United Church of God Pastors Retreat and Summer Camp For Teens Shut Down Due To Rampant COVID Infections

 

COVID infections hit over half of the pastors at a pastors retreat and half of the campers at Camp Pinecrest were infected. I am shocked they did not declare this the work of Satan.

July 7, 2022 

 

Both teen and pre-teen camps have been held, and a retreat was held for the pastors in the Northwest region. 

 

While the first camps of the year were successful and a joy for everyone, COVID-19 has “reared its head” and was disruptive at our Northwest pastoral retreat, where more than half of those who attended came down with COVID-19 (all cases were comparatively mild and everyone is recovering well), and at Camp Pinecrest which began just this past Sunday. 

 

Let me explain what has happened and why the decision was made to close Camp Pinecrest when a few campers came down with COVID-19. 

 

The staff did their very best to ensure no one had COVID-19 upon arrival at camp. But, despite following many protocols, the virus showed up just two days into the camp. 

 

Without going into unnecessary detail, suffice it to say that no one should ever question our love and desire to serve and provide for our children in the United Church of God. In fact, it is the safety of our children that has always been the number one principle stressed going back to the inception of the United Church of God and the United Youth Camps program in 1995. 

 

You may recall that we had an outbreak of COVID-19 at Pinecrest last year, and we did our best to plan in advance for that possibility this year, coming up with an extensive plan and policy developed with input from the Council of Elders, administration and the camp directors in an attempt to minimize the spread of COVID-19 at future camps. 

 

The reason we needed to close Pinecrest this year is because we are bound to follow the current COVID-19 plan and policy that is in place. And here is the directive from the plan that led to the very difficult decision that had to be made to shut down Pinecrest when we did: 

 

CAMP SHUTDOWN DIRECTIVE & CONTAINMENT PLAN: If a COVID test is positive, or other highly infectious disease is found at camp, the sick camper or staffer must be kept isolated and sent home as soon as reasonably convenient—the sooner the better. The Camp Director must both call and email the parent of this situation. If it is demonstrated that the sick camper or staffer was around only a small identifiable group, then that exposed group must be immediately isolated and tested. If any camper or staff in that group also tests positive, closure of the camp is to be considered after consultation with the Camp Director, the Camp Nurse, the overall UYC coordinator, the MMS director and, if possible, a consulting MD. 

 

However, if a member outside that small group also tests positive for COVID, or any other similar infectious disease, it is to be presumed that there has been a widespread exposure to the contagion and the camp must be closed (shut down) and all campers and staff sent home. IN ADDITION if a person has generally mingled with other campers and staff (prior to isolation, testing and identified as having COVID, or another infectious disease), then that camp must be immediately closed down and all campers and staff sent home. 

 

All parents of campers must be notified by a phone call and/or an email that a COVID case (or other infectious disease) has arisen at camp and directed to pick-up their child as soon as possible. Parents will be advised to quarantine that child and have him/her tested upon arrival home. 

 

The evening before a camper at Pinecrest tested positive for COVID-19, a camp dance was held. There was, of course, significant interaction then, not to mention all the group meals, Christian Living classes and camp activities that are scheduled every day. Clearly the infected person “generally mingled with other campers.” Also, an additional person tested positive for the virus in the same dorm as the infected camper. 

 

Based on our very recent experience at the pastoral retreat in the northwest, there was concern that many more would be infected with the virus and that the prudent and right thing to do under the circumstances was to comply with established policy in an effort to minimize the spread and its impact on our campers, staff, families, and even local churches. 

 

Knowing how much our teens love camp and how much we love to provide camp for them, this was a difficult decision to make from every perspective. But we had a plan in place that all agreed upon, and we had to follow it. 

 

Given the current condition of COVID-19 infection, which seems to be milder than last year, we will be discussing this policy with camp directors and administration during the upcoming week to determine whether revisions are necessary. We will communicate with parents and staff once those discussions are held and any decisions are made. 

 

We are so very sorry for the inconvenience and disappointment that the closure of Camp Pinecrest has caused. Please be assured we will be reviewing everything in order to prevent, to the best of our ability, such inconveniences in the future. 

