How do (COG) teenagers of today cope with their cultically-intoxicated parents?

From a reader:

This afternoon presented stellar radio as I ran my errands. Being a compulsive dial surfer, I usually switch amongst our ten local FM rock stations, and today I seemed to catch one fave tune after the other, back to back. As I sip a Heineken now back at home, I got to wondering about how this power-mongering amongst the adults in the ACOGs plays out these days with the kids. Setting the tone, my parents were moving up the WCG ladder as I was completing my high school years. One assumption of the higher ups was that aspiring deacons and local elders would definitely have their families under control. This means that their children had to be exemplary, which often led to duplicitousness, that is, hiding certain behaviors from the parental figures. Separate wardrobe for school in the ol' locker, one lingo at school and more formal linguistics at home, classical music overtly at home and falling asleep each night secretly listening to a clear channel AM rock station through the earplug on your transistor radio. And, then, there were nicotine fits over the weekend. Beer and wine hidden in the attic were helpful in getting through the weekend, but it was tough being a teenager in HWA's WCG cult. Honestly, I couldn't shake these same behavioral patterns during my two year tenure at AC, which ultimately led to some decisions being made for me. No worries, as I was already out from under the parents, and able to live my own life and make my own decisions. AC had been an excellent escape. 

How do teenagers of today cope with their cultically-intoxicated parents? Someone recently stated that most of the church kids of today are home-schooled. That kills the escape valve that we had back in the day, because we realized that for a goodly portion of each weekday, at school, we got to be normal. I had my transistor radio taken away for listening to the Ventures or the Young Rascals. What if a PCG, RCG, or LCG parent catches his daughter listening to Megan Thee Stallion on her cellphone? Or son listening to Ghost Face Killah? Does their cell phone get taken away? If so, how do the parents use the cell phones to spy on and control their kids? Home Schooling cuts off the escape in several ways, one of which is that the church's college will probably recognize that education as being sufficient to attend, let's say, HWA College. City College, State College, Oxford, or Harvard? Not so much. 

My Mom just about blew a fuse when I told her that my ride home from athletic practice lost his car privileges due to "parental problems". She was shocked and appalled that I could possibly even come up with such a label! Cultie parents are so out of touch with reality! Imagine having to tell peers today that you are into Irish dancing! Or that you will be gone for Christmas Week for a winter retreat with your church that had nothing to do with Christmas! I'd just bet that it still royally sucks being a kid in an Armstrong splinter!

LCG Friday Night Smackdown: Are LCG Members Clamoring To Be Ordained?

 

In the previous post about Gerald Weston's weekly comments to the faithful, he mentions that the laborers in the ministry are few and the church needs more men...sorry ladies.

Let us make sure that we stay close to our Creator and pray to the Lord of the harvest for more laborers, especially in the ministry.

Then, in the weekly Friday Night SmackDown, Doug Winnail cautions those in LCG to not be clamoring for positions in the church.  

It has to take a person who is desirous of being in leadership positions to be able to function in those positions. COG leaders know this to be a fact but try and pull one over on members by claiming this is an organic process by God to reveal the leaders in the church. 

God apparently made quite a few mistakes over the decades considering some of the men in LCG/GCG leadership positions, including in their mother church, the Worldwide Church of God. Far too many men in LCG have the intense need to be noticed and they make sure you know that.

What Motivates You? 

 

In today’s world, many are motivated by a desire for a position, power, prestige, pleasure—and a bigger paycheck. Even in the Church, these desires can motivate individuals to seek positions and be noticed. While Jesus saw these attitudes in religious leaders of His day (Matthew 23:1–11), He admonished His disciples, “whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant” (Matthew 20:20–28). Jesus set us an example in that He “did not come to be served, but to serve.” The Apostles Paul and Peter urged Christians to avoid selfish motivations and be examples to others by serving with genuine humility (1 Timothy 6:3–5; 1 Peter 5:1–6). As we strive to come out of this world and its ways, let’s look for ways that we can serve others—so God can use us more effectively as instruments in His hands (Philippians 2:3–12).
Have a profitable Sabbath,

Douglas S. Winnail

Isn't it refreshing to know that the servant leaders of the LCG have genuine humility! Now, if only you dumb sheep could be as magnificent as we are then we could ordain you and put you to work too! 

