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Your Site is the Best: Church of God's Faithful is a Splinter of PCG: January 22, 2007 Some exiters are joining a PCG splinter named Church of God's Faithful, led by Robert G. Ardis, in Eutawville, South Carolina. I think Robert Ardis has said that Jesus Christ has returned or made an appearance, just like Flurry has claimed. --Exiter Reply: The Church of God's Faithful incorporated in September 1997 and is led by Robert G. Ardis who was disfellowshipped from PCG that same year. "Letters" on their site, written by Ardis and former PCG members to Gerald Flurry and PCG members, give reasons why they split.
CGF holds to several of PCG's
(and HWA's) teachings; however, they veer from others. For instance, Ardis
teaches that the Place of Safety will be somewhere in Saudi Arabia, not
Petra, and that PCG has become the Laodicean church. CGF believes that HWA
was the "end-time Elijah" and "took the gospel of the Kingdom to the
entire world," but he had a "few inaccuracies" in his teachings, and they
(CGF) have received "tremendously important new truths." Ardis teaches
that Christ secretly returned like a thief on the Feast of Trumpets in
1997, but that He will return visibly at the First Resurrection (which
will occur on Pentecost). CGF says this secret return was the "great
mystery" that was accomplished, and that we are now in the Day of the
Lord. One of the Hardest Things is to Admit You Have been Wrong: February 2, 2007 Reading the article on how
Herbert Armstrong recruited people felt like I was reading about my
own experience. I Have a Copy of John Amos' Death Certificate: February 5, 2007 I've been reading through the letters on your website and noticed
several letters mentioning an article titled "What
did John Amos Really Die of?" When I saw that, I immediately
remembered that I have in my possession a copy of John Amos' death
certificate in a file box in the back of my closet. You see, John Amos was
my father-in-law at the time of his death. In case there is still
confusion as to what he died of, I will quote the death certificate:
Immediate Cause = CVA/ Respiratory Failure due to (or as a consequence of)
Meningitis Bacterial and also due to Sinusitis. I hope that clears it up
for anyone who wishes to know. Thanks for your web-page, it is truly
helpful for all those affected by the abuses taking place in the PCG. PCG Has Become "Mr. Flurry": February 9, 2007
We recently spoke with our local minister and informed him
that our family would no longer attend services because it
seems that the PCG is more concerned with promoting
Stephen Flurry's book and keeping up with the traditions
of Mr. Armstrong as opposed to speaking of the spiritual
power we can have through a real faith in Jesus Christ. It
seems that the PCG has become Mr. Flurry. No one can
question his decisions; if they do they have a "government
problem." I guess they forget this is exactly what he did
when he questioned the ruling of the WCG (but "that's
different"). The Bible says that no one should come
between us and Christ. Why then do we have to support Mr.
Flurry as he supposedly follows Christ?! PCG Did NOT Win a Victory in the WCG vs. PCG Court Case: February 23, 2007
According to the court documents, Worldwide Church of God
first sued PCG in 1997 to get a temporary restraining
order on PCG distributing HWA's works while WCG owned the
copyright. WCG dismissed the suit without prejudice
(meaning they could file again) shortly thereafter. Then,
WCG filed again later in 1997. (That is the case that
lasted until 2003, including WCG losing, appealing to the
Ninth circuit and winning there, and the case going back
to district court for determination of damages.) --Helen Liggett, Attorney at Law We Were Told to Destroy the CDs: February 27, 2007
While I was in PCG, as a "so called leading" man and
deacon, I would receive a backup copy of the CDs with the
messages/sermonettes/sermons/special music on them. The
minister would received a CD, also, and the backup was
sent to me in case the original, sent to the minister, got
lost in the mail or was late. --Jim Kazimir (Former member/deacon in PCG; author of Ministerial Evils in PCG) Comment: The "CD and Tape Policy" is in the December 10, 2005 Pastor General Report for Philadelphia Church of God. True Love Lacking in PCG Members: March 6, 2007 I just wanted to say thanks for your website and for all the letters
you put up there for people to read. It helps knowing there are others out
there who have been through the exact same thing as I have. The Absence of Jesus Christ in PCG: March 8, 2007 My personal decision to leave the PCG was the discerning of the absence
of Jesus Christ. I sat in church many times and counted the number of
times Christ's name was spoken of vs. Herbert Armstrong, and Herbert
Armstrong always won.
