Thursday, August 3, 2023

Dave Pack: "I'm taking A 10% Pay Cut" As Restored Church of God Financial Problems Continue To Deepen


 

Fairly Dramatic Cuts?

 

Instead of front-loading “The Greatest Unending Story! (Part 461)” on July 29, 2023, with the bad news, David C. Pack of The Restored Church of God opted to save it for the last five minutes. There was probably a secret hope that most of the congregation would have already mentally checked out by then and that the members in the field who still bothered to listen stopped halfway through.

 

The Restored Church of God is in financial straits as David C. Pack piecemeals information to the brethren. He has said nothing in any of his messages to the church about WHY they need cuts, but that financial changes are necessary "IF time went on.”

 

Oh, Dave. Time is going to Energizer Bunny all up in your biz-natch.

 

It has been several weeks since Dave last sang his lamentations to the membership. Back in June, six Headquarters employees received their pink slips, including Mrs. Pack. Dr. Tim Ranney (PR No Mo) and Ken Orel (The Chicago Heavy) received the added bonus of being wished away into the cornfield.


 

 

Flashback Part 451, Part 2 – June 14, 2023

@ 06:15 So, we reached a point where we realized we're gonna send some people to the field…we're doing everything we can to cut costs.

 

@ 10:16 But anybody who has Common out there, we want to hit it.

 

@ 10:42 But I would just ask…all of you listening…Can you do more? Sell all…this is a great time to be thinking about that.

 

“Think about that” is all the brethren did. It seems the Common money did not materialize. Keep holding out, folks. There will come a day when you will be extremely thankful you did.

 

 

If you thought making six people redundant would be enough to secure the ship, then you would be wrong. Apparently, The Restored Church of God needs to trim even more fat at Headquarters. The situation is becoming a little "too real," especially since the Kingdom of God cannot possibly arrive until the Opening Night of The Feast of Tabernacles. That is way, way out on September 29 at sunset.

 

To the All-Believing Zealots and Headquarters Fakers: Book only a one-way flight to the Feast this year as a show of faith. And only pack one change of clothes since the first song on Opening Night will not be sung. You do not even need a toothbrush. Please show David C. Pack just how much you trust what he says. Walk in faith. As he has said, just having hope is not enough.



Part 461 – July 29, 2023

@ 1:34:23 …one of the problems is, we’ve got two months to go. What is that? Conditions will worsen. The implications of how God uses the next two months are great. Just trust me on that. I may have big decisions to make, or they may be made for me.

 

@ 1:38:00 But, I still wondered, you know, if that's what God wanted to do, then we were gonna be ready to do it.

 

Dave’s god wants to use the next two months but is unwilling to provide the cash windfall to make it happen? Perhaps Dave’s god slumbers or is on a far journey and cannot wire the adequate funds.

 

We all know David C. Pack does not believe his own doctrines, and his promises could not be more worthless. If this new date was sure, he could easily empty the reserves and do whatever. He knows he will walk all this back, just like we do.

 

Talk of cuts is a faithless act on his part. He does not trust his own god to provide. Instead of waiting for the ravens to bring bread and flesh each day, he has to roll up his sleeves and do it himself. His human steam is a shining example of righteous virtue.

 

@ 1:38:06 We were not gonna continue as we are. So, I began to make major cuts. I announced, for instance (and believe it, this is just the first one), but I think the cuts start with me, so I already had in mind long before I knew this, my wife was gonna step aside, and I'm gonna give up her salary. But I’ma take a ten percent cut. I was planning to stay here for the Feast. Mr. Schleifer knows this. I wasn't gonna travel. The price of renting an airplane is an abomination, and I won’t do it again.

 

Flying commercial is just ridiculous, out of the question, and not even worthy of discussion.

 

@ 1:38:36 I'll just stay here, and I'll leave half of my Second Tithe just stay in the General Fund. Which is what happens at the end of every year.

 

Giving your “excess Second Tithe" back to the church is not biblical. That is a Herbert W. Armstrong manufactured tradition with no scriptural basis. It is just another way the church guilts brethren out of more money. Do yourself a favor. Study the Bible before you do that.

 

 

Dave breezed past a tiny detail, but it is worthy of your attention. One crucial word caught my attention. Half.

 

@1:38:42 And I’ll give up half my secretary.

 

Whoa. Whoa. That is NOT what he said during the Ministerial Conference when he was willing to bleed alongside everyone else. Dave informed Ed Winkfield (Stepford Prime) that since he was firing one of Ed’s staff, Dave’s personal handmaiden would be gifted to him in exchange. Now only half-gifted.

 

Flashback Part 451, Part 2 – June 14, 2023

@ 08:56 So, I'm gonna just make a sacrifice…I'm gonna give up my secretary… she's gonna work for Mr. Winkfield.

 

@ 09:10 So, I'm gonna have to function without a secretary.

 

Dave shuddered at the idea of pouring his own coffee. The thought of being responsible for bringing the right glasses down the Main Hall for a message sent a chill up his spine. When times are tough, David C. Pack is willing to half-sacrifice.

