Gerald Weston is Tired of LCG Members Complaining About Church Government

 

Recently we have had several posts here about proper church government practices in the Living Church of God, Restored Church of God, Philadelphia Church of God, United Church of God, and many other groups. We have had a long history on this blog over the years with people telling the horror stories of what church government has done to them, their families, and friends. The issue of government in the church has created a nightmare of abusive ministers and horrendous spiritual, mental, and physical abuse down through the decades.

In spite of all of the horror stories by people, Church of God leaders stick to their guns about church government and refuse to correct any of the abuses. To admit they were wrong, even in the slightest degree, would bring discredit to them in unparalleled fashion. The more people speak out the tighter the reigns become with COG leaders and ministers.

Today we have Gerald Weston pitching a fit about LCG members whining about church government. To him, church government is one of the most important doctrines of the church. Not Jesus, redemption, grace, or any of those other weak-kneed pansy gracie things. No sirree! None of that wimpy Jesus crap! What the church needs is true masculine powerful GOVERNMENT! Members need to know WHO is in charge.

“Government” has become a bad word in the minds of some. Different organizations have taken different approaches to this subject, and some who claim to be members of the Church of God do not want even to look at it, as it seems to them to cause division rather than unity. However, is that the right approach? Should someone lay aside one of the most important and easily explained doctrines because, perhaps, he is afraid that the clear biblical truth might not agree with his personal view or the view of the church he attends? Right government, as consistently described in the pages of Scripture, is a means of bringing peace, unity, and love. And how can we neglect a discussion of government when this is the problem that Christ is coming back to settle? It is what the Kingdom of God is all about!

Weston then quickly gets to the myth that COG members will be part of the church hierarchy in the Kingdom of God as they will be given cities to rule over...as long as they have submitted to church government in the past.  That all-important church of God myth of government down from the top is the most important doctrine of the church.

We read that Jesus is going to be King over all the earth (Zechariah 14:9). David is going to rule under Him as king over the twelve tribes of Israel (Jeremiah 30:9; Ezekiel 37:24). Under David, the Twelve Apostles will each rule over one of the tribes of Israel (Matthew 19:27–28). And those who are faithful and grow in grace and knowledge will rule over cities (Luke 19:11–19). Is this not what God revealed to Daniel in a dream and visions? “Then the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdoms under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people, the saints of the Most High. His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey Him” (Daniel 7:27). How can we neglect the magnitude of this subject just because some do not want to face the truth?

Weston then jumps into the usual routine of blaming church members for having bad attitudes and for being filled with so much "hostility" towards government that it is shocking to him.LCG members are carnal!

And we must ask, Why is there hostility regarding this subject? As I have pointed out on several occasions, people naturally believe in government only as long as the decisions of government agree with them. But why is this the case? While few want to admit that this applies to them, Paul gives us the answer: “Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be” (Romans 8:7). Even mentioning this as a possible cause of the problem raises some peoples’ hackles! But isn’t this something we were supposed to learn when coming to repentance and baptism—that our nature is hostile to God and that only with the help of God’s Spirit dwelling in us can we overcome this hostility? Do we remember Proverbs 14:12 and Jeremiah 17:9?

Weston admits that the church and its members have been tainted by abusive leaders in the past. In other words, blame WCG and Herbert Armstrong for this problem because WE in the Living Church of God have corrected those old ways and now LCG is the church filled with LOVING church government!

We are all tainted by our background. Much of the Western world is based on some form of democratic rule—rule by the people—and this colors the way many view the role of government in the Church. Some of us can still remember that the Second World War and the Korean War influenced some past leaders to administer Church government in a strict, military way. But neither democracy nor a military approach correspond to the model Christ gave us. Yes, the Bible clearly shows there must be order in the Body, but how that order is administered is very different from what we see in the world.

Weston goes on to claim that Rod Meredith was a shining example of what loving servant leadership is all about! Oh, hell no! Herbert Armstrong himself castigated Meredith for his doctoral and unloving abusive manner. Meredith never learned his lessons when exiled and continue into Global and then into LCG where that abusive almighty dictator reigned supreme. Meredith exemplified that true leadership through his godly family structure where love and submission was the rule of the day. That is a big load of bull crap! One thing Weston does have right though is that standard of abuse that Meredith practiced is still the standard for the LCG today!

