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
When I listened to Pack's rant about the individual who left the RCG because he was tired of "faking it," my initial thoughts were regarding what the individual meant by "faking." It was only later that I considered the simple fact that mentioning it at all shows a startling lack of critical thinking, a Pack-ian level of egocentrism, or some combination of the two. It was a great and foolish risk Pack took because that comment undoubtedly resonated with members sitting in the headquarters building and reverberated throughout the small congregations worldwide.
Pack probably can't imagine the number of people in his church who heard that comment and felt it as an indictment of themselves. He suggested it was a question of lying; the individual who quit and everyone remaining who nonetheless relate to the statement all understand it as a question of self-preservation. Pack intended it as an insult to the individual of little faith who was lying by his very presence among true believers; his audience heard it as a tacit admission that the cognitive dissonance required to remain in the RCG is simply overwhelming for many. Pack meant to insult the former member; instead, he only drew attention to his own failures and the cognitive/emotional stress they create.
This highlights just how far Pack has retreated into his own ego. He can't even realize when the decisions of others are a clear condemnation of his own actions. Sequestered in his compound, his every need handled by others, he can't even imagine the mental anguish his followers are suffering. Everything he says and does filters through the lens of his own ego, and the refraction of that lens is so complete that Pack literally cannot differentiate his own ego from the world around him.
I know we all hate Hitler comparisons, but I can't help but draw parallels between Hitler's decision-making process at the end of the war and Pack's at what appears to be the end of the RCG. As the Soviets encircled Berlin and defeat became inevitable and obvious, Hitler moved battalions that essentially no longer existed and ordered attacks from army groups that had been decimated. He remained convinced of his certain victory, and he discussed the stunning blow his imaginary, newly-rebuilt Luftwaffe was about to deliver despite the fact that the Allies had complete domination of the skies of Europe. Surrounded by sycophants who were terrified of crossing him, Hitler lived in an echo chamber that only confirmed and compounded his delusions.
Even more telling, when the battle had begun turning months earlier, there might have been a chance for Germany to fight to a stalemate in the east and gain some time to rebuild its forces. Had Hitler ordered the cessation of transports to concentration camps and used those trains to shuttle soldiers to the eastern front, he could have at least slowed his defeat and perhaps prevented it completely. Instead, he did the opposite: he increased the transports to the camps and left his soldiers on the Soviet front with inadequate manpower and supplies. He couldn't see past his own ego and his sick obsession with being an ultimate "hero" by rendering Europe judenfrei regardless of the war's outcome. His inward-looking ego-based decisions thankfully cost him the war because simply based on the numbers in 1939, Germany should have conquered Europe.
Similarly, we seem to see this playing out in Europe yet again. Putin has isolated himself, believes his own propaganda, and is convinced of his military genius and his force's ultimate strength. Since the outbreak of the Covid pandemic, Putin has lived in almost complete isolation, and his view of the outside world reflects that. He attacked Ukraine on an imagined pretense; he was confident of a quick victory because his army certainly had to be at least as strong as his ego; his forces suffer loss after loss because he either can't or won't concede that his tactics are not working. His ego inflates yet again and more people suffer as a result.
In just the same way, Pack's ego and his certainty in his prophetic acumen have swelled to proportions that conceal everything else. He, too, has surrounded himself with sycophants and isolated himself not only from the real world but from the lay members that constitute the intellectual isolation that is the RCG. The army that is encircling the compound at Wadsworth is more powerful than the Soviet army, more persistent than the Ukrainian forces: it's reality, the most merciless conqueror in history.
During "The Greatest Unending Story!" Parts 400 and 401 given on Saturday, October 22, David C. Pack of The Restored Church of God set a new last last last opportunity in 2022 for the return of Jesus Christ.
Tuesday, October 25 at 10:56am eastern
Dave and Team Faux are out of ideas. When he mentioned Cheshvan a few weeks ago, all former RCG members knew he would be the next date after he failed FOUR TIMES during the Feast of Tabernacles last week.
Jesus Christ was going to return on the second day of the Feast. Then that Friday. Then that Saturday. Then the Tuesday after The Last Great Day. If you think he was only theorizing, remember what he said:
Part 398 – October 10, 2022
@ 3:56 …now, this is a very dramatic statement, the Kingdom will arrive at dawn in Jerusalem, day two of the Feast.
Part 399 – October 15, 2022
@ 09:30 …meaning almost certainly, no one in the world will even get home from the Feast if…
Mister Reliable occupied 2 ½ hours of the Headquarters congregation's Sabbath selling them on Cheshvan 1. I used to consider David C. Pack an idiot savant in some ways, but I am now rethinking the savant part.
This is the same guy who said the same thing about Sebat, Adar, Adar II, Abib, Iyar, Tammuz 1, Av 1, Elul 1, and Tishrei 1…all just this year. (I am being “generous” by leaving out all the dates within those various months.) But that was then, and this is now.
When you pick up on his pattern, even a developmentally-challenged kindergartener could figure out the next one. Oh, Cheshvan 1—shocker.
