PCG Wayne Turgeon Dares To Talk About Godly Families and Trust

 

Wayne Turgeon, part of the privileged Flurry clan, and one of Philadelphia Church of God's most abusive ministers has spent his years pretending to be a godly minister by destroying marriages and breaking up families. A trail of destruction has been left in his wake over the years. Its been well documented here, on The Painful Truth and the Exit and Support Network.

On August 4 he wrote an article for PCG's web site: Invest in Our God Family Trust: Build the quality that forms the basis of all good relationships! Seriously? This hypocrite dares to talk about family, good relationships, and trust?

Turgeon has this to say:  

The members of God’s Church—virtually one of a city and two of a family today—are called to marry Jesus Christ (Jeremiah 3:14; Revelation 19:7). Our submission to our Husband is reflected in our trust in His every single word. Believing God is putting His way of life into action in our lives. We show God that He can trust us by being doers of God’s Word.

Quoting Herbert from 1966, he adds: 

“[W]hen Jesus Christ gives a command or instructions to you through His Word or through this very Work of God—as you prove it in the Bible—do you realize that God’s laws and instructions always work out right? That you can and should have total faith in living by them? That God stands behind them and backs them up? That whenever you have realized or proved that any command or instruction comes from God you should learn to automatically say: ‘Yes, sir!’ and do what your Creator instructs?” (Plain Truth, February 1966).

In other words, this is subliminal advertising for the sheeple that if a minister or Dear Leader says anything then it is a direct instruction from God and that members should NEVER question that instruction, but say, "Yes Sir!" and it will all be ok! Has anything ever been OK in PCG or any other COG for that matter over the last 80 some years? The ground is littered with damaged lives and deaths at the hands of COG leaders. But, by all means. TRUST Them with everything and God will bless you.  Total bullshit.

We need to focus our minds on important things, including truth and honesty (Philippians 4:8). Our righteous thoughts need to become our inspiring, encouraging and uplifting words. Those words need to translate into our beneficial and fruitful actions. We must live and breathe truth and honesty, even as both virtues expire in Satan’s society. Imagine the World Tomorrow when such conduct won’t be the exception, but the rule!

Truth and honesty in a COG? When? Dishonesty and outright rebellion have spawned over 500+ different splinter groups over the decades with one lie after another being told.

What truly matters is how much we are becoming like God. When we are Christ’s Bride for eternity, we will think and act as He does. That means we must make ourselves ready today!

If all of these corrupt ministers and COG leaders ever followed that inconvenient dude they avoid at all costs, then we might be able to trust them. If they were actually followers of The Way and of that guy they refuse to talk much about, then they would know that the endless "striving" and trying to do things to impress that grumpy god who is just itching to throw them into the Lake of Fire is an impossible task. That work has already been done for them, but they are too blinded to see that.

 

COG Bigshots: Dosen't Everybody Want To Be One?

Doesn’t Everyone Want to Be A Big Shot?

By

LonnieHendrix

Within the culture of Armstrongism, all of the men were/are expected to aspire to give a sermonette or attend Ambassador College. After all, the pastors and the leadership in Pasadena were held up to be the epitome of Godly manhood. All of the lesser men within the congregation were encouraged to emulate them or “to covet earnestly the best gifts.”

In the splinter groups, these notions about aspiring to participate in church leadership have taken on even more significance. In short, asking a man to give a sermonette or sermon is seen as a means of keeping people involved/interested/invested in the particular group. By stroking egos and flattering someone with an invitation to speak, it is hoped that they will not wander off or consider joining one of the other splinters.

Of course, these notions and practices are not peculiar to Armstrongism. Flattery and other enticements have been used from time immemorial to keep people engaged. After all, it is heady stuff to be placed in a leadership role – even if it’s only for 30-45 minutes on a Sabbath!

But what about the men in the church who never got wrapped up in this kind of thinking? What about the folks who don’t want to be in charge or speak? What about the men who had absolutely no desire to emulate Herbert or Garner Ted Armstrong? What about the guys who think that church leaders should serve members and exude humility?