Most of us remember the emphasis Dr. Meredith gave regarding a loving attitude of servant leadership, as described in Matthew 20:25–28. This kind of leadership is understood through the godly family structure, where both love and submission are found (Ephesians 5:21–25), and this mindset must be the standard for the Living Church of God. Sometimes people hear the word servant and forget the word leadership. Both are necessary, and leadership, among other important responsibilities, requires decisions on controversial matters.

Weston then goes on to claim that the Council of Elders is a shining example of what true government all about. Never mind the fact that COG councils have been rubber stamp machines for decades as they sit there and praise their leaders and enact abusive doctrines in order to keep their paychecks. Most COG councils are filled with men who have been castrated and don't have the wherewithal to stand up and tell their leaders to shut up and sit down and stop abusing members. HWA's council never did so. Meredith's never did in Global and certainly has never done so in LCG.

Weston cannot have democracy in his church. to do so leaders to politics and then to anarchy. WTH? Politics has been the name of the game in COG leadership for 8 decades now.

Consider, dear brethren: When is government needed the most? Is it not when there are differences of opinion, rather than when everyone agrees? What does the Bible instruct us about solving controversial matters? Brethren, this is vital knowledge that we must understand. Harsh dictatorial rule is not the answer, but neither is everyone doing what is right in his own eyes (Deuteronomy 12:8; Judges 21:25; Proverbs 21:2). This ends in anarchy, as we are seeing all too well in society at large. How often God speaks out against this mindset! Democracy leads to politics and imputing motives to those on the other side of an issue while promoting one’s own agenda. 

 

Neither democracy nor dictatorial rule is how the first-century Church of God solved questions of controversy, and is not solving matters of controversy a big part of leadership? Brethren, let us set aside our personal backgrounds and briefly review what most of us at least assume we understand.

When Moses was overwhelmed by the task of settling differences between individuals, God inspired Jethro’s advice to teach everyone the statutes and judgments. When people know the law of God and understand the intent behind it, as shown in the judgments, many problems are forestalled. But, sadly, as long as we are human, not all solutions are obvious to everyone. That is why capable men must be appointed to judge between individuals when an issue is not clear to both sides (Exodus 18:21–26; Deuteronomy 1:9–18). Once a judgment is made on a controversial issue, it goes without saying that one side is usually pleased with the decision while the other side is not. So, what is one to do if the judgment is not what one hoped? God shows us His mind on the subject and explains how serious a matter it is to violate a judgment that came down from those appointed for this purpose (Deuteronomy 17:8–13). 

 

We see that Jesus appointed the Apostles and gave them authority to make judgments that He would back up (Matthew 18:18–20). We are not talking here about abandoning the truths of Scripture, but rather administrative decisions that need to be made in all ages as circumstances change. The law does not change, but how it is applied in different circumstances and at different times may change. For example, while physical circumcision is no longer required, spiritual circumcision—of the heart—certainly is (Romans 2:28-29)!

Weston then goes on about how men are in charge of their wives and family. The only problem is that LCG ministers have flat out told the men of the church that they as ministers have the divine right to rule these men and their families in all matters. Jus took at the conversation on this blog about this very thing recently.

As mentioned earlier, this authority from the top down is found in the family (Ephesians 5:22–24). What husband is perfect? I think we know that none of us husbands make a perfect decision every time, but if the wife and children disagree and go their own way, what is the point of the God-ordained family structure? It goes without saying that if a husband abandons the truth and commands his wife to do the same, she ought to obey God rather than man (Acts 5:29). However, she must not plead her “conscience” every time she simply disagrees with him on domestic decisions. So many domestic decisions have little to do with direct commands from God. But the overriding principle for husbands is to show love—caring, outgoing concern—to the wife and family (Ephesians 5:25). Husbands must rise above what they want and make decisions that are best for the family.

Weston goes on to mock ministers of "worldly" churches as men who choose their calling unlike the self-righteous men in the COG who did the exact same thing! Most of these leaders had fits of jealousy and anarchy and then hung out their shingles to gather in new members for their own churches that they CHOSE to start on their own. None of these splinter groups were ordained by Go to form.

