Living Church of God Continues On With Ministerial Conference While Other Churches Cancel Their Conferences

Gerald Weston and those all-wise boys in Charlotte are still refusing to cancel their ministerial conference that was/is expected to draw in 300 ministers. The potential for exposure to the virus is high for those flying in on planes from certain areas of the U.S. and the world.

Greetings from Charlotte,

Mr. Richard Ames recorded a Tomorrow’s World telecast this week titled “Just What Is ‘The Day of the Lord?’” We are making preparations for Council of Elders meetings this coming Thursday and Friday, and for the General Ministerial Conference the following week. This is the first conference of this size in six years. COVID-19 caused us to consider whether to cancel the conference, but after serious discussion and prayer, and looking at who is coming and from where, we decided to go ahead with it. There are certainly risks with something like this, but if the virus has spread much further than is being reported, which is almost a certainty, the actual mortality rate may be significantly lower. We have taken what we call a “layered approach,” involving decisions to be made at different levels of risk. For example, we have encouraged any of our ministers with underlying health issues to consider carefully whether to come. Also, if necessary, we will ask those people from a high risk part of the world not to come. Few if any currently fit into the latter category. Please do pray for the safety and health of everyone traveling to and from the conference.—Gerald Weston 

Ministerial Conference, March 16–18

As was mentioned in an e-mail this past week to all the ministers who have registered to attend the conference, after careful consultation, Mr. Weston has made the decision to continue with plans for the upcoming Ministerial Conference, but with caution. We are expecting over 300 attendees to the Ministerial Conference March 16–18. However, the international situation with the COVID-19 virus is very fluid, and we will be prepared to adjust plans as needed, with special concern for international travelers. We urge our ministry to be aware of the COVID-19 virus situation, and how it might impact their travels, particularly if they are coming from outside the United States. As mentioned in the e-mail, no one should travel to the U.S. if they are feeling ill or have been around people who are ill. All of us, especially the elderly, need to consider carefully whether or not to travel at this time. The Church has long practiced the biblical statute regarding quarantine (Leviticus 13:46 and others), and members should be especially alert and careful in these times (Proverbs 22:3). CAD is not requiring anyone to travel in these times if they would rather not. CAD will make arrangements regarding costs associated with cancelled flights, etc., on an individual basis. Concerning ministry from the U.S. and Canada, the quarantine statute should be carefully observed. If possible, drive instead of using air travel, and CAD will discuss the financial aspects with individual situations. In any case, you should not come if you are uncomfortable with travelling in the current conditions. 

Today, the Mormon church wisely canceled its annual conference in Salt Lake City and will do it as a telecast to its faithful. After consulting with health and government officials they decided to "be good global citizens" and do what they could to help control the spread of the virus.

Can you imagine LCG consulting with health officials?  Can you imagine LCG leadership telling its members to be "good global citizens?" They know more than the health officials in everything and besides, they claim to have a powerful god on their side that will prevent any minister or member from getting the disease.

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints announced Wednesday that it will hold a major conference in April that features speeches by top leaders without any attendees because of the spread of the coronavirus.

It marks the first time in more than 60 years since the Utah-based faith has taken this extraordinary step of barring church members from attending in person.

The twice-yearly conference usually brings about 100,000 to Salt Lake City over two days, but instead the speeches will only be broadcast via television and the internet.

The only people allowed inside the church conference center on April 4-5 will be top leaders, their spouses, musicians, choir members and technicians, the faith widely known as the Mormon church said in a news release.

The decision was made after consulting with government and medical leaders, the church said. Church members are also being discouraged from gathering at local churches or buildings to watch the conference together in areas where the virus is a concern.

“We want to be good global citizens and do what we can to control this contagious illness,” the church said.  Mormons to hold major conference without attendees

If this virus continues to spread all of the COG's that hold Feast sites around the world are going to have major problems on their hands if they do not proactively act. Most of them are too self-centered and self-righteous to do so.  If they do, they know their money stream will have serious issues.

Restored Church of God On How Your Admittance To The Kingdom Is Dependent Upon Your Giving

This is a screenshot of an article in the Restored Church of God's member magazine The Pillar. It is an article written by Kenneth Orell on how superfantabulous the demands by Dave Pack upon church members to give is.

With Dave Pack's recent demand that the UK members set aside £1 each day and turn it in to their local RCG minister, this article is a deliberate justification of that demand. The demand for the UK members will most likely soon be made upon other church members, regardless of country.