With Tuesday’s failure fresh on his mind, Dave took a humble and contrite attitude to start Part 400.
@ 00:32 I think we’re now done…I still believe we are correctly watching in season. I think you will also when I’m done.
@ 01:01 Now, as we move along through the series, there’ll be two or three times when some toes are gonna get stepped on. But I can't worry about that because it will help the whole church.
David C. Pack has said nothing in the past seven months that have "helped" anyone. Not a group of people. Not a single person. His words are hollow and void.
@ 05:12 It took a Series lasting seven years to figure it all out.
Dave is still blinded because he will not grasp, even by Wednesday morning, that he has NOTHING "figured out." He is destined to wander in endless circles, getting punched in the face by his own words until God sees fit to change the circumstance.
@ 05:21 …it has become apparent that we had a very small percentage, single-digit percentage, of the Kingdom of God right…almost everything we taught about, just the thousand years, was wrong. It was wrong.
@ 06:08 Now, I'm gonna make a statement, and I'm gonna be incredibly generous. And if you’re offended at me, get over it. ‘Cause I can prove it.
Dave cannot prove his shoes are tied. Even if he attempted to, we would have to point out those are sandals, and you cannot tie them. The Kenneth M. Orel “get over it” philosophy is catching on.
@ 06:17 I'm gonna say we had 5% of prophecy right. But, my two assistants will tell you we had under 1%, and I'm being generousbecause I doubt we had more than 1% of prophecy right. But, I’m gonna be generous and say 5%...
Wow, Dave is being generous, but those two young “ministers” are pessimistic. How can we not trust the judgment of the Coffee Kid and Pepper Boy? Their vast experience and proven biblical accuracy have been unprecedented and must be recognized.
The current thinking is that when prophecy fails, and you run out of ideas, just say the whole system was rigged. Tear it all down so you can come out on top.
@ 07:24 So, we taught the Gospel of the Kingdom of God and brethren...if this offends people, I'm sorry. We understood almost none of it.Never mind, many other things we learned in our journey to unlock a third of the Bible.
The Father. Jesus. The Gospel. How many more pillars does Samson have to topple before this vile temple comes down?
Dave is bitter that the brethren do not appreciate the blessing of seven years of his brilliant ramblings. He spends a lot of time boring the audience with imaginary math built on imaginary ideas to sell them how special he is. What a pathetic, desperate man whining like a little girl because you do not want to eat the mud pie made in the backyard.
Dave wants you to eat his mud pie and gets pissy if you turn your nose away.
@ 10:32 One man in the Laodicean age working alone for over 15,000 hoursmoved at a speed 260 times faster than the previous century, where thousands of ministers had no curiosity to question anything that was essentially all wrong. Now,should I apologize for that?Some would wish I would.
Some would wish you just shut up.
David C. Pack is not known for his heartfelt apologies. He tells members of the audience they will see their dead child “soon,” but nothing happens. And no apology. The man cares not for the sheep. You feed him. He does not feed you.
The boohoo continues.
@ 11:15 …while being attacked. While getting up and giving sermons where I was nearly dead. I almost went blind in this Series. Most of you don’t know it because of a long history with staphylococcus…but for some people, "It's just not fast enough Mr. Pack.”
What a distorted mind. That is not a complaint by anyone. Speed is not the issue. Accuracy is the issue. Seven years of continual failure for David C. Pack to deliver on even one thing is the issue. Pulling people aside privately to tell them, "You are going to see your dead mother next week," and then not apologize is the issue. A broken church being taught false doctrine is the issue.
@ 11:43 “…I’m not settled like I was when I was blissfully, completely ignorant.” That’s their view.
That is no one’s view. That is Dave’s view of their view. Much like in his conversation with Mr. Behrer when he knew exactly what “Jim” would think and say. Pure fantasy is built on a foundation of ignorant assumptions.
David C. Pack is deteriorating before our eyes. And that process is accelerating. Perhaps 260 times faster than the average kook.
@ 11:56 Some knew better than I did what the answer should be as we were learning certain things. When for ninety-plus years, no one saw anything. Or, we could say everyone saw nothing.
But I see, says the blind man.
If there was ever a way to invalidate the apostleship and ministry of Herbert W. Armstrong of The Worldwide Church of God, boy, David C. Pack found it. I have no skin in the game regarding what HWA was or was not, but since Dave built RCG on HWA’s teachings, how does this not invalidate all the books and booklets on the rcg.org website today?
Edward L. Winkfield must have been weeping in his chair, wondering how in the world they are going to fix all that literature. He can blow off that idea until Tuesday afternoon when it gets real again.
@ 12:24 But, it's been a test for me and, to a small-uh degree, the church.Who had to suffer the plague of this slow-poke who could only move hundreds and hundreds and hundreds of times the speed of anybody else. “And I needed him to move thousands of times. I needed him to stand up as though he got an oracle from Gabriel lay it all out.” So, I’ll say it was, to a small degree, it was tough for the church because it was a process.