 

Please keep all of God’s people in your prayers. He is our Guide, Shield, Protector and Sustainer. Ask Him to watch over every gathering of His people, including every camp, and to shield us from this virus and any other sickness or problem that might affect our gatherings. 

 

And please keep the families and local congregations that have lost pastors, elders, and loved ones in your prayers. Our God is the “God of all comfort” (2 Corinthians 1:3-4). 

 

Take care, brethren, and have a restful, inspiring and uplifting Sabbath!

Mark Welch

LCG: Prospective Member Tells How LCG Treated Him After He Asked A Question

The Living Church of God is the epitome of brotherly Philadelphian love at its finest!  That love is so potent and Christ-like that they love to share it with prospective members.

Living Church of God Is Corrupt:
July 4, 2022 

 

I used to think that the LCG was a church that could be the genuine article and wanted to know more about them. I contacted them in [city removed] and told them I’d seen their Sunday programs on the local TV and wanted to know more about them. 

 

To cut a long story short, I was sent various literature about the Sabbath, God’s Holy Days etc, and was sent DVD’s in job lots of about 5 or 6 every now and then which were sermons by the then Rod Meredith. 

 

When I contacted them one day by phone in [city removed] and told them I could not see why tithes were still enforceable, my DVDs never came anymore. When I phoned later to inquire about why the DVDs were not coming anymore, I received a very chilly response and learnt it was because of my attitude to tithing. 

 

This immediately told me that money is their god so the elders and other high ups can live the easy good life at the expense of their members. 

 

I’m so thankful that my questioning them about why tithes are still in force saved me from an horrendous mistake in joining the LCG. 

 

My advice is keep well away from this corrupt “church.” They are not the genuine article at all. –B. T.   Exit and Support Network

LCG: Satan's deceptive influence is leading LCG members astray

 FRIDAY NIGHT SMACKDOWN TIME!

Satan's deceptive force is leading LCG members astray!!!!

Here we go again, boys and girls! LCG members are getting smacked down yet again for letting Satan influence them and leading them off course. After all, Satan is the most powerful god in the COG, way more powerful than God himself who cannot keep people on track. Since they deny the Holy Spirit, it is no wonder there are so many problems.

Christianity has always known that a Christian's destiny is in Christ and to be like him, not to be some god or goddess ruling over planets or kingdoms with rods of iron as COG myths teach.

In Romans 8:28-29, Paul says, “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.”

Paul also says that every believer’s destiny is to sonship and to be holy and without fault in our Lord Jesus Christ. 

In Ephesians 1:4-5, Paul states: “Just as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love. Having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will.” 

Paul also states that our responsibility is to fulfill our call to holiness. Ephesians 2:10, that we are created in Christ Jesus so that we can do the things which God has pre-planned.

Okey dokey, that is pretty plain, but then there is the Living Church of God who is more concerned about being kings and priests and gods and goddesses ruling in a magical kingdom to come than it is teaching the world about Christ and the works that were accomplished through him. No magical kingdom will exist without knowing that first. But, this is the COG after all, and it is more important to be a future god than it is dwelling in a relationship with Christ or even God himself.  How can anyone be prepared to be a priest or teacher when they are never taught about Christ?

Stay Focused on Our Mission: The lessons of history show that mankind and God’s Chosen People have drifted off course again and again due to Satan’s deceptive influence. Adam and Eve made wrong choices that sent the course of human history off in a wrong direction (Genesis 3). Ancient Israel turned from God and suffered consequences—and modern Israelite nations are heading down the same path. Jesus called disciples and raised up His Church to preach the Gospel of the coming Kingdom of God (Mark 1:14–15; 16:15), to warn the world of the consequences of sin (Isaiah 58:1), and to announce events that would indicate His return was near (Matthew 24). The mission of God’s Church is also to prepare a people to rule with Jesus Christ as kings, priests, and teachers in His coming Kingdom (Luke 1:17; Revelation 5:10; Isaiah 30:20–21). To qualify for this challenging and exciting reward, we must avoid being distracted by the trials and temptations of this world (Matthew 13:18–23) and remain faithful and focused on our calling and our God- given mission (Matthew 24:13; Revelation 3:8–12; 17:14). 

