UCG: Turmoil In Italy and Those So-called Christians In Hong King

 

2024 got off to a great start in the United Church of God. It took a typical broad swipe at Christians in Hong Kong and kicked out a pastor in Italy.

Rick Shabi said this about "Christians" in Hong Kong:

Visit to Hong Kong
As Debbie and I left the Philippines, it was just a two-hour flight to Hong Kong. The congregation there is small—there were 12 people in attendance that Sabbath, plus six online. But they are dedicated, warm and friendly. Following Sabbath services, we spent the rest of the day with all the members of the congregation, getting to know each other better and listening to their questions and ideas. 

Notice he just has to put Christian in quotes. It's just like our lovable buffoon Bwana Bob Thiel who has to call Christians "so-called". How can we be so silly to forget that there are no REAL Christians outside of Armstrongism? 

Hong Kong is a vibrant and modern city, and very much “Christian,” as there are Catholic and Protestant churches everywhere. There are opportunities in this city to spread the gospel. Terry Franke, an elder from Alaska who pastors the Hong Kong congregation, has been working on a new website. We discussed how the gospel could be preached in this area, using ads and short social media posts that would get the public’s attention and strike to the core of their errant beliefs.

7.5 million people dwell in the Hong King territory and there are only around 20 members? How can UCG expect to spread its gospel of the law when its focus is hardly ever on Jesus? They have had 29 years of opportunities to "grow" their church in Hong Kong and it has never chosen to do so. 

Shabi then goes on to talk about the recent UCG turmoil in Italy where another rebellious UCG preacher rebelled against proper church government (just like the leaders of UCG did when they apostatized from the Worldwide Church of God in a fit of rebellion). 

From Hong Kong we traveled on to Milan, Italy. As you know, the Church in Italy has seen some difficult times in the past month. Based on his behavior, actions and words, the Council of Elders had no choice but to revoke the ministerial credentials of Angelo Di Vita, who was the pastor there. Sadly, he no longer attends with us and has declared himself “independent and autonomous” from UCGIA.

UCG is under the fantasy that they can recruit new members from the Catholic Church, much like our lovable buffoon Bwana Bob thinks he can. 

We had the opportunity to spend a considerable amount of time with the brethren, not only at Sabbath services, but also in the days leading up to the Sabbath. What a wonderful, committed group of people! There was joy in the congregation and a sense of looking to the future to what can now be accomplished in Italy, as part of our commission to preach the gospel to all nations. In a country that has long been Catholic and with the Pope’s recent ruling to bless same-sex couples, people may be looking for answers, realizing the Catholic Church has failed them. We believe God will call new people in Italy and the Church there is now ready to welcome them as part of God’s Body.

99.99999% of the people in Italy have no idea who or what the United Church of God is or what its gospel message is. 

 

Philadelphia Church of God Idolatry

 

This picture tells you everything you need to know about where the focus of 

the Philadelphia Church of God is. 

Imagine baking a Mystery of the Ages and Malachi's Message cake. 

Jesus is appalled.

From PCG's X (Twitter) account

Another cake celebrating the 34 years of the existence of the cult.

1946: The Mistranslation That Shifted Culture

 

COGNews recently posted this:

1946: The Mistranslation that Shifted Culture 

 

This film documentary claims to shed light on the mistranslation of the word “homosexual” in the Bible – which first appeared (in the RSV) in 1946. (The word “homosexual” was first coined in the late 19th century.) The film makers are hoping it will make the short list of nominations for the Oscars, which would substantially increase publicity of this issue.

In an interview on Forgeonline, Ed Oxford points out that Martin Luther used the word knabenschander – boy molester – in his 1534 bible version, and that 19th century German bibles say that man shall not lie with “young boys” in Leviticus 18:22 and Leviticus 20:13, and in 1 Corinthians 6:9 that “boy molesters will not inherit the kingdom of God.”

These bible verses condemn pederasty only, he argues, not homosexuality.

Why should Martin Luther use the term “boy molester”? Possibly because in his time this practice was rife within the Catholic church. Leo X (who ex-communicated Luther when the latter refused to retract his 95 theses) vetoed a motion to enact a papal bull which would have limited the number of boy lovers that the cardinals could have.

See:  Forge  Has “Homosexual” always been in the Bible?

 

38 Years and Counting

 

It is hard to believe that it has been 38 years since Herbert Armstrong died. I remember that morning vividly. I always had to drive by his house to park in the underground parking structure on the campus. When I drove by that morning there were a couple cars in his driveway, no real biggie.

Then, when I got close to the Hall of Ad I saw the flag at half mast and a flurry people going into the building. Later that morning I got a call to come to his house and was given a suitcase that was filled with his medicine. It contained a huge number of medicine vials, prescriptions, etc. I was instructed to take them to the amphitheater down by the gym and burn them all in the fire pit there.

