This was sent in by a reader this morning. Check out the astounding growth the UCG is experiencing. This is the exact same thing that is happening in all the other splinter groups. They are replacing those who die with new members who are usually disgruntled refugee's from other splinter group.
Actually, UCG is having some growth...at least replacing those who die. Not all congregations are getting smaller. Holding your own or some small growth is more than any other group I know of. We are in the time of the end. There are "wise" and "foolish" virgins.
UCG is also the only group who has successfully merged with another group (CGCF). They even had a member on the UCG board within two years and another a few years later. Where else could that happen but in UCG's structure. Sadly, some of them with COGWA in the split, but one is still on our board.
As to merging, there is a process, and it is difficult, mostly because of the personalities involved and lack of humility. While one may have a great relationship with an individual congregation, that does not go across the board. For example Living and UCG had a joint activity in Alaska at the feast. An elder at that event who went to New Zealand the following year tried to do it there, but the living elder said "Living doesn't do that". It is a real mix out there so be careful not to label all by a personal (perhaps correct), but limited experience. There may be a history and reasons why, but each situation seems different with most making judgments based on incomplete information.
Having worked directly with HWA in the final years, it is hard for me not to feel like Haggai and Zerubbabel and the '2nd temple' being so much less...but it is not by our power, but by God's. He controls the size of his army and where they are. I pray not to get in his way.
Aaron Dean
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