Ministers in the world often choose a “calling” on their own. They go to seminary and then look for a congregation that is seeking to hire someone, or they “hang out their shingle” and start their own church. That is not the biblical model. The priests of the Old Testament—and, by extension, ministers in the spiritual Israel of God—were not and are not to take this responsibility upon themselves (Hebrews 5:1, 4). Ministers are chosen from the top down by God’s servants who were appointed before them. Authority to appoint is found in Paul’s instructions to Timothy and Titus regarding ordinations (1 Timothy 3:1–13; Titus 1:5–9). It was seen in the appointment of deacons when a controversy broke out over fairness (Acts 6:1–6). In this case, the Apostles appealed to the brethren to bring forth individuals who were well-respected and who exemplified God’s Spirit working in them, but it was the Apostles who made the final decisions and ordained them, not the members (Acts 6).

We also see appointment from the top down in the selection of a replacement for Judas. Peter spelled out the necessary qualifications. Of the 120 who were there, only two men were found who met the criteria. The Apostles cast lots to see whom God chose, since they had not yet received the Holy Spirit. This is the last time we read of lots being cast for a decision, although it is vaguely referred to in Acts 8:21 (the Greek word here can be translated as portion or lot). 

 

Some individuals think lots were “ballots—votes,” but this is nonsense. Lots were stones, pieces of wood, or other objects by which the names of potential choices were placed in a jar or the lap, and the one pulled out was chosen. See the example of the two goats in Leviticus 16: Clearly, the High Priest was not “voting” on which goat represented the Lord and which represented Azazel! Virtually all scholars agree with this, but in recent decades, to justify a different form of governance, some have tried to stretch the meaning to include balloting or voting. We must ask whether they apply the same principle within the family structure!

We see what happens when authority breaks down and many, even leaders, refuse to follow directions from leaders above them. California refused to follow the federal government regarding illegal immigrants and declared itself a “sanctuary state.” But then some cities and counties turned around and defied the state government, which, of course, the state didn’t like. It would be comical, if it weren’t such a serious matter with equally serious consequences. We see law and order breaking down as all want to be authorities unto themselves. 

 

The period of the judges was a similar time, when there was no central authority to look to, and we can read the lesson of those times. The last verse of the book sums it up: “In those days there was no king [no central authority] in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes” (Judges 21:25). The account of that period shows that it was a terrible time to live in—though there were some bright spots, and the book of Ruth tells the story of one of them. 

 

Another was at the time when Deborah judged the nation. It was during that time when Israel threw off Jabin, king of Canaan, and Sisera, the commander of his army. Following the decisive battle, “Deborah and Barak the son of Abinoam sang on that day, saying: ‘When leaders lead in Israel, when the people willingly offer themselves, bless the Lord’” (Judges 5:1–2)! Not only must leaders lead, but others must willingly cooperate with their leaders. Does this mean we should follow leadership anywhere? Of course not! Paul makes it plain that we are to follow leaders as they follow Christ (1 Corinthians 11:1) and Peter and the Apostles declared, “We ought to obey God rather than men” (Acts 5:29). This should be a given, but we should never confuse obedience to God with self-will when we face controversial administrative decisions. 

To reinforce the mantra that even if the minister is wrong it is important to do what he says. The same applies to wives in LCG. Women are not to think their opinion is wiser than their husbands but need to sit there and twiddle their thumbs because they are under government. 

Husbands and wives must learn to balance these matters if they are to have a harmonious marriage. Wives are not to follow their husbands in rebellion against God, but neither are they to invoke personal “conscience” because they disagree and think their solution to a problem is wiser. Frankly, it may be, but respecting her husband’s decision is what will work out best for the family in the end (Ephesians 5:22–24).

As ministers in the COG, it is either their way or the highway. If you do not follow us then your salvation is at stake. No Kingdom of God for you!

God shows us the way to deal with controversial matters. It is then up to us to choose whether to follow His way or to go our own way. To follow or not to follow is a choice—a critically important choice, because it has a lot to do with our eventual reward and whether we will even be in the Kingdom. As God spoke through Moses in Deuteronomy 30:19, “therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live.”

So what do you think about Weston's article?  We know they read this blog. Let him know what you think. 

Doug Winnail on the dangers of rebellion and not following wise decisions of LCG ministers

 

Below is the letter Doug Winnail sent to the ministry of LCG in the wake of Sheldon Monson and Jason Fritts's departure. It is pretty hypocritical of Doug Winnail to be condemning Monson and Fritts on their recent departure considering the fact that he and Rod Meredith did the exact same things when they left the mother church and started Global Church of God and then in a rebellious fit of rage started Living Church of God.