I cannot remember ever hearing Dave so bitchy. “The Greatest Unending Story!” has been a trial and a test, but more for Dave than any of you moaners and groaners sitting in the audience. His suffering has been harder than yours. I am surprised he did not declare how he has suffered more than anyone who has ever lived. Maybe Jesus Christ was also expecting that one.
@ 18:26 Now, the Kingdom not arriving for one week on the 24th [of Tishrei] when I spoke a week ago at the Feast, brought what I call "Hard Reality Demanding Really Hard Thinking."
Apparently not. Really Hard Thinking would help him realize God is not using him to teach any of this. He is a biblical fraud and has been for many years. That is the Hard Reality Dave cannot face.
@ 23:04 Some brethren wouldn’t wait. Hundreds of times of speed wasn’t fast enough.
More bitching. It is not about the speed but the accuracy. There used to be the term "doctrinal precision," but that floated away into the ether long ago.
@ 23:09 [Thomas Edison] also said, “Our greatest weakness lies in giving up. The most certain way to succeed is to try just one more time.” So, that’s what I did. Let’s do this.
Dennis Diehl nailed it. Dave really does think that each failure is another step closer to being right. Maybe that worked with inventing the light bulb, but Bible prophecy does not function the same way. The scriptures do not offer an all-you-can-eat attempt at declaring the date for the arrival of the Kingdom of God. It either comes the first time you declare it, or you never declare it again.
@ 34:40 I thought it was Tammuz. Turns out, it couldn’t be Tammuz. Tammuz had 29 days. You need 30 days. But I thought it was Tammuz…
We remember it well.
Part 379 – June 25, 2022
@ 07:13 It is not possible. Write it in your notes. It is not possible that "the month" the Bible talks about is anything other than the fourth month and Tammuz…
@ 18:34 I believe that [Tammuz 1] no less certainly than I believe the seventh day is the Sabbath.
Part 378 – June 15, 2022
@ 37:30 I won’t be telling you we’re gonna wait a month. That’s impossible. You could throw my own words back up against me, if you will.
What a tease you are, Dave. I throw your own words back up against you all the time, but somehow that makes me “more wicked almost than the devil.”
Some folks must have been closing their briefcases and reaching for the umbrella because Dave finally gave a nod to the Worldwiders.
@ 51:58 And the answer is: The church was utterly wrong. But, I don't criticize Mr. Armstrong, and don't say I do.Without that man, I'm not up here. I don't know the truth, and I'm not headed for salvation. I didn't see it, either. So, if I throw stones at him, I better be against a rubber wall, and they bounce back.
See, Old Timers. No reason to walk away from RCG. Mr. Armstrong is still shiny and on the shelf, for Dave to pull down and show you when it suits him. Stay in your seats. Stay…stay…
Dave talks about his encounter with “a very confused man” at the Feast and makes it a teaching moment.
@ 56:50 Brethren, it’s dangerous if God has not designated you to teach truth to the church…you get yourself in potentially-lethal hot water when you play games.
@ 58:15 This man I was talking to said, “It says, [in Revelation 9:6] ‘in those days shall men seek death and shall not find it…’ You know how he read this?Because the man cannot read. He literally can't read, and I was trying to tell him that. He believed that was saying that those scorpions are active on the earth for five months. Not they were paralyzed for five months.
But he literally read it to you! He "literally" did. Someone add a dictionary to Dave's Xmas list.
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Dear “very confused man at the Feast” – If you are reading this article, please reach out at exrcgwebsite@gmail.com. I would love to get your side of the story. I have witnessed the distorted perception of David C. Pack. Do not take it personally. It happens a lot. How it all really went down is of great interest.
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The lesson here: Do not ask Pastor General David C. Pack ANY Bible questions even when you have the opportunity to do so. The man Dave is chastising in front of the entire church learned the hard way.
I stopped asking questions via Church Administration while I was at Headquarters when I was reprimanded by Bradford G. Schleifer and Jeffrey R. Ambrose because of “the wording” of my question. Not because it was a stupid question but because Dave flew off the handle when he read an “accusatory tone" inside my question. I presented it as "the Bible says this, BUT Mr. Pack said that," implying Dave was NOT preaching what the Bible says. Funny to look back now, but that was not my intent in those days.
It was the last time I submitted a question to the RCG ministry at Headquarters. So, “very confused man at the Feast,” I feel you, dude.
The irony is that David C. Pack has the most astonishing piss-poor reading comprehension skills of any human being I have ever heard. He had no qualms teaching the man openly about his weaknesses while Dave continued to hide his own. Interesting.
@ 59:18 People on their own get into bizarre ideas. Sometimes simply because they actually cannot read.
Rubber wall. Stone thrown. Rebound. What a softball, Dave. This is a perfect illustration of where you are today.
Here is the quote where he set the date. Dennis, take note for the Alumni page.
@ 1:02:30 …but only if it’s Cheshvan starting Tuesday. And if you touch the day, you touch the arrival of Cheshvan…That’s 10:56 Tuesday morning, our time. Where ever in the world you are, you have to know that.
