Exposing the underbelly of Armstrongism in all of its wacky glory! Nothing you read here is made up. What you read here is the up to date face of Herbert W Armstrong's legacy. It's the gritty and dirty behind the scenes look at Armstrongism as you have never seen it before!
With all the new crazy self-appointed Chief Overseers, Apostles, Prophets, Pharisees, legalists, and outright liars leading various Churches of God today, it is important to hold these agents of deception accountable.
Herbert Armstrong's Tangled Web of Corrupt Leaders
A young man with a developmental disability who had previously attended Restored Church of God Services recently received a letter from that organization with four Holy Day Offering envelopes enclosed. The young man in question is very bright and intellectually curious, but he does not currently have a job or any other source of income. He lives with his parents and had expressed an interest (in times past) of attending RCG's Feast of Tabernacles, but no help was forthcoming for that purpose. Indeed, that organization has not offered any help in the direction of relieving this good person's situation/circumstances or for helping him to attend festivals which they teach that he is bound to observe.
I would say that it was just an honest mistake - an oversight on their part, but the young man did actually monitor* the services of a congregation near him! Moreover, RCG had placed his correct name and address on both the letter to him and the enclosed Offering envelopes! Hence, I'm thinking that it would stretch believability to suggest that they didn't know exactly what they were doing. Maybe they thought that the young man could squeeze some money out of parents, family or friends? Maybe they thought he had a little nest egg set aside? I don't know, and I frankly don't care. I do know, however, that it is downright reprehensible to squeeze a young man for money whom they should obviously be helping!
*monitor - not physically present but able to watch on video
In the 1999 comedy “Office Space," there is a scene in which the two Bobs discover that Milton is still employed, but the records say he was laid off five years prior. Instead of creating a confrontation by letting him know he is no longer an employee, they decide to stop sending him paychecks, and the problem “will just work itself out naturally.”
That must be one of Dr. Tim Ranney’s favorite movies because he took the same approach this week. As the P.R. guy of The Restored Church of God, he dis-invited Dawn Blue of How It’s Done and me from the Restored Church of GodUnOpen House by deleting our Eventbrite digital tickets the day of the event. Without a courtesy phone call to us. Without a direct email to us. Click shift-delete. “Wow, that could have been awkward,” he must have mused.
RCG was proud to announce its “first open house” in nine years since the Headquarters Campus was built in 2013. The timing of this event is interesting since they have made it a tradition of not engaging with the people of Wadsworth. Surely this is not a public relations stunt that would help stop their plummeting reputation.
The RCG UnOpen House was held at 4pm on Thursday, September 8.
Whopper Alert Near The End
As members of the Wadsworth Chamber of Commerce, we received the email invitation from RCG. Dawn Blue registered me and four others with our full names and contact information on August 18. This was no stealth incursion.
The automated system generated PDF tickets and sent them via email.
Dawn and I had many discussions about this event over the next three weeks. We were not going to confront anyone. We were not going to cause a scene. We were not going to quiz David C. Pack about his new $500,000 trimmed lawn. Nope. We only wanted to watch and listen.
I prepped her in advance, "If RCG reaches out to you regarding our intent, just tell them, 'We will be as harmless as doves.' That is Bible-speak, and they will understand."
Dawn wanted to take the tour because her curiosity was killing her. Trust me, the HQ Campus is beautiful. The Hall of Administration (plenty of empty space). The Media Center Studio (retired). The Grand Garden. The lakes. The barn and horses. The landscaping is exceptional…and I do not say that facetiously. I enjoyed my time walking the Campus while I was employed there.
Dawn Blue and I would have done nothing to bring dishonor to the Chamber of Commerce or our fellow members. If we had “acted up” at the event, we would have been seen as “the bad guys” after all and brought shame to the Wadsworth community.
As time rolled toward the September 8 event, I wondered if we would get a phone call to find out why we wanted to go. Perhaps an email once they saw our names on the guest list. But instead, nothing.
Dawn and I attended the Chamber of Commerce luncheon one week before the UnOpen House. Dr. Tim Ranney and Edward L. Winkfield were there. I even said hello to Dr. Ranney on his way to the coffee. Ed and I never made eye contact. At this point, they knew we were Chamber members if they did not before.
Surely we would get a rejection now. But more silence and inaction from RCG.
Then I wondered, are they so incompetent that nobody checked the names on the guest list? Or perhaps they are having week-long meetings to discuss what to do by weighing the pros and cons of rejecting us.
Whatever decision was made, it had to be a thumbs up or thumbs down by Caesar himself. No way Brad would make that call on his own. So, Dave knew we registered. I hoped he would see it as a test of wills and let me in just to see if I had the spine to show up.
Oh, I was going to show up, Dave. I had the PDF ticket on my phone.
