CCOG reports 1900 attended its festival sites and has a total membership of over 2200
In the latest Letter to the Brethren, we in the Continuing Church of God (CCOG) reported that 1900 people attended our fourteen Feast of Tabernacles sites around the world in 2016. Based upon historical data from other groups, it appears that the Continuing Church of God had the fifth or sixth largest attendance of any Church of God (COG) group whose top leaders had once been part of the old Worldwide Church of God.
The top five groups, in order of likely festival attendance in 2016, probably were UCG, LCG, COGWA, PCG, and CCOG. There is also a Portuguese-speaking group in Angola that may be in the top five, but no direct statistics have been seen.
The Continuing Church of God has reports from its leaders, often along with photographs, related to its fourteen Feast of Tabernacles sites in the article: 2016 Feast of Tabernacles Report: How Many Sites? How Many People Attended?
Also in its latest Letter to the Brethren the Continuing Church of God reported that because of financial and other reasons (like distance and health) not all in the Continuing Church of God were able to get to a festival site.
That Letter to the Brethren also mentioned that there are now over 2000 people (including children) that are part of the Continuing Church of God. The actual total is over 2200 claiming membership, not counting those in one African country that CCOG Pastor Evans Ochieng has not yet visited. This total would seem to make the Continuing Church of God about the fifth or sixth largest COG group whose leaders were once part of the old Worldwide Church of God.
The reason I use the word “seem” is that many COG groups are not forthcoming with the general public on the size of their membership (groups like PCG, COGaic, and RCG come to mind that way, plus I do not have statistics on all the groups that had leaders once part of the Worldwide Church of God). But based upon past reports and comments, the Continuing Church of God looks as if it has the fifth or sixth largest membership.
The Continuing Church of God has grown substantially each year since it was necessary to form as a separate entity on December 28, 2012.
As far as Church of God growth goes, one-time Worldwide Church of God evangelist, and now presiding evangelist of the Living Church of God, wrote the folloiwing:
Personal – Pray for Our Financial Growth!
Roderick C. MeredithJanuary/February 2016One special prayer that I would ask all of you to join me in praying is this: let us all together beseech God to grant us in this Work at least half of the financial increase that He gave Mr. Herbert W. Armstrong for about 35 years! For, as Mr. Armstrong explained many times, God gave the Work under his direction about 30 percent increase year by year for about 35 years.
Near the end of his ministry, with personal problems and sins growing throughout the Church, those blessings were taken away or cut back. …
God Almighty is still alive, He is working through us right now, and—as these terrible end-time events approach—we really need to shake the world with the knowledge of His Kingdom far more than we have ever done. Remember, brethren, we are only “beginning to fight.” We have not yet finished! So again, since Jesus told us: “ask and you shall receive,” we can with faith ask God to give us at least one-half of the financial increase He gave His Church all those years when Mr. and Mrs. Armstrong were still alive and doing the Work. That would be a 15 percent financial increase of this Work year by year. I hope all of you will sincerely and zealously do your part. But I am not going to “press you” on that. For that is up to you and between you and God as you “walk with Him” in the fear of God. But I feel that God would want us to cry out and ask Him for the blessing that I have already indicated. Then, we could go on far more television stations, greatly increase our impact over the Internet—which is certainly the “wave of the future”—increase our personal appearance campaigns and “grow” the Work in every possible way.
When I first began this present Work back in 1992, I was a little embarrassed to ask for money. …
Most of you realize this. If you go around your neighborhood you find virtually no one who has heard of the Living Church of God or any of the other groups that are trying to do God’s Work today. This needs to change! So I hope all of us can begin to fast and to pray fervently and ask God to help us stir ourselves to do our part far more zealously and begin to serve our Creator with zeal and to give of our physical substance sacrificially as we are able. Some of our brethren are already doing this. But I am fully aware that many of our brethren—often fine brethren who mean well and who are already giving a little bit of their substance—are nevertheless sitting on hundreds of thousands or millions of dollars worth of money, property and other resources they very rarely touch to help do the Work of the living God at the very end of this age.