“That man is dangerous!” the other men declare. “Everyone wants to be Garner Ted – he must have some kind of agenda!” “If he doesn’t want to deliver a sermonette, he must secretly want to run the whole show!” OR “He must be planning to start his own group or cultivate a following for himself!” They simply cannot understand anyone who is not motivated by the same kinds of things that motivate them.

Throughout my association with Armstrongism, I have never desired to be an apostle, minister or deacon. I have never desired to start a new church or accumulate a following. I have been asked numerous times by others to speak or write. “I will do anything I can to help you, but I have no burning need to speak or put myself forward,” I would always answer.

Sometimes that would evoke a knowing smile, but I remember one time when the pastor who had asked me to speak understood what I meant. He acknowledged what I was saying and then quoted Plato. “Wise men speak because they have something to say; fools because they have to say something.”

Unfortunately, many of the folks within the Armstrong Churches of God want to say something. They like the prestige and respect associated with standing in front of a congregation or being the one that folks turn to for advice. For them it’s not about serving and helping others, it’s more about being the big shot – the top dog. It would almost be funny if it weren’t so very sad/pathetic!

LCG: Do you refuse to listen to correction because of your hardened heart?

Can LCG members EVER do ANYTHING right? 

Good teachers and good preachers never have anything to worry about especially when they are preaching grace, justice, and mercy, and are followers of Jesus.  Instead, we witness daily the men in various COG's who focus upon Moses, rules, and "proper" church government. Jesus could care less about those things and pointedly made it part of his ministry to do the opposite of what all that the vain-glorious leaders said was the law and commands of their god.

Once more Jesus gets short-changed and left out of the picture. He is just an inconvenient guy in the way of the kingdom of God which trumps everything.

Are You Teachable? The Scriptures reveal that one of the most important qualities of character that God is looking for in Christians and future leaders in the Kingdom of God is teachability—the desire and willingness to listen and learn. Abraham was teachable and responsive to God’s instructions (Genesis 12:1–4). Moses was a very capable leader, yet a most humble and teachable individual (Numbers 12:3). David’s attitude comes through in Psalm 119:33, where he writes, “Teach me, O Lord, the way of Your statutes.” Solomon recognized his human inadequacies when he asked God for wisdom and an “understanding heart” so he could learn to rule wisely (1 Kings 3:9). When Jesus said the meek and the poor in spirit will be blessed, He was emphasizing their teachability and their willingness to be corrected and to learn and grow (Matthew 5:3–5). This is in stark contrast to an attitude that refuses to listen to advice or correction and is only focused on one’s own ideas (Proverbs 13:1; 18:1–2). The Scriptures also reveal that when we harden our hearts to God’s instructions, we will reap serious consequences (Proverbs 28:14). We have been called to reign with Jesus Christ in the Kingdom of God, and being teachable is one of the keys to attaining that incredible reward.

Have a profitable Sabbath,

Douglas S. Winnail

Did Sheldon Get "Munsoned"?

I tuned in to Sheldon's sermon and heard exactly what I expected. It's the same old story that goes all the way back to Gilbert Cranmer swearing off his corporate mistress, Ellen. Then Herbert slandered his master, Dugger. And then Roderick pilfered his boss, Tkach. And now Sheldon is mowing down cold faithless Weston. Yes, the incumbent takes on too much power, becomes lukewarm, smug, insensitive, self-righteous, hypocritical and indifferent. This is not good. Someone should do something. Why not me?

The body of Christ is infected once again and needs vaccinated with a good ole fashion dose of "living faith." It's really very simple according to Sheldon. He prayed and fasted about the Texas camp (multiple times). Then he bullied the Seventh Day Adventist President into letting him have his way. Then they took temperatures throughout camp. The result: no one got sick. And that is how you walk on water. (The title of the sermon was, "If You Want to Walk on Water, Here is How")

You talk a big game of faith and by the looks of you, I believe you could kill a lion and a bear just like David. It really takes some kind of man's man to come out with a sermon title like that a week after being fired. No doubts in Sheldon's mind. In fact in Sheldon's he-mind, doubt is the ultimate faith-killer. But is doubt really a faith-killer? Is wearing masks proof of oh ye of little faith? You said when doubt enters, bad things happen. You said doubters are unstable and double-minded. Oh, I know the verse too. You said God doesn't hear us when we are sinning. God only loves us when we are "all in." Classic HWA. Gods got this...but when He doesn't, it's your fault. Sheldon pointed to Revelation 12 to show how God does not protect Laodiceans.