Orell believes there is not enough emphasis on money in the church. He also says below that in order to be born into the Kingdom of God church members should not be wasting money on frivolous things. Hoarding money for a family's own use is also frowned upon.

He then stresses that God will raise up stones to take care of the church if the members do not. They, therefore, should be grateful for this experience of having their wallets drained.

Most important of all, members MUST keep the funds rolling in and must participate in fundraising activities for the church. After all, Dave and his little band of henchmen need their livelihoods sustained. God forbid if any of them ever did any manual labor.

The entire idea that one's salvation is dependent upon how much money they give Dave is appaling. Nowhere in the Bible did Jesus ever make that demand. Salvation is not dependent upon zealotry, sabbath keeping, clean meat-eating, holy day keeping, or giving. Never has been and never will be.

Dave Pack Sinks To New Greedy Low With UK Members

There is one thing all of the splintered personality cult leaders are good at and that is manipulating members and co-workers into giveing them their hard-earned money.

This is from an RCG source:

The latest trick from the RCG to get their hands on the money.

A few weeks ago every member in the United Kingdom/Great Britain congregation was told they need to bring ‘A pound a day’ to Sabbath services now every week. 

These 7 pounds a week/365 pounds a year payment comes ON TOP of the tithing. 

Brethren that complained (or said that they simply could not afford to pay so much money), were told that they are a ‘not true Christians’and that they should repent! And the ministers have advised the members that don’t have the money to take out a small loan or to sell their belongings. The latter because Christ will come ANY MINUTE NOW and there’s no need for worldly goods anymore anyway. 

People are being put under ever more pressure to give all their money and belongings to the church (aka the Wolf Pack)

(My comment:  UK members already are taxed at a far higher rate than US members are and this surely creates a further financial strain on members.  The sick idea that people are to take out loans to give to this jerk is appaling. While he lives a life of privilege and luxury, the little people suffer.  Great will be the day when all of these sick pigs no longer exist.)

LCG foolishly going ahead with Ministerial Conference

From a concerned reader:

Living Church of God is foolishly going ahead with the ministerial conference in March.  Their inane admonition that

"...no one should travel to the U.S. if they are feeling ill or have been around people who are ill..." 

provides only an illusion of safety.  Everyone by now -- except apparently the leadership of LCG -- knows that COVID-19 is asymptomatic, that is, you can have the virus and be contagious without any symptoms. It is time church members spoke out against this reckless folly that will needlessly exposes members of the church and employees to a potentially life-threatening pathogen. Aristophanes

Ministerial Conference, March 16–18As was mentioned in an e-mail this past week to all the ministers who have registered to attend the conference, after careful consultation, Mr. Weston has made the decision to continue with plans for the upcoming Ministerial Conference, but with caution. We are expecting over 300 attendees to the Ministerial Conference March 16–18. However, the international situation with the COVID-19 virus is very fluid, and we will be prepared to adjust plans as needed, with special concern for international travelers. We urge our ministry to be aware of the COVID-19 virus situation, and how it might impact their travels, particularly if they are coming from outside the United States. As mentioned in the e-mail, no one should travel to the U.S. if they are feeling ill or have been around people who are ill. All of us, especially the elderly, need to consider carefully whether or not to travel at this time. The Church has long practiced the biblical statute regarding quarantine (Leviticus 13:46 and others), and members should be especially alert and careful in these times (Proverbs 22:3). CAD is not requiring anyone to travel in these times if they would rather not. CAD will make arrangements regarding costs associated with cancelled flights, etc., on an individual basis. Concerning ministry from the U.S. and Canada, the quarantine statute should be carefully observed. If possible, drive instead of using air travel, and CAD will discuss the financial aspects with individual situations. In any case, you should not come if you are uncomfortable with travelling in the current conditions.

Fake Church of God Prophet Has Pointers On How To Not Catch Coronavirus

The self-appointed prophet of the improperly named "continuing" Church of "god" is scrambling to get his face on various podcasts and interviews in order to get his message across.

Since many have asked me about it, here is something I posted at COGwriter.com on Tuesday:

Last month, I was interviewed for a holistic podcast as well as a segment for a naturally-oriented television program related to COVID-19, the “novel” strain of the coronavirus.

Basically, I said to wash hands frequently and work to support a stronger immune system.

Avoiding unnecessary contact with the sick can also be helpful for many.