Think of it! …
God’s Word tells us: “Now the multitude of those who believed were of one heart and one soul; neither did anyone say that any of the things he possessed was his own, but they had all things in common.And with great power the apostles gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And great grace was upon them all.Nor was there anyone among them who lacked; for all who were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the proceeds of the things that were sold,and laid them at the apostles’ feet; and they distributed to each as anyone had need. And Joses, who was also named Barnabas by the apostles (which is translated Son of Encouragement), a Levite of the country of Cyprus, having land, sold it, and brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet” (Acts 4:32–37). God does not ask us to “have all things in common” as did these first-century Christians, but we can still be moved and inspired today by their great zeal.
Is it too much to ask that all of us follow the pattern of the early Church and give of ourselves, our time, our energy and our possessions in the very service of Jesus Christ at the end of this age?
So according to what he wrote above, Dr. Meredith believes that sins cause COG groups to have less than 30% growth, so he is hoping for 15%. He urged his membership to think about it. Well, there are sins in LCG (see Why Bob Thiel Left the Living Church of God). According to Dr. Meredith’s own logic, there are severe problems with LCG as he does not believe they are giving as he thinks they should. Plus LCG has other problems.
Consider the following:
42 Jesus said to them, “Have you never read in the Scriptures:
‘The stone which the builders rejected
Has become the chief cornerstone.
This was the Lord’s doing,
And it is marvelous in our eyes’?43 “Therefore I say to you, the kingdom of God will be taken from you and given to a nation bearing the fruits of it. 44 And whoever falls on this stone will be broken; but on whomever it falls, it will grind him to powder.” (Matthew 21:42-44)
LCG, like most other COG groups, has rejected proper church governance (see The Bible, Peter, Paul, John, Polycarp, Herbert W. Armstrong, Roderick C. Meredith, and Bob Thiel on Church Government and How To Determine If Someone is a True Prophet of God). And the known facts demonstrate that LCG has not hit the type of growth that Dr. Meredith states show God’s blessing.
Yet, we in the Continuing Church of God have exceeded that 30% growth standard Dr. Meredith is pointed to each year–both in membership and in income–since our formation. Now that does not mean that God will continue to provide that growth each year, but so far it is a fact.
The plain truth is that the Continuing Church of God has been the fastest growing of the top ten COG groups since it hit the top ten. And obviously the Continuing Church of God grew faster than the other supposedly 300 COG groups that somehow split from the old Worldwide Church of God to get to this level.
This growth was not done with large amounts of money as we believe we have the least income of the top ten largest groups with origins in the old WCG.
Of course the Bible says:
6 This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel:
‘Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’
Says the Lord of hosts. (Zechariah 4:6)7 For we walk by faith, not by sight. (2 Corinthians 5:7)
5 Look among the nations and watch —
Be utterly astounded!
For I will work a work in your days
Which you would not believe, though it were told you. (Habakkuk 1:5)
We are doing that work. We strive to go through the doors that Jesus opens (cf. Revelation 3:7-13).
Furthermore, consider that Jesus said:
16 You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles? 17 Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Therefore by their fruits you will know them. (Matthew 7:16-20)
As far as fruits go, as I have stated in the past, we have had many baptism and greatly exceeded the 30% growth per year that the old Worldwide Church of God used to claim it had for decades. Many of those that we have attending with us did NOT have a WCG background as we reached been able to reach people other groups have not.
We have reached people in over 220 nations and territories, and in multiple languages–and have the fruits to show that we have been effective at it. We also have reached millions over the internet, had over 740,000 views of our YouTube television channels, reached millions over radio, and printed and distributed thousands of pieces of printed literature (magazines, song books, and booklets). Plus, we have had our materials translated into over 100 different languages! (You can also watch Behind the Work 2016: All Nations, Tribes, People, and Tongues.)
However, as we intend to reach billions one day, we still have a long way to go. But we must work and prepare for that time–and we are doing that as well.
The Bible says:
28 For He will finish the work and cut it short in righteousness, Because the Lord will make a short work upon the earth. (Romans 9:28)
Since God will finish the work, and it needs to be a witness to all nations (Matthew 24:14; 28:19-20), we need to prepare for what I have referred to as the short work (see Preparing for the ‘Short Work’ and The Famine of the Word).