 

For all who feel obligated to donate extra funds, follow the example of your Pastor General, David C. Pack. Give him half of what you planned.

 

But seriously, for the love of Pete…do not give them anything!

 

 

Dave likes to inject inappropriate humor while delivering unpleasant news to the local congregation. He has no consideration for those in the audience who may feel distressed learning that more vague cuts are coming to Headquarters. They do not know if that means layoffs or an across-the-board salary percentage cut.

 

What a fantastic way to top off another restful Sabbath at Headquarters. Employees enjoy going home, setting down their briefcases, and taking off their ties, wondering what financial woes shall befall them. Dave is long on drama and short on details.

 

Part 461 – July 29, 2023

@ 1:38:44 And then I realized if I do that, I been preachin', and then I could look at the other ministers and start meddlin’. [Laughs] 'Cause that's preachin’. Long as I’m makin’ the cuts. But, after that, it’s time to meddle. And [laughs] have fun. There's some men nervously laughing right now out there. [Laughs] So hoping the Kingdom comes.

 

Ha ha ha. Some are nervous right now because they might lose their jobs. Ha ha ha.

 

Wow. How creepy is that?

 

The callous attitude and snarky delivery again expose David C. Pack as to what kind of man he is. Out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks. And his mouth speaks A-Lot.

 

@ 1:39:09 I know how to motivate our ministers to get them to want the Feast.

 

He might as well say, “Mr. Armstrong chastised you with whips, but I shall chastise you with scorpions.” Yes, fear is a potent motivator, Dave. You have grown quite good at it.

 

Having outgoing love and concern is for the unordained. Letting your light shine is a nice idea, but it does not pay the rent. Choosing mercy over judgment is intended for those not in any real position to wield it. By their fruits, you shall know them, brethren. Pay attention to his fruits.

 

@ 1:39:13 But, there’d be other cuts. More much streamlining. Cuts of various kinds. Fairly dramatic, and it would put us in a powerful position IF God did not add (we'll call it) an accelerant.

 

The "good night" thirty seconds later, without giving any clue as to what will happen or why, is just more spit in the eyes of the brethren of The Restored Church of Another god.

 

Hey, Brad. Is Dave going to streamline the horses or put a moratorium on new trees? Inquiring minds want to know.

 

Those ringing the bell signaling the financial demise of RCG need a reality check. They have millions of dollars tied into real estate around the Campus. An accurate indicator of dire economic circumstances will be when houses start popping up on Zillow. It will come. It is only a matter of when.

 

I hope these fairly dramatic cuts affect things more than they do people. But I doubt it.

 

This is not a sign of the end for RCG, folks. It IS another step down that slope.


Marc Cebrian

See: Fairly Dramatic Cuts?

Wednesday, August 2, 2023

Dramatic Drop In Number Of COG Feast Sites

 

Feastgoer.org

How art the mighty fallen!

It doesn't appear as though COG Feast of Tabernacle attendance is going to recover from the 2020 pandemic. According to the feastgoers website (see link), the number of feast sites in the US has fallen drastically.

Branson and Florida have always been hot spots for feast attendance. But compare the number of sites for 2019 to the number of sites for 2023. Same with Florida (see attached pictures).

Why the drop off? It would seem that — once we were clear of the pandemic and its restrictions — feast attendance would be back to pre-pandemic levels. But it is not. The reason for less feast sites today is because the demand is lower. I mean, if people were chomping at the bit to get back to the Feast, there would be more sites to accommodate them. Feast sites have proven to be great money makers.

But the demand for sites is lower. Why?

— Demographics. The average age of members in Armstrongite churches has increased. Many of these people are too old for travel. And many have just died of old age.
— Pandemic Deaths. Many Armstrongites died from Covid.
— Lack of Personnel. Some of the corporate COGs lack the manpower to run feast sites because of death and resignations.

Most of us expected a gradual reduction of Feast sites over the years. But who could have imagined the cratering that we have seen since 2019?

Wes White 


Feastgoer.org has been serving feastgoers since 2002 
 
Wow - that's more than 20 years of feastgoer!


We started out just listing Feast sites by city, state and country. Several years ago we added a Cybercast and Phone Link page for those people who had to stay home. We also added a listing of “Spring Festivals” as there are a number of groups who host week long Passover/Unleavened Bread Celebrations and Pentecost weekends. Please let us know if you are hosting such a celebration so that we can add yours to the list.

We would also like to add a listing of Feast sites who cater to Special Needs, such as Signing for the Deaf; language translation; services conducted in another language; a gathering of special interest groups i.e. Singles; the blind, etc.; and any other services you have to offer.

Sadly, all of us here at feastgoer speak only English, but we would love to list sites from other countries, in other languages. If someone wants to gather the info and work with us, we would post the pages here on feastgoer.



Find a Feast Site
Looking for a site to attend the Feast of Tabernacles, or planning your own site?
Feastgoer is here to help.

