COGWA Chooses Balloting

In COGWA’s latest letter (7/13/11), its secretary wrote:

In regard to our proposed Governance Plan, Constitution and Bylaws: 138 elders approved and 10 elders disapproved. Therefore, the Governance Plan, Constitution and Bylaws are approved.

In regard to our two options for selecting leadership: 82 elders chose Option 1 (Balloting) and 66 elders chose Option 2 (Balloting/Impartial Selection). Therefore, we shall select leadership using Option 1 (Balloting).

So, with a choice of balloting vs. another type of balloting, the eldership of COGWA choose balloting. This is not a surprise. Those elders apparently were not interested in the type of governance structure that all of them at least publicly supported when they were part of the old WCG (as nearly all of them once were).

When Jesus returns no one thinks that He will implement the type of balloting governance that COGWA has just adopted. Jesus would clearly support a hierarchical form of governance. Perhaps that should be the standard today?

COGWA was formed by a split from UCG (Clyde Kilough was president of UCG until April 2010. The leaders in both UCG and COGWA have taken stands against Herbert W. Armstrong’s teachings on governance and neither group has put the same priority on proclaiming Christ’s gospel of the kingdom to the world as a witness like HWA did, and the Living Church of God now does.

The elders of COGWA still may wish to read the article Polycarp, Herbert W. Armstrong, and Roderick C. Meredith on Church Government. And afterwards, perhaps reconsider why they are were they are. Others should do so as well.

Some articles of possibly related interest may include:

Attending the Church of Choice This article discusses whose choice is important to worship God; should you attend the church of your choice or the church of God’s choice?
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?
Should a Christian Vote? This article gives some of the Biblical rationale on this subject. Would Jesus vote for president/prime minister? Is voting in the Bible? This is a subject Christians need to understand.
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.