More craziness from Phialdpahia Church of God's Andrew Locher. Exit and Support Network has this up:
May 2, 2021
Andrew Locher gave a sermon on April 24 about “Reviving the Elijah Work.” It was just another boring sermon about how the book of Malachi (which has “code” in chapter 3) is written to the Laodicean ministry, and HWA and GF are in it, and GF who is Elisha has “revelation” and must prophesy again.
Only a few highlights and news from the sermon: (comments by L. S.)
“We had more people attending services in 1999 than we do today. … We need bigger congregations. Are we praying hard enough?” (Translation: Are we sending enough money in?)
Well, duh! Abuse your people for so long a time that they finally leave. Split up families, destroy marriages, prohibit contact with loved ones, and constantly berate members for not doing enough to support the work and they will leave (at least the smart ones).
“After the world collapses they will say “there was a prophet among them.” (Lie: There are no prophets today, in spite of GF claiming to be “that Prophet.”)
And just who would that be? Dave Pack thinks he is a prophet. Bob Thiel is adamant that he is one. Ron Weinland says he is one. The COG has so many prophets right now that if HWA were alive he would kick their sorry asses out of the church so fast their heads would be spinning. The problem that remains is that not one single one of them has any truth to tell us or the world.
“When God says He will send his messenger in Malachi 3, that is a coded message.”
“The three messengers in Malachi are: John the Baptist, Christ and HWA.” (Lie: There is no 3rd messenger in Malachi 3.)
Herbert Armstrong was never some messenger to the church after 1,800 years. To say that invalidates the men and women over the centuries who led the church through good and bad times. The jump from Jesus to HWA and naturally to Flurry is 100% wrong.
“The work of Elisha that God said He gave the little book to, his job is to prophesy again, and give this warning to the Laodiceans.” (Lies: Elisha and Laodiceans are not even mentioned in Malachi. This is all part of GF’s so-called “revelations.”)
“We better recognize where God is working.” (God works in many places, not just in PCG.)
Every single COG out there makes this same preposterous claim. They and they alone are God's work. Pure unadulterated crap! The COG has no need for any prophet, apostle, Elisha, or Elijah in this day and age. If they actually followed that inconvenient dude that they ignore 99% of the time and actually paid attention to his words then they would know they have no need for prophets, even when people like Bob Thiel lies and say we do.
“The Key of David is no longer on two national stations. … God made that happen. But God has added close to 30 new television stations in the past few weeks.”
“The ministry is increasingly becoming graduates.” (of Armstrong College) (That way they are more submissive to “God’s government”; i. e., PCG HQs and there is less chance of them leaving.)
While I think it may be true that these graduates who make up most of PCG's ministry now will be more submissive to HQ, there is also a strong chance that these same graduates will be the rule-breakers when Flurry dies. They may form the catalyst for changes in the PCG.
“Our primary and our distinguishing blessing is God’s new revelation. That’s what distinguishes us.” (That’s what distinguishes a group as a cult.)
New revelation about a dirty stone from Oregon? Does Jesus even care about it? NO!
Finances: 2021 is stunning. As of today, our income is 30% increase over last year (which was the best ever). Holy day offerings this spring are at their highest levels they’ve ever been–8-10% increase over last year (last year being the biggest). GF announced we received a million dollar donation and that’s on top of all this record breaking other donations. Best year ever in first tithe, best year ever in holy day offerings, best year ever in third tithe–by a long shot.” (Could that be how all those new TV stations are being paid for?)
PCG's 30% income jump is also thanks to the church not having to pay for hall rental for PCG church services.
“We’ve had a terrific year in Canada. Income in Canada right now is 330% increase over last year. We received $1.1 million dollars so far this year in Estate income in Canada. So Mr. Heyer’s (Carlos Heyer) prayer for multiple millions–God is doing it. It’s happening in the United States; it’s happening in Canada; holy day offerings are up all over the globe as far as I can see. Mr. Heyer brings back a huge amount of money. The sacrifice of the brethren there. He brings back thousands and thousands of dollars from Central and South America.” (The poor members in those countries are giving money they don’t really have. And Locher encourages them to keep on giving!)
“The Gulfstream G450 Jet is now paid off. We own it. God’s church is debt free. We don’t own anything to anybody–except to God. We own everything–Edstone, Edmond, all the equipment, the aircraft, the vehicles. We own God’s revelation, the most valuable gift of all.” (Where did this million dollars really come from? Read April 5 letter above, “PCG’s $1 Million Offering Sounds Suspicious.”)
“The 3 Elijahs are: John the Baptist, the original Elijah and Herbert W. Armstrong.” (Lie: HWA isn’t in the book of Malachi. There are no three Elijahs.)
“Increase if we can as the offerings are so important for God’s Work.” (The words “if we can” will be ignored by the members and they will give all they can. The money is so important for GF’s ego.)
“The Laodicean approach is that it is all in vain. They are tired. But God commands us to have some joy, some excitement, to stir that Spirit.”
“Imagine what it would be like if you were totally submissive and totally dedicated to God.” (Yes, imagine the heavy burdens and the empty pocketbooks.)
In PCG submission to God is irrelevant, submission to the church hierarchy and its leadership trump submission to God,
–[name withheld] (comments by L. S.)