The day quickly devolved into endless speculations what his death meant for the church. Many saw it as a sure sign that the end times had arrived and we would be fleeing soon. The craziness was off the charts.

Various HQ evangelists and high ranking ministers thought they deserved to be his replacement and got the shock of their lives when it was discovered Joe Tkach Sr. was the new Pastor General. Rod Meredith and Ellis LaRavia was sure they were going to be the chosen one. Thank God they weren't! 

And here we are 38 years later and the church is like a basket of rotting peaches. A putrid rotten mess of moldy decay covered with flies. Who could ever imagined we would have men like Bob Thiel, Gerald Flurry, Dave Pack and Ron Weinland saying the most idiotic and blasphemous things imaginable.

Almost every single Church of God out there was born in an act of rebellion and refusal to follow church government they had all so earnestly demanded of members just a few weeks earlier to their apostasy. None of these men were men of virtue and ethical standards. As each splinter group split off the shenanigans by their new leaders was shocking and disgusting. 

Is it any wonder 38 years down the road we continue to watch these groups shrink and become nothing worthwhile? Hundreds and hundreds of members continue to leave the church every year. The churches offer nothing worthwhile to the youth to keep them interested. Their appeal to the public is minuscule since they all try and operate on 1986 Worldwide Church of God models.

For most of its lifetime the church was a closed environment with leadership controlling what members read and heard. Questions led to disfellowshipment and public humiliation which kept the membership in line.

Then the internet and cell phones with internet access happened and the church lost control of its information stream at an astounding rate. Members who had long distrusted official statements from the official sources quickly discovered they had been systematically lied for for decades. Money was embezzled and used for private means of enrichment by many top church officials. Members who had struggled to fund this quagmire of corruption quickly stop supporting the church. Tens of thousands left the church entirely. 

Today the flashy veneer that some COG's use to cover up their stinking underbelly is barely sustainable. Grumbling factions are at work in many COG's today ready to  break things up yet again.

11 years from now will anyone even know what the Armstrongist Church of God movement was? Will anyone even care?

LCG: Having Troubling Trials? Well, Boo Freaking Hoo! Be Thankful!

 

God’s Perspective on Trials: Sometimes when we encounter trials and difficulties, we wonder what is happening and whether God has forsaken us. However, at such times we need to remember several fundamental scriptures. Jesus told His disciples, “In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). God has also promised never to leave us or forsake us (Hebrews 13:5). The Apostle Paul reminds us that “all things work together for good to those who love God” (Romans 8:28) and that even in trials, God will make a “way of escape” (1 Corinthians 10:13). James even admonished Christians to be thankful for trials, because they provide opportunities to build patience as we exercise faith in God and His promises—while we do our part to work through the challenges that we face (James 1:3–4). Let’s all strive to remember and maintain this godly perspective when we encounter trials.
Have a profitable Sabbath,
Douglas S. Winnail

Why Are LCG Members Not Reading Or Watching LCG Messages?

 

Those reprobates in Living Church of God are not reading their publications or watching their tired and worn out topics on the videos.  It's the same old preaching on the same old stuff from 50 years ago. Have they ever thought to refresh and update their sermon notes?

The January/February Living Church News is now being mailed to all members and prospective members. As Mr. Richard Ames always admonishes us, members should be sure to read our publications and watch our telecasts to know how Christ is leading His Church.—Gerald Weston

If Christ were actually leading the church wouldn't it be blatantly obvious to all members? 

Relentless Search for Truth With Wade Fransson

Listen to "Relentless Search for Truth Wade Fransson" on Spreaker.

A Relentless Search for Truth - the Making of The People of the Sign, Fransson takes the reader inside his fantastical story, including his experience with the Worldwide Church of God (which has since become Grace Communion International), zipping around the world as a church administrator, pastor, and headquarters executive, as the church struggles through its own date with destiny.

It’s a story of growing up, a story of discovery, and a story of faith. Wade Fransson has a powerful story.

Radio Toni Radio Show is broadcast live at 7pm ET Wednesdays on W4WN Radio – The Women 4 Women Network part of Talk 4 Radio on the Talk 4 Media Network. This podcast is also available on Talk 4 Podcasting.

A group I once belonged to was über-obedient. We kept many Torah Commandments, like the Sabbath, Holy days, and food laws. By having both the law and the testimony of Christ we believed we were closer to God than anyone else on earth. In some ways, maybe we were. We took God at His Word and organized every aspect of our life around obeying, following and worshiping Him.

And yet belief in proximity to God kept us from drawing any closer. My personal battle with this is described in painful personal detail across the pages of the first two books of my Trilogy.  The People of the Sign describes my involvement with the Worldwide Church of God and its 1995 implosion. That devastating fail was underscored by many members blaming the other side instead of becoming introspective. Being a victim of divorce and kidnapping helped me understand the two sides.