Living Church of God Claims "A Pastor Must Be Self-Controlled—Not Quick To Get Angry "

Here is an excerpt from the 377 page LCG Pastor's manual amalgamated by Rod McNair.  This is from the "Pastoral Ethics" section:

A Pastor Must Be Self-Controlled—Not Quick To Get Angry 

“…A bishop then must be… not violent…but gentle, not quarrelsome…” (1 Timothy 3:2-3) 
Pastors sometimes have to deal with frustrating and exasperating situations.  A Pastor must have the character—and LOVE for others—to control his own spirit, even in the midst of difficult situations, and even with people who are irrational or belligerent.  In Paul’s second letter to Timothy, he said: 
2 Timothy 2:24-26 “And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth, and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will.”
 
When a problem arises, imagine that you are arriving at the scene of a fire.  The fire is the problem you are facing.  Imagine that you have two buckets in your hands—one is filled with water, and the other is filled with gasoline.  Which one you use upon arriving at the scene has a lot to do with the outcome of the situation.  Can you defuse the situation by using a calm but firm hand?  Or do you react with anger in kind, further exacerbating an already bad situation? 

A Pastor must exhibit emotional control to successfully function in his capacity.  He must be able to bear insult without retaliation.  Jesus set that example.  He did not lash out or take revenge on those who ridiculed Him.  As Peter wrote: 

1 Peter 2:21-25  “For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps: ‘Who committed no sin, nor was deceit found in His mouth’;  who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously; who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness--by whose stripes you were healed.  For you were like sheep going astray, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.” 

This does not mean that a Pastor must not defend the members or the office of the ministry or must not occasionally act with decisive action.  But he must keep his own personal feelings out of it, as much as possible, with God’s help.  He must not fall into a “siege mentality” where he begins to see everyone as either for him or against him.  He must strive to minimize controversy and polarization wherever possible.  He must deal squarely and decisively on the facts, based on sound biblical principles, with all due patience and long-suffering and without personal antagonism or anger. 

This takes careful self-examination of motives and intentions.  It takes deep reflection to examine one’s own personal motives—and the humility to admit to oneself when one is acting on pride  Proverbs 16:32 “He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city.”  Proverbs 14:29 “He who is slow to wrath has great understanding, but he who is impulsive exalts folly.”   Proverbs 15:1 “A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” pg 1-4, 1-5

Every single thing that is highlighted above is exactly what the LCG is NOT doing at this present moment.  Rod Meredith and others have lashed out in anger at the Scarborough's and other members that see major issues breaking the church apart. They retaliate by publicly embarrassing and maligning church members characters and motives on a regular basis.

Rod Meredith and other LCG leaders have always used "personal feelings" when lashing out at certain people.  Meredith is well know for carrying long held grudges against others.

The LCG and most other COG's have always employed the "siege mentality" when issues arise.  The wagons are circled and disfellowshipments and markings fly like bullets.  Its like they massacre as swiftly and as many as possible right off the bat so that the members cower in fear.  Just look at the Church of God history from the time Herbert Armstrong started the church to this very day.  From the time Armstrong stabbed the Church of God 7th Day in the back and apostatized, to this very day where we have 700 some splinter groups that are constantly circling the wagons to preserve their life styles and personal interpretations.

"...with all due patience and long-suffering and without personal antagonism or anger."  What a glorious fantasy!  Will we ever see that day happen in the Church of God movement?

Living University Student Tells How He Was Mistreated By LCG Ministers

From the Exit and Support site.

I always had this gut feeling, this unnerving inkling somewhere way in the back of my mind all throughout the entire time I had been a part of Living Church of God that something wasn't right. Of course I learned quickly to dismiss it as a thought from Satan, encouraged to pray harder and fast more and "draw closer to God" to resist the devil. That in itself doesn't prove anything, but I had studied gut feelings as a part of my University certificate (prior to LCG) and it is absolutely true that gut feelings are more than just vague paranoia or imagined fear.

