, there are snakes coming in trying to take advantage of this great man!  Who would have guessed?????  They have been doing the same thing to Bob Thiel and other Sabbatarian Churches throughout Africa for decades. Adventists know this but apparently, COG leaders are too stupid to know this.

This super righteous church leader claims he has the authority to place these dishonest people into the second resurrection.  Hilarious!  As if ANY COG leader can make that decision or even be a part of that discussion.  It is not a reality.

We will have to consolidate the new people coming into CCG and prepare them for the First Resurrection. There is quite a serious responsibility placed on church officers in getting people ready for the Kingdom.  Lying to the Church is lying to the Holy Spirit and whilst it may seem to confer some short term advantage it merely ensures that the ministers who lie or fail to discharge their duties or seek to gain advantage by dishonesty will merely be placed in the Second Resurrection as were almost the entire Sardis and Laodicean systems as we see from Revelation chapter 3.  Like any serious competition, we all run the race to win but we all seek to take the weakest over the line with us together as a body. The Holy Spirit will sort us out so as to enable that to occur.

It is worthwhile noting some very interesting aspects to what God is doing. He appears to be sending the Holy Spirit (No. 117) into the nations of Africa and to a lesser extent Asia.  At present God is letting the “Developed Nations” wither on the vine and they are being allowed to fester and rot with their riots and thefts and abortions and murders. They are not able to stand before the truth and seem unable to face the future. The aspects of false witness under the Ninth Commandment seem not to phase these people as they use their lies and defamation to mitigate against what we are telling the world as though that will ease the reality of what is before them.  God declared Sardis dead and He spewed them and Laodicea out of His Mouth. God seems about to destroy much of the world structure.

Cox is such a miraculous leader that absolutely NO ONE in his entire cult has COVID-19.  NO ONE!  That might be true if he would admit he has less than 100 members instead of multiple millions around the world.

The rivers and oceans have still to be turned increasingly to blood and we are now moving forward in our development.  We have untold numbers now but we have little strength.  Our people are poor but dedicated.  God is protecting us.  We have had no COVID-19 infestations to date. That is an amazing feat of God’s protection. Even in the many refugee camps and among our hundreds of thousands there is no pestilence among us to date.

Cox then takes a swipe at all COG leaders and groups that preach the Petra doctrine or "place of final training" or "place of safety."

Many of the offshoots seem to still believe that God will take them all to a ‘Place of Safety’.  They have asked their ministry where the Place of Safety (No. 194) is, and when they are to go there, but these false prophets have no idea and they cannot answer, other than so say they do not know. Now hear the Word of God you dumb dogs: There is no Place of Safety save in the Hand of God. As the Spirit said through Christ:”you will not have finished fleeing through the cities of Israel until the Son of Man comes” (Mat. 10:23).  Even then there will be no joy for you, as you will then face the tribulation and will not be spared.  

Rejoice in your calling ye Sons of Israel and Sons of the Living God. It is by and through the Law and the Testimony that you are called and made part of the Elect (Isa. 8:20, Rev. 12:17; 14:12).

Do not be discouraged. Now you see your calling.  There are tough times ahead but you will be taken through it in the faith. Discouragement is the weapon of the adversary. Put on the whole armour of God and prepare for what lies ahead of us.

Wade Cox
Coordinator General

The best thing any COG member could do to stop the constant discouragement they deal with is to LEAVE the church and regain your sanity! Hundreds of thousands of the  8 decades of the church have.

Self-appointed COG Prophet Claims Demons Are Behind COVID-19 and Brexit

Only in the mind of a deluded self-appointed Church of God prophet can one come up with this kind of stuff and think it worthy of being preached about.

COVID and Brexit Driven by Demons?Could Satan or any of his demons be impacting the economy of the world and Europe through having both the coronavirus outbreak and the British Exit (Brexit) from the European Union? Did governments tend to react in a way causing ‘self-inflicted’ damage to the economy? What about actions from the European Central Bank? Has demonic involvement been asked by the German press? Does the Bible teach that Satan is the god of this age and that the world is under his sway? Will involvement from Satan and his demons lead to the rise of the Beast, False Prophet (Antichrist), and the gathering at Armageddon according to scriptures in the Book of Revelation? What event did the late Worldwide Church of God Pastor General Herbert W. Armstrong feel would trigger the prophesied unification of Europe under the Beast? What about ‘miracles,’ signs, and lying wonders? What did Jesus say that Christians should do? What about prayer and the kingdom of God? Will you fall for Satan’s lies and deception? Dr. Thiel discusses each of these matters and more.

