The various Churches of God have always claimed that they are practicing first century Christianity. According to scripture, that first century Christianity was about love for each other and for those around them. It had nothing to do with the "law" but all about grace.
Then Herbert Armstrong came on the scene claiming to have restored that first century Christianity because his god had been so weak and impotent it had been lost for 1,900 years. (Those nasty Catholics and pagans were far more powerful.) That restored Christianity soon soured and the COG became abusive. For decades story after story emerged on how awful the church was in how it treated its members. A large percentage of that mistreatment came directly at the instructions of Rod Meredith.
In the 1990's when all of the changes were coming down the pipeline the church had the opportunity to really step out and embrace grace and love and do the right thing. The Worldwide Church of God went on a purge kicking out members, disfellowshiping and marking them. Employees were fired or laid off and told that the church had no responsibility to take care for them.
Scores of groups broke off to start their own churches where they too had the opportunity to start anew. Many claimed that was exactly what they were going to do. The problems of the past would be wiped away and true love and mercy would abound. Within a few months for some and a few weeks for others, that love was cast in the trash bin and the control and manipulation began with renewed vigor.
Gerald Flurry has created hell on earth in Edmond Oklahoma ripping families and marriages apart. People have died because of his sins. Rod Meredith formed two separate churches with each one treating its members like dirt. Then Dave Pack came on the scene, and oh what a story that has been! He claims to be the only one doing the work of God on earth today and is God's mightiest leader ever. No love is ever discussed, nor is Jesus. Instead he preaches about his god killing three other COG leaders as he breaks up marriages and families. Truly that is COG love!
Love and grace have never been a hallmark of the current incarnation of the Church of God. Previous generations maybe, but never under the baton of Armstrongism.
Why do COG members sit there and allow this to happen to themselves and their friends? They know it is wrong but none of them do anything. When will any of them hold their leaders accountable? Jim Meredith certainly will not bring in a new era of enlightenment for the Living Church of God. Neither will Rod McNair.
Lest you think it will, just check out the following:
One person got fired and disfellowshipped because he took two of the others into his home. One had absolutely nothing, no money, no car, no home,no food, because his wife had thrown him out and everything was in her name.
So he did the christian thing and took him in.
League and McNair came to him and told him he had to put them out on the street. To make them grovel and repent to them. He could not do it. It just seemed so unchristian. So they fired him and disfellowshipped him. And to make matters worse his wife was undergoing cancer treatment.