As far as health goes, Herbert W. Armstrong wrote the following Ten Simple Rules that Lead to Health:

HERE ARE TEN RULES
1. Sleep — Be sure of good ventilation — PLENTY OF FRESH AIR in the bedroom all night, winter and summer. … Fresh air is FREE — and nothing is more vital to health, but avoid drafts striking you. 

2. Arise — Get right out of bed the instant you awaken. Do not lie in bed, or turn over for a second sleep, no matter how tired or dragged down you feel. A second sleep dulls the mind. 

Nothing is more important in Armstrongism than a brisk towel rub down.

3. Bath and rubdown — Take a regular morning shower bath if possible, making it short and snappy, ending with a vigorous rubdown. If no shower is available, take a tub bath at least two or three times a week. End with cold water, especially in cold weather. This closes the pores and prevents chilling and taking cold. 

If no shower is available, take a vigorous rubdown in the bedroom daily or twice daily, using a turkish or bath towel or massage brush. Begin at wrists and feet massaging vigorously toward the heart. If the room is cold, just apply a little more energy — the vigorous rubbing will keep you warm. 

Vibrate your brain and shampoo your hair every 2 - 3 weeks.

4. Head rub and shampoo — Before leaving the bedroom, massage and rub the scalp vigorously with tips of fingers, suitable stiff bristle brush, or electric vibrator. This stimulates new circulation thru the scalp, makes the brain more active, and is the best guarantee there is against baldness. Shampoo the hair at least every two or three weeks. Be sure to use neutral, mild soap (imported castile is best) and rinse thoroughly. 

5. Water — …. Start in with whatever you can drink, increasing it till you are able to take one or two full glasses. Soon you will crave it. … This morning glass of water is very important. 

6. Breakfast — Avoid too heavy a breakfast. If you eat pancakes, eat but few. Do not eat too many eggs, and never more than two or three times a week. Eggs are good food, but too many produce a sluggish liver. Avoid soggy, heavy foods. Eat some fruit if possible — especially grapefruit, oranges, etc. 

7. Food — In the main, simply eat what you find agrees with you — but be sure to get a reasonable amount of fruits, and leafy vegetables (lettuce, raw cabbage, spinach, etc.) and milk, every day. Avoid meals loaded with meat, potatoes, beans, corn, etc., unless balanced with leafy vegetables and fruits.
For health’s sake eat … none of the meats called “unclean” and forbidden under the Old Testament Mosaic law. Above all, eat slowly, and CHEW THOROUGHLY before swallowing. Avoid overeating. Most people eat twice what they should. 

This did not work too well for Loma, his wife, but it was the membership's fault she was constipated and not his refusal to take her to proper medical intervention.

8. Elimination — Nothing is more vital to health than habitual regularity of elimination. Constipation is nothing but the penalty of lack of regularity. Pills will not CURE constipation. Nothing but the re-establishment of regularity of habit will cure it. For those suffering from this, I would advise resorting to divine healing — but be sure you deserve it by reestablishment of regular habits, preferably at a set time of day. Also regulate diet to aid this. 

9. Breathing — At least three times during the day — preferably bed time, rising time and once during the day — go outdoors, or open all the windows and doors in the house, stand erect, chest out and shoulders back, and BREATHE DEEPLY several times. Inhale slowly through the nose, till lungs are completely full. Exhale through the mouth, till the lungs are entirely emptied of air. Repeat several times. Try to learn the habit of breathing deeply, taking in more air and more completely emptying the lungs at every breath. 

10. Exercise — Few people past twenty- five get sufficient exercise, except those who are farmers, or get exercise through daily labor. Even in this case it is likely that only certain parts of the body are receiving sufficient exercise. Walking in the fresh air every day is good. For those who lead an in-door life, such sports as golf or tennis are splendid. Often bedroom exercises are advisable. Your body and muscles will not likely wear out, but can more easily rust out. Each individual must determine for himself what additional exercise, if any, he needs, as differing daily occupations naturally affect this. 

Of course, to keep the money stream going, the following MUST be done:

It goes without saying that all forms of dissipation must be avoided if these 10 health rules are to prove successful.

So, in addition to the rules like the above, what can be done to support the immune system? 

Well, regular fasting is one item I mentioned when interviewed.

But I AM basically following a version of Herbert W. Armstrong’s Ten Simple Rules that Lead to Health (including exercising regularly and not eating any biblically unclean animals). 

Furthermore, yes, I regularly consume a fair amount of fruit, try to avoid a lot of processed foods, pray to God for wisdom, and do fast pretty much every month. 

So much for the "praying to God for wisdom" part.  Epic failure.