It has always fascinated me on how much more powerful COG demons are compared to the almost nonexistent and powerless Christ they claim to follow. 

Gerald Weston Delivers Another Uplifting Message To The Faithful

Various Churches of God are over-stimulated right now with all the different news stories going on in the United States and the world. From COVID-19,  locusts, mayflies, riots, people on lockdown around the world, and many more events, COG leaders see world unraveling before their eyes. They see prophecy coming alive in their time, even though every single prediction they all made in the past as been 100% wrong. This time it will be different!  They will be vindicated!

Gerald Weston, continues the Living Church of God tradition of dwelling on all the wrong going on the world as proof they are right. LCG has always loved giving encouraging messages to the faithful.

Apparently, Satan and God are both ticked off at the world.

Greetings from Charlotte,

How swiftly a nation can be brought down! The whole world is aware of what happened in Minneapolis a little over a week ago. We see a house divided and we know what Jesus said about that. We must remember that we in the Church are, above all else, followers of Christ and brothers and sisters begotten of the same Spirit. Rather than saying any more on this subject at this time, I have written a letter to all members addressing the bigger picture.   

We are not even halfway through 2020 and the world is reeling from one blow after another. COVID-19 has killed hundreds of thousands and destroyed economies around the world. Riots are tearing apart city after city in the United States. Desert locusts continue to eat their way across East Africa, the Middle East, and into Pakistan and India, threatening apocalyptic starvation. Who knows what else “the prince of the power of the air” will throw at us.   

Opening in-person services is going slowly, as many halls are not yet open for our use, and where they are open, there are restrictions limiting occupancy to 25 or 50 percent of capacity, and many halls are not large enough for social distancing at any percent. I encourage our ministry to think creatively, but prudently, not jeopardizing safety. And if members have ideas or suggestions, please work through your local minister.—Gerald Weston 

Gerald Weston: UK Banned Our Program On COVID-19 Because They Didn't Like It Due To The Fact They Eat Bacon And Sausage

This has to rank up there in "The Dumb Things Church of God Leaders Say" category.  Gerry sent this in a letter to supposedly 300,000 co-workers and members recently. What a shining example of logic this man displays!

It is still too early to have final figures, but our telecast “Why Does God Allow Pandemics?” looks as though it will bring in twice as many requests as normal. The offer for that program was a DVD titled, “God Answers His COVID-19 Critics.” Sadly, the program was censored in the United Kingdom because they did not like it. Perhaps it is because their “traditional English breakfast” includes two or three types of bacon, pork sausage, and black pudding (something that is made with blood, often pig blood, and looks like a thin hockey puck). If you were one of those who missed the program, just let us know and we will be very happy to send you the DVD that contains the program, or you can go online right now and see it at Why Does God Allow Pandemics. May 21, 2020

Vic Kubik Says It Is Not A Sin To Be Immunized

In various Church of God's it is anathema to ever consider getting flu shots, immunizations, or even go to doctors. Thanks to the endless waffling by Herbert Armstrong over the use of doctors, so many church members have a built-in fear of going to doctors. Sadly, even when prohibiting church members from using doctors, Herbert was going to them for all kinds of "ailments", including his impotence. 

With the current pandemic of COVID circling the earth, research is quickly working to find a cure or at least an immunization shot that can stop the virus from causing so much damage.

Kubik has stepped forward to let his followers know that he and the church will not discourage those who want to get the shots. This is sure to set off many of the self-righteous leaders and ministers in various splinter groups.

As government authorities at all levels struggle to cope with health remedies for the pandemic, opinions and alternative solutions grow. In the Church of God community, many hold to a focus of looking for natural treatments. On the other hand, many accept and seek traditional medical treatment. All seek healing from God (James 5:14-15) but may choose different paths to support that healing.

Regarding this, it is important to note here that as a Church, we are not experts in the practice of medicine. For instance, the Bible does not teach that immunization is a sin. Also, while the United Church of God positively teaches that being immunized is a medical matter and is not sin, the Church also does not judge those who, because of conscience, choose not to be immunized.

We emphasize respect for the personal decision made by the individual. The issue may grow more complicated, especially if local governments require vaccinations for participation in public schools and the like, but we still recognize respect for personal decisions.