COGaIC shake-up leading to another group?
The following is basically the sixth page of a six page document suggesting that the shake-ups happening at the group called Church of God, an International Community (COGaIC) are leading to the formation of another group:
Church of God Ministerial Conference January 3, 2014.Dear brothers and sisters,.As we continue our first steps to understand and define the true nature of the governance of our Fatherand His Son within Their Family and to practice it correctly, we have cautiously decided to:.1.Form an advisory council of those present to assess and meet the needs of God’s spiritual familyduring this initial period..2. Provide weekly Sabbath services (beginning this coming Sabbath, January 4, 2014) andFriday nightBible studies (beginning next week, January 10, 2014) for those desiring them, via Zoom conferencing (visit www.thefatherscall.org for more information)..3. Schedule a post-conference recap meeting and Q&A for deacons and elders..4. Invite those who desire God’s guidance and direction at this time to collectively fast on behalf of all of God’s people, at a time yet to be determined..5. Provide a transitional Web site—www.thefatherscall.org —to supply information and recorded messages. In the spirit of developing a greater understanding of how our Father intends His shepherds to nurture and feed Christ’s flock in accord with the spiritual nature of governance, we recognize the importance of calmly and patiently moving forward, as Christ leads us all..We feel that this conference has enabled us to reconcile with each other with a greater view to the reconciliation of all of God’s people to our Father and to each other. These feelings are echoed in the selected comments of those present..Sincerely,.Those Present:Bill HutchisonBob RodzajBrian OrchardCliff VealMarshall StiverPeter NathanStephen ElliottSteve AndrewsTed Budge
Several of the above were top leaders in COGaIC. According to the “Silenced” website, the new group is considering the name Church of God – A Family Community. Presuming all of that I have found out about this is accurate, it looks like another group is forming that may be similar to COGWA or UCG. David Hulme apparently was invited to this conference but ended up not attending. The departure of so many will have a major impact on COGaIC.
In a follow-up letter, David Hulme was invited to another meeting that is to take place Sunday, January 5, 2014:
As you know, we requested a follow-up session to our December 24th meeting for this coming Sunday, January 5th..Our request still stands for such a meeting to explore reconciliation as well as to review the results of the conference. We implore you to let us join together in caring for God’s people and preparing the way ahead of Christ’s return. No doubt you will agree that the members of God’s family deserve no less than our best efforts toward reconciliation and seeking the Father’s will..Sincerely,.Brian OrchardTed Budge
The issues are basically supposed to be governance and gospel proclamation.
However, it is reported that David Hulme does not believe in “British-Israelism” and supposedly that is what led to some of the resignations. What is odd about that is the following is allegedly in a letter from David Hulme dated 12/18/13:
At that time, the physical descendants of the ancient Israelite tribes, which we believe to be found primarily in northwestern Europe, Britain, the United States and the state of Israel, will also come under their greatest test (see Jeremiah 30:7) . These peoples, especially the British and Americans, have played a significant role in world affairs in the past two centuries. This we believe to be the result of promises made long ago to the patriarchs Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
If this is from him, then it appears that David Hulme (publicly at least) believes in some version of Anglo-Israelism (see also Anglo – America in Prophecy & the Lost Tribes of Israel), so some of the reporting on this split is confusing.
For those unfamiliar with it, COGaIC was founded in 1998 by one-time WCG evangelist David Hulme once he failed to be re-elected as president of the United Church of God (UCG)–and COGWA was another split from UCG.
What I would state here again is that my original concern about COGaIC, which I told one of its supporters in 1998, was that I felt that David Hulme misunderstood proper church governance and did not seem to have the right priorities when it came to gospel proclamation (Matthew 24:14; 28:19-20). I did not consider that it had the right vision, in terms of being Philadelphian, that the most faithful in the Church of God should have. Sadly, events since its formation have basically confirmed this. At this moment, I do not believe that the possible new group will have the correct priorities unless they decide to support the Continuing Church of God (CCOG). This would not seem immediately likely, but it is always possible that one or more leaders will realize that CCOG is leading the final phase of the work and that a group such as the possible Church of God – A Family Community will not be doing so.
It remains my hope and prayer that any that are or were in COGaIC will carefully and prayerfully consider what has been happening. It is my prayer that any who may be Philadelphian will decide to uphold Philadelphia-era standards on doctrine, prophecy, governance, love, and public proclamation.
Do you have the bigger vision to fulfill Matthew 24:14 and Matthew 28:19-20?
Some items of possibly related interest may include:
Church of God, an International Community (COG aic) This is the group led by David Hulme. It seems to minimize parts of biblical prophecy and be restrictive on doctrinal statements.
The Bible, Peter, Paul, John, Polycarp, Herbert W. Armstrong, Roderick C. Meredith, and Bob Thiel 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? What are some of the scriptural limits on ecclesiastical authority? Do some commit organizational idolatry? Here is a Spanish language version La Biblia, Policarpo, Herbert W. Armstrong, Roderick C. Meredith, y Bob Thiel sobre el gobierno de la Iglesia. Here is a link to a sermon titled Church Governance.
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?
Concerns about Church of God, a Worldwide Association Known as COGWA, this is the largest group that came out of the United Church of God. Here is some history and concerns about it. UCG’s former president Clyde Kilough and UK CEO Peter Hawkins are part of 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: What about the Living Church of God? This is an article for those who wish to more easily sort out the different COGs.
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?
What is a True Philadelphian? Many claim to be part of the Philadelphia era of the Church, but is claiming enough? This article has biblical and historical evidence about who really are the Philadelphians.
The 18 Restored Truths: Do You Know What the First Changes the Tkach Administration Made? Some have said healing, others other subjects, but probably the first change had to do with eliminating being part of the Philadelphia era. This article documents what those changes were and compares the Tkach list of restored truths to Herbert W. Armstrong’s list of restored truths. It contains many quotes from Herbert W. Armstrong.
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 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. These are non-Philadelphians who mainly descended from the old WCG.
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?
How To Determine If Someone is a True Prophet of God There are many false prophets. How can Christians determine who is a true prophet? There is also a sermon-length video titled How to determine if someone is a true prophet of God. Here is a related link in Spanish/español: ¿Cómo determinar si alguien es un verdadero profeta de Dios?
The Gospel of the Kingdom of God was the Emphasis of Jesus and the Early Church Did you know that? Do you even know what the gospel of the kingdom is all about? You can also see a YouTube video sermon The Gospel of the Kingdom.
How To Determine If Someone is a True Prophet of God There are many false prophets. How can Christians determine who is a true prophet? There is also a sermon-length video titled How to determine if someone is a true prophet of God. Here is a related link in Spanish/español: ¿Cómo determinar si alguien es un verdadero profeta de Dios?
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 most faithful in the Church of God, like the beliefs held of the Continuing Church of God.
The Laodicean Church Era has been predominant circa 1986 A.D. to present. These are non-Philadelphians who mainly descended from the old WCG.
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。
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 is expected to have more non-English language materials in the future.
CCOG.EU This is a website targeted toward Europe. It has materials in more than one language (currently it has English, Dutch, and Serbian, with links also to Spanish) and it is intended to have additional language materials added.
CDLIDD.ES La Continuación de la Iglesia de Dios. This is the Spanish language website for the Continuing Church of God.
PNIND.PH Patuloy na Iglesya ng Diyos. This is the Philippines website Continuing Church of God. It has information in English and Tagalog.
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.
Leading the Final Phase of the Work Matthew 24:14 will be fulfilled. 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.
Continuing Church of God The group striving to be most faithful amongst all real Christian groups to the word of God.
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