Well, what about John 5:23 that says: "That all men should honor the
Son, even as they honor the Father." (Some translations use the word,
"equally.") In the KOD program, Mr. Flurry kept referring to "the
name of the Father" and "the Father's name." In Phil. 2:9 [speaking of
Christ] it states "...God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a
name which is above every name." My study Bible lexicon says this about
the word "name": "the substitute or representative of a person; is used
for the person himself, whether divine or human." Comment: What Flurry will not emphasize is that Jesus Christ was God manifested in the flesh (See Col. 2:9; Jn. 1:1, 14, Heb. 1:3, I Tim. 3:16, etc.), and Rev. 5:12-13 states it is He who is worthy to receive glory and honour and power forever. (Also see Rev. 19:7.) The entire Bible centers on Him, not on Herbert Armstrong. Members to Develop the Faith to Face Death: April 24, 2007 Here is what Alex Harrison faxed to all ministers in the Australasian region of the PCG on Oct 31, 2001. I'm not sure if it was Harrison's words in the fax, but it may have all come from PCG Headquarters.
Harrison handwrote "Please Action this
ASAP" and signed it Alex Harrison. The "PRIVATE & CONFIDENTIAL" stamp
appears at the top and the bottom of the fax. Talk about being TOP-SECRET
stuff!! Like, don't let the little people know what's really going on at
the top of the Government!! Honestly, the poor ignorant members of the PCG
are kept in the dark well and truly!! Comment: HWA's booklet, "Does God Heal Today?" was discontinued in 1968. In 1979 he wrote "The Plain Truth About Healing," changing a few of his words. Some have felt HWA corrected his previous extreme views in the 1979 booklet. What he did was scramble some of his words, but the mind control programming was still "trust Christ and avoid doctors." Thousands of people suffered and died in the WCG under HWA due to this healing doctrine. No credit can be given to HWA that he ever repented of anything. HWA was skilled in double speak and contradictions. His 1979 booklet was filled with lies, as was his autobiography. Read: The Philadelphia Church of God's Healing Doctrine. I Wrote PCG HQ in Past With Concerns About The Healing Doctrine: April 25, 2007 I happened to be in
Edmond during that Ministerial Conference where Tim Thompson gave that
sermon. [refer to previous letter] I had been working closely with him during construction of the
Field house, providing architectural services. We talked often, and I
became aware of his upcoming sermon. The subject had been on my mind for
quite a while and I asked him to clarify a few issues that I felt needed
some balance in the individual congregations. I had seen a very extreme
version of the healing doctrine, equating all doctors with Satan.
Basically they based the doctrine on the original healing booklet, not the
one HWA revised in 1979. Comment: Geoff Gogan faxed a letter to Mr. Barkei and Mr. Campbell on Dec. 13, 2001 with his concerns about PCG's healing doctrine. This letter resulted in his suspension. He sent a follow-up letter on Dec. 31, 200l. Following are some words taken from that second letter:
Read: PCG Architect Thrown Out for Questioning (Dec. 20, 2002 letter to ESN) Members Aren't Willing To Admit They've Been Shammed: May 26, 2007 I've often pondered how deeply and effectively HWA dominated our mind and our hearts. I remember reading his literature and thinking, "Either this man is telling the truth or he's crazy." Somewhere along the line, I came to believe he was telling the truth. Probably because he constantly reminded us that he was. If he could get us to agree with ordinary things (i. e., "the world is headed for destruction; we will pollute ourselves off the planet; man has no solutions to his problems, etc."), then he could get us to agree with his theology--mostly because we never studied deeply into theology, if at all. When HWA died, it was inconceivable that God could leave "His people" hanging. So people like Gerald Flurry had the power to keep people in denial--denial that HWA was a fraud and none of his prophecies came true when he said they would. Members who weren't willing to believe they've been shammed (it's hard to admit when you've been wrong, especially if you've suffered loss "for the Work") jumped on board Flurry's boat. They've been told for so long what to do, what to wear, how to think, what to eat, how much to give, etc., that they couldn't imagine life outside of the cage. Flurry is only too willing to drive HWA's gravy train down the same tracks. --Kelly Marshall, author of Mystery of the Ages (a critical review) Critical Thinking is the Road to True Freedom: June 6, 2007 Once upon a time I was involved in these