"Your sub-conscious which operates ten times faster than your conscious mind has picked up on signals of danger that your conscious mind has not yet processed."1

"Controlling my information was something I experienced first hand being at Living University, and beforehand. One particularly memorable moment was when I found a book in the LU library titled The Armstrong Empire.(A Look at the Worldwide Church of God) by Joseph Hopkins.4 It was later removed upon realising what it was about when I brought it to two of the ministers to check out and read. I could have just taken it, but it was a simple experiment. Along with my being instructed not to read Exit Support Network™, Cult Awareness and Information Centre, or similar ones, because it was either "dissident material" or just plain "doctrines of demons" or "it will drag you away from the truth." This is not exclusive to the LCG, it is a common practise among Bible-based cult groups who insist they are the "one true church." However, when you are being subjected to it you don't realise that is what's happening. You are told to pray more, fast more, draw closer to God and made to feel incredibly guilty and like you're not measuring up.

It began to concern me when I was told to do just that. Don't read anything that contradicts or challenges the group theology. If you want to prove anything you have to refer to the group literature/authority because everyone else is "blinded." It is a ridiculous mentality to have but when you are indoctrinated in it you genuinely believe what you are told, and I did. But it didn't stop those gut feelings of "something is not right."

I began to become more and more concerned with the way I was being treated and the way in which my girlfriend [in LCG] was expected to act and react and interact. I was told to ignore her completely, told not to talk to her, to avoid sitting next to her. We both thought we were doing the right thing but it doesn't change how miserable I made her feel. It doesn't change that people in the future will still be subjected to such abuse quite frankly under the guise of a minister telling you "God" wills it and that He is testing you. I am sorry for the way I let people manipulate me into treating her that way. I was always told "wrong time," it's "not God's will." In reality the idea was that I needed to be indoctrinated properly, to dedicate my life to the group (through baptism) then be "a useful tool in God's hands" so that they would have assurance I would pledge total allegiance, lifelong loyalty and service to their group and place it before anything else. Although, of course, that's not what is said. You're told it's "the one true God" you're worshipping. My girlfriend became a threat to my potential "to be used", because if I came to Living University, fell in love with her, left and got married (even if we remained in the group) what an awful waste that would be of a perfectly good potential minister. We're always told there's a shortage of young men."

The Living Church of God Needs 377 Page Manual To Tell Ministers How To Behave

  

LIVING CHURCH OF GOD  

PASTORAL  MANUAL 
AND  ADVANCED LEADERSHIP TRAINING PROGRAM 
Church Administration Department 

The Living Church of God has always attempted to portray itself as the most loving and merciful Church of God to exist after the Worldwide Church of God imploded.

That image has never gained footing with the broad majority of Church of God members.  Rod Meredith and his hierarchy had visions that when Meredith left WCG that large numbers would come over with him.  It did not happen.  Given the horrendous track record that Meredith has with his mistreatment of ministers and members, well over 90,000 members turned their backs on him.

It has been well know through countless documented horror stories on how bad Meredith has treated members and ministers over the many decades he has been in power.

Scores of letters from former LCG members are posted on the Exit and Support web site detailing the horrible ways they have been treated by Meredith and LCG ministers.  Many Global Church of God members remember the hell they went through when Meredith apostatized from their group, took all their money and then treated Raymond McNair as subhuman Laodicean garbage leading McNair and his wife to grovel at Meredith's feet on their knees (with trembling lips) in order to preserve their eternal salvation.

Due to his literal interpretation of scriptures, Meredith has used control and power as his operational standards.  Ministers in the LCG and the COG as whole are hand picked by their superiors.   These are usually yes-men who will do everything in their power to impress the Dear Leader at the expense of the membership.

In many Christian denominations people feel they are "called" to serve the church.  This is no short  period of time.  Many churches have lengthy discernment processes where members of the church meet with and discuss the persons call with that person.  This goes on for months and sometimes for well over a year.  Hard questions are asked in order to discern whether the person is really called to the job or not.  Then after the discernment process is over, they meet again with church leadership who then do more counseling.  They then head off to 2-4 years at a seminary where they learn about the book they are supposed to be following, real church history and real ethics.

