WCG/GCI International Conference
The June-August 2010 edition of Together, Grace Communion International News (replaced the old Worldwide News) reported the following as its first item:
Conference Update – Schedule and Topics…
Interest in our international conference this July in Florida has been great, and our registration numbers continue to grow. This year’s theme is “GCI: Renewed in Christ.” Confirmed attendance now exceeds 900, and we have used over 90 percent of our room block at the conference hotel. We look forward to seeing all who can make it to our first denominational conference as Grace Communion International.
The registration fee for persons staying in the host hotel is $59, and is $109 for those staying elsewhere. The last day to register for the conference is Wednesday, June 23…
Each day includes a time of praise and worship.
The old Worldwide Church of God observed the biblical Feast of Tabernacles in the Fall of the year (like the Living Church of God still does). The Tkach organization long ago decided that it needed a substitute. And while the above states that this is its first “first denominational conference as Grace Communion International”, the reality is that it has held a variety of mini-conference, often in the Fall in the past (as both the Tkach WCG and GCI).
The GCI idea does have biblical precedent. Look what Jeroboam decided when he was concerned that his people might go to Jerusalem to keep the Feast of Tabernacles:
26 And Jeroboam said in his heart, “Now the kingdom may return to the house of David: 27 If these people go up to offer sacrifices in the house of the Lord at Jerusalem, then the heart of this people will turn back to their lord, Rehoboam king of Judah, and they will kill me and go back to Rehoboam king of Judah.”
28 Therefore the king asked advice, made two calves of gold, and said to the people, “It is too much for you to go up to Jerusalem. Here are your gods, O Israel, which brought you up from the land of Egypt!” 29 And he set up one in Bethel, and the other he put in Dan. 30 Now this thing became a sin, for the people went to worship before the one as far as Dan. 31 He made shrines on the high places, and made priests from every class of people, who were not of the sons of Levi.
32 Jeroboam ordained a feast on the fifteenth day of the eighth month, like the feast that was in Judah, and offered sacrifices on the altar. So he did at Bethel, sacrificing to the calves that he had made. And at Bethel he installed the priests of the high places which he had made. 33 So he made offerings on the altar which he had made at Bethel on the fifteenth day of the eighth month, in the month which he had devised in his own heart. And he ordained a feast for the children of Israel, and offered sacrifices on the altar and burned incense. (1 Kings 12:26-33)
So, while Jeroboam had some of the outward symbols of ancient biblical worship, his substitute was obviously a pagan, not biblical one. The Tkach substitute is also not a biblical one.
Some articles of possibly related interest may include:
Is There “An Annual Worship Calendar” In the Bible? This paper provides a biblical and historical critique of several articles, including one by the Tkach WCG which states that this should be a local decision. What do the Holy Days mean? Also you can click here for the calendar of Holy Days.
The Feast of Tabernacles: A Time for Christians? Is this pilgrimage holy day still valid? Does it teach anything relevant for today’s Christians? What is the Last Great Day? What do these days teach?
LCG 2010 Feast of Tabernacles’ Information Here is information on many Feast of Tabernacles locations for this year.
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