One thing for sure about the current state of affairs in the Church of God movement is that it is the best soap opera ever created.

Received from an LCG source this morning.

To: All Ministers
Greetings Fellow Elders,

The recent departure of two ministers here in the USA with several other elders and those who have followed them has generated numerous posts on social media that contain inaccurate assertions and some wildly distorted accounts of what led to this departure. Some posts claim that these two men were treated unfairly, and even harshly, that they were yelled at in an attempt to intimidate and humiliate them and then summarily fired after this rigorous ordeal by their unfeeling superiors. I want to provide you with some firsthand background information so that you can address any questions that you may encounter. While this departure may not be affecting your congregation (it is mainly affecting a few small pockets around the United States where these men have pastored or had friends or people they worked with at camp—including young people, there are important lessons for all of us to learn from this situation. 

LCG has never "learned" any important lessons over the last 25+ years. They keep repeating the same mistakes and claiming martyrdom when caught. 

The seeds of this departure are exactly like the seeds Meredith and others planted months before they apostatized from the Worldwide Church of God in a fit of self-righteous rage because they had a better way of doing things. 

The seeds of this departure go back some time, as many can attest, but began to emerge openly in comments made by these ministers in sermons, Bible Studies and personal comments at the Teen Camp in Texas this summer. Several ministers and other adults sensed these men were divisive and critical of the leadership of the Church. One of these ministers also mentioned in some of his congregations that he might be fired for his actions. 

 

After camp, we asked these two ministers to come to Charlotte to discuss their ideas (that we are dishonoring God by wearing a mask at services and that we are sinning if we don’t sing at services). Several of us here then spent about 4 ½ hours with these men, talking to them and listening to their ideas. At one point, one person here did raise his voice for 5-10 seconds and then apologized. He did not appreciate these men openly disagreeing with Church decisions and using the forum of a youth summer camp to do so where his children were in attendance. He was not the only incensed parent who felt this was totally inappropriate and did not appreciate it. He was also concerned about how these ideas were affecting some people in congregations that he has pastored. As we listened, we also let these men know that we did not agree with their ideas. They were informed that we would bring their ideas before the Council of Elders. It was not our intention to fire them when we invited them to Charlotte to talk. 

It is interesting to read how they were concerned about how members of congregations were affected by Monson and Fritts's stances. They were not concerned when they were actively seeking to steal members and money from the Worldwide Church of God as they plotted and schemed with Don Davis to set up the Global Church of God. They were not concerned when they stabbed Raymond McNair in the back and took all of Global's money and most of its members to start the Living Church of God. They left a trail of broken lives in the wake of each of these decisions and now they are concerned about how people have been affected? 

Later that week, one of the ministers joined a special online meeting of the Council of Elders that lasted for more than four hours. We also asked him to submit a paper providing the scriptural basis for his ideas. This was the first time the Council had seen this information. Our standard approach has been for new ideas to be submitted to and discussed by the Council before these ideas were preached to congregations. However, this had not occurred, even though these men had been promoting these ideas for some time. No one on the Council agreed with their ideas. There was no yelling or screaming. There was no intimidation. However, a number of men spoke frankly, yet respectfully, indicating they did not agree with what they were hearing from this minister. We later sent out papers countering these ideas.

When the Worldwide Church of God spoke with Meredith and many other ministers that were joining Meredith in his rebellion they were asked if they would support the decisions and teachings of the church, none of them agreed to and felt they should separate themselves and go their own way. They saw nothing wrong with this and yet they see Monson and Fritts as being in a state of rebellion. 

Meredith and the other ministers that followed him never grasped the fact that their decision and rebellion was going to have a negative impact upon the WCG. And if they did, they certainly did not care! 

The next day, Mr. Weston and I spoke with each of these men on the telephone. When they were asked if they could support the decisions and teaching of the Church, they both indicated they could not. In fact, one of the ministers commented that since we appeared to be on separate pages, we should just go our separate ways. As a result, they were relieved from their roles as ministers in the LCG. That decision was made when they each stated that they could not support the decisions and teachings of the Church. The decision was also based on the verified fact that for some time these men were making numerous negative and divisive comments about leaders of the Church, and they had been in open disagreement with decisions made by church leaders. One man was offered time to think it over, but he said his mind was made up and would not be changed by postponing a decision. Neither man appeared to grasp the seriousness of the negative comments they had been making or the impact of those comments on others and how their ideas were dividing the Church. Since these conversations, they have departed and started their own organization. One minister has been marked for causing division (Romans 16:17-18) since he has been the leader, the other minister has been made a former member. Both men and their followers should be avoided. In our view, this has been a very sad situation. 