Dawn was equally excited as I was. Two days before the event, we received an email reminder. Wow, they are really going to let this happen. Or will they act like cowards and cancel us at the last minute? Ha.
Here is how we learned about being dis-invited by the brave professionals at The Restored Church of God that day.·RCG deletes our tickets from Eventbrite without informing us.
·Dr. Tim Ranney calls the Wadsworth Chamber of Commerce to extend the courtesy of letting them know Dawn and I were no longer invited. I am a disgruntled employee.
·This kind and thoughtful lady at the Chamber office exercises “brotherly love” by calling Dawn to “make sure she knew” that we were no longer invited. Dawn did not know. (If it was not for this caring lady taking time out of her busy day to do Dr. Ranney’s job, Dawn and I would have walked up to the front gate to attend. That would have been interesting.)
·Dr. Tim Ranney tells the Chamber that an email was sent to Dawn and me. It was not. We never received any notification from Eventbrite, and he chose to not let us know directly. Instead, he lets the system "just work itself out naturally." Classy move.
·Dawn calls me, and I confirm that I have no notifications. I went to the Eventbrite website, and my digital ticket was gone, and the event was no longer on my calendar.
·I call RCG and leave Dr. Tim Ranney a voicemail message asking for clarification.essage asking for clarification.
Around 2pm, he called me back. I have never heard the man speak in such a curt tone. This was not the same man I had shared a smile with the week before. It made me wonder if Brad was sitting next to him to ensure he exuded strength and authority.
He explained an email went out to Dawn and me. I explained it did not.
All my questions were answered the same way, “We’re not going to get into that today.”
“When can we get into it if it’s not today?”
“Not today. Let me be clear. I just don't want you to misunderstand. You’re not invited.”
The exchange was brief.
"Marc, we're done talking. You wanted clarification, and I gave you that. I'm not going to give you any more information today. We're too busy to even start a discussion.”
Since I am very aware that Headquarters “monitors” everything I publish online, here are some open questions for Dr. Tim Ranney:
·Why not ask me at the luncheon last week what our interest was?
·Why not call Dawn to ask her if she would respectfully conduct herself?
·Why not write to let me know there were concerns about me attending?
·Why wait until the “last minute” to address this?
·Why did you choose to not engage either one of us directly via email or phone call?
·How are you not embarrassed to leave the responsibility of notifying us to the Chamber of Commerce?
·How are you not ashamed of having someone else do your job?
·Why tell the Chamber of Commerce that an email was sent to Dawn Blue and me when you did not bother to confirm that it was actually true?
Does anyone want to wager on the odds of me getting my answers? I am available via phone or email, Dr. Ranney.
By trying to stop the bleeding of one P.R. nightmare, RCG steps into another.
When God’s protection is just not enough, the Wadsworth P.D. are available.
Good grief, Charlie Brown.
After having the front gate closed for nine years and finally inviting some of the folks in the Wadsworth Community to come onto the Campus and experience the joys of a Christian Church, all guests were welcomed by an armed security guard.
I went shopping at the Giant Eagle across the street, and the first thing I saw as I pulled into the parking lot was a Wadsworth Police vehicle parked at the RCG front gate. My jaw dropped.
I am no public relations expert, but that makes for some awkward, piss-poor optics. And I just had to take a picture. I did not dare to come near the edge of the Giant Eagle property lest I be accused of stalking them or trespassing on the Campus.
Thanks to the wise discernment of RCG leadership, rumor has become a reality.
RCG does have armed security guarding the Campus.
How is that for a welcoming sight?
Perhaps some kook left a burning paper bag of poop on Dave’s doorstep the night before. Everyone was on high alert.
Having a police officer guarding the front gate is more sound for repelling antichrists than holding a crucifix and garlic, shouting, "The power of Wadsworth compels you. The power of Wadsworth compels you.”
After all, what else could they do? Rely on God? Oh, come on. That sounds great from the lectern but let’s be reasonable.
Since I did not make it through the gate, I was unsure if there were x-ray machines inside the front door of the Hall of Administration. People are used to being frisked at the airport, so if a "minister" asked them to take off their shoes as they entered, it would be no surprise.
Giant Eagle is a high-traffic area, and I knew someone in the community would post this on Facebook. My fellow neighbors did not disappoint.
See. Dawn Blue and I are not the only sources of discomfort for Dave and the enablers on the third floor. I greatly appreciate the people of Wadsworth who reach out unsolicited to provide information. The eyes and ears are everywhere. – ExRCGwebsite@gmail.com
The last point speaks to RCG’s truthfulness as an organization.
You cannot take Pastor General David C. Pack at his word. Not with the little things and certainly not with the big things.