If you want a real example of a Dave Pack “proof” that is just a presumption, feast upon this one.
@ 1:20:05 Do you realize if the Day of the Lord comes one month after this Tuesday, God comes on what would be Thanksgiving? And destroys Thanksgiving.Which is kind of interesting. On a nation that is utterly ungrateful but keeps Thanksgiving so they can indulge themselves and watch footballand get drunk.
Great. Something else for RCGers to feel guilty about.
Since when is watching football wrong? The next time Brad, Ed, Ryan, Jaco, or Carl is over at Dave’s house watching the Browns while drinking a Beck’s, they should ask Dave if they are sinning. Have your camera ready because I want that expression framed.
Do not panic. Everyone will enjoy a typical Thanksgiving next month without Red and Black Horses crashing through the windows.
Our brothers to the north are laughing because the Canadian Thanksgiving was two weeks ago. This is the first time in my life that I have ever wanted to be Canadian. Hi, Pete.
Dave forgot to condemn the annual Twilight Zone marathon that was always a personal favorite growing up. The Headquarters congregation must feel like they have been living an endless Twilight Zone episode. Wishing this prophetic jack-in-the-box into the cornfield does not appear to be working.
@ 1:20:49 It’s not a day to be thankful. Most families don’t even ask a blessing.
Unless Dave is actually Santa Claus, who knows who is naughty and nice, appearing inside every home at supper time across the entire United States, he has no idea what he is talking about.
This is another example of “Dave thinks it, therefore it is real.” He treats God the same way.
For years, my parents, who do not go to church, had a blessing over the meal and went around the table as each family member shared what they were thankful for. I felt uncomfortable as a teen, but I appreciate that tradition now.
David C. Pack knows squat.
@ 1:21:01 If you wait one month, guess when God would build the Great Kingdom one month later. Christmas. Anybody think God is gonna build the Great Kingdom on Christmas? I don’t think so.
Um. Well. You did.
Part 217 – November 11, 2019
@ 1:30:44 What if it’s possible with a seven-year Kingdom… that ends around Christmas, it starts around Christmas, or maybe even before Christmas?Sort of like maybe the Series is coming to an end at exactly when God always intended it…
Part 220 – December 5, 2019
@ 57:45 …it makes absolutely plain the Second Kingdom…comes to an end a little before Christmas. It’s just a fact!
Part 222 – December 9, 2019
@ 33:24 God seemed to have timed this out to land at a certain Christmas season…
Part 224 – December 12, 2019
@ 44:11 But if you don't know a Christmas season is in play, you cannot read it any other way, and I defy you to say it was wrong.
It is wrong. Jesus Christ arriving at Christmas time is wrong. David C. Pack, you are wrong. You will always be wrong. See, somebody followed your instruction, but that will be perceived as an attack.
Dave hammered throughout the message how he is the victim in all of this, surrounded by an ungrateful church. The Pity Party rolled on for so long even the Goth kids were bummed out.
@ 1:23:31 But, let’s talk about gratitude. I might step on a few toes, but I want to because I am enormously grateful to God…I had to go seven years or had to re-write all the literature…or lost my kids…grandchildren. It’s just part of the way it is…If I am Elijah, I sure fit the qualification. I’m dishonored by my house and kin...I don’t have any problem with what I had to go through.
If Dave did not “have any problem” with it, he would not mention it. He has a bad habit of broadcasting his insecurities to the whole church, unaware he is doing it. He projects internal criticisms as coming from external sources. Part 400 is a landmark example of this.
Being dishonored for being a dick is not the same as being dishonored for Christ’s or the gospel’s sake. False prophets earn dishonor for being false prophets. False apostles earn dishonor for being false apostles. Lousy fathers earn dishonor for being lousy fathers.
As a gentle way to introduce the smackdown he is about to give all the employees at The Restored Church of God Headquarters, Dave reminds everyone how hard he works.
@ 1:28:05 God says, “Six days shall you labor.” That’s a command. That’s why I work all six days. Mr. Armstrong did, and I work all six days. And if any of you know anything about me, you know I do. Only, now that's not really true. I work all day on the Sabbath, too,because I’m a Levite.
Come on, Dave, even God rested on the seventh day.
David C. Pack, the righteous man of God! He toils for seven days and, yet, produces nothing. The ineffective apostle, unlike Vitacost, cannot deliver on Tuesday.
The big corporations could learn a lot from the team-building synergy Dave generates for his staff in front of the whole church. Behold! The loving shepherd of God feeding His sheep.
Dave should give a TEDx Talk on how to inspire employees. What an edifying and uplifting message. The good news, indeed.
The intended takeaway is lost on me. Is the RCG staff supposed to be grateful that things could be much worse if David C. Pack had his way? I remember throughout the years, he would remark that if he had legal control, the staff WOULD work six full days, which meant nobody would have an extra day to do laundry, mow the grass, or take their kids to the park. Rejoice, brethren.