Church government has always been used as a weapon to keep members and ministers under control. Of course, that government goes out the window when men set themselves up as saviors of the truth once delivered and do what they want to do. Once they set up their fiefdoms, woe be to anyone who dares to cross their self-righteous paths and question them!  Those rebellious people are in direct rebellion against the very government of God! They are Korah's! They were just like Ananias and Sapphira!

There are a number of lessons that we can learn from all of this. The Scriptures reveal that God has placed authority in His Church. Moses was instructed to appoint leaders in Israel to judge the people (Exodus 18:24-26). Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 12:18 that God places us in the body as it pleases Him and that Jesus Christ established different roles and offices in the Church for doing His work (Ephesians 4:11-12). The Bible also records that there are serious consequences if those offices and that authority are not respected (see the example of Korah and his rebellion along with 250 leaders in Numbers 16 and Aaron’s and Miriam’s mistake in speaking against Moses in Numbers 12). While Moses was not perfect, the consequences of speaking against the authority of his office were serious and dramatic—as a lesson to others. We see a similar situation in the actions of Ananias and Sapphira in Acts 5:1-11). The men leading this current departure (and now some of their followers ) have been making negative comments about church decisions and leaders for some time—in spite of these biblical examples. 

Winnail admits that people who are in rebellion against the government of God (i.s church leadership) are not pleasing God when they do so. Yet, it was pleasing to their god when they rebelled against the mother church and formed TWO separate COG splinter groups. No rebellion there! No sirree!  

While these departing ministers are emphasizing the importance of having faith and trust in God’s promises for protection from disease (Exodus 15:25) and healing from sickness (James 5:14-16), we also need to put our faith and trust in other very clear instructions we find in the Scriptures. The biblical instructions for resolving controversies in the Church are found in Deuteronomy 17:8-11. When controversies arise, the issue is to be taken to the priests and Levites to be judged, and when a decision is made, it is to be followed. However, if a person acts presumptuously and ignores the decision made by the elders, there were serious consequences that were witnessed by the entire nation—as a lesson that this was not pleasing to God. 

Rod Meredith and the men who followed him into two different groups caused confusion when they rejected counsel.  

We see this biblical process for resolving controversies in action in Acts 15 when the question of circumcision of Gentiles was addressed. The issue was brought to the elders in Jerusalem, and a decision was made and promulgated to other congregations so there would be a unified policy. However, it appears that not everyone agreed with this decision as other individuals continued to create dissension by pointing back to the OT command for circumcision (Genesis 17:9-14; Galatians 1:6-7; 5:1-6). Yet, we read in Matthew 16:18-19 that God has given His Church and its leaders the authority to make decisions about the application of scriptures for the unity and benefit of the body (2 Chronicles 30:22-23; Ephesians 4:12-13). The Bible also warns that when everyone does their own thing, the result is chaos and confusion (Judges 21:25) and that also leads to serious consequences (Proverbs 14:12).

The Bible also provides numerous guidelines to help us avoid making serious mistakes. Proverbs 11:14 tells us “where there is no counsel, the people fall; but in a multitude of counselors there is safety.” These ministers felt they had to follow their conscience in these matters. However, our conscience is guided by our beliefs, which are based on our understanding of the Scriptures. If our understanding of the Scriptures is not correct, our conscience will be misinformed. These men chose to promote and follow their own ideas and ignore the advice of the Council of Elders regarding their understanding of the Scriptures. Proverbs 14:12 warns there is a way that seems right to a person, but that way leads to death. The Apostle Peter admonishes younger elders to be humble, respectful, and submissive to their elders (1 Peter 5:1-6), however, these ministers chose to reject the counsel they were given by senior ministers who were old enough to be their fathers. We need to remember these instructions. 

The track record of rebellion in the COG movement is a sure indication that the senior ministers of the church have been the most rebellious over the decades and are the ones who have caused the most damage to members' lives. Is it any better reason that people do NOT follow their advice?

Winnail goes on to write that the fruits of these departures have not been good (Global members can testify to that!) and admits that their own history proves this fact.

