Mercy. Why has the Church of God struggled so hard with this? Its track record is one of being merciless to its members. Far too many of its leaders treat their members as second-class citizens and see them only as cash cows to keep their lifestyles enriched.
Sadly, most COGs tend to control their member's lives as much as possible. Look at Dave Pack and Gerald Flurry. Both men extend huge heavy extra-biblical burdens upon their members as they spiritually destroy them with lies and false teachings.
Gersld has restricted church members from associating with non-PCG members within their own families. Mothers and fathers can't see their children and grandchildren. Children have been ignored by their parents. Church members are expected to fund the Irish dance classes and traveling road shows for the elite children of HQ ministers and leaders, while many of those members are living near poverty levels.
Dave expects his followers to give all they have to him so that they can be found worthy to meet Jesus at any moment, though that day keeps getting extended further and further out.
Remember the mercy Cal Culpepper showed for a disabled child in his church? He is the one who told the parents to take it to the mall and abandon it so that the state could take care of it. Without having to spend money on the child they would have more to give to the church.
Others, like Bob Thiel protect his ministers at the expense of the members and allow them to wallow in all kinds of unChristian activities. Where is the mercy extended to the ex-wife and children of one of his top evangelists/ministers when her husband committed adultery with another woman and then cast his wife and kids aside to marry his mistress? Not to mention the witchcraft and other nefarious activities going on in his churches. Numbers are more important than mercy.
Where is the mercy Rod Meredith extended members when he ruled Church Administration with an iron fist? I can remember him coming to our church screaming and pounding the pulpit with his red face with veins popping on his forehead about something the stupid, ignorant, blind sheep were unable to get right.
Very few are shepherds that tend their flock with kindness, mercy, and compassion. There are a few who do that, but they tend to be more independent congregations than the larger larger corporate ones.
Church brethren can only expect mercy in the kingdom to come if they make it. That threat is constantly looming over their heads as they tiptoe around their ministers fearing eternal punishment from on high. Cross your mister and find out what that damnation will be! It sure won't be love and mercy.
"Mercy involves patience, understanding, compassion, and a willingness to forgive."
How has the church ever practiced patience with members? When has it had a compassionate understanding? More importantly, when has the COG leadership ever learned to forgive? Church leaders have always kept track of members' questions, problems, or indiscretions. These are logged and kept in member files. Forgiveness is not something the leadership practices or has traditionally practiced, even under Herbert Armstrong where they all learned to be merciless and graceless.
The Importance of Mercy: One fundamental quality that Christians must develop to become like God and reign with Jesus Christ is mercy. Mercy involves patience, understanding, compassion, and a willingness to forgive. The Scriptures reveal that God is full of mercy and compassion (Exodus 34:6–7) and He requires us to develop these same qualities (Hosea 6:6; Micah 6:8). Solomon states that those who show mercy honor God (Proverbs 14:31). Jesus taught that the merciful will obtain mercy (Matthew 5;7), but those who show no mercy to others will face serious consequences (Matthew 18:21–35). While it is easy to sit in judgment of others, the Bible informs us that for Christians, “mercy triumphs over judgment” (James 2:13). As we strive to develop the mind of God, we will come to understand the importance of showing mercy to everyone we meet.
Have a profitable Sabbath,
Douglas S. Winnail