Nothing like this ever happens in the COG.  No discernment is ever gone through.  A minister sees a man (always a man) who they feel are well rounded individuals. Most of the time it is men who cater to and slap the back of the leadership that are over them.

Since the LCG and the other COG's claim to believe every single word of the Bible, here is what the ministers of the COG should be doing:

1 Timothy 1) Above reproach, 2) Husband of one wife, 3) Temperate, 4) Prudent, 5) Respectable, 6) Hospitable, 7) Able to teach, 8) Not addicted to wine, 9) Not belligerent, 10) Gentle, 11) Uncontentious, 12) Free from love of money, 13) Manages household well, 14) Not a new convert, 15) A good reputation inside and outside the church.

Titus 1) Above reproach, 2) Husband of one wife, 3) Having children who believe, 4) Not self-willed, 5) Not quick tempered, 6) Not addicted to wine, 7) Not belligerent, 8) Not fond of sordid gain, 9) Hospitable, 10) Lover of what is good, 11) Sensible, 12) Just, 13) Devout, 14) Self-controlled, 15) Holding fast the word —both to exhort and refute.

How many COG leaders are above reproach?   Even sinless Meredith cannot meet this first hallmark.

How many are temperate and hospitable?  Most demand strict allegiance to themselves and certainly are NOT temperate individuals! 

How many are really teachable?  The vast majority will not even consider reading a booklet or book by a person outside the CCG who is far more educated than they are.  How many ever read a book that was opposite their viewpoint in order to understands both sides of an issue or teaching?  How many have ever had a real class on the Bible outside the fake 'universities" the COG pretends to be 

pseudo-seminaries?  How many have ever studied doctrine without the lens of Herbert Armstrong's interpretations?

How many COG ministers are not alcoholics?  Alcoholism is rampant in the COG.  The leadership in UCG, LCG, PCG and LCG have some big time alcoholics in power.

How many COG ministers are not belligerent?  All one has to do is look at the horror stories online and you will see belligerent ministers make up most of the COG leadership.  Just look at Dave Pack, Rod Meredith, Cal Culpepper, Gerald Flurry, and others.  These are men without scruples when it comes to making members lives a living hell.

How many COG leaders/ministers are free from the love of money?  Is it even possible to name one person?  Love of money has created cult compounds in Edmond Oklahoma, and Wadsworth, Ohio where mini Ambassador Campus are being built with mini-Ambassador Auditoriums. Being free from money certainly is NOT part of their ministries.  Love of money helped LCG get off the ground after they took all they could from Global Church God leaving them bankrupt.  If they truly did not love the money they would have stepped out on faith.  But we all know that has never been the foundational principle of any modern day COG.

How many COG leaders/ministers have managed their households well?  How many still have children even part of the COG?  Children of many COG leaders and ministers have been the most rebellious in the church.  From drugs to sex, the minister’s kids did/do it. Some of the biggest drug peddlers in Imperial Schools where children of ministers and evangelists.

How many COG leaders have ever "held fast to the word?"  Every time they get their panties in a wad they leave and form a new group with "newly revealed" teachings.  All one has to do is claim that "God has revealed new understanding" and they are off and running with clap happy seals slobbering all over them.

All of this really boils down to two major points that all COG ministers should be doing.  Love God and their neighbor/members.  Love should always trump over the rules, but in the COG rules always trump love.

Rules are so important that the ministry of the Living Church of God needs a 377 page manual telling them how to behave!  377 pages!

Apparently loving God and loving their neighbor is not plain enough!

The LCG Ministerial Manual (2008) states:

The main objective of this manual is to assist Pastors in their support of that mission, which is: 

• Preach the Gospel of the Kingdom of God and the true name of Jesus Christ.

• Preach the END-time prophecies and the Ezekiel warning to the Israelitish peoples.

• Feed the flock and build all our members to the stature of Jesus Christ, as best we can.

• Be EXAMPLES to the Church at large and to the world of Christ’s way of life.

