COGWA Moving in March 5

In its announcement dated 03/01/12 COGWA has the following from Jim Franks:

I am happy to report that we are moving forward with a great deal of enthusiasm and encouragement. We are currently within days of opening our office in Allen, Texas. I can announce to everyone that our first official day in the office will be Monday, March 5. We will be “open for business” with phones set up and computers up and running. It has been a long time coming, but we are finally there!…

This coming Sabbath, March 3, I will officially relinquish my position as the pastor of the Austin congregation…

We will move into the office in Allen on March 5 and begin working from a central place;…we will be holding an international ministerial conference in June, at which we will launch several new programs for preaching the gospel. After one full year of building an infrastructure, we now have the ability to implement strategies for moving forward with a degree of confidence that wasn’t possible a year ago.

Some have hinted that part of the reason for the COGWA split from UCG was because of the differences of opinion (and vote results) about whether or not UCG should have moved its headquarters to Texas. While UCG ultimately did not, COGWA now officially is.

Officially, COGWA formed in December 2010. Its main five accomplishments since that time seem to have been:

Getting much of the paid US based ministry of the United Church of God to leave and support it.
Holding the Feast of Tabernacles 2011 in many locations.
Accumulating 1.3 million dollars as an extra reserve.
Finding an office in Texas.
Not falling into the type of apostasy that happened in the Tkach WCG/GCI.

Although COGWA has claimed that public gospel proclamation was to be its top priority, it still has not been particularly effective with that. However, it looks like it is making some effort, on the internet, at least. Yet, I do not believe that COGWA has displayed the type of Philadelphia-era fruits that a Philadelphian Church of God should have demonstrated by this time.

A year and one half from its official formation (and about two years from its unofficial formation) suggests that its priorities are elsewhere. Of course, that is similar to what UCG itself did when it began in 1995 as the following demonstrates:

“Broadcast Media and Advertising. No budget is projected in this area at this time. The new Council of Elders will develop strategic and operating plans. Broadcast media and advertising will be addressed at that time.” (Notes to Proposed Fiscal Budget. New Beginnings. December 18, 1995; p:11)

“Israel sat on the bottom of Mount Sinai for nearly a year (Exodus 19:1, Numbers 10:11). Why? Because this is how God decided to start a church…God took time to teach Israel how to worship Him. He took time to organize and train their ministry and to write their ministerial manuals. He took time to teach them how to conduct worship services. All this was done in Exodus. God then dedicated the entire book of Leviticus to teaching Israel how to worship and walk with Him–a repetition and expansion of the book of Exodus. Is there a lesson in it for us? Yes. Some get overly anxious about doing a work…Some would like to see us do it right this time.” (Dick, Bob. From the Chairman: How Would God Start a Church? New Beginnings. March 4, 1996).

Does anyone believe that the disciples thought that Jesus taught to wait a year in Matthew 28:19-20? 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 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.