Another important lesson is from our own history as an organization. During the last 25 years, we have seen more than a dozen ministers and self-appointed leaders depart from the Global/Living Church of God. In nearly every case, these individuals found some point of doctrine they disagreed with or encountered situations they did not like or people they could not get along with or who did not accept their ideas. Yet, in nearly every case, the organizations they started either jumped the tracks doctrinally (with leaders claiming to be apostles or prophets) or their organization dwindled away to little or nothing. The fruits of these departures have not been good—and the evidence is there for anyone with eyes to see. This is why Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians 10:1-11 that the historical examples in the Old Testament were recorded for our admonition today! Our own history as an organization should also be instructive. 

Winnail goes on to blame the internet for causing confusion in the church in spite of the fact LCG has caused so much confusion over the last 25+ years that no one knows exactly what they stand for anymore.  

But never fear though, it is NOT his role or LCG's role to pass judgment upon these rebellious men. the only role that LCG leadership has is to lovingly help you see the bigger picture than what you see on the internet and God forbid allow any ones personal feelings enter into the play.

In dealing with the fallout of this current departure, you will encounter people who are genuinely confused by what they see on the internet or because they have a personal relationship with some who are leaving. It is not our role as ministers (or as members) to pass judgment on the fate of people who are confused or have left. It is not our role, or the role of our members to determine who will be in the Place of Safety or in the Kingdom. That is God’s decision. However, you can encourage those who are confused to watch what happens as this situation plays out—and make their own decision based on the fruits they see. In Acts 5:33-39, Gamaliel advised those who were upset by the ministry of the apostles, “if this plan or this work is of men, it will come to nothing; but if it is of God, you cannot overthrow it.” Every person must make their own decisions about who they are going to follow. Our role is to try to help them see a bigger picture than what they see on the internet or what their personal feelings might tell them 

Rough times are ahead for the LCG organization as more men will split off and go their own ways and take members (money machines) with them. Income will drop and Satan will be the cause. 

Rebellious ministers and members will take to the internet and share their concerns and hurts and will be labeled as instruments of Satan that Paul warned about. Satan is like a roaring lion running around the world seeking to devour the LCG church and lead all of its members astray. LCG does not need to worry about big bad meanie Satan destroying the LCG, its very own leadership is doing a great job of that already.

Just remember boys and girls, if you see something on the internet that seems way out in left field, don't' worry, because it probably is! COG history proves this to be true! In the COG where there is smoke there is ALWAYS a fire burning and it is not always Satan who is behind it.

Fellow ministers, this departure will probably not be the last, because the times ahead will be challenging. We should not be surprised by this because Paul warned us this type of thing would happen (Acts 20:29-31). We all have to be alert because Satan is like a roaring lion seeking who he can deceive and devour (1 Peter 5:8). Satan knows our individual vulnerabilities, and he will try to exploit those weak points. Don’t let that happen to you. If you see or hear something on the internet that sounds way out, it probably is! However, if it sounds reasonable and you have questions, please call us to get our input. We need to work together because we have a work yet to do, that Satan will try to disrupt in any way that he can. Let’s pray for each other and for our members and for those who are caught up in this current departure. God does not want any of His sheep to be lost, and that is part of our job as shepherds 

 

Warm Regards,
Douglas S. Winnail

Sheldon Monson Needs To Repent, Join the One True Philadelphia Church and Follow Proper Church Government

 

God's one true prophet is speaking out against Sheldon Monson starting a new Church of God. Apparently, like all other COG upstarts, he did not start his group with "Philadlephia reasons." Only the true doubly-anointed prophet of the one true God did such a thing. This makes Herbert Armstrong and Bob Thiel as the ONLY true "Philadelphian" leaders in Church of God history.

09/06/20 a.m Banned by HWA, an anti-COG site, posted the following related to Sheldon Munson and LCG::

During the live streaming of services, September 5th at 2:00pm EDT, for the "COG Broadcast YouTube Channel." Sheldon Monson officially announced the formation of the newest Church of God group to hit the world scene. After some time of discussion and because of their origin, they decided the best title for their new group should be "Church of God Assembly." This was quite predictable considering the hint dropping every week during Sheldon's personal services on YouTube. ... NDA

There was no website for Sheldon Munson's group when I just checked, but presumably there will be. This group does not seem to have formed for Philadelphian reasons, as neither it nor LCG properly accept what the Bible teaches on church government. However, perhaps one or both of them will change.

