United Church of God: Why doesn't it have representative leadership of its membership?

From a reader.

The UCG "Council of Elders" , is 100% USA based, with all white ministry. Even the international regional representatives are home-based in the USA.

Nearly half of the UCG membership lives AWAY from the USA, yet has no council representation of someone who lives there!

Thousands of black Africans are in the UCG, yet not one council member who lives and works in Africa.

Baseball desegregated in 1947 with Jackie Robinson, but it was 30 years later before a black manager was seen in baseball (Frank Robinson). UCG, just like baseball, speaks out against racism, but the real proof will be when they allow empowerment in upper management at the Council level of a minority presence and representative to the population numbers that are members of the UCG.

UCG, on the international basis, is still practicing a Colonial European plantation mentality to its own members. Tonto

This lack of leadership diversity in the Church of God is not unique to UCG. Living Church of God, COGWA, Philadelphia Church of God, Restored Church of God, and many others are white based in its leadership and almost exclusively American in its international leadership.

UCG: Victor Kubik "I can declare with authority that we condemn racism."

With the tragic death of George Floyd at the hands of corrupt policemen, UCG has jumped on the bandwagon with their own take on the situation.

Nothing works better for a Church of God splinter group than taking advantage of some tragedy or world event in order to push their version of the Bible that they claim is right.

For my wife Bev and me, the news of the tragic murder of an African American in Minneapolis, Minnesota, by police officers really hit home. As many know, we both lived and served in Minnesota for many years. Minnesota was home to us. Just before going to Ambassador College in California, I first started attending church services near Lake Street and 1st Avenue South—less than two miles from the Powderhorn Park area where George Floyd was murdered. I saw many personally familiar landmarks in the television coverage, except this time they were marred by rioting people burning and destroying businesses and property.

The rage ignited in Minneapolis has since spread all over the United States and has set the country on fire. This is in the wake of a country exhausted by thousands of deaths, record unemployment, and economic catastrophe all fueled by COVID-19.

What should we be doing? What is our response?

Scott Ashley, the managing editor of Beyond Today, saw the importance of speaking out as quickly as possible on this searing issue. He rearranged the July-August lineup of articles accordingly to create space at the last minute before sending the magazine to the printer. I was given the task of providing an article. My column here contains excerpts from some of those thoughts, which were written for a more general audience—one that needs to hear our voice in these increasingly tumultuous times (Isaiah 58:1).

Kubik starts off by letting us all know he knows all about African American discrimination because his family was discriminated against when they fled from the advancing Russians in defeated Nazi Germany. Also, living a life of exceptional privilege since entering the COG ministry and still wallowing in that privilege, he knows all about discrimination that Blacks deal with in housing, jobs and daily life.

As we live in this world, awaiting the powerful return of our Savior in glory, we must recognize that the wrongful death of George Floyd represents a deadly serious, unresolved issue in America. As one familiar with oppression (many know of my background as an immigrant to the United States as a refugee fleeing advancing Russians in defeated Nazi Germany), I grieve when I hear the accounts of violence and discrimination against people of color.

Kubik's next statement is his "bold" stance that UCG does NOT discriminate and that UCG condemns "white-superiority" and racism.

To God—who is no respecter of persons (Romans 2:11)—skin color and cultural background don’t matter. All have full access to Him through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. That is why—as the current president of the United Church of God, an International Association—I can declare with authority that we condemn racism. Make no mistake. As a Church and as a people called out by God, we condemn so-called “white superiority.” Neither has anything to do with God!

If this is true, then Kubik and the entire United Church of God need to IMMEDIATELY discard their belief in British Israelism. They still hold dear Herbert Armstrong's racist propaganda teaching that is the basic foundation of UCG and every single splinter group out there today masquerading as a true church.  UCG makes weak comments occasionally that the church does not follow those teachings, but they do.  Many high ranking evangelists and leaders believe it is 100% accurate.

Kubik then goes on to state that he and UCG know a "better way." He starts off by quoting Colossians 3:11. As long as he still keeps BI as a basic tenant of the UCG he CANNOT believe the following, because the scripture below totally invalidates BI and the teaching that in Herbert's world tomorrow races would be segregated in their own nations

As members of the body of Christ, we know firsthand what Paul meant when he stated in the first century: “It doesn’t matter if you are a Jew or a Gentile [Greek], circumcised or uncircumcised, barbaric, uncivilized, slave, or free. Christ is all that matters, and he lives in all of us” (Colossians 3:11, New Living Translation, emphasis added throughout).

Ironically, in ancient times a “barbarian” or “being barbaric” was a cultural slur that referred to anyone who didn’t speak Greek, which essentially meant anyone outside the Mediterranean area—the rest of the world. Together with anti-Semitism, it represented an early form of racism.

What is our response? Simply put, we are called to a higher standard. We are called to live a better way.

Really? 

There is a better way.

