Cartwright’s Journal Out: UCG, CBCG, CG7, & Harry Sneider

The latest issue (#162, print date May 31, 2014) of The Journal was sent out electronically and just received.

Its lead articles had to do with UCG, CBCG, CG7, and Harry Sneider.

Here is some UCG information that Dixon Cartwright put together for the front page of The Journal:

As reported by Milan Bizic and Mitchell Moss in the May-June 2014 issue of United News, elders of the United Church of God met and collectively made decisions at their 2014 general conference in Cincinnati, Ohio, May 3-4…

Four council seats

According to the church’s member newsletter the elders voted to approve the yearly budget (of $16.4 million), its strategic (long-range) plan, its operation (fiscal 2014-15) plan and the proposed (minor procedural) revisions to the constitution. They also decided who would sit on four seats of the council of elders.

Aaron Dean is back

Three of the four seats up for election or reelection on the 12-man council remain the same after the conference: those occupied by Robin Webber, Donald Ward and Bill Bradford. One changed: Aaron Dean (a former council member) took the seat previously held by Darris McNeely. Here is a list of the 12 council members: Carmelo Anastasi, Scott Ashley, Bill Bradford, Roc Corbett, Aaron Dean, John Elliott, Mark Mickelson, Rainer Salomaa, Mario Seiglie, Rex Sexton, Donald Ward and Robin Webber.

8,000 Feast attendance

The article didn’t mention membership figures for the church but did report that attendance of the late festivals in 2013 and the early ones in 2014 was “over 8,000” on each high day.

UCG used to report a Feast attendance in excess of 20,000. Peter Eddington of UCG sent me a report today that shows that UCG had a Feast of Tabernacles’ attendance of 13,391 in 2013.

Here is another front page article, this time related to CBCG:

Christian Biblical Church of God overseer Frederick R. “Fred” Coulter, during an April 5, 2014, visit with congregants in Pasadena, Calif., denounced THE JOURNAL as a newspaper that introduces heresies to the faithful.

“I’m going to cover some things out of this latest THE JOURNAL: NEWS OF THE CHURCHES OF GOD,” said Mr. Coulter, 79, during his sermon titled “Passover Questions and John 17.” Trying to be faithful While speaking, he waved a copy of the newspaper published by Dixon and Linda Cartwright of Big Sandy, Texas, before his audience. “I think he [Mr. Cartwright] needs to retitle it Heresies to Deceive Those Who Are Trying to Be Faithful.”

Moments later Mr. Coulter made another reference to THE JOURNAL.

While I have long had a positive relationship with Dixon Cartwright, I agree with Fred Coulter that The Journal publishes too much clear heresy in its articles and in its advertisements. I have told this repeatedly to Dixon Cartwright.

Another front page article had to do with the death of Harry Sneider:

Harry Sneider dies ARCADIA, Calif.—World-class trainer of athletes and former Ambassador College faculty member Harry Sneider died May 9, 2014. Mr. Sneider, 73, was a worldchampion powerlifter, bench-pressing 451 pounds at age 61. “But even more he was a champion person!” his wife, Sarah, wrote. “So thankful he will live on in our children and grandchildren. He fought the fight, kept the faith, and there is a crown laid up for him…

Harry Sneider, who was employed by Ambassador College on the Pasadena campus for 23 years as head of the weight-lifting area of the physical-fitness department.

Although I do not recall meeting Harry Sneider, I was aware of his role and association with the old Worldwide Church of God.

Another front page article had to do with a new book on church history related to CG7 by its former President Robert Coutler:

The Journey: A History of the Church of God (Seventh Day) by Robert Coulter is available from the CG7’s Web-site bookstore at cog7.org. Robert Coulter, 83, has been associated with the Church of God (Seventh Day) (or CG7) for more than 75 years and served in its ministry for 58 years. He served as chairman of the board of the General Conference, based in Denver, Colo., and president of the church for 24 years.

CG7 is selling the book for USD25.00. It originally was supposed to come out over a year ago, but there were editing delays.

While I personally like Robert Coulter and have been able to discuss many aspects of church history with him over the years, I disagree with him on church eras (The Churches of Revelation 2 & 3) and many aspects of prophecy (Church of God, (Seventh Day): History and Teachings). Those interested in a history of the Church of God more consistent with what CG7 used to teach, is the following free booklet: Continuing History of the Church of God.

Speaking of advertisements, there was a repeated advertisement in The Journal that tried to indicate that Matthew 28:19 was not authentic. However, it is. Those interested in this may wish to study the article Is Matthew 28:19 in the Bible?

There was also an advertisement in support of unitarianism. This is something I have specifically complained to Dixon Cartwright about as I do not believe that heresy should be promoted. Those interested in that claim about the Godhead may wish to read the article Was Unitarianism the Teaching of the Bible or Early Church?

The Journal began to list some Feast of Tabernacles’ sites for 2014. For information on those affiliated with the Continuing Church of God check out Feast of Tabernacles’ Sites for 2014.

Also in The Journal there were the usual letters to the editor and other advertisements, various comments, and opinion articles.

The Journal itself is available by paid subscription (though Dixon Cartwright says some subscriptions are free to those who cannot afford it) and often tends to take a non-Philadelphian era view of certain church matters.