UCG Still Losing

Laodicea has many ineffective structures

John Carmack reported that Doug Johnson, UCG pastor of the Cleveland, OH and Meadville, PA congregations, sent out a resignation letter. John Carmack reported earlier that Joel Meeker was fired after refusing a seat on UCG’s Council of Elders.

UCG seems to be having financial losses as well.

Last night the December 2010 issue of United News arrived. It reported that compared to 2009, Holy Day offerings were down 7.9% (Trumpets), 3.7% (Atonement), 5% (Feast of Tabernacles), and 8% (Last Great Day). Yet, attendance was only down 1.7%, 3.3%, 2.2%, 1.7% respectively. So a greater drop in income than attendees. That cannot be helpful for UCG’s finances.

So possibly, UCG was having some financial strain even then. Perhaps because it still seems to be losing ministers (whether from resignations or terminations) it is having more now. This may affect UCG’s public proclamation efforts.

If so, or even if not, since I do not believe that this has ever been a top priority for the organization (though it may have been for some of its leaders), I still believe that those affected by this crisis who wish to support a more effective gospel-proclaiming organization should consider checking out LCG.

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.
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.