The United Church of God just finished its annual Council of Elders conference. As usual, there has never been a more unified group of men to meet together in the annals of human history. The problem when leaders of UCG make such claims, trouble is always on the horizon.
The UCG
propaganda publicity department had this to say:
Mr. Kubik expressed his appreciation for the spirit of fellowship among the elders of the general conference. He also welcomed those elders watching the webcast from home who were not able to make it to the meeting this year. He said that he was asked again what the purpose was for the recent church-wide fast we had. The Church hasn’t fasted together in anticipation of the meeting of the general conference for some time. In Isaiah 58 the prophet seems to be answering questions about fasting at that time. He then lays out the spiritual purpose of fasting: to humble ourselves before God and draw closer to Him and to make His purpose our purpose. Fasting is not to get our way; it is to orient ourselves to God’s way. Through this fast he has come to understand who and what we are. He sees how small we are but how much potential there is for growth, both spiritual and in numbers. God wants the Church to flourish.
Why is it that COG leaders seem to be constantly "finding out" who they are as a church? It has been over 22 years since UCG apostatized from their mother church and decided they knew how to do things better. At that time they claimed to know who they were and what they were doing. In the proceeding years, we saw one issue after another hit the church as they were constantly "finding" themselves. The church imploded with huge numbers of ministers and members jumping ship to form yet another splinter group who in turn claimed that they had found themselves in order to justify their existence. As all of the COG's shrink smaller and smaller, just how are they to "flourish?"
Though we’re small we’re at a place where we can be united like Gideon’s army in performing God’s purpose for His Church. We’re working on a video to show the Church’s work in fostering and developing relationships across the generations that make up the Church. It’s important that we develop strong relationships among all God’s people. The younger generation coming up is very engaged in the Church and its work. We need to be ready to “hand the keys” off to those who will be the next to do that work.
United has never been united and they most certainly will NEVER be a "Gideon's army" into performing some mighty purpose. Just HOW can the United Church of God be "fostering and developing relationships" when the leadership of the church has split families and destroyed marriages over it ongoing in-fighting. This has been the sad legacy of the entire Church of God movement for 80 some years.
Just how can the "younger generation" ever be engaged in the church when the old guard continue to be elected to the Council of Elders? Four spots were open on the Council and look who is back, yet again:
Council of Elders Seats
Rainer Salomaa (international)
Aaron Dean
Don Ward
Mr. Seelig announced that the last Council spot on the ballot was too close to call. Auditors are reviewing to confirm the General Conference of Elders’ choice, which should be announced tomorrow, May 8.
UCG goes on to say this:
He said there have also been questions about the structure and function of Ministerial and Member Services. He says it’s functional very well, and what he would like to do is put together a chart for the ministry to express how the department works and functions. Mr. Kubik is the acting director of MMS, and Chris Rowland is the administrator, and this situation has worked well. He has a lot of respect and appreciation for the work Mr. Rowland has done in that role. Kathe Myers was also hired to help Mr. Rowland administer the department, and she’s been a big help in the day-to-day function of MMS.
The bandages they continue to put on everything only cover the rot underneath. After 22 years ministerial services now needs a chart for the ministry to understand what it does. After suffering huge hemorrhaging of members, the church has never recovered to be anything truly outstanding, as hard as they try.