 

Have a profitable Sabbath, 

Douglas S. Winnail

RCG's Enabler-in-Chief Bradford Schleifer - Pillow Talk

Enabler-in-Chief (Part 1)

“Pillow Talk”

 

I wanted to keep the names of other “ministers” out of the articles written here and solely focus on David C. Pack because he is the captain of the Restored Church of God ship.

 

He is the master architect of the prophetic disaster still tumbling down the hill. He is also the one who trains men to act counter to their conscience by possessing an uncanny knack for wearing a human being down. Dave is like sandpaper for your brain.

Spend enough time with him, not only will you start to see things the way he does, but you will also begin to anticipate how to speak and act the way he would want.

 

Men lose themselves when in close proximity to David C. Pack. His distorted reality is infectious. Those who left were damaged by this process and are still trying to heal.

 

But even with all of Dave’s “authority,” he does not operate in a vacuum. There are a group of men at Headquarters who continually surround him with pillows to keep him pacified and reassured. They “enable” him to continue.

 

The biggest pillow in The Restored Church of God is held by Bradford G. Schleifer. He is the only “evangelist” in the organization and thus, has more power and influence than anyone else there.

 

 

Dave is #1. Brad is #2.

 

Much of what Dave does is filtered through Brad. He will sit in Brad’s office to bounce ideas off of him. He calls Brad late at night to share some new “exciting” discovery. He pulls Brad into the kitchen during Sabbath Services to talk about…whatever. Brad is at Dave’s beck and call.

 

However, Bradford G. Schleifer is really the one running The Restored Church of God at an organizational level. All at Dave’s behest, of course. Brad handles the day-to-day operations and knows about everything that is going on. He then filters it back to Dave in bite-sized pieces. (Dave has a hard time absorbing details or long sentences.)

However, Bradford G. Schleifer is really the one running The Restored Church of God at an organizational level. All at Dave’s behest, of course. Brad handles the day-to-day operations and knows about everything that is going on. He then filters it back to Dave in bite-sized pieces. (Dave has a hard time absorbing details or long sentences.)

 

 

Think of it this way:

·      Dave’s Mouth  Brad  The ministers, the church, everything and everyone else

·      Everything and everyone, the church, the ministers  Brad  Dave’s Ears

 

Why do I bring up Bradford G. Schleifer by name during this glorious month of Tammuz?

He is in the position that Kevin and Jeff had before they left. He is the one with the most opportunity to do something about the madness, yet does not. Though he knows full well the endless prophetic date-setting is madness. The Bible he reads every night says so.

Unlike Kevin and Jeff, Brad not only lets the RCG ship race towards the rocks, but he has chosen to pick up an oar and help speed it along.

Brad chose the role as Dave’s advocate and apologist years ago. He became The Enabler-in-Chief of The Restored Church of God by perpetuating the propaganda that David C. Pack is both an apostle and a prophet. His support for Dave is sprinkled throughout his messages. Sometimes with a feather. Sometimes with a pick-axe.

 

He is the one at Dave’s right hand, propping up his arms all day. Every day. I wonder if the poor guy ever really gets a full day off. Maybe a non-Dave day is as rare as a black moon.

He is also the man who is the most capable, due to intelligence and position, to dethrone Dave at the corporate level. He could be the man who rallies the troops on the third floor to topple the oppressive regime currently in power.

 

The Board of Directors could vote David C. Pack out of the corporation. Legally, it is possible. There are men at Headquarters who have the ability to do this. But will not. Not unless Brad steps up and takes a stand, that is.

 

Instead, Brad helps sustain the false narrative of how “on track” The Restored Church of God is by giving credibility to the prophetic fraud, despite passing nearly a dozen failed dates just this year.