Gerald Weston: Did he really just say that????

 

I am shocked that the boys in Charlotte thought this was a good thing to publicly post. Completely out of touch, as usual.

Greetings from Charlotte,
COVID-19 has been an inconvenience for almost everyone, a significant trial for some, a tragedy for others, but a huge boost to the Work of God. As we come to the close of the second year of the virus, we see literature requests around the world up substantially—especially the Bible Study Course. Our Social Media advertisements have produced large increases in subscribers to the magazine along with booklet requests. For the first time in the history of the Living Church of God, with the January issue we will be crossing the 540,000 mark in Tomorrow’s World magazine subscriptions. At the same time, we face significant challenges when it comes to manpower, especially in some of the international areas. These are exciting times. Let us make sure that we stay close to our Creator and pray to the Lord of the harvest for more laborers, especially in the ministry. Thank you for your dedication and love for one another.—Gerald Weston

 

Living Church of God: How Truthfully Charitable Are They?

A reader sent this to me today asking me to post this. This is the financial statement that the Living Church of God has to present annually to the Australian Government.

The reader asks:

"When has the Living Church of God EVER taken care of financially disadvantaged people in their communities? When has the Living Church of God ever assisted homeless people in their areas?

The Living Church of God has never taken care of the world around them let alone care for many of their actual members. Even though 3rd tithe is one of their commands, many LCG members never receive help from the church.

When I was a student at Ambassador College, Rod Meredith had been found to have used 3rd tithe to remodel his home on Waverly Drive when the Pasadena church area had lots of widows and unemployed members who needed assistance.

When has the Living Church of God ever done charitiable work, particuarly in Charlottee?"

Their Summary of Activities states: 

The Living Church of God Ltd continues to promote the Charity's principal purpose as a Christian Church which includes organising local congregations, promoting spiritual teachings, religious festivals, Bible education and pastoral care. The Church's broadcasting activities include weekly messages aired nationwide on Channel 7Two offering to the general public free magazines, DVD's, booklets, Bible-study courses and other literature to assist improve their personal and spiritual lives. The Bible Education Centre continues to provide students with an education founded on Biblical principles and is based on the Living Education (USA) curriculum and the Bible Study Correspondence Course. 

 

The Church assists, were possible, in emergency relief and humanitarian efforts throughout Australasia, the South Pacific and South East Asia, including during the current COVID-19 Pandemic.

You can see LCG's profile here: Living Church of God Ltd 

FANTASY

 

Were there humanoids before Adam and Eve?

"As modern humans are concerned, the Bible plainly states that Adam was “the first man” (1 Corinthians 15:45), and he named his wife “Eve because she was the mother of all living” (Genesis 3:20). Adam and Eve were therefore the first humans."

"While there are fossil records of apes and other creatures that predate Adam, these creatures were not the same as modern humans as far as God is concerned."

"God gave animals instinct, but not the type of understanding that He gave humans. Many scientists will not admit that there is a spirit in man that God gave."

"Pre-Adamic primates, were, at best, like advanced chimpanzees. There were no humans before Adam."

FACT

Totally modern human Cro-magnon 35,000 years ago, based on  skull facial reconstruction

• Homo sapiens, the first modern humans, evolved from their early hominid predecessors between 200,000 and 300,000 years ago. They developed a capacity for language about 50,000 years ago.
• The first modern humans began moving outside of Africa starting about 70,000-100,000 years ago.
• Humans are the only known species to have successfully populated, adapted to, and significantly altered a wide variety of land regions across the world, resulting in profound historical and environmental impacts.

Forensic Facial Reconstruction Based on the Human Fossil Record