UCG Thuggery

There was in interesting comment on Facebook the other day about the upheavals that went on in the Worldwide Church of God as the changes in doctrine came down the pipeline.  This person made a correct observation about the current leadership and ministry of UCG (COGWA too.)

There was no love toward those struggling with the changes. Let's set aside for the moment that I agreed with some changed but disagreed with most. When I respectfully and quietly expressed my concerns to the ministry about the sweeping changes they sent thugs from headquarters to shut me up. They wanted a Borg mentality. The thugs sent to me eventually became top ministers in UCG. The irony. It was not concern for me and others trying to make sense of it, it was hatred.

 
The sad thing in this is that while these ministers were treating people like dirt, disfellowshipping left and right, they were working behind the scenes to continue their paychecks elsewhere.  After wrecking havoc with the WCG members, they jumped ship where they claimed to be enlightened TRUE Christians once again.  Yet, to this day, they still treat people like dirt and look at them as uneducated chaff that only serve as ATM machines.

UCG: God Only Hears Prayers of Those Wearing Jacket and Tie?

UCG is ready to start a week of video conferences in order to save money because of their huge income drop after COGWA walked off with a large percentage of their ministers, members and tithes.  Though it is fun to mock it, it is a rather wise choice to do since the economy has been in such a mess around the world.  Coming up with new ways to accomplish old things is always a good idea.  However, UCG still seems to be stuck in a couple of areas.  70+ years down the line and Armstrongism still cannot figure out what kind of gospel they need to be proclaiming!  Seriously??.  Even worse, in 2012, they are still arguing over clothing standards.  These two topics are on their list of discussions:

On the agenda for this session is a lengthy discussion on a proposed “Public Proclamation Identity” that seeks to fulfill the Media Strategy #9 from the 2012-13 Strategic and Operation Plan. We will also be discussing the future of the Strategic Planning and Finance Committee and the viability of the church fulfilling its mission statement.

I am assuming "Public Proclamation Identity" is an innocuous way of saying, "How do we make our message and church looks like a Christian organization instead of a whacked out cult?"

A ruling has been requested for Sabbath attire – what is appropriate Sabbath wear at church services for men who speak, lead songs and give opening and closing prayer. The Council will discuss this issue before ruling on it.

Does God honestly care if a person speaking, giving a prayer or leading a song is wearing a tie or not?  Is a prayer delivered in a jacket and tie more meaningful and worshipful than in a polo shirt?