UCG New Three Year Plan Is To Speak Truth In Love...

 

Those fun boys in Cincinnati are on a roll!

Presentation of 3-year Strategic Plan Review—John Miller & Brian Shaw 

 

In August 2021, the COE tasked the Strategic Planning and Finance Committee (SPFC) to develop Paul’s appeal to the Ephesians to “speak the truth in love” and incorporate that concept into the major update of the Strategic Plan that was due for the 2022–2023 fiscal year. The SPFC has been working on the updated Strategic Plan for the past two months. The Council presented this updated Strategic Plan to the administration for about three hours. 

 

We value our responsibility to preach the gospel, make disciples and prepare a people. To accomplish that responsibility, we must plumb the depths of the Word of God and live it out in the Spirit of God. In summary—Truth in Love. 

Wut? A COG speaking truth in love? 

Truth in Love is, in essence, who we are and how we do what we do. It is about much more than just “speaking the truth in love.” Ephesians maps out a path that leads to becoming like Him. It provides a framework to organize and focus “The Work” of the Church. 

 

The SPFC took up the challenge, with the approval of the COE, to incorporate these elements into the update of the 2022-2023 Strategic and Operation Plan. This Strategic Plan builds on the work of those who have gone before, but we believe it brings a new level of clarity, detail and focus to outcomes-based planning and makes it Scripture Centric. 

 

We all desire to hear, “Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much” (Matthew:25:23, ESV). The Strategic and Operation Plan does not ignore the “small things” (Zechariah:4:10), but keeps the overall Vision and Mission in focus. 

 

We acknowledge that not everything in a work that is both human and divine can be planned, documented and measured. However, we can and should implement, measure, evaluate and continuously improve everything we can with the resources God has so generously supplied. This plan is intended to be a living document that can, and will, be updated each year. 

 

The Council unanimously approved, by consent without resolution, to continue with this Strategic Plan and for the administration to use the framework provided to prepare the Operating Plan and Budget that will be presented to the Council at the February meetings.

As for preaching "truth in love" and how much of an impact thay are making after 25 years of existence, there's this:

Peter Eddington went through some of the following statistics as of November 30 this year: 

 

United News circulation is currently at 18,449, which is 2.8% more than this time last year and just below our all-time high of 18,475 reached for the September 2021 issue. 

 

Our coworker count is now at 8,799 (16% higher than the same time last year) and just below our all-time high from October 2021 of 8,809.

Our donor list now includes 10,599 people—12.9% higher than this time last year. (Our all-time high was 10,834 in June of 2021.)

Donors combined with our coworkers is now 19,398 (14% more than same time last year).

Total Beyond Today magazine circulation worldwide is at 327,229 for the Nov.-Dec. 2021 issue—which is 9.2% more than the same time last year and the highest since 2008.
U.S. magazine subscribers are at 279,406 for the Nov.-Dec. 2021 issue. This is 12.3% more than the same time last year and the highest since 2008.

Those people on our U.S. file associated with the Church (teens, members, associated) as of November 30 is 12,112.

LCG: Members need to get their focus off themselves and onto the kingdom

 

Are you too busy enjoying life, having fun with your family, traveling, visiting with friends? If you are then you are not 100% focused upon Living Church of God's commission. After all, LCG has been warning the world about their commission for 25 years now, and if you are here in LA, no one even knows what that commission is.

LCG members need to have their focus upon a kingdom to come where they will be kings and priests and rule over the masses with power and glory as they are coequal with Jesus since they will then be gods, just like Jesus.

Redeeming the Time: The Apostle Paul urged brethren in Ephesus to consider God’s will, live with a purpose, and make the most of every opportunity to become more like Jesus Christ—“because the days are evil” (Ephesians 5:15–16). Ephesus was a bustling port city, home of the great pagan temple of Diana, and filled with temptations for Christians. Jesus also warned believers against being sidetracked from spiritual goals by the “cares of this world”—the pursuit of money, material things, and fame (Matthew 13:22). As Christians living in the latter days, we have a commission to warn the world of a coming judgment, to preach the Gospel of the coming Kingdom of God (Matthew 24), and to prepare for future roles in that Kingdom (Revelation 5:10; Isaiah 30:20–21). Let’s put our hearts into this mission and come out of this world—and take advantage of the opportunity we have been given to grow to become more like Jesus Christ (2 Peter 3:18).
Have a profitable Sabbath, Douglas S. Winnail

Gerald Weston: Is It Wrong To Have Ex Members As Friends?

 

Imagine being a friend of an LCG member after having left the church or having a friend who left the church and have to read this kind of tripe. Apparently leaving the one true faith is a sign of rebellion and witchcraft. Now we know why Bob Thiel is such a problem! His rebellion and lying tongue are a sign of witchcraft. Who knew!

Prioritize Your Loyalty

In the case of Romans, Paul’s address is to the brethren—believers as a body. The New King James Version carries the sense of taking note. Paul mentions no one in particular—just to take note of anyone causing division and avoid them. Certainly, it is best for the Church to make that determination and make members aware when they might not fully understand something. But, as in Corinth, there is also personal responsibility placed on the membership. When you see someone who claims to be a brother or sister in Christ causing division or living an openly immoral life, avoid that person. God’s mind regarding divisive people is not obscure:

These six things the Lord hates, yes, seven are an abomination to Him: a proud look, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that are swift in running to evil, a false witness who speaks lies, and one who sows discord among brethren(Proverbs 6:16–19).

And remember what God tells us about rebellion and stubbornness: “For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry” (1 Samuel 15:23). If we understand these instructions, we realize that there are limits to friendship.

Jesus taught His disciples, “You are My friends if you do whatever I command you” (John 15:14). “A friend is a friend for life” is a sentiment that does not square with the Bible. The truth is that most friendships in this life are temporary. Circumstances and people change over time. Many close friends in the past are no longer close today, because they ceased sharing the interests and values that brought them together in the first place. Do we still remember them and care for them? Of course—but in the Church, we also recognize that basic question asked by the prophet Amos: “Can two walk together, unless they are agreed?” (Amos 3:3).

We should value friendship, but let us not allow our human reasoning and emotions to override important instructions from God. It is not a sin to have friends who have left our fellowship and see them at appropriate times—such as weddings, funerals, and other such events. But it can become a sin when we reject the biblical admonition to avoid those who live immoral lives or cause division. If you are a friend of God, you cannot be a friend of the world (James 4:4). Our loyalties must first and foremost be to our ultimate friend, Jesus Christ.

So, Jesus is LCG's "friend" now? They rarely speak of the guy and anything he accomplished or the New Covenant, but Jesus is their friend. Next, we will hear LCG adding new hymns to their song-book about Jesus being their boyfriend in five repeat stanzas.