Did you know that Herbert Armstrong and Rod Meredith both referred to a ONE TRUE leader to come in the future and BOTH of them were referring to Bob Thiel? 

Here is that proof:

Laodicea Means "People Decide"

The Bible tells that there will be an overlapping succession of seven churches, often called Church eras. If the Philadelphia era was predominant until the time that Herbert W. Armstrong was alive, this would mean that the last of the seven churches, Laodicea, would be predominant now.

During this Laodicean time, there have been several approaches taken by groups that had their origins in the old WCG.

Many people decided to become independent. And many of those independents seem to feel that they are the most faithful to the teachings of the old WCG. Most have a few points they believe disqualifies others as they decide what is important. Herbert W. Armstrong, who many of them claim to be faithfully following, did not approve of the concept of "independent Christians" in that sense.

Some feel that the apostasy that occurred after the death of Herbert Armstrong was because of the type of governance he had in place. Some of those people have become independent or formed committee ran churches. Another type of governance that Herbert Armstrong condemned (Mystery of the Ages, Dodd & Mead, 1985, p. 247, quoted earlier above).

However, from the very beginning within the Church of God people left and would not listen to God's leaders. As the Apostle John wrote in 3 John 9-11 (which was quoted earlier in this article).

And if people thought that they were Christians when they ignored the Apostle John, how much more do many do so today?

The Apostle John penned the Book of Revelation. And in Revelation 3:14 he used the term "Laodikeus." This differs from how he normally started the letters to the other six churches (Revelation 2 & 3), because he used a plural term--he called them Laodiceans. This plurality, contrasted with the lack of it in the introductions to the other six churches, indicates that Laodicea is composed of divided groups.

Furthermore, according to Strong's Greek concordance, Laodicea is a combination of two words, laos which it defines as "people" and dike, which is defined by Strong's as "right," "judgment," "punish," and "vengeance." And also according to Strong's Greek concordance, Laodiceans is the plural of that.

Smith's Bible Dictionary defines Laodicea to mean "justice of the people". Might the term Laodiceans convey that the predominant characteristic of this Church is that peoples rule, peoples judge, or, in fact that the peoples change the Church's direction? 

I personally have long felt that the term Laodicea conveys a difference in governance and direction. Since the Philadelphians are admonished to "Hold fast what you have" (Revelation 3:11) and the Laodiceans say, "I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing" (vs. 17) it would seem that most Laodiceans have rejected other biblical truths as well (even when they explain there positions on governance they seem to misunderstand the Bible).

Now what about some of those few "hierarchical" groups calling themselves some type of Church of God which claim to have a hierarchical form of governance? Well, in nearly all of these cases, it seems that the "leaders decided" to appoint themselves to positions that they were never ordained/appointed to (perhaps, I should add here that I am NOT a self-appointed church writer--for some information on that, please see Who is COGwriter?).

I bet you did not know that Bob Thiel is of a HIGHER AUTHORITY than the fake self-appointed COG prophets like Flurry and Pack, did you? 

For example, PCG's Gerald Flurry declared himself a prophet, RCG's David Pack declared himself an apostle, CGPFK's Ronald Weinland declared himself a prophet and one of the two witnesses, and there are some lessor known individuals who have done something similar--none of which, as far as I have been able to tell, had hands laid upon them for those roles. Not only will none of these people accept the authority of any who were anointed by others to a higher role than they have, they seem to have a variety of practices suggesting a harsher and non-biblically correct form of governance.  

And if there is a non-self anointed apostle or prophet in the genuine COG (which are levels above evangelists), all should follow him--and there is one who heads the Continuing Church of God.

The O N E  M A N at this time that Herbert Armstrong and Dr. Meredith referred to is Dr. Bob Thiel. God used Herbert W. Armstrong to establish the Philadelphian phase, an evangelist to lead the transitional phase, and a Bob Thiel to lead the  final phase of the work. Dr. Thiel is proclaiming Christ's Gospel of the Kingdom by radio, via YouTube "television," via internet articles, in person, and in print as he leads the Continuing Church of God.

It is time for all of you backsliding Laodicean COG members to get on your knees and repent from following all the liars presently leading Churches of God and turn to the One Holy Apostolic Doubly Blessed Church of God that was prophesied by Herbert Armstrong and Rod Meredith to arise in the end times.

Aren't we blessed to be living in such amazing prophetic times!!!!!!