Back to Volume 3, Part 1 and contents

OIU Newsletters

BANKRUPT?? IT SEEMS SO FINAL,
but is it???

The Tkach Company might like observers to think that:

· Joseph Tkach is the decision maker on all doctrinal issues.

· The UCG was a rebellion or coup attempt formed by those who protested the changes. (All along the leaders were telling the outside Christian media that the ministers were not accepting the changes and protesting against the changes. Protestant Evangelical ministries were reporting publicly that the leadership was "doing it right, but the ministers were rebelling and refusing to teach the new doctrines.")

· The WCG leaders were completely unaware of the underground plans with the bulk of the ministry.

· The financial decline is due to the UCG exodus.

If in fact the WCG strategically planned to shut down the WCG on paper, bankruptcy would be a perfect out by all standards. While it offers financial protection, it would also allow the organization to surface as a new corporation under a new name. As the old WCG LAW continues under separate corporations with a different umbrella name, a new creation as the New Covenant church will carry on in a whole new market. The Tkachee followers will happily go along with a new name change, as they have already proven the obedience to their Tkach leader.

[Update: In 2006 Worldwide Church of God was considering a name change. (WCG Today, "Denominational name change," February 2006)  Some local church areas and countries may still carry the former name or a different one.]

The old WCG will be demolished as if it never existed. Armstrong will live on through the offshoots; meanwhile, the "new church" will grow into an evangelistic association with discipling methods most likely holding home fellowships and video presentations. [Move over International Church of Christ. You have competition!]

Can anyone think of a better way to chop up the existing cult? If we really think about it, the plan is ingenious--something for everyone. The Christian cult watchers are happy because they think they finally won, the conservative/legalist members are happy because they think their ministers are faithful to the real truth, and the Tkachites are happy because they are enduring to the end where God placed them in the first place. The Tkach Co. is happy because all the WCG assets are in Joe Tkach's name, maybe even all the international bank accounts are too. Actually, the only unhappy ones are the ex-members who lost loved ones, had their lives destroyed by some of the same ministers that are in UCG today, were victims of intense abuse in every form and the ones who were robbed, deceived, manipulated and coerced throughout their WCG tour. [No small figure.]

If in fact, the leaders of the WCG orchestrated the events that have unfolded these past several years as a planned strategy, which inevitably would lead to Bankruptcy or demolition of the WCG, as it is known, would they not be guilty of Bankruptcy Fraud??? A VERY SERIOUS CRIMINAL CHARGE!!!!

Careful scrutiny of the WCG past indicates that serious activity transpired on numerous occasions. One cannot think that because the leaders or church were not shut down due to unsavory acts, that the WCG is left free from guilt. The leaders and legal leaders have used every bit of strength and tithing dollars to keep the organization protected under the rights for religious institutions within the Constitution. The only reason the WCG did not succumb to the receivership crisis is because they banded together with the Catholics, the Mormons, evangelicals and various cults to fight the government from peeking at the affairs of the "religious organizations." More on this in the future, but for now we must realize that there are "reasons behind the mounting events" and they have nothing to do with salvation in Jesus Christ!

The WCG goes The "UNITED WAY"

As the ministerial exodus from the WCG Corporation continues around the globe, the UNITED CHURCH OF GOD (UCG) grows in strength with newly formed corporations coming together to reinstate the WCG that once was. There are, however, a few modifications regarding the "government" structure. We find this particularly noteworthy in lieu of the strategy discussed above. For that reason, an overview of the new UCG is outlined below.

"GOD'S GOVERNMENT IS
GOVERNMENT FROM THE TOP DOWN!"

Remember that verbiage piped into your eardrums week after week? Your life was completely restricted from expanding your horizons, because if it didn't gel with whomever was lording over you at the time you were in trouble. The rules and laws were passed down from HQ to the Ministers, to the Deacons and then to you. The order of command was strictly forced upon the members. Deviate from the local law and you were out. Strict adherence to obedience and to GOD'S GOVERNMENT was mandatory. This extremist overture led to people following their leader like sheep to slaughter. Who dared to question? Who dared to act on self-thought? Who dared to tamper with God's plan of Salvation? Wow! Pages could be written on this one topic, but the point is, "God's Government from the top down" didn't work. The WCG leaders learned that the hard way. History and current events teach us how dictatorships fall. The Hitler approach ends in the infernos. The WCG leaders (HWA/Rader included) employed every totalitarian, authoritative and dictatorial method available to control a mass of people. As we view the tactics of secrecy, information control, thought control, behavior control and emotional control, one is reminded of the intense guilt and fear that was felt if one dared to tamper with the controls. These methods (also noted as mind control) were employed to obtain results for the leaders. The usage of the image of God served a vast purpose, which allowed the controlled member to submit his will, vanity, and self-purpose to an organization. On the surface it appears that the individual is exercising his own free will, but nothing is further from truth. The methodical process of mind/control equals coercion. The victim is then manipulated into complete submission.