According to Sheldon, "Gods got this." Every Sabbath, Gods got this...except that time Terry Ratzmann murdered 7 people during services just miles away from where Sheldon was serving. Every annual holy day, Gods got this...except that year a hurricane ruined Hilton Head just a week before the feast and everyone had to go somewhere else. At our camps, Gods got this...except that time one of our precious daughters was killed by a passing speed boat at the Ohio camp. Yeah, you were there, Sheldon. Where was God? Who sinned?

Understanding that there is a place for doubt is wisdom. Doubt is the sign of a thinking mind. Doubt is what helps a sound mind sniff out bullshit. Doubt reveals a profound complexity as it relates to man sorting out God. No one in COGland is capable of grappling with doubt, helping hurting people with practical applications in understanding doubt, coming to grips with it, managing it or overcoming it when necessary. The all-stupid answer to many things in COGland is: "Sin? Don't do it!" "Doubt? Don't do it?" "Depressed? Smile!" God is blessing HIS Church but when He isn't...well. Horrible things are swept under a rug and thinking brethren should place their doubts under there, too.

LCG carted out Dick Ames during a fast to sure up the faithful and I kid you not, both Sheldon and Dick essentially concluded their sermons using the same classic tactics of labeling the opposition Laodicea and themselves Philadelphian. And next week, Sheldon said the sermon will be, "We Ought To Obey God Rather Than Men." Of course.

About 150 were watching on Youtube so that could be somewhere in the neighborhood of 300-600 people. This could be as much as 10% of Living's membership but probably closer to 5%. Sheldon and Fritts are both very popular with the youth. This should be interesting because Weston has put all of HQ's resources toward wooing the next generation of tithe-paying dupes to secure retirements and paychecks of ministerial sons being trained as we speak. Not even Walrus Smith has the pull he once had with kids and their parents since HQ has brought out his true colors.

So Sheldon got "Munsoned" for his living faith. So my question for Sheldon is, ARE YOU GOING TO GET A JOB? OR are you going to fleece Jesus' flock for 10%-30+% using false doctrine? Is it going to be the same old COG song and dance, my friend? Knowing you to be an Armstrong purist, I'm afraid I already know the answer.

by Stoned Stephen Society

Gerald Weston: If You Go Against His "authoritative judgement" are "you doing so at your own peril?"

 

Why do COG leaders have the incessant need to CONTINUALLY threaten members? Scripture is filled with stories of Jesus and other faithful people breaking bread or associating with prostitutes, lepers, menstruating women, eunuchs, tax collectors, and other undesirables or "unclean" people. What we also see is Jesus CONSTANTLY pointing out the evils of CHURCH LEADERS and how they bind people up with absurd and offensive teachings, doctrines, and constant threats of losing one's salvation.

Geerald Weston has a problem with ANYONE questioning his leadership.

COGNews had this up:

...the Sabbath service on August 8th, streamed live to all congregations – sermonette from Wallace Smith and sermon from Gerald Weston – was devoted to explaining why church members are required to obey all leadership decisions, and therefore comply with the new (temporary) normal in hymn singing, i.e. “for those of you at home, you will be singing along, and those at services will be contemplating and humming along as we can.”

Gerald Weston referred to Wallace Smith’s sermonette, noting, “these were not decisions made by lay members, but by duly ordained leaders and judges that God had placed in a position of authoritative judgement. We have a situation today where people are saying, well, if I can’t sing, I’m not going to go where the church has placed its name for the feast. We’re just going to have our own feast. Did God ordain you with the responsibility to decide where Christ is going to place His name? If you do that, you are doing so at your own peril.”