UCG Reports on Conference, Concerns, and Attention

This morning, UCG reported the following:

February 1, 2011
Update on Ministerial Conference: Setting the Tone

Over 330 elders and wives were present on Monday, Jan. 31, to begin this special ministerial conference titled: Look to Christ: Advance the Work. On this cool, crisp January day, president Dennis Luker set the tenor for the meeting with a commission to the eldership to grow in humility and godly love in order to build upon the Rock that is Jesus Christ and finish the work He has given us to do…

The instructions in Philippians 2:3-5 were emphasized repeatedly by the day’s speakers: for “each to esteem others better than himself,” and to “look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.”

During the day’s breakout sessions, assessing the experiences and health of each region of the United Church of God in the United States and around the world, a sense of deep concern and care for the brethren was clear. Ideas flowed on ways to better support, care for and defend each congregation as well as train, mentor and develop both pastoral and local leadership.

Here are some comments from a 1/27/2011 UCG member letter where its Chairman Melvin Rhodes reported:

It is certainly neither the Council’s nor the administration’s preference to bring up falsehoods written by others. Yet we must do so here, because feeding Christ’s flock includes the duty to defend the faith and Church (Acts:20:28Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.). As noted earlier, the Council is eager to put all of this behind us and be about our Father’s business.

The three divisive documents, although cleverly written, are deceptive. We have cited some of the false charges so that we can set the record straight for you. Many of the charges made against the Council and the administration are ugly.

As an addendum to the above letter, there are charges, counter-charges, and explanations of certain issues and concerns. Here is one of them from UCG:

DOCTRINE: The authors of these documents claim that the Council of Elders and the administration did not follow established processes for doctrinal review. They accused the UCG leadership of publishing letters about fasting and about a Sabbath observance situation without first submitting the letters to the Doctrine Committee. This accusation is misleading for two reasons: 1) the letters were not intended as doctrinal statements or formal doctrinal study papers about the Sabbath or fasting, and 2) the president and the Council chairman have never been required to have the Church’s Doctrine Committee screen their letters.

There is a lot that I could say about the above and other parts of the UCG crisis, but the reality is that in my view the crisis never needed to happen–and if there was more cooperation between those that are now on opposing sides, it probably would not have.

Here are some comments from a 1/28/2011 UCG member letter where its Chairman Melvin Rhodes reported:

In the early aftermath of the sore trial that we have all endured, it becomes clearer and clearer that we have been lacking and that we need to grow spiritually. He is refining us. He should have our full attention!

I hope that those who are or recently were part of UCG have started to really pay attention to God, recent events, and the Bible. They should also consider the priority UCG has had in its past nearly 16 years in public gospel proclamation. And I believe that if they do, they will likely come to different conclusions than those who are still in UCG or those who went to COGWA have.

This crisis has been a real struggle for those in or once part of UCG as parties on both sides are 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?