We have spent just over forty-six months doing so (since 12/28/2012), and are implementing plans to expand the pool of those that we can potentially reach.
In the 1980s, it was reported that then US President Ronald Reagan stated that you can get a lot done if you are not too concerned about who gets the credit.
Well, from a COG perspective, one can reach a lot of people if they go through the doors that Jesus opens (Revelation 3:7-13) without money (cf. Luke 9:2-3), if the group is not concerned whether or not those being reached have any money (cf. James 2:1-4).
Some have criticized us as only having growth because of reaching Africans. A leader at one of the largest COGs actually tried to say we succeeded there because of money. And while we do provide some financial support to reach people and help feed the poor in Africa (Galatians 2:10)–and would like to do more as we have the funds–the particular COG that minister was in had about 100 times our income when he wrote me that and his group spends much more money in Africa than we do–yet they only have a fraction of our membership in these regions of Africa.
And while it is true that the bulk of our membership is in Africa, in North America we have had over 30% growth in membership and income per year.
We meet the criteria that some have set for the true, and most faithful, COG.
It remains my view that the Continuing Church of God best represents the remnant of the Philadelphia portion of the Church of God, is the group most faithful to the word of God, and is leading the final phase of the work.
Others have their own opinions, but we are striving to have the fruits Jesus stated His faithful would have (Matthew 7:16-20; cf. 21:43). And statistics back up the Continuing Church of God here.
The growth in the Continuing Church of God has been consistent and exciting.
Do you wish to support the final phase of the work?
Two free online booklets that some might find to be helpful are: Where is the True Christian Church Today? and Continuing History of the Church of God.
Some items of possibly related interest may include:
The Final Phase of the Work What is the final phase of the work? Who will lead it? Do you have the courage to support it? Here is a related YouTube video titled The Final Phase of the Work. The written article has been translated into Spanish La Fase Final de la Obra.
Preparing for the ‘Short Work’ and The Famine of the Word What is the ‘short work’ of Romans 9:28? Who is preparing for it? Here is a link to a related video sermon titled: The Short Work.
Congregations of the Continuing Church of God This is a listing of congregations and groups of the Continuing Church of God around the world.
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 lower level leaders? A related sermon is available titled Priority of the Philadelphia Work.
Leading the Final Phase of the Work Matthew 24:14 teaches “And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come ” will be fulfilled and RCG is not the group doing this. Who is leading the final phase of the work? What did Herbert Armstrong and the old WCG teach about that and about prophets? Does Bob Thiel meet the criteria that the Bible and the old WCG set? What is the proof? What has the Continuing Church of God been doing? This is a sermonette length video.
Where is the True Christian Church Today? This free online pdf booklet answers that question and includes 18 proofs, clues, and signs to identify the true vs. false Christian church. Plus 7 proofs, clues, and signs to help identify Laodicean churches. A related sermon is also available: Where is the True Christian Church? Here is a link to the booklet in the Spanish language: ¿Dónde está la verdadera Iglesia cristiana de hoy? Here is a link in the German language: WO IST DIE WAHRE CHRISTLICHE KIRCHE HEUTE? Here is a link in the French language: Où est la vraie Église Chrétienne aujourd’hui?
Continuing History of the Church of God This pdf booklet is a historical overview of the true Church of God and some of its main opponents from Acts 2 to the 21st century. Related sermon links include Continuing History of the Church of God: c. 31 to c. 300 A.D. and Continuing History of the Church of God: 4th-16th Centuries. The booklet is available in Spanish: Continuación de la Historia de la Iglesia de Dios, German: Kontinuierliche Geschichte der Kirche Gottes, and Ekegusii Omogano Bw’ekanisa Ya Nyasae Egendererete.
CCOG.ORG Continuing Church of God The group striving to be most faithful amongst all real Christian groups to the word of God. To see how CCOG has done so far, here are links to two sermons Continuing Church of God (CCOG) first year anniversary: What has been accomplished? and The Continuing Church of God: Two Years of Proclamation. Here is a written link to a version of that sermon in the Spanish language: Aniversario del primer año de la Continuación de la Iglesia de Dios: ¿Qué se ha cumplido?
