RCG Exit Letter: Richard Nogan
Dear Mr. [Minister],
I write this with a heavy heart. Though I do enjoy a good debate, this subject matter goes much deeper than that. My intent is not to ridicule anyone. I am not shy about being frank. After all, David C. Pack emphasized several times, “God is very frank, brethren." So here we go.
My wife, Lolita, and I were in The Worldwide Church of God under Herbert W. Armstrong. I was baptized on February 2, 1980, and my wife in July 1982. She stayed in WCG until 1995, while I left in 1996. This was due to the "Apostasy" that had taken place after Mr. Armstrong’s death. That is another subject but does have its relation to this letter. After that, we did not go to any "splinter/sliver" group.
After about 16 years, I felt this tug on my heart (pardon the vernacular) for wanting God in my life again. During this period, our lives were turned upside-down. The former life we totally engaged in was pulled right out from under us. We did not know where to go or what to do. We were lost children and knew nothing about the splinter/sliver groups.
After 19 years, we found The Restored Church of God under David C. Pack in 2014. This led me to study intensely to re-prove what we once believed and had lost. It all seemed right again, even though it differed significantly from WCG. I give this little background not to talk about us but to explain the damage that “Church hurt” can afflict in one's life after putting all your trust in an organization that claims they are the “only ones with God’s truth.” A place that is “the ONLY one true Church of God” with Jesus Christ as the Head. He is only working with that church. It amazes me the limits that are placed on God.
So here lies the problem. The figurehead of The Restored Church of God, David C. Pack, has been claiming titles and believing he has many mentions in the Bible. He also tries to convince others this is true. A lot of bad things can happen once you go down that road, including mind manipulation.
The "prophecy" series stories are full of failed predictions. Many have put up with this for approximately 7 years. To me, that was not so bad even though we did some weird things trying to be obedient, like staying up for 24 hours in our best clothing for the return of Jesus Christ. Weird, all right. We chalked it up as experience and David Pack’s misunderstanding because God has not revealed everything to him yet.
Okay, so we jump more to the present. We were constantly told not to build new barns but to give all. (Common. Another story where scripture has been manipulated so many did give a lot. You know the story.) Then came the fear tactics of threatening our salvation. Oh yeah, that is a major play. Along came fear and Satan moved right in. “Brethren, if you do not believe what I'm saying, you need to check your conversion!!! If you leave, you have left God's Church and are no longer part of the body of Christ with your salvation at stake!!!”
On and on it goes. Meanwhile, David C. Pack built a big luxurious barn for horses and recently bought half a million-dollar house. These things are known, but I repeat them for context.
Now comes the condemnations, with many being thrown into the lake of fire and thrusting God's enemies through with a sword. Granted, the Bible does have much to say about that, but it is not any man's judgment call to make but because many in RCG worship DCP they can't wait to condemn and start thrusting. The judging and condemning have crept into the mind and spirit of RCG. Let me be clear, I am not saying everyone in RCG, but that spirit, without a doubt, has been planted.
Example: A few of us went out for a meal, and an individual brought up that he saw a man in black walking a dog and that he was of a wicked spirit. This person went on and on, judging and condemning a person they did not even know. When I brought this to their attention, that Christ died for that person walking the dog, and that God will give them a chance, too, I was just told to “go back to Egypt” repeatedly. The strange thing is, that accuser was close to me and my wife. In fairness, they did apologize the next day, and all was forgiven. But looking back now, it is interesting how that type of mentality is so subtle as it takes over any rational behavior.
This finger-pointing, judging and condemning continued to grow in RCG. We understand that we can all do that in one way or another or say things we ought not, but when it continues to grow as a message from the ministry, something is seriously wrong.
We would hear in sermons how evil everyone else is and how lukewarm and unconverted the splinters are, and that if you have trauma in your life, "GET OVER IT!" Stop your whining, you crybabies. Have a self-pity party. Another minister said, “We (ministers) are the only ones equipped to deal with what you are going through.”
Let me inject here that at the Feast of Tabernacles a couple of years ago, we were told from the lectern that those with tattoos should have them scrubbed off with a wire brush. When I asked someone with a tattoo what they thought of that statement, they replied, “Maybe that’s what we deserve.” A contagious, condemning, oppressive spirit was at work.
I have talked to a sizable number of brethren about different groups and peoples, and most had the same reaction about a subject, "Mr. Pack said…” or “The minister said…” There was no original thought or question to be had. No wonder that condemning, oppressive spirit grows in RCG.
Now, I come to the statement from the very Apostle under Jesus Christ, who had died for all people and races. It went something like this, “The Chinese people are wicked, evil people." Then he ranted and raved about their dragon symbols. I can see if the rant was about the CCP as a corrupt, evil government because that really cannot be argued. But to say such things about a people, who are any of us to judge? Well, DCP seems perfectly fine with doing that.
Maybe RCG heads should do some research regarding what people suffer under severe persecution because they take on the name of a Christian, believe in The Father and His son, keep the commandments as best they understand, they hide when trying to worship together. They have to hide pages of the Bible or the Bible itself if one is that fortunate. Christians are targeted by the CCP police. Hunted down and, if caught, taken to a prison where the individual is interrogated for hours, beaten, and put in a dungeon-type cell for as long as it is decided. They are starved and sometimes die due to cruel punishments. Not to mention what other nations do to Christians, such as burn their villages, murder men and children, rape women, and behead their loved ones right in front of them because the Christians will not recant.
Strangely enough, some also are Sabbath-keepers. My point? Who are any of us to judge while limiting God to who He acknowledges, who He will have mercy on or not?
Let’s ask the question: Being that God is the only One who can draw a person and reveal the truth to and with that, the person totally surrenders all, and I do mean ALL, and they go through this severity then God's response is, “Sorry you didn’t belong to RCG, the only place I am working. Thanks for what you went through, but…"
Perhaps as an apostle, "one sent forth," and one who is an evangelist, "euaggelistēs, the one who proclaims the glad tidings,” should leave the empire of dirt, the Wadsworth compound, which both say they rarely go out of—and do the work of God in China. I believe they still know what work that is. Or go to other countries such as Iran, Afghanistan, and Laos, to name a few, and see how that works out for them. Point again? The finger-pointing, judging, and condemning are NOT our place and not of God! Especially at this time.
I have often heard how corrupt and evil or lax the splinter groups are and how they beat their fellow servants and make merchandise out of the brethren. Oh boy, remember Romans 2:1-3? With that in mind, it is not my intent to do any of this to anyone in RCG or anywhere else, but it is my intent for this to be a reality check for all of us.
I ask for forgiveness, first, from our Father through Jesus Christ and ask it also of those in the body, whoever they are and wherever they may be. If we all humble ourselves and work together as one body, then so much more will be accomplished. But at this time, I do not think that will happen. There are too many political and power struggles, even in the Church of God.
This One Church is a manipulator of the scriptures. This is why my wife left, and I was suspended, because I do not believe this, either. I was asked to read the book, “The True Church: One Organization, Or Many?” Of course, it is biased, but I read it. This letter could become several pages of questions and refuting, but I have no interest in doing that now.
So, my wife and I are now lepers, unclean, and are not to be contacted? Amazing how the very ones that were our brothers and sisters in Christ turned against us so quickly. Not even a text by the hypocrites who talk behind Mr. Pack and the minister’s back. Yes, true unity in action.
Mr. [Minister], please accept this as my resignation as a member of The Restored Church of God.
Be safe,
Richard Nogan
P.S. I went into my RCG login, and the song "For the Love of Money" by the O' Jays started to play. LOL!!! My wife and I laughed, not knowing how and why it played.
