UCG: We Are Going To Be Knocking On A Lot Of Doors To See Which One God WIll Open

 

Those fun boys in Cincinnati have their work cut out for them They are in the process of knocking on a lot of doors in social media and other avenues of outreach. One thing that you can say about UCG is that they have made full use of social media far more than any of the other die-in-the-wool COG's have.

We have the opportunity to serve and be a part of this work—as we strive, under Christ’s direction and guidance—to literally preach the gospel “in all nations” as He instructs. We live in an unparalleled time when, through the power and “miracle” of social media programs like Facebook and Instagram, and the worldwide power and reach of YouTube, we literally can reach nations that may never before in this era of the Church received that message. 

 

God has provided the talent, skills, financial, and other resources so this can be accomplished, as He wills. We will be “knocking on doors” of those many opportunities to see which ones God will choose to open as we move closer and closer to the time of Christ’s return. His Church—all of us—must “work the works of Him who [called] us, while it is day” (John 9:4). 

 

And we can use the help of all of you, too. We know God has called and provided talents and skills in every area of the world. We need to understand each area of the world better, so that we may do the Work in all areas of the world, not just from the home office.

Then like any good COG will do, they have to remind members that this cannot be accomplished without their money. Lots of it! 

We are here to help and serve, but your contributions are necessary since Scripture teaches us that “every part does its share” (Ephesians 4:16). If you would like to write articles about the spiritual or life situations in your area of the world, if you have skills in technology or other areas that can help us further the work in your area, let us know. God’s work will be accomplished by “what every joint supplies.”

Apparently, an impotent god cannot open doors without a little money lubrication.  The more you give the easier that door will open!

Rogue UCG Minister Holding His Own Feast Site To Compete With UCG Italy Site

 

Angelo Di Vita

The clown show that is the Church fo God continues on unabated! Woo Hoo! 

Splints and splinters are the name of the game. 

Such an amazing legacy Herbert Armstrong has unleashed on the world!

Check this out from UCG's member update about a UCG rogue minister.

At this time, too, it is necessary for us to remind you that the site being advertised in 

Sabaudia is not a United Church of God Feast site. Neither Angelo Di Vita, nor his church, which continues to errantly use our name, are part of us or affiliated in any way with UCGIA, and Mr. Di Vita is no longer a minister in the United Church of God, having had his ministerial credentials revoked by the Council of Elders in December 2023, for several ethical violations. He has declared himself “autonomous and independent” from UCGIA. Thus, his Feast site or anything associated with him and his church is not part of us. 

What good does revoking preaching credentials do in the Church of God movement? It did not matter when their credentials were revoked when they left or were kicked out of the mother church, the Worldwide Church of God. It did not even matter when ministers were kicked out or left the Radio Church of God. It never mattered when Herbert apostatized from the COG7. 

It has never worked as hundreds of splinter groups left other splinter groups with all of them keeping their credentials intact. Not one of them ever had the decency to stop preaching since they had no credentials to do so. They just formed new organizations, set up their own rules of engagement, and did what they wanted to do.

UCG's stance that they revoked Angelo Di Vita's credentials is useless. They never set an example for him to follow so why should he listen to them?

Fear: The Biggest Tool of Manipulation of the Church

 

From a reader:

I am grateful to my WCG parents for starting their family in 1975, despite the apocalyptic expectations of the time. 

 

But despite Mr Armstrong's prophecies of doom not eventuating on schedule, the church culture has continued to embrace an enthusiasm for the mantra that doom is imminent, that the world continues to get worse and worse, and we're just circling the edge of the drain at this point. I was of the era that grew up listening to "It Won't Be Long Now" (apparently sung by a nervous young lady with a drugged-up lion lounging behind her) on the Young Ambassadors. When I was 10, I was assured by someone in the congregation, "You won't have a chance to get baptised; you won't get married; you won't have kids; because Jesus Christ will return before then." Looking back, I resent this false message. 

 

The old-timers in UCG apparently still believe the notion. But the younger folks (which is to say, those under 60) don't seem to embrace the doom messaging so much. I suppose there's a possibility that they might turn out to be right, but only by accident. History of the last few decades has shown that we're not prophets; the more we say it, the more we lose credibility. But it's apparently so ingrained and still repeated often enough in the church echo-chamber that people aren't cognisant of how stale the message is. We've learned only in so much as we don't set dates — now we just say suitably vaguely, "soon". 

 

The doom message is not just stale, but it has failed to bear fruits of righteousness. If anything, expectation of imminent doom encourages us to defer any long-term investment in growing in grace and knowledge and wisdom. It encourages us to just sit tight and spiritually stagnate while we expect the prophesied doom is just around the corner... any day now... no really, it's coming, very soon! Historically it influenced members to make unwise financial and even marital decisions with a short-term outlook, since they didn't expect to have to face long-term consequences for such decisions. 

 

The doom message discourages us from being the salt and the light of the world. We ought to be contributing to the physical and spiritual good of our communities. But I see the church becoming more insular, more "us versus them", preaching that we're the good people and everyone out there are the rebellious ones. "Come out of her, my people" is a message I hear more often than "be the salt and the light". 

 

Perhaps the old-timers are worried that giving up on this message amounts to giving up on a sense of urgency, make us Laodicean, etc. But we need a sense of urgency that is relevant whether Jesus Christ has a second coming in 6 months or 1,000 years. Life is like a vapour, and for each of us personally, our personal calendar entry for standing before Jesus Christ might be effectively tonight, for all we know. Romans 13:11-14 can give each of us a sense of urgency. The true gospel message is one that should give every human a sense of personal urgency, regardless of national or political circumstances, or the timing of a second coming. 

 

I wish we would just give up on the doom messaging which time has shown to be embarrassingly inaccurate. It undermines our historic claims of legitimacy, and more importantly, fails to properly represent or glorify God. It's also simply not the gospel.Sunday, February 11, 2024 at 5:46:00 AM PST