cults. I have been free now for nearly 6 years. Critical thinking is the
road to true freedom. The truth can and does set us free. Exiter of PCG Finds Comfort in ESN Site: August 6, 2007 I left the PCG a little over a year ago. I found your web site, Exit & Support Network, yesterday. I was amazed to find that I not only am not alone, but the parallels in most of the letters from others who left is astounding. I have been depressed for most of the last two years about my agonizing decision to leave. I have been a part of the WCG and then the PCG for 45 of my 48 years. The PCG has been systematically isolating me from my family and friends for the last 6 years and it was only when my second oldest son went into the Marine Corps last summer, right out of high school, that I finally woke up. His Marine Corps Boot Camp graduation was only about 2 miles from the PCG feast site in San Diego, during the Feast of Tabernacles in 2006 (my family and I are very proud of him). It was the conflict of his Aunts and Uncles coming down for the graduation and my having to avoid either them, or other PCG members, so we would not be seen together. My brother and his wife were very prominent in the WCG and well known by most who are now ministers in the PCG and they (my brother and his wife) are not in the PCG. We would have been recognized almost anywhere in the vicinity where we would have gathered to celebrate my son's graduation. This made me really start taking stock of what was going on and I left the PCG because I realized that this should not be a problem in any way (families gathering to celebrate a graduation). I also became very aware that my son, who now proudly wears the uniform of the United States Marine Corps, was not welcome to attend services with me at the PCG, especially if he wore his uniform. This seems quite a contradiction from a "church," when the leaders, in their sermons, are frequently talking about how America should be proud to wield her power and use her military might around the world. I have spent most of this weekend pouring
over your letters and have received much comfort. Thank you, and I will be
reading more. I really do feel that a great weight is being lifted from my
shoulders. Your Website Has Been a Major Step in Getting My Life Back: (2nd email from person above) August 9, 2007 Thank you for responding to my letter.
Having not attended in a little over a year has, I think, given me the
ability to step back and view what has happened to me for so long--the
control, the fear and loathing that was pressed into my mind, being
programmed to fear being cut-off. As I read, on your web site, the quotes
of Gerald Flurry giving himself more power and status and "special
relationship with God," I think to myself, "I remember that sermon," or "I
remember reading that." Seeing the quotes all together from the viewpoint
of not currently attending really cements the feeling I was getting about
his going over the top. What really scares me is that just a couple of
years ago I may have been willing to move to the compound and do whatever
he wanted. I know from my own experience how lonely
and difficult one can feel, especially while still in the organization and
beginning to wake up. Flurry's Denial of Christ is Very Subtle: August 22, 2007 After having been in the PCG for a number of years, it finally became
increasingly clear that this "church" did not worship and praise God
through Jesus Christ and perhaps this is the reason that the majority of
their teaching and preaching stems from the Old Testament books.
Very recently, I spoke with a member
friend, that feared going against "government"
but this person made the statement the Jesus and God are not the same.
Prior to leaving the PCG, I heard a sermon by
Wayne Turgeon
[Flurry's son-in-law] entitled, "What Would the Father Do?" In the sermon
he mentioned, "I would not be caught wearing a bracelet, more or less one
with the initials "WWJD" on it" (What Would Jesus Do?)
Their belief seem to be this, "Jesus is okay but God the Father is better, and we at the PCG are better than the other Christian groups, because we don't worship Jesus." In John 10:30 Christ said "I and my Father
are one." But the PCG seeks to divide this one relationship, perhaps to
make it fit better into their organizational chart [originally formulated
by HWA]: God the Father first, Jesus second, Herbert Armstrong third, then
under him, Gerald Flurry.
This may sound enlightening to some, but
to me, it sounded very carnal minded. Again, their thinking seems to be,
"Jesus is lower than God the Father and therefore is not worthy of praise
and honor."