Tonight at sunset is the beginning of Elul 15, when Jesus Christ is scheduled to return and give salvation to the members of RCG. According to Dave. I am also scheduled for the Lake of Fire, but if I am still here on Monday, you can paint me unsurprised.
RCG’s UnOpen House is a layered title.
Calling a private, public relations event ONLY for vendors and (some) members of the Chamber of Commerce an “open house” is another RCG distortion.
This event was NOT an open house. Is that just my opinion? Let us consult the dictionary.
open house (Merriam-Webster)
1: ready and usually informal hospitality or entertainment for all comers
2: a house or apartment open for inspection, especially by prospective buyers or tenants
open house (Bing / Google)
1: a place or situation in which all visitors are welcome
2: a day when members of the public are invited to visit a place or institution, especially one to which they do not normally have access.
So, the wicked antichrist serpent attacks The Restored Church of God with facts. Again.
Even the dictionary knows this stunt was not an “open house.” Why is it so challenging for a Christian Church to be truthful? Look at the leadership, and the answer “will just work itself out naturally.”
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I wanted to go to the RCG UnOpen House to show David C. Pack that I am not afraid of him.
Having armed police at the front gate tells everyone that David C. Pack is afraid of me.
Even though false prophetic teachings and fear-driven manipulation are all serious topics, there is still room to have a little fun once in a while,
Revive is an iPhone application that lets you deep-fake still pictures with singing and talking. You can try it for free. Tears of joy shall flow forth.
Samuel Martin, son of the late Earnest Martin has been on a long-time quest of ending corporal punishment of children. Witnessing what he did in the church and around the world, he has written two books that have had wide acclaim on the subject. He has now taken on the role of Executive Director of the US Alliance to End the Hitting of Children.
Dear friends,
Warmest regards.
I pray that you are well at this time.
It is my honor to write you and ask you to join me in supporting this important campaign.
In April of this year, I began a new role with the US Alliance to End the Hitting of Children as the Executive Director.
Many of you will know of my long track record of work to end corporal punishment/spanking/smacking especially focused on those whose minds are the hardest to change: religious believers in spanking children.
Thankfully, by God's grace, my first book, which many of you will be aware of, Thy Rod and Thy Staff, They Comfort Me: Christians and the Spanking Controversy, which has been given away free of charge since 2011, has been downloaded by 1,000s of Christians and other people from around the world.
Many of you know of my private activism against corporal punishment. My book has been used all over the world in places like South Africa, New Zealand, the Solomon Islands, Eswatini, the UK, Canada and the USA.
I have made this book available free because I wanted it to reach as many people with a message of peace, reconciliation, non-violence and healing. Thankfully, for many people who have read the book, it has been a blessing for them.
I am so grateful to anyone who has read the book and shared it with a loved one, a family member or a friend.
Now, I am asking for your help.
My activism against corporal punishment up until this point has been 100% voluntary. I have never been paid for the work that I have done promoting non violence in Christian homes. Over the last 35 years, I have worked in the world of non profit organizations to earn a living for my family. That continues to this day, but now I have taken the experience that I have learned in this work and am now bringing that experience into the work of the US Alliance to End the Hitting of Children.
I am very excited about the opportunities that lie ahead and this is where you have a role in helping me.
To do work in the non profit world, we need resources to do our activities. These resources that the US Alliance to End the Hitting of Children is focusing on are the following:
1. individual supporters
2. private foundations
3. US governmental funds at the local, state and national level
The US Alliance the End the Hitting of Children up until this year has been quite small. Over the last four years, the organization has averaged about $20,000 per year in donations.
This means that our activities working to end corporal punishment have been limited. But that is about to change.
This is because today we have released our first campaign to raise money from individual supporters to move the organizations work forward.
These funds are going to help us secure other funds from institutional donors and from the US government.
Believe me, I have been working as a professional development worker for the last 20 years and my areas of expertise are in institutional fundraising and project development. I am bringing all of my experience to this work now to help develop this institution.
Now, we are moving forward in a way to really see the work of this important organization grow and flourish.
You have a role in seeing that that happens.
I am asking you to join me in supporting this organization.
I am not ask you to support me.
However, I am asking you to make a donation to this campaign and to say that you are with us.
Please, if you have benefitted from my book, please I am asking you to consider making a donation of any size to this campaign.
Please join me in supporting this work whose fruit is seeing family violence reduced and hopefully end.
Here is the link for the GOFUNDME site for this campaign -
I am asking you to give generously to this campaign knowing that your donation is going to help us secure other funds and to see your support pooled together with others in support of this important work.
All donations are 100% tax deductible according to the relevant rules of the US government.
I have never asked anyone to donate to any effort that I can recollect. I am now asking you to do so asking that God will bless you for your generosity.
