Guest post:
Time for a better path
# 1 The power of good deeds.
The COG does not let its light shine. Although there are stellar individuals or ministers that care about the poor such as Daniel Botha or Wes White it is clear that most of the leadership does not.
The COG has all sorts of absurd rationales rooted in HWA's selfish greed to avoid helping others and doing good deeds. It is one of the major reasons they are so despised now and have such a bad reputation. But that doesn't have to be true for the members.
The membership should listen carefully to the voice of Christ,set aside the delusional rationalizations and traditions of their leadership that render the word of God of no effect, and do good deeds that honor God.
Matthew 5:14 Let your light shine. A city on a hill cannot be hidden . Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it give slight to everyone in the house. In the same way , let your shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.
# 2 It is Time to be Better Stewards
Since the collapse of WCG in 1995 the offshoots have taken in at least half a billion dollars. What do we see for this huge investment? Unfortunately we have stagnant and dying churches. The COG talks about growth, but the truth is the churches are instead rapidly growing old and dying. Perhaps one of the reasons is the money is not going to do a work.
For example, to its shame COGWA only invests 10% of its resources in the public proclamation of the gospel and UCG is almost just as stingy with about only 20%.
One would have thought with all that money and time the COGs would now have a vast library of TV programs, books and other materials that are well researched and relevant for this generation. Sadly that is not the case for much of what has been produced (e.g., LCG's poorly designed materials). If you doubt this just show some of the church materials to teenagers and see how interested they are in them.
Christ told his disciples to let nothing be wasted (see John 6:12). But the membership of LCG, UCG and COGWA waste their time and money being involved in such unproductive churches. The members of the COG need to become better stewards, by carefully considering how their money is spent and vociferously demanding changes if it is being squandered or siphoned off. If things do not improve in your church then defund them, and donate to other biblical organizations that are bearing fruit.
A mountain of evidence has come to light documenting the sins of HWA and the leadership of the former WCG and how the church treated people with brutality. One would think that this would have led to some type of public remorse and repentance on the part of the present COG leadership. Instead they ignore the plain admonition in Proverbs that fools mock making amends for sins (see Proverbs 14:9). If they are unwilling then the membership should humble themselves by expressing remorse, disavow any rationalizations for these sins, and make amends by treating people –especially the least among us -- with respect and love.
Aristophanes