The more this guy speaks, the more we should all pray that David C. Pack is not a man to whom God gives real authority, now or ever. Some would even choose the Lake of Fire over living under his heavy hand. The guy would be insufferable during the Millennium if he were ever proven right. A thousand years of his crowing is a sentence worse than death.
@ 1:32:04 How grateful are we for this [Series]?
Grateful for the seven-year David C. Pack Meandering Failathon? Ha!
@ 1:32:11 We have people who will wait for Tuesday, and I know what some will do. They’ll have a “wait and see” attitude. They’re not ready. They’re not ready.
They’re not ready? But…they’re “settled,” right? During Part 398, you said, "If you're at the Feast of Tabernacles, you made it!" Are you taking that back? They were ready twelve days ago, but not now? How does that work? Why is their salvation status such a fickle process?
Seven years of your prophetic fraud has cultivated that mindset, Dave. If anyone does NOT have a “wait and see” attitude at this point inside The Restored Church of God, they are probably so broken by corrupt teachings that they will not leave RCG until it burns to the ground around them. And even then, they might choose to burn up with it.
The folks at Headquarters broke for a meal, knowing they would have to fight to keep it down during the next Part.
Due to both messages being so fecal-rich, Part 401 will be covered in the next article.
Never in the entire history of the COG have we seen such a conceited, self-serving narcissist as we have in Bwana Bob Theil. Never in the history of Christianity has a man so insignificant in the Church of God set himself up s the greatest COG leader to ever exist. Even Jesus Christ pales at the awesomeness of Bwana Bob. Jesus himself would never make the claims such as Bwana Bob makes about himself.
Bwana Bob is back to beating his drum again that since he is soooooooooooooooo important in his god's eyes, that Satan is going to be soooooooooooooo angry with him that he will use every attempt to discredit him and shut down his awesome ministry through the use of "deep fakes" designed to go on TV ad say things that Bwana Bob never would say.
Is there any government, any Catholic leader, any Christian leader, atheist, governor, or president who gives a rat's ass about Bwana Bob and his sad little ministry? Even 99.8% of Church of God members don't care about him, so why does he feel he is so important?
Bwana Bob has an article up, again, about how secretive groups will use his likeness to make fake videos and say things he never said. Bob's self-indulgent narcissism even claims Apostle Paul wrote about what would happen to Bwana Bob in the future.
The Apostle Paul warned:
12 Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. 13 But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived. (2 Timothy 3:12-13)
Deepfakes have been part of the deceptive persecution throughout history–and that was before computers.
1 Now, brethren, concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him, we ask you, 2 not to be soon shaken in mind or troubled, either by spirit or by word or by letter, as if from us, as though the day of Christ had come. (2 Thessalonians 2:1-2, NKJV)
Apparently, the Apostle Paul had to deal with some who faked a letter claiming it was from him as well as reports he said things he did not say. So, he warned Christians about that. But that, of course, did not stop the fakes.
Bwana goes on to say:
With modern technology, highly persuasive deceit is possible–and to a degree impossible in Paul’s day.
computer technology and artificial intelligence can make very convincing fakes.
More deep fakes are coming. Some will be used for purpose of deceit and character assassination.
I expect that the time will come when deepfake technolgy will be used to make it seem like I, and others in the CCOG, say and/or do things, that we did not say or do. Actually, I mentioned that in a past sermon...
Then ends with this nonsense:
Expect deepfakes.
Expect those who do not have the love of the truth to try to make it look like faithful Christian leaders say things they did not say.
Expect those who do not have sufficient love of the truth to believe them.
The Bible also teaches in the last chapter of its last book:
14 Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city. 15 But outside are dogs and sorcerers and sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and whoever loves and practices a lie. (Revelation 22:14-15, NKJV)
Hopefully, you truly do His commandments and have proved the truth.
Do not be among those who will believe and love the coming lies.
Why is it that the current crop of Church of God leaders we have are such blatant liars pretending to be God's spokesman? Bwana Bob is a liar and NO ONE will ever be impersonating such a weak, pathetic excuse of a man of God as what we presently see in him.
In an interesting turn of events for the Restored Church of God Whistleblowing industry, recordings of meetings with David C. Pack have reached my inbox.
Since my time at Headquarters, I had forgotten that it was common practice among particular ministers to have voice recorders rolling while in meetings with David C. Pack. This included, but was not limited to, ministerial Bible studies and one-on-one conversations. The purpose of these recordings was to accurately document what was said by the Apostle so that his will could be adequately implemented by the men under his command.
The wisdom of Pastor General David C. Pack is like gold falling from heaven and was meant to be preserved. And preserved on this website, they shall be.
William H. Behrer, III, was already a Headquarters Director when I came to Wadsworth, Ohio, in late 2012. The generosity of him and his wife, Jackie, was legendary among the brethren. They helped provide for my financially-struggling coworker by bringing him lunches from time to time. His hardship was not known even though he sat six feet from me. But the Behrers knew, and they cared with action.
They also had a good reputation in The United Church of God, where they attended before The Restored Church of God. Mr. Behrer and I knew people in common inside UCG. He was cordial, patient, and polite. Everyone knew Bill Behrer was a well-liked and gentle man.
