COGWA Hires 59, UCG to Have 50 Public Lectures

Late today, both COGWA and UCG posted letters about some of their happenings.

COGWA’s Clyde Kilough reported:

We are also very pleased that we were able to hire 59 employees this week—most of them pastors and a few office personnel. In addition, we have committed to taking care of the financial needs of the widows and retirees who have stepped out on faith in being with us. Nearly all of those we hired have been out of work for at least six weeks, some for several months. Nevertheless, they continued to serve as much as before, but that obviously could not last forever. All of these men and women have been dedicated to serving the needs of the Church, in spite of suffering financial loss to do so, and we deeply appreciate their sacrifice. At this point we are not able to pay them according to their true worth or previous standard, but we hope that in time that can change.

So, COGWA is hiring but still seems to have tight finances.

UCG’s Aaron Dean reported:

The Good News Kingdom of God Seminars will:

Be held every four months simultaneously in 50 U.S. locations. (In addition, international offices may be able to “piggy back” off the U.S. media and advertising effort, especially since the Sabbath seminar will be advertised in the Good News magazine and on our Web site.)

UCG reported that it had some tight finances yesterday, but also that since it had reserves that it has been able to function.

As I reported before, it is interesting that UCG now seems to wish to follow LCG’s lead and have public lectures.

LCG calls its public lectures TWSPs. Here is a report on them from Richard Ames:

In 2010, Living Church of God ministers conducted 102 Tomorrow’s World special presentations (TWSPs) in the United States, Canada, the Caribbean and parts of Europe and Africa. Along with thousands of you brethren and co-workers, more than 3,400 new visitors came to these presentations, where they heard the Gospel preached with power. (Ames R. Co-Worker Letter, January 14, 2011).

LCG also had several TWSPs in 2011 so far.

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 seems to be causing financial tensions for the two primary groups affected. It is also causing confusion.

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.