These cult tactics are useful to the cult leaders and serve the goals of power and money. There is, however, a great flaw to the program. People are humans; therefore, they are subject to error. The cult leaders (CL's) can only get so much run for their money, so to speak. The duration of a cult induced recruit can vary, depending on his personal situation and strengths. It could mean immediate dropout to a lifetime member. As cult leaders are well trained to spot those "waking up," they immediately cut off the member by disfellowshipping him, shunning him, setting him up for personal failure or ignoring him. Once one starts the wake-up process, there is usually no return to the intense programming application. Because of this "programming flaw" it is essential to concentrate on fever pitched recruiting methods. The WCG was an organization that ran amuck with recruiting because of the type of control system that was built in place from its inception with HWA. The "Apostle" or "Prophet" setup is not new to cults; all Bible cults have their "one man in charge" on top and directly linked to God. Where the HWA/JWT regimes failed is with the members. Instead of working through the members to obtain results (money and control), the HWA/JWT regimes required strict obedience, conversion, transformation and a personal destruction of the will and the identity. After awhile, the obedient WCG member became a clone to the style of the group. Very often, the members grew quiet, submissive, emotionless, non-thinking, non-creative, depressed, alcoholic, repressed, hopeless, aimless and with nothing to look forward to but the dream outlined by the leaders about the World Tomorrow, which often read like fantasy or science fiction. Now this psychological syndrome outlined here may keep the members anchored to the organization as if they were paralyzed from making a move, but the fact is, it prohibits creativity, enthusiasm, and energy which are the essential ingredients needed to evangelize or fund-raise.

The already failing WCG in the 1970's had no alternative but to gamble on different market strategies in effort to recoup recruiting of the 1960's. The Incredible Human Potential and Mystery of the Ages campaign combined with the "Mr. Armstrong's return from Tucson to get the church back on track" propaganda of 1979 did seem to squeeze the last possible run out of the already exhausted membership [sort of like a shot in the arm effect], but the result was short-lived, as previously outlined.

In business (church), in order to obtain results through people (members), the manager (minister) must apply good managerial techniques (leadership). That would include creating an environment for the employee (member) to have a good positive self-image (self-worth). If the employee (member) considers himself garbage in his boss's (God's) eye, the prospect of any successful accomplishment is doubtful at best.

With all that said, one may understand why WCG had to make radical changes. GOVERNMENT FROM THE TOP DOWN--FAILED, for the long run! Crisis management also took its toll on success possibilities. In PLAIN English the name, Worldwide Church of God, could never recover from its massive and highly exposed trail. The PLAIN TRUTH is a finished name also. They both had their run. As the Armstrong image lives in the minds of the legalists, the new UCG recruits will be anchored to a modern semblance. The UCG ministers have now been trained by the Stephen R. Covey method of management. The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People served as a guideline book these past few years while ministers learned, "Powerful Lesson in Personal Change."

The UCG has been set up to reap the benefits of the past, but not repeat the failure that restricted growth and led to the collapse of its Government structure.

THE UNITED CHURCH OF GOD--ALABAMA
LEADS THE WAY

Way back on March 18, 1995, Pastor Ray Wooten held his first meeting with 195 members newly transferred from the WCG. In a letter to the ministry of the Church of God, Ray Wooten states:

"As God's ministers, we must realize that we do not merely have a profession or a career; we have a calling from God our Father. Our calling entails two fundamental responsibilities:

1. Preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the Kingdom of God.
2. Feeding Christ's flock--those whom He has called for us to serve to nurture.

"We have, in the past, concentrated more on the first responsibility, enabling only a few people to do most of the evangelizing. The majority provided direct financial support, but were only vicariously involved with the evangelistic efforts."