 

He is also the first minister I ever witnessed to give a full “damage control” sermon right on the day of a prophetic mishap. A Damage Control Sermon is a message designed to thwart criticism or concern among the brethren when something Dave thundered fails to manifest. Usually, a date that comes and goes. But sometimes, it’s a prodding of brethren to swallow some new whopper of a doctrinal shift that leaves most uncomfortable. (The Father comes before Jesus Christ, for example.)

 

Brad is really good at this and it seems to come to him naturally.

 

Sadly, others have followed suit. I heard sermons given by Edward L. Winkfield and F. Jaco Viljoen who both tried to throw shade on any doubts about Dave’s validity as God’s apostle. Those men have also become biblical contortionists who “explain away” prophetic fraud by either reaffirming their surety that God is using Dave, or by regurgitating a false teaching Dave pushes upon the members.

 

The “ministers” at Headquarters follow Brad’s lead. Monkey see, monkey do.

 

 

Here is the RCG Cycle of Life Loop:

 

Brad Enables Dave  Others Enable Dave  Dave Continues Prophetic Fraud

 

                      Rinse and repeat.

 

 

If it were not for the continuous enabling by the men at Headquarters who are so eager to grasp that pillow and comfort Dave, he might actually close his mouth for a few weeks to reevaluate his prophetic brilliance. Or get excited about re-writing the all the outdated literature. Or clear the dust from the Media Center to do a brand new The World to Come. Or focus on preaching the gospel to the world as Jesus Christ instructed.

 

Naaaaaaaaah!

 

Bradford G. Schleifer is the Enabler-in-Chief at The Restored Church of God because he has chosen to seize that roll with both hands. He does it passionately. He does it enthusiastically. He is also the most adept at subtle manipulation.

 

Just how adept is he? That will be examined in Part 2.

Marc Cebrian

See: Enabler-in-Chief (Part 1) “Pillow Talk”

Prominent Evangelist Creflo Dollar Admits Commanded Tithing Is Wrong

The prominent African-American Creflo Dollar has admitted his tithing requirements were wrong. Those tithes bought him jet planes, fancy homes, etc., with which he has been widely mocked.

Listening to him below he admits he woke up to the freedom of God's grace instead of being under the Mosaic covenants. 

The concepts he brings across are the same revelation that the Worldwide Church of God came to understand about tithing. It is not commanded in the New Covenant under grace. People give because they understand they are blessed by God. Tithing was used as a tool of guilt and fear in the church.

Dollar says: Religion is sustained by two factors: fear and guilt.

Challenging popular Evangelical belief, controversial televangelist Creflo Dollar, one of America's most flamboyant proponents of the prosperity gospel, has renounced tithing and all his previous teachings on the subject as "not correct."

He also urged his followers to "throw away every book, every tape and every video I ever did on the subject of tithing" but says he will not apologize for his error. 

 

In a Sunday sermon billed "The Great Misunderstanding," the founder and senior pastor of the nearly 30,000-member World Changers Church International headquartered in College Park, Georgia, said he is aware that his declaration will cause him to lose friends and invitations to speak at other churches. 

 

However, he said he is convinced, after studying Romans 6:14, that tithing is an Old Testament concept that has been retired in the dispensation of grace in which Christians should now be living.
"I want to start off by saying that I'm still growing, and the teachings that I've shared in times past on the subject of tithing were not correct," Dollar began in his June 26 sermon.

 

"And today, I stand in humility to correct some things that I've taught for years and believed for years but could never understand it clearly because I had not yet been confronted with the Gospel of grace, which has made the difference." 

 

"I won't apologize because if it wasn't for me going down that route, I wouldn't have ended up where I am now," he continued. "But I will say that I have no shame at all at saying to you, throw away every book, every tape and every video I ever did on the subject of tithing unless it lines up with this." Televangelist Creflo Dollar says teachings on tithing ‘not correct’ but won’t apologize to followers

It is interesting reading the comments tied in with the video above by people who want to continue to live under the bondage of tithing and the law. Just like many in Armstrongism, tithing is the one thing that the church has brainwashed members into believing they are commanded to do.  Tithing makes the COG merry-go-round function. Without this lie funding their so-called ministries would not be around today.