UCG, ABC, and 157 Elder Losses

With the loss of Dr. Ralph Levy and others, UCG has made some changes in assignments related to its Ambassador Bible Center:

The new instructors include:

Anthony Wasilkoff (on loan from Canada) to teach Pentateuch 2.

Steve Myers will join the faculty to teach Epistles of Paul and help out with ABC administration.

Randy Stiver will do the Writings class.

Frank McCrady will be teaching Gospels 2.

A new class, Personal and Family Finance, will be taught by Aaron Dean.

The students are in for an instructional treat with this new lineup of faculty members.

Speaking of UCG losses, the Abigail Cartwright site listed two more losses to UCG, including possibly one person who was supposed to teaching at ABC (or possibly related to one that is teaching as the name seems to be quite similar):

Mr. Frank McCrady Sr. (Retired Pastor, Gladewater, TX), January 21, 2011, resigned from UCG ministry

Mr. Roy Dove (Local Elder, Waco Texas), December 31, 2010, resigned from UCG ministry

The total number on the list in 157 elders/ministers lost in the past year. United once had “400-plus elders” (McCullough, Leslie. What Exactly Does the Council Do? United News. July 1999; p.15), but I am not sure how many that it now has. Even the person that reported that, former UCG President Les McCullough, also left UCG earlier this month.

The reports I have seen from UCG (like its magazine and telecast reports) suggest that it is trying to tell its remaining membership that it is moving forward with what it has done in the past, while those from COGWA suggest that COGWA is going to basically do what UCG did, only better.

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.

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.
Can the Great Tribulation Begin in 2011, 2012, or 2013? Can the Great Tribulation begin today? What happens before the Great Tribulation in the “beginning of sorrows”? What happens in the Great Tribulation and the Day of the Lord? When is the earliest that the Great Tribulation can begin? What is the Day of the Lord?