Congregations of the Continuing Church of God This is a listing of congregations and groups of the Continuing Church of God around the world.
501(c)(3)? Why the Continuing Church of God chose a better option Churches in the USA do NOT have to register as 501(c)(3). Why would they? Why is what CCOG did better?
Why is the Continuing Church of God a corporation sole? What is a ‘corporation sole’ and why is this a better organizational choice?
Behind the Work: Go Therefore and Make Disciples How is the Continuing Church of God making disciples. What has been happening in the Continuing Church of God related to this and aspects of the final phase of the work. This ‘behind the work’ video shows New Zealand, Africa, Jerusalem, Vatican City, the USA, and the United Kingdom as well as one from Asia. Teaching and baptisms are shown.
CCOG.ASIA We in the Continuing Church of God also have the url www.ccog.asia which has a focus on Asia and has various articles in Mandarin Chinese as well as some in English, plus some items in other Asian languages. 我们在继续神的教会也提供此网址 www.ccog.asia, 关注于亚洲并且有各种各样的中英文文章，其中一些用菲律宾语翻译的文章也正在进行中，准备添加到这个网站中。 Here is a link to our Statement of Beliefs in Mandarin Chinese 继续神的教会的信仰声明.
CCOG.IN This is a website targeted towards those of Indian heritage. It has a link to an edited Hindi translation of The Mystery of the Ages and has other Indian language translations of certain CCOG literature.
CCOG.EU This is a website targeted towards Europe. It has materials in multiple European languages.
CCOG.NZ This is a website targeted towards New Zealand and others with a British-descended background.
CCOGCANADA.CA This is a website targeted towards those in Canada.
CDLIDD.ES La Continuación de la Iglesia de Dios. This is the Spanish language website for the Continuing Church of God and has articles in español/castellano.
PNIND.PH Patuloy na Iglesya ng Diyos. This is the Philippines website Continuing Church of God. It has information in English and Tagalog.
501(c)(3): Why the Continuing Church of God chose a better option Many churches in the USA have put themselves under greater government control by registering as a 501(c)(3) charity. The Continuing Church of God chose a better option.
Why Bob Thiel Left the Living Church of God Several have speculated reasons, but here is the truth. (En el idioma español: ¿Por qué Bob Thiel dejó la Iglesia del Dios Viviente?)
Journal Report on Continuing Church of God Leader Bob Thiel Bob Thiel was interviewed by The Journal News of the Churches of God related to him being a prophet, the proclamation goals of the Continuing Church of God, and why he left LCG.
Response to a Letter from Dr. Roderick C. Meredith Dated December 28, 2012 In violation of Matthew 18, Dr. Meredith publicly sent out a letter that forced Dr. Thiel to conclude that the Continuing Church of God must be formed. Here is that letter and some of Bob Thiel’s comments about it. Here is a version in the Spanish language Respuesta a una carta del Dr. Roderick C. Meredith fechada el 28 de diciembre, 2012.
What About the Living Church of God? Are there Doctrinal Differences with the Continuing Church of God? This article explains some information and doctrines of the Living Church of God as led by Roderick C. Meredith and some concerns about them. (En el idioma español: ¿Qué hay acerca de la Iglesia de Dios Viviente? ¿Hay diferencias doctrinales con la Continuación de la Iglesia de Dios?)
The Sardis Church Era was predominant circa 1600 A.D. to circa 1933 A.D. Discusses early history of the Seventh Day Baptists, Seventh-day Adventists, and COG-7th Day.
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 the remnant of that era is basically the most faithful in the Church of God, like who hold to the beliefs and practices of the Continuing Church of God.
The Laodicean Church Era has been predominant circa 1986 A.D. to present. The Laodiceans are non-Philadelphians who mainly descended from the old WCG or its offshoots. They do not properly understand the work or biblical prophecies and will face the Great Tribulation if they do not repent. One video of related interest is 17 Laodicean Errors in Prophecy.
 |
Tweet |
|