It'd been a week since the love fest between administrators of COGWA popped into Charlotte for coffee and scones with Rod Meredith and crew. This was a meeting where absolutely nothing was implied other than brothers getting together for some warm chats, or at least that's the story LCG and COGWA want people to think.
Popping into town were Jim Franks, Clyde Kilough, Doug Horchak and Britton Taylor. For a group of high ranking ministers from a competitive splinter group to pop in at Charlotte like this is unusual, especially when they bring along their church treasurer and financial operations manager, Britton Taylor. More went on here that some chit chat over coffee in Rod Meredith's office. It is surprising that anyone actually believe this.
Jim Franks claims it was nothing but conversations around the table. They spent time talking about the evil empire of the Tkach era that drove them all out. They talked about doctrinal changes, that ripped the church apart, their common bonds in beliefs and their own churches. It was just one big love fest!
Do conversations need church treasures in attendance? Everyone knows that LCG and COGWA are both facing money issues, LCG more than COGWA though. Meredith knows that when he dies that the money will dry up. No one will support his son, Gerald Weston is too much of a dictator and will drive more away, many others cannot stand the thought of being under Richard Ames.
If LCG and COGWA actually do attempt to merge they are both going to be in for a huge shock. COGWA members refuse to join up with the heretics in Charlotte. LCG members consider the COGWAites heretics. Its one big unhappy dysfunctional family. But then, that is the current face of the entire Church of God movement. Never has there been so many unhappy disappointed people than at this point in COG history.
Storm clouds are brewing and a chill fills the air.