U.S. Sites:

Alabama
        Arizona
        Arkansas
            California
              Colorado
                Florida
                    Georgia
                    Hawaii
                          Idaho
                          Indiana   
                                        Iowa  
                                            • Manson (Sukkot, the Rehearsal)
                                          Kentucky
                                            Maryland
                                                Maine
                                                Massachusetts
                                                Michigan
                                                Minnesota
                                                Missouri
                                                  Montana
                                                      • Troy (Truth Seekers of Montana Sep 29-Oct 9 )
                                                    New York
                                                          Ohio
                                                              Oklahoma  
                                                                    • Chandler (Lion and Lamb Ministries)
                                                                    • Wagoner (The Tabernacle Group)
                                                                    • Wewoka (Restoring His Way Sep 30-Oct 8)
                                                                        Oregon
                                                                        Pennsylvania
                                                                            Rhode Island
                                                                            South Carolina
                                                                              South Dakota
                                                                                  Tennessee
                                                                                    Texas
                                                                                      Utah
                                                                                            Vermont
                                                                                            Virginia
                                                                                                Washington
                                                                                                    West Virginia
                                                                                                    Wisconsin

                                                                                                     

                                                                                                    Crackpot Prophet Says to Quit Lying To Yourself...Wut?????????

                                                                                                     



                                                                                                    Ever since God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit sat around the heavenly banquet table while planning the foundations of the world when the subject of Bob Thiel kept popping up they laughed and laughed and laughed. They knew they had their hands full when they envisioned him. He had to be completely different than Herbert Armstrong, Rod Meredith, Dave Pack, and Gerald Flurry. In fact, he had to be so different that no one in the history of Christianity would ever be like him. No one! 

                                                                                                    He had to be the most spiritually educated man the world would ever see. Even Jesus knew he had to take the back seat when Bwana Bob was to arrive on the scene. 

                                                                                                    The Holy Trinity also knew they needed to inspire the mind of a person to design a bouncy chair for the great prophet and a Bible publisher that would print big thick Bibles. Even a carpenter had to be brought into the picture to design and build crooked bookcases. This one particularly made Jesus chuckle since he knew he was to become a carpenter centuries before Bwana Bob was to arrive on the scene.

                                                                                                    As the Holy Trinity was sitting there chuckling, Lucifer, the Morning Star walked into the room and asked if he could have his input in the creation of Bwana Bob.  He said, mischievously: "I want to add a dash of narcissism, conceit, lack of self-awareness, and a huge dose of pride. After all, there will never be another human as magnificent and knowledgeable as the Great Bwana to be. In fact, I want him to be just like me! So much so that the world would be in awe and your true members would tremble at the thought of criticizing him due to his great awesomeness."

                                                                                                    Flash forward to 2023 as the Great Bwana Mzungu continues to fill the world with shock and awe at how his lack of self-awareness, humility, and theological understanding is beyond pale. 

                                                                                                    The Great Bwana Mzungu has reposted a video titled: Pride: Quit Lying to Yourself


                                                                                                    Seriously dude! You are the LAST person on this beautiful green earth that needs to be preaching about pride and people lying to themselves. Ever since your narcissism was fed by the encouragement of Rod Meredith and a few other deluded men in the ministry, you have been lying to yourself and the entire church about how important you are. That importance however started to wear thin with Rod Meredith and the Living Church of God. The leadership and the members got sick of your narcissism, pride, and vanity that permeated every conversation. No one understands the Bible better than you did and the LCG leadership was somehow supposed to kowtow to your demands.

                                                                                                    Then in complete arrogance and deep narcissism, you took a prayer by Gaylyn Bonjour and turned it into something he had no plan on it ever being used as. It was later used to justify in your deluded mind that this was the sure sign from your god that you were to start a NEW Church of God that was supposedly going to fulfill all prophetic utterances about the end times. Thankfully, it hasn't and never will.

                                                                                                    Sadly in this day and age, the Church of God is filled with deceived and prideful men who lie through their teeth to the members. From Dave Pack to Gerald Flurry, Ron Weinland to Bob Thiel, the lies continue to pile up deeper and deeper. Never has the Church of God membership been subjected to so many deceitful lying false prophets in their midst. The martyrs who died confident in Christ had no idea such idiotic buffoons would destroy the church they died for as has been happening today in 2023.

                                                                                                    Pride: Quit Lying to Yourself

                                                                                                    ‘The Atlantic’ ran an article titled “Quit Lying to Yourself.’ It explained that this was not good and does not lead to happiness. The BBC ran an article about dangers of self-deception. The Bible warns about lies, self-deception, and pride. Does the New Testament warn that Christians can be deceived? What did Jesus say was the truth? What did Jesus tell end-time Laodicean Christians to do? Dr. Thiel addresses these issues and more in this video.

                                                                                                    There is nothing in the modern-day Church of God movement that compares to first or second-century Christianity. They would be appalled at the lies that Bwana Bob and Dave Pack tell on a regular basis. The Laodicean attitude is alive and well in the improperly named "continuing" Church of "god".

                                                                                                    So, Great Bwana Bob Mzungu, stop lying to yourself and others. Practice humility and deny the pridefulness that consumes your every action. Disband your cult and turn your attention to your wife and sons as you grow old and who will be rejected by so many. Set yourself and your captives free!