"Historically, our relationship with God's people has been one of keeping them encourage to "pay and pray." As a result of this attitude and hierarchical structure of government, we have not seen the overwhelming need of God's people to be properly nurtured and respected for the gifts they have been empowered with by the Holy Spirit. Many ministers have tended to function as lords or governors over their congregations, which is abiblical." He goes on to say....

"Times have changed--for the world and for God's people. In this age of rapid technological change, corporate and business decentralization--and of empowerment--the church simply MUST understand the importance of a SHARED ministry with ownership at a local level."

"God's people do not need a hierarchical structure where a central headquarters receives all resources and then doles those resources out..."

"There is no single human voice that God's people are hearing. Rather, they are hearing the voices of a group of God's ministers who stand loyal and faithful to the Truth."

"By reorganizing and nurturing God's people in a proper and peaceful environment, we will perpetuate and expand the preaching of the gospel through a SHARED ministry!"

Mr. Ray Wooten's assistant, Mr. Mercer, spoke at length with the ESN regarding the initial start-up of the UCG. Listed here are some of the points and opinions relayed to the ESN:

· Mr. Wooten was fired on March 1st and agreed to Pastor the congregation shortly thereafter. He was not involved in setting up the corporation.

· Corporation was originally set up for members to bank tithes and help ministers who were being fired with no provisions.

· Church development took on a life of its own.

· Corporation packages are being sent out to other ministers to explain how to organize and incorporate.

· The 1939 article that Mr. Armstrong wrote shows how the WCG government structure was wrong.

· We believe God's people have to be served and nourished with no one lording over them.

· We want no organization that breeds carnality, political infighting, or bureaucracy and being more concerned about some message that may or may not be relative to God's people. The work of HWA is over. Now we have distressed people out there that have to be nurtured and served.

· We have no agenda, no HQ movement. We're willing to support a central association. We do not want to be a part of any other big organization.

· The people aren't willing to pay or pray any longer, and be fed garbage.

· What we did we tried to do ethically. No WCG member was involved in it.

· We have never been a member of the Worldwide Church of God. We've been members of the Body of Christ.

· The people want to be involved and fed the truth. They don't want the contention or satanic attitude.

· We are very against exploitation. The locally administered distinction will provide the Pastor to serve his people.

· Global and International are brothers, but we are not part of the spin-offs that have the more radical messages.

· We propose that churches go ahead and incorporate with tithes kept locally and get up and start running.

· The peoples' needs are more important than trying to have a work.

· We want what we're involved in to have the right attitude and spirit.

· We're not an elitist mentality. In AU we've seen the cream of the crowd. There are talented people in our Birmingham church and they can be used to serve.

· We have nothing to hide, if we're wrong we'll admit it.

· We've sent our packages to Australia and Scotland.

Mr. Mercer was very helpful and cordial and appeared to have the welfare of the membership at heart. As almost two months have passed since our conversation, I can't help but wonder if he still carries the same thoughts as some the facts above state. The innocent attempt to protect the WCG membership from being led astray has started to mold into a newly devised conglomerate of Churches of God with more and more demands targeted toward the "corporations." It is questionable whether Mr. Mercer had all the facts about who would be the "key players" or new leaders. What seemed to Mr. Mercer to be a "grass roots," "chips fall where they may" approach to saving a like minded people, actually, turns out to be a very organized and methodical strategy toward a brand new Worldwide Church of God type organization. The only difference is how the corporations are set up, and the intention to utilize the members in recruiting efforts. Several UCG ministers have told the OIU, they are not happy with some control problems they see surfacing. Some were quite surprised that the leaders of UCG plan on writing the ministers paychecks. "This, will mean they own us," said one minister.

THE PLAIN TRUTH ABOUT REORGANIZATION

The UCG uses the America On-line to communicate with their ministry. As one insider stated, "you need to have the special code to access the special network." It is on this network that much material is relayed to the reorganizing ministry.

MARCH 17, 1995 Excerpts from The "Plain Truth" about Reorganization:

"There is no need to document the failings of the Worldwide Church of God. Differing agendas require different actions. We can leave it at that."

"It is very important that each of us strive to have a RIGHT SPIRIT and ATTITUDE so that Christ can unify us through his Holy Spirit"

"It is very important, that we each strive to be agreeable, because the obstacles to our unification are great and the physical resources (at least at first) will be limited. We must learn to agree and to work together to serve God in a spirit of cooperation."

