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It appears that some outside of the
Worldwide Church of God believe Tkach is
really a good guy now, "changing everything over to grace" after years
of legalism and walking with Moses. Do they really believe this is happening, or
are they just reporting on what they see as "good changes"? How much
in-depth investigation have they actually done about this organization and what
is going on inside? What is the real reason for the changes?
There is such a double-message in Tkach's
sermons and writings (which, by the way, are probably ghost-written) that serve
only to keep the members in confusion. After he goes to great lengths to expound
on how they are now under the New Covenant, he always ends his message by making
them feel guilty if they don't do all they can. "Give generously."
(Read: "Tithe."), "Respect the Sabbath." (Read: "Still the right
day.") And
if they don't yet understand, they are to pray and study until they do.
"Obey your leaders and submit to their authority." (Read: "Do whatever
the WCG tells you.")
So how much has the WCG changed? Probably
enough to get them off the list of "cult." It looks great to the
outside--grace, Christ, New Covenant. Who in all of Christendom could find fault
with that? They are bringing their members into the "rest of Christ,"
right? But is it all that restful? Do the members just feel a "small
burden" now instead of the "huge burden" they carried before?
In the 2-21-95 WN, here are the "restful
words" to the members as stated in the article, "Tithing in the New
Covenant": "[T]here continues to be a financial obligation on the
part of all Christians"; "a duty to give…"
"financial sacrifices"; "life of service"; "we
will give generously"; "the church needs this support";
"If disciples of Jesus Christ can give, but do not, they are falling
short"; "some will be able to give more (than 10%), and
some are already doing so"; "Sell everything you have and give
to the poor"; "The new covenant makes astonishing demands on us--it
demands all that we have"; "The new covenant requires more soul
searching, more training for the conscience--more voluntary sacrifice, it
tests where our hearts are."
The sickening thing about all of this is that
since they are talking about changing their name1 and selling the auditorium in
Pasadena and relocating elsewhere2, they will probably get away with it all. They
won't even be associated with The Worldwide Church of God or
Herbert W. Armstrong
anymore. A whole new group of believers will be drawn
in after the old is dispensed with. The social activities and camaraderie of the
members will have a magnetic appeal to many.
I'm sure the Tkach regime will try
to pull it off and make the skeptics believe that they are truly a "true
Christian church" now. Local ministers will be trained to give sermons
spiced with "give," "serve," "love," and
"witness to others" (so they will come in also). The ones that stay
will thrive on this kind of structure and togetherness. The leaders that run the
whole thing won't care exactly how it all comes together, as long as the money
keeps rolling in to maintain their opulent lifestyles. They will go with what
works, and this is what they are using to keep their deceit and evil hidden as
to who and what they really are, as they control the innocent and unsuspecting
beneath them.
By D. W.
March 3, 1995
Exit & Support Network™
Updated Footnotes:
1 At the time of
this writing WCG was talking about changing their name to "The New Covenant
Church in Christ." However, they hadn't anticipated the favorable response
they would receive from the majority of neo-evangelicals, which helped them in
their new agenda. (Read:
Letter Exposing
Outright Lies, Abuses and Sociopathic Behavior for more on this.) As a result, their plans were changed. However, by 2004 certain of their churches start to change their name
(incorporating
"Community," "Christian," "Grace," "Congregation," "New Life," etc. in their
title, while still being connected to WCG headquarters and receiving HQ
literature). In 2005 they bought
several domain names. In the February 2006 issue of WCG Today they said they were considering
changing their name. Read:
Worldwide Church of God is Changing Their Name.
2
In November 2004 the Worldwide Church of God moved its
headquarters from Pasadena to Glendora, California. (Pasadena Star-News, October
25, 2004)
Read
letter to ESN regarding this move. By May 2006 all their offices were moved
to Glendora. (Together May-June 2006). All their offices were moved to Glendora
by May 2006. (May-June Together.)
Letter to author Janis Hutchinson from ESN (Vitally
important letter with much exposé
regarding WCG's history and reasons for the
changes; helpful in undoing the propaganda and misinformation)
Unavailable! The Worldwide News
– Prior to September 1995 (Today WCG says their WN's are
"not available before September 1995." What is it they don't want
others to read? Choice quotes from these "unavailable" WN's with comments by ESN.)
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