UCG President On Aging Towards Extinction

Main Street of Laodicea (A Term Signifying the Rule by the People)

For quite some time, many at the anti-COG sites have claimed that the COGs are dying out. Some time ago, I posted information that in the case of the Living Church of God, at least, we had many younger members.

In his last member letter, UCG’s President Clyde Kilough wrote the following:

Contrary to popular opinion, we are not simply a church that is quickly aging toward extinction! The 2007 U.S. Feast of Tabernacles registration figures tell an interesting story in terms of age demographics:

• Seniors (those over 60)—3,404, or 26 percent of total attendance.
• Adults (aged 30-60)—5,438, or 41 percent.
• Youth and young adults (under 30)—4,413, or 33 percent.

Not only do we have many children, teens and young adults, but many of them are already
dedicated to living God’s way of life.

This Church has a future even from within its current membership, to say nothing of potential
growth from new people. That means we will need strong pastoral leadership. One of the guiding
principles of the United Church of God in 1995 was to provide pastors for each congregation, and we
have done that. By and large, we have been blessed with veteran leadership in that capacity, and we
currently have 89 pastors overseeing the 216 U.S. congregations…

Today we see brought to the table of discussion all sorts of ideas about Church doctrine, Church
governance, Church administration, how the gospel should or should not be preached, etc. These are the big-ticket items. Of lesser importance—although not necessarily lesser intensity of opinion—are matters such as educational programs and approaches, financial management, home office relocation, who should have certain responsibilities, etc.

The fact is that Jesus said that the gates of Haydes (the grave/death) would not prevail against the church (Matthew 16:18). LCG will not die out. And UCG says, neither will it.

UCG, though, does have problems with its governance, doctrine, approach to proclaiming the gospel, and its home office relocation, etc.

Some articles of related interest may include:

There are Many COGs: Why Support the Living Church of God? This is an article for those who wish to easily sort out the different COGs. It really should be a MUST READ for current and former WCG members or any interested in supporting the faithful church. It also explains a lot of what the COGs are all about.
Differences between the Living Church of God and United Church of God This article provides quotes information from the two largest groups which had their origins in WCG as well as commentary.
Polycarp, Herbert W. Armstrong, and Roderick C. Meredith on Church Government What form of governance did the early church have? Which form of governance would one expect to have in the Philadelphia remnant? The people decide and/or committee forms, odd dictatorships, or the same type that the Philadelphia era itself had?
Should the Church Still Try to Place its Top Priority on Proclaiming the Gospel or Did Herbert W. Armstrong Change that Priority for the Work? Some say the Church should mainly feed the flock now as that is what Herbert W. Armstrong reportedly said. Is that what he said? Is that what the Bible says? What did Paul and Herbert W. Armstrong expect from evangelists?
The Philadelphia Church Era was predominant circa 1933 A.D. to 1986 A.D. The old Radio Church of God and old Worldwide Church of God, now basically the Living Church of God.
The Laodicean Church Era was predominant circa 1986 A.D. to present. Non-Philadelphians who mainly descended from the old WCG.