• Learn and practice Servant Leadership in all our dealings with others.

• Build an atmosphere of radiant FAITH within God’s Church.

• Restore Apostolic Christianity and all that this implies. (pg 0-1)

Anyone with any COG knowledge at all knows that they have failed miserably on ALL the principles above.

Jesus is not a figure that is widely preached in the COG.  The law is, but Jesus is not. Racial superiority is preached, but love of the Gentile is not.  British Israelism has been thoroughly debunked for many decades now for its racist tenants.  BI is more important than the following verse:

There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. Gal. 3:28

BI is a necessary teaching in the COG because without it every single doctrine they hold dear comes crashing to the ground. Prophecy is shattered and made useless.

The manual also states the following Management Principles that LCG claims to follow:

Management Principles of the Ministry 

 

Love 

The guiding principle governing operational relationships within Church Administration is the principle of love as defined by Jesus Christ (Mark 12:31).  This is the guiding principle that must be applied by all Pastors and administrative personnel.  

Teamwork 

As brothers in Christ, we must strive to meet basic human needs in the process of performing the Work of God.  Personal needs of Pastors must be balanced with the needs of the Church.  We will work as a team to perform the objectives of the Church under Jesus Christ’s leadership. 

Hierarchical Government 

God’s government is hierarchical (Ephesians 4:11; Hebrews 13:17).  God established organizational structure so that all things may be done decently and in order (1 Corinthians 14:40).  

Servant Leadership 

While hierarchical, God’s government is based on servant leadership (1 Kings 12:7).  Pastors must be concerned for and sensitive to the needs of God’s people (Matthew 20:25-27).  There must be mutual respect for each other as co-workers and as brothers in Christ, as well as respect for the office held by each person.  All Pastors and administrative personnel should recognize that personal equality does not negate the existence of a hierarchy of offices or responsibilities within the ministry.  We will respect these offices for the Work’s sake, but at no time does the authority of office negate the duty to show Christ’s love, respect, and concern for others.  

Fairness and Equity 

The Apostle Paul’s charge to Timothy supports Christ’s teaching to the Apostles concerning “doing the Work.”  “I charge you before God and the Lord Jesus Christ and the elect angels that you observe these things without prejudice, doing nothing with partiality” (1 Timothy 5:21).  Church Administration and Pastors must strive to operate with fairness and equity, without partiality or favoritism in regard to management.  Work assignments are based on experience, ability, training, and needs of the Work.  

Open Communication

We expect Pastors and administrative personnel to encourage constructive communication and participation in the decision-making process as is reasonable and consistent with prudent management of the Work. 

Freedom for Personal Management Style 

Each Pastor and administrator has freedom of management style within the parameters of wisdom and discernment in the framework of God’s law, and within the policies of the Living Church of God.

It is easy to see that the above “standards” that LCG claims to follow are continually broken and certainly are not adhered to by many ministers and church leaders.

Love is NOT a factor in maintaining order in the LCG.  Just read the horrendous stories about that love on the various COG sites.

Servant leadership is also sorely lacking.  Members tend to be the servants to the leadership instead of the leadership serving them.

Hierarchical government is LCG's top priority.  Without it  it would not exist.  All knowledge and revelation comes from on high and not from the membership up.  Only the educated are at the top and the uneducated are at the bottom.  LCG has blatantly said this publicly to its members. 

Is there any leader or minister in the LCG that leads "without prejudice?"  When the leadership portrays itself as more informed and educated than the cretins below them, how are they not showing prejudice?  Even in the sphere of the ordained ranks of LCG there is lack of "without prejudice."  Just like the rest of the COG's, it all depends on who you know on how fast you move up in the ranks.  Just look at unqualified Lil'Jimmy Meredith.  With zero qualifications and zero theological training he is being groomed to take over the LCG at some point in the future.  The only thing he is really good at is spending money.

Fairness and equality in the ministerial ranks?  Too funny.  Fairness and equality towards the membership? No existent.

When will Rod Meredith and crew ever wake up?  More importantly when will the membership ever wake up?