So he quotes Rev. Martin Luther King...a man Herbert Armstrong and almost all ministers reject as a trouble maker and an adulterer.  Every time any posts King's words, some COG members whip themselves into a frenzy about King being an adulterer and of course, being a "so-called" Christian.

Let us take a moment to consider the words of Dr. Martin Luther King. In 1966, Dr. King remarked: “I’m concerned about a better world. I’m concerned about justice … and when one is concerned about that, he can never advocate violence. For through violence you may murder a murderer, but you can’t murder murder … Darkness cannot put out darkness; only light can do that.”

The answer, according to Dr. King? “Love is ultimately the only answer to humankind’s problems … I have seen too much hate … If you are seeking the highest good, I think you can find it through love.”

God defines and manifests this incomparable quality, and Paul urges us to “be imitators of God and live a life of love” (Ephesians 5:1-2, NIV). There is no room for racism.

God’s great purpose marvelously focuses on “bringing many sons to glory” (Hebrews 2:10, ESV). This includes men and women of all walks of life, being brought together in the coming future Kingdom of God.

Jesus gave us our focus: “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God” (Matthew 5:9, ESV). Note this: first, Jesus didn’t say “blessed are the peace-lovers,” or those who simply wish for peace. Jesus said that God favors—blesses—those who pursue peace and live peace. Secondly, the Greek word translated here “sons” is anthropoi, referring to both men and women—all of humanity!

If we want to be peacemakers, we must understand that peace begins by peace with God. When we have peace with God, we have peace with all men and women, regardless of background.

Note this marvelous statement from the apostle Paul: “Christ himself has brought peace to us … our hostility toward each other was put to death” (Ephesians 2:14, 16 NLT).

If Kubik actually believes this then why does he continue to reject everything Jesus said and accomplished by his clinging to the law and forcing his followers to keep things no longer required of New Covenant Christians.

As we follow the living Leader of our Church, Jesus Christ, we must hold to high standards, being examples of the way He taught (Matthew 5:14). Let us pause and consider what God told the ancient Israelites: “You must not follow the crowd in doing wrong … do not be swayed by the crowd to twist justice” (Exodus 23:2, NLT).

Kubik believes that UCG knows the way to peace, and yet this is the very church that actively worked to bring dissension and trouble to the Worldwide Church of God as he and his small group of men sat in the 360 Apartments on the Pasadena campus planning on how to take as many members and as much money with them as they could. Then a few years later they fought again over leadership positions and COGWA ruptured off taking well over half the ministry and members with them.

There is no justice in the path UCG is on and never has been.

This world desperately needs God’s truth. Tragically for many, “the way of peace they do not know, and there is no justice in their paths” (Isaiah 59:8, ESV). Tough times are ahead. Given that this is a presidential election year, we can anticipate these issues will be inflamed for some time. We can be sure of what Jesus emphasized: “For nothing is secret that will not be revealed, nor anything hidden that will not be known and come to light” (Luke 8:17). We must be patient. And we must be faithful.

What are elements of this better way? “What does the Lord require of you but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?” (Micah 6:8).

This much I can agree with, if only he would do it and reject Herbert's teachings, including British Israelsim 

Let us live a better way! Reject racism. Make peace with God through Jesus Christ and let us all live a life of God-centered love, striving to be an example in these challenging times! 

Will Victor Kubik do what is right and set the example for all the other Churches of God and publicly denounce the racist myth of British Israelism?  Until he does, UCG will NEVER be the "better way."

Glynn Washington: Thick Blue Line

Glynn Washington is a nationally syndicated storyteller
and a former Worldwide Church of God member

Police shootings, mistaken arrests, and growing up Black / Brown up in America. This week, Snap presents amazing stories from people facing our nation’s original sin.

STORIES

Never Again

Glynn and his family protest in Oakland where thousands gather to scream light at our national darkness.

Produced by Pat Mesiti-Miller 

Thick Blue Line

In 2012, Kari Brandenburg became the longest-serving district attorney in Bernalillo County, where Albuquerque sits. But at the start of her fourth term in office something big started to take hold of the county. Police shootings were at an all-time high and everyone was looking to Kari’s office for answers.

For more on what went down in Albuquerque, check out Jeff Proctor’s reporting for the Albuquerque Journal.

Produced by Nancy Lopez, original score by Renzo Gorrio

Captive Audience 

When Tariq "Black Thought" Trotter was mistakenly arrested at the airport, he learned that his fame could only get him so far.

Performed live by Tariq Trotter at the Brooklyn Academy of Music for Snap Judgment LIVE.

Music by Alex Mandel, performed by the Snap Players Alex Mandel, Tim Frick, and David Brandt.

DRANOA reluctant young Boy Scout comes face to face with DRANO, and earns his merit badge in "reality." 

Shannon Cason is a writer, award-winning storyteller, and the host of the Shannon Cason’s Homemade Stories podcast and the In Good Co. Detroit podcast. Listen and subscribe!  

Produced by Mark Ristich Artwork: Teo Ducot Protest tape: Annie Nguyen + Lauryn Newson 

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