That was a stark contrast from the “hatchet man” reputation he had at Headquarters. The staff knew that if Mr. Behrer came to your workspace and wanted to go for a walk, it was bad news. That is how people were fired for a few years in RCG: Mr. Behrer comes by your desk, and you walk out. You do not come back. I accepted this because he was in the corporate structure of RCG, and somebody had to do the firings. I did not know at the time how much he hated doing it.
Mr. Behrer was a man under authority and a team player. Nobody could fire you in a more comforting way.
David C. Pack made William H. Behrer, III, the RCG Hatchet Man. He was the enforcer who did Dave’s dirty work. That dynamic was lost on me since I was a new lay member at Headquarters who did not question how “God’s Government on Earth” functioned.
Mr. Behrer left RCG Headquarters in July 2014. Later, he was reinstated into the ministry and pastored the Albany, New York congregation.
The Behrers eventually left RCG in the fall of 2016 without looking back.
Mr. Behrer worked for years as the Executive Director of the America-Israel Friendship League. According to his wife, he worked until six days before he died. The man was found so doing.
William H. Behrer, III, died of pancreatic cancer on the afternoon of September 14, 2018.
Kevin Denee wrote a touching article on LinkedIn to honor his dear friend.
“As I wrestle with the hole in my heart, I also reflect on what made Bill so special to me and to so many others. He was one of the most genuine people in this world. Anyone who knew him would say the same.”
Now that you are up to speed, here is the kicker:
Before Mr. Behrer died, he entrusted a few people with audio recordings of meetings with David C. Pack.
I find it fascinating that a man dying of cancer felt strongly enough about recorded conversations with David C. Pack that he did not want them to fade out of existence. When you listen to the content, you will understand why.
To honor the intent of Mr. Behrer and with the blessing of Mrs. Behrer, this first six-minute clip is a Common strategy discussion that was knowingly recorded in April of 2012.
#28 – Common Meeting with DCP & WHB
The audio has been edited to remove identifying elements that would disclose who Bill and Dave are talking about. The man who is the subject of this conversation did not know it existed. His side of the story will be addressed after the transcript.
For context, the Headquarters of The Restored Church of God moved from One Park Center to 1000 Ambassador Drive in May 2013. The Hall of Administration was the first building constructed, but there were already plans for a Mail Building and a Media Center. Tithes and offerings would not provide enough funds to make the RCG Campus possible.
Enter the doctrine known as "Common." This is what still drives the RCG financial ship today. The perverted “sell all” teaching is a David C. Pack distortion of Acts 2:44. Tying this “commanded” doctrine to salvation has helped pressure brethren to give generously throughout the years.
Common is what built the RCG Campus, and Common keeps the RCG Campus afloat today.
In this clip, David C. Pack is advising Mr. Behrer on how to get promised Common funds from “Jim,” who was selling property. When the name “Fenske” is mentioned, that references Jim Fenske of Knoch Corporation, the construction company that built all the buildings on the RCG Campus.
There are no Netflix bombshells, corporate secrets, or “this is illegal” gotcha moments. However, it is a deep dive into the mind of David C. Pack, where his guard is down. He is far less concerned about teaching blatant manipulation or coaxing others to lie for the benefit of The Restored Church of God.
Yes, David C. Pack instructs William H. Behrer, III, to lie.
[Start]
DCP:…If ever there was a doubt, Fenske's numbers removed 'em. Yeah, I know we're gonna get his number down, but we're not gonna get down to where we were. We're gonna get down to where we can make the payment, and bye-bye Friedly.
WHB: Yes.
DCP: And it gets a little better if if Jim puts a hundred and a quarter in. But here's where you are with Jim. And I wanted just to kind of revisit things. There's some other perspectives spiritually, Bill. You have to speak both as a pragmatist and a shepherd.As a spiritual mentor to a young man who, like you said, "This is why I know God brought me into the Work 'cause it's corrupt out there."
WHB: ‘Cause that was part of my comments as well. You know, Jim, let's think about this now.
DCP: Yeah. Yeah. God brought you, but you know, you have to be careful. You said you were gonna give it. You have the liquidity. Now let's go back to something. If you want to show faith, you don't withhold the money you promised to give. And that we for eight months expected, and now more than ever, you're seeing evidence we need it. You wait for one of your properties to sell.
If your thing is, you're not willing to believe that God's gonna take care of you on that land, you're you're not willing to believe, you're not willing to live without a house if He didn't. ‘Cause, that's two options. Live in a condo or believe that God's gonna put you in the house. You're not willing to believe either. Either to do one or believe the other. You wait for some money outta [redacted] to build your house, and you convert that.
WHB: Yes.
DCP: You don't take that liquidity we desperately need. It's blowing up our ability to compute in decisions. So, and here's the other thing. Bill, boy, these are subtle things. Just go slow till you hit all of them 'cause I know you. You're a master at this. And I've learned more about you, Bill. That's why I tell you I don't wanna change you. I don't care what your weaknesses are. I have weaknesses. I try to hide my weaknesses, alright?And you, you're getting better anyway.