Well, so much for John 5:22-23:
The reason Gerald Flurry may not be able to say "Jesus is Lord," is because, based on what he teaches, he doesn't believe that He is Lord -- Ex PCG member True Meaning of Day of Atonement: September 21, 2007 With the Day of Atonement coming up, I'm reminded of the time when my spouse, a member of the PCG, mentioned that she would be fasting on that day. I told her that God's Word said that Jesus had already fully atoned for our sins; there was nothing else we could do to add to it. I told her the observation of the Day of Atonement was a shadow of Christ's redemptive work. In fact, all the feasts days are mere shadows (pictures or types) that were fulfilled and completed in Him. Flurry has mixed up members' minds so much in regard to the true meaning of this day. He has them dwelling on how they should "humble" themselves and that this day pictures when the world will be "at one" with God and how Satan will be restrained for a thousand years. But the two goats constituted one sin offering. Christ has fully taken away our sins, once and for all. We no longer need to fast on the Day of Atonement.--Impacted by loved one in PCG Comment: Read this part in the Gerringer letter where he tells how: "much of the Bible became crystal clear when he realized and accepted that the covenant was made with Ancient Israel, and no one else." Also, read the paragraphs following that, as the Day of Atonement is discussed. He shows the problems that arrive when "Christians today try to put themselves in a system God never intended for them." Relief Now That I am Out: November 24, 2007 I'd just like to tell you that I've been reading the postings on your site
for a little under two years now and I have to send my thanks to you as it
really helped me after leaving this "business organization" (I say this as I
believe that they are only in it for the money). PCG Trying to Appear Less Cultish: November 29, 2007 Non-members are allowed to attend different social functions in PCG, such as church picnics and winter socials, as long as they don't consider the outsider to be a threat or dangerous; i.e., trying to talk someone out of the PCG or openly opposing it. However, the catch is that non-members cannot attend their Sabbath services which last 6-8 hours (this includes the Bible studies the minister often has on the same day). PCG is currently
inviting local citizens of Edmond, the general public, and some
immediate family members (not former members of WCG or PCG, etc.), to certain of their
cultural events. This does not mean
there has been a relaxing of the no-contact ruling. It is merely part of
their attempt to appear less "cultish" to the outside world
and with the hope of recruiting more people. They still
hide what is actually going on inside their organization--the rules, the
fear, the threats, the
coercion, the doomsday preaching, etc.--and this
should be a "red flag" to most anyone not in these groups.
--S. L. Wife Happier Than Ever After Leaving PCG: November 30, 2007 My wife has been in the PCOG since she was 12 years old. Her father and mother, and three sisters are also devout to it. She has decided it was the cause of her depression of the past year and a half, and told her minister she was done. Now he calls her parents and they call her. She's going through a lot of torment from them, but feels happier than ever after leaving! I try to support her and tell her, "They must be afraid you will discover yourself and will have no more need for a group to think independently." Though I try to stay unbiased--and I think the best way is to help her discover who she is on her own--her teenage years were controlled, and so she never had a goal in life but to "serve God and the church." Now she has a career in sight. It excites her to no end, and she smiles a lot more. But they are fighting tooth and nail to get her back. --Ryan Your Critique of Stephen Flurry's Article Made So Much Sense: December 4, 2007 I just finished your review,
What Does Saved by Grace Really Mean? (A
critique of "You Are Saved by Grace!" by Stephen Flurry). Wow,
I do believe that that addition may be the most important and eye-opening
piece on the whole site. It made so much of what I was confused over
become clear so quickly. I'm glad that he was able to assess it so well.
Thank you again for all you do. Today has been a success for me and I
think I've grown more from it than any day previously. I had no idea that
this is what I would get when I wondered if I should even send the link to
you, but it has proven quite fruitful. What Has Helped Me to Heal More Than Anything Else: December 23, 2007 It has been almost two years since leaving
the PCG, and four months since I found your web site and wrote to you
about leaving the PCG. At the time, I still believed that HWA's teachings
were probably right. However, since doing research, and looking up the
references to his failed prophecies in his own books that I inherited
from my mother, and comparing them to reality, I now see that he is just
another charlatan. I think this knowledge has helped me to heal more than
anything else. I am now beginning to put the whole WCG experience behind
me as being a hard lesson that God did not put me through, any more than
God brings ordinary street crime to regular people on the street. I guess
it will just take time to get past it all. PCG's Financial Dealings: December 31, 2007 A PCG minister by the name of Jake Toews was suspended, then disfellowshipped and marked. Toews was appointed director of a committee that the PCG formed to run its taxation and financial dealings. He attended one meeting and said he saw it was corrupt and was just an intent to comply with the laws so he resigned from the board. After a lot of thinking, he also resigned from the PCG. Toews also said the PCG is being audited by the tax department in Canada, South Africa and England. --Canada |