COGWA Lists 195 Congregations, Larry Salyer, & Peter Hawkins

COGWA has completely revamped the appearance of its website and has also updated the congregations on its webpage. It has listed 93 in international areas, plus 102 congregations in the United States.

Jim Franks stated two weeks or so ago that COGWA has more USA congregations than have thus far been listed. This must be a serious blow to UCG as it appears that all the ministerial names I recognize were all part of UCG this time last year.

For the first time, Larry Salyer is listed on the congregation’s page with the Ruston, Louisiana congregation (his name did not appear on the COGWA webpage anywhere prior to this when I checked in the past).

Larry Salyer resigned his media position in UCG last April and around November 2010 co-founded a group called COG-America with Leon Walker and Ken Giese. COG-America seemed to have been disbanded about when COGWA formed. Larry Salyer was once the Director of Church Administration for the Global Church of God and was instrumental in its takeover in 1998 as well as its subsequent dissolving. He led about 10-15% of the old GCG into UCG over a decade ago–and now he is part of COGWA.

COGWA seems to be the largest group to form from the UCG (former UCG President David Hulme’s COGaIC had been the largest breakaway group from it prior to COGWA). Former UCG president Clyde Kilough is one of COGWA’s leaders. Peter Hawkins, former CEO of UCG in the United Kingdom who resigned on February 8, 2011, is now listed with COGWA’s London congregation.

This crisis has been a real struggle for those in or once part of UCG as parties on both sides seem to be offended by the actions of those on the other side. This split is also likely causing financial tensions for the two primary groups affected. It is also causing confusion.

LCG’s Dr. Meredith has written:

Right now, Satan has thrown thousands of brethren in the United Church of God into division and confusion. Charges and counter-charges are being hurled back and forth between the different factions of their ministry. As a result, many brethren are trying to understand and to figure out “what to do.”

If you are or were part of UCG and are confused about what to do, please pray, fast, and study the Bible about this.

Ask yourself what are the true priorities that the Bible indicates that the church most faithful to the words of Jesus would do and act appropriately.

Some articles of possibly related interest may include:

Polycarp, Herbert W. Armstrong, and Roderick C. Meredith on Church Government What form of governance did the early church have? Was it hierarchical? 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?
Unity: Which COG for You? Why so many groups? Why is there lack of unity in the Churches of God? Has it always been this way? What can/should be done about it?
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.
There are Many COGs: Why Support the Living Church of God? This is an article for those who wish to more easily sort out the different COGs. It really should be a MUST READ for current and former WCG/GCI members or any interested in supporting the faithful church. It also explains a lot of what the COGs are all about.
Concerns about Church of God, a Worldwide Association This seems to be the largest group that came out of the United Church of God. Here is some history and concerns about it.
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 Laodicean Church Era has been predominant circa 1986 A.D. to present. These are non-Philadelphians who mainly descended from the old WCG.