But, I will not reduce you or me or Kevin or anybody to going hat-in-hand when we need it.You said you were gonna to give it and it; You're not giving it, you're paying it. It's a command.There's so many things wrong with this, and this is why you have to show him, "Jim, on what basis could Mr. Pack believe if you do not give this, that you're going to give the the condo for the house in [redacted]? Why?” “Well, because we'd have enough for our house.” “But he's even told you that you're gonna [phone buzz]. He even said we'd put you in Rayburn's house. But you turned away. You'd be the you and Scott would be the first two over there. Surely you believe Rayburn's house with that view's better than a condo.” If and both were conceived as temporary.
But if one was, but it was not gonna be temporary, surely you would want the contiguous home against that backdrop versus a condo. If you're gonna have to continue to stay, and you didn't say anything.
WHB: Yes, Sir.
DCP: And you're ready to hold that. You see my point?
WHB: I Do. I do
DCP: There's no there's there's not one or three or five or seven comments that have to be brought up. This is layered.And and okay, let's even say you're gonna keep the money. Some of the money. You kept it all. You can't keep any of it.Yet you you can keep enough that you meet expenses that eight months ago you didn't think you'd have to meet.
WHB: Right.
DCP: That's reasonable and natural.
WHB: Yes.
DCP: But now he's still going to if he if he. Here's the way here's the way you put it. This gives him no place to feel discouraged. He will be discouraged, and at part of it, he should be. But he's gotta know he is not in my doghouse. And the only way to do that, I stress this, Bill, the only way to do that is, "This is me talking to you, Jim. I know I'm a minister, and I'm your boss, but I'm a friend, too. I'm just telling you, don't go away thinking Mr. Pack doubts you. He has no doubt. He's absolutely adamant you're gonna come to see this.That there's no way you'd make that promise in Israel and eight months later not keep it. That you're gonna hear all these meetings. You're gonna see the Fenske numbers. This is Mr. Pack saying. In just telling us, ‘Don't worry, Jim.’ Jim and [redacted] will come to realize they reneged. “So he believes you're gonna give it." So, because he's gonna somebody's gonna say, "You doubt me, and you know." You'll spin it.
WHB: My my purpose in my direction.
DCP: And you say, "No, no, no. That's the whole point. We don't. Mr. Pack doesn't doubt you. But I have concern 'cause I know in April in May, it's all coming out of the sheet, everything." Because he now will believe, "Wait a minute, they really aren't going to give this, and there's no way we can count on it, and it now has to drive financial decisions. It's gonna become an embarrassment in there.And Mr. Pack didn't pull it out now 'cause he's so adamant you're gonna give it." I mean, it's just strategy, Bill. We'll catch him with guile.
WHB: Sure.
DCP: I don't know if he would've given it in April, but I'm trying to give him a way to feel good in my presence.
WHB: That's that's my my my whole purpose is at the end of the conversation, he's gonna say, "Okay, should I just write a check or should I get a cashier's check?" And that it's gonna be all his, he's gonna feel that he's put all the pieces together, understands it, and it's come out and said, "Yes. I, I really," that's what I want to do.
DCP: And let…Boy, oh boy, do I hope so because these numbers from Fenske.
WHB: Oh, it’s just ridiculous.
DCP: And and when they're front-loaded. [whistles] It gets tight.
WHB: Absolutely.
DCP:And Bill, we're not having a good April.
WHB:We're not?
DCP:It is not. No, we're not.
WHB: Let me turn this off here.
[End]
Before offering an analysis of Dave’s words, it is fitting to understand that “Jim” thought the entire conversation was pointless. He was never going to “renege," and the money promised to RCG was contingent upon the sale of their property. That property did eventually sell, and Jim gave RCG what was promised.
He is not bitter today, even after leaving RCG, because he gave the money to God, not David C. Pack. I also gave my Common to God and not David C. Pack. The peace that comes with that viewpoint cannot be explained.
To Mr. Behrer's credit, he never followed through with Dave’s instructions. The conversation with Jim never happened because Mr. Behrer knew it was unnecessary. He was letting Dave vent and then opted to take a more patient approach, knowing “the young man” was a man of his word and would follow through without prodding.
Only Mr. Behrer knows how many times he endured Dave’s pontification to just let the hot air dissipate. I know other ministers who adopted this same method. Dave will give detailed, micro-managing instructions, and the men will ignore him or significantly alter their course of action. They recognize wisdom when they hear it. They recognize foolishness when they hear it, too.
Bradford G. Schleifer takes the same approach today. I have witnessed him using “the Dave filter” to smooth over the sharp edges of information. He does not lie but paints with a broad, glossy brush. Ed, Ryan, and Dr. Ranney have also benefited by following suit.
CYA is the RCG way at the HOA.
The enablers on the Executive Team operate with this understanding. Give Dave "just enough" to "feel aware," but not too much that he would want to meddle. Say something the wrong way, and you could fall into a snare bumming out everyone involved.
