Letter From a Child Survivor to
Joseph Tkach, Jr.
Following is a personal letter written by a child survivor of Worldwide Church of God. It was written for all child survivors who have been hurt by this organization.
NOTE: No reply was ever received back from Joseph Tkach, Jr. (nor from anyone else at WCG headquarters). This survivor also wrote the story: Can't Grasp That God Loves Me Unconditionally.
Letter to Joseph Tkach, Jr.:
----- Original Message -----
From:
To: PastorGeneral@wcg.org
Sent: Monday, October 08, 2001 8:53 PM
Subject: Do You Care?
I have just finished reading several of your articles on your home page. I was raised in the WCG and am no longer a member. I am glad that you seem to think you are getting it all together.
Unfortunately, there are many people that have been left wounded, hurt and spiritually destitute by the WCG. In reading your articles, it appeared you are, and were, more concerned about the drop in income over the years of your changes, than you were in the hurting hearts of those that had been mislead by the teachings. When will it get to the point where income becomes secondary to the people? Maybe that has been the problem all along, the people were only a means to an end. Once their income was no longer coming in, they lost their value to you as a "church." As any group of people, you have your loyalist, as well as those who find your organization disturbing. I realize that this letter will mean nothing to you and you have probably already hit the delete button. But, I am going to try and plead to your humanitarian side--if you have every cared about your congregation (and that includes those that are hurt, angry, bitter, disillusioned, and have left your organization), please, please never hurt anyone that way again. Not everyone was able to get over what WCG did--the hurt and pain that was caused by breaking up families, turning family members against one another when one or more where ex-communicated from the church, this is horrific. I now know that our God does not, nor has He ever supported such actions. I believe with all my heart that God loves each and every one of us--that He does and has forgiven us of our sins as we ask Him into our lives. But, many people do not have that vision of God, and it has to do with the teachings of the WCG. (This would refer to those who were in the WCG)
I do not know you personally, although I have seen and heard you speak on several occasions. But I want to believe that you do care, that you do feel a responsibility to these people. You may not be able to make everyone believe that you care, but if you could show even just one person that you do care, that someone understands their hurt and anger. Who better for that to come from than you. No, you did not start the wrong teachings, but maybe you could do some healing. If you have changed as you say, show us. As I mentioned in the beginning of this letter, I no longer attend and I am not going to blame WCG for everything, but I do think that WCG needs to take responsibility for the wrong teachings, and in being responsible this means helping those that have been spiritually hurt. If you say you have tried, then keep trying--do more. How hard would you work to save a person's life? How hard are the rescue workers in NYC working to help those hurt? Are they giving up after a week, two weeks, even a month? How hard will you work to help save a person spiritually? These are members of the body of Christ--we are all God's children. When we have hurt or even been part of something that has hurt others, we have a responsibility to help them. If we do not help, we are no better than the terrorist. I hope that you will give consideration to this issue. Prayer is the number one factor in all of the above. Prayer is the key to all, but a human demonstration of kindness is also necessary. Don't be afraid to put your heart out there. God will watch over it.
If you have gotten this far I thank you very much for reading this. Let us see God's love. Reach out to those hurting, please.
From Someone who cares
Also read:
An Open Letter to Joseph Tkach, Jr. (Boldly confronts Tkach Jr. about the way the changes were made; covers double messages, half-truths and guilt placed on members; mentions Earl Williams as the one who was able to teach grace clearly)
This part on our site which covers WCG headquarters' "apologies."