Brad is the one who really runs the day-to-day show over there. The RCG machine runs smoother without Dave, and everyone on the third floor knows it.
Brad oils the gears. Dave sprinkles sand on them.
These conversation comments give a glimpse into the thinking of David C. Pack, the Pastor General of The Restored Church of God.
“I have weaknesses. I try to hide my weaknesses, alright?”
I was taught we were to overcome our weaknesses. Hiding a weakness does not address the problem but only masks it from others. Weaknesses should be conquered so we can be better, stronger, and more effective as we develop in life.
Even though this was ten years ago, he carries the same philosophy today and, in many ways, has gotten far worse. Dave does not need to improve because that is for the little people. He can easily sit you down for 90 minutes and explain how you can overcome your weaknesses but then get up and walk out, hiding his own.
Dave is not as good at "hiding his weaknesses" in his old age as he used to be. Now, he has no problem exposing them to everyone in the church. Watching his deterioration over the past several months is a testament to that. What he freely admits in a sermon today would have been cut out two years ago.
What a great example of “Follow me as I follow Christ.” God’s Apostle hides his weaknesses. Maybe that should be another pillar on the RCG logo.
“But, I will not reduce you or me or Kevin or
anybody to going hat-in-hand when we need it.”
So much for a humble attitude. He sees it as a reduction to ask someone for money because they need it. He wants the money and strategizes for the money, but he wants to save face while doing it.
His conversation with Mr. Behrer is entirely about using manipulation to guilt someone into giving Common, so they do not have to "ask" for it. Again, the whole conversation was moot because the giving was a foregone conclusion to the man they were discussing.
"…stress this, Bill, the only way to do that is, 'This is me talking to you, Jim.
I know I'm a minister, and I'm your boss, but I'm a friend, too.'"
Talk about manipulation. RCG ministers are “not allowed to be friends” with lay members. Unless they are a big fish with money to be gotten. Then, the minister is your friend who will speak softly and hold your hand. But once you lay the money on the bedside table, they'll be out the door while you are in the shower.
This example, and deeper into the conversation, shows how Dave uses the men under him as meat puppets. Their mouths open, but Dave’s fingers are moving them. Well, that is what he wanted of them.
Dave loves to dictate precisely what men are supposed to write and what they are supposed to say. Do not think this is a unique case. I have more of this kind of stuff.
Dave touches their lips so his words come out of their mouth.
That is why these meetings are recorded. The men need "precision" when handling situations, per Dave.
Notice how he crawled inside Jim’s head and understood in advance what he would think and what he would say. Oh, the talent! He has quite the knack for this because he also does that a lot.
It is a shame that the grown men under his control cannot think for themselves.
“… don't go away thinking Mr. Pack doubts you. He has no doubt.
He's absolutely adamant you're gonna come to see this…”
I did not graduate from college, but that sounds like a lie. The entire point of the whole conversation was because David C. Pack was worried Jim was not going to give the $125,000 he “desperately needed.” He had nothing BUT doubt. Otherwise, they would not be talking.
Just ask: Why would an “apostle” of Jesus Christ instruct another minister of Jesus Christ to lie to a member to get money out of them? Wow. And this was before he realized he was Elijah.
“Mr. Pack doesn't doubt you. But I have concern 'cause I know…”
I see why Mr. Behrer refused to follow through with this. Any man of conscience would do the same. Not only does Dave want him to lie to Jim, but then take the heat for the purpose of the discussion in the first place. He is asking Mr. Behrer to fall on his sword and be the bad guy in the discussion about Common.
Godly servant leadership, indeed.
If it were appropriate to extend the middle finger during this discussion, it would be right here. In a way, Mr. Behrer got the last word in this conversation even though he died first.
“And Bill, we're not having a good April.”
And there it is. The source of Dave’s concern. The motivator for teaching Mr. Behrer people skills.
But, the Hall of Administration was built, then occupied in May 2013. Followed by the Mail Building, the Media Center, and the Pole Barn. All the while, houses along Akron Road and Hartman Road were being bought and renovated. The good ole days for RCG.
Surely, Dave uttered these words again privately back in June and July of this year when he was forced to sell the house on Hartman Road so he could improve the $500,000 lawn of the 786 Akron Road fixer-upper.
Based on the content summaries that came with over 16 hours of audio files, this seemed like the best introduction to what has now come to light.
I can visualize Mr. Behrer in his casket, giggling up a storm. That is not my theology, just a funny image I cannot shake.
I am referred to as “that devil Marc Cebrian” by David C. Pack because I publish information. Not misleading information. Not wrong information. Not lies. Not libel. Ponder how accurate information condemns David C. Pack. He certainly is.
The sharpest daggers to cut David C. Pack are the words of David C. Pack. His sermons. His literature. His meetings. His conversations. The man shoots fiery darts at himself. I am just a scribe.
If anyone else has audio in their archives that they feel would be befitting of a modern-day examination, please get in touch with me at exrcgwebsite@gmail.com.
I recognize I am poking the bear using a Behrer. Let the truth prevail.