"The reorganization will involve local congregations having a much more important role. In fact, they will have autonomy. There will be no large headquarters and other carnal behavior. The local churches will each incorporate separately, collect tithes and offerings locally and have their own Board of Directors."

"There will be a central association (CA) that functions as a service provider for the local congregations located around the earth. The central association will be very small and will only have those employees that are absolutely necessary. The CA will receive a portion of the funds by the local autonomous congregations, which will be given as the local congregations see fit. The CA will provide the following kinds of services:

* Preaching the gospel of the Kingdom of God.
* Recreating a body of literature.
* Helping with legal matters, particularly in the international area.
* Publishing a magazine, church newsletter and materials, which help local congregations.
* Possibly help provide services, which are more inexpensively purchased collectively, e.g. general liability insurance.
* Providing "how to" advice to local congregation who request it.
* Establish Feast sites."

March 24, 1995-- "General Statement"

This statement is from a 10-page document and intended for the ministers contemplating leaving WCG for UCG. [Excerpts only]

"The leading ministers are not trying to limit God, or what he can do. We are simply trying to follow Mr. HWA's classic and timeless advice, which is, Pray like it all depends on God, and then work like it all depends on you."

"If God were to choose to miraculously intervene and cause the leadership of the WCG to repent, or in some other way remove them, no one would be happier than us. We would very much like to go back to being able to live some semblance of normal life."

"This movement would be MUCH FARTHER ALONG, except for the fact that all the principal leaders are DEEPLY CONVERTED and have not wanted to seem as if they are trying to put themselves forward. But the sheep are being slaughtered and so now we must act."

"Some of the people who are being used as examples of excellent conservative leadership, within the WCG are fully aware of the need to separate and consider a separation imminent. They are preparing now both to separate and to work together toward the goal of helping God's people be united. We simply cannot be more explicit than that at this time."

"Do we think UCG has the only Christians?" Of course not. There are Christians in the WCG, UCG, PCG, CG International and COG 7th Day to name a few."

"Let's be honest. The basic choices to most of us are as follows:

1. Stay in the WCG
2. Go with UCG
3. Go with Global [Note: Rod Meredith later founded Living Church of God in 1998.]
4. God intervenes and makes his will so abundantly clear that we can all see what to do and then do it.

The perils of local autonomy:

"It is not for the faint of heart. Local autonomy is an effort to avoid a large headquarters complex mentality and all the politics and other carnal behavior that tends to be exhibited there. Are there problems with a local body of believers having the authority to hire and fire ministers?" Yes there are."

"If you want another headquarters complex and like that kind of government structure and if you feel that you would be more comfortable with Global, then that should be YOUR personal choice. We would not feel negatively toward anyone who did join Global because we feel they are our brothers. But we do feel UCG is the best way for us."

"It would certainly be foolish to be out there on your own. Satan will pick you off, with relative ease. All of the leading ministers of the UCG believe that UCG and Global will eventually be together. And the olive branches have already been extended in EACH DIRECTION. Only God knows."

"A central point is that the members (and ministers) have been taken for granted and their talents have been under-utilized. Local autonomy can work, if converted individuals have the RIGHT SPIRIT and ATTITUDE and set their minds to agree to agree. The spirit of Christ can and will unify us, if we will get our carnality out of the way."

"In addition to destroying the WCG, he (Satan) wishes to splinter the COG into as many different pieces as possible. Denying us the collective resources necessary to do a Work, he will then try to pick us off one by one. The leading ministers believe that this splintering must be avoided, at almost all costs."

"A CA will have checks and balances on the local congregations. The local congregations will have to hold certain fundamental doctrinal positions to qualify for membership in the association and to have their members receive the literature, attend the Feast, receive collective legal/purchasing support, etc. The last thing a local congregation, with even a smidgen of wisdom would want, is to be out there by itself."

"It will definitely take a central association to effectively preach the Gospel. There is no question about that. And there will be significant moneys remitted to the CA to do so. This does not mean that there needs to be a large CA office. Television production can be contracted out, etc. Leading ministers can divide the writing responsibilities as we endeavor to recreate a body of literature and to publish a Plain Truth type of magazine. The Regional Pastors can be based in the larger cities so that the main incremental cost associated with them is travel. Only those employees who are absolutely necessary will be hired. And the services provided will be for a high quality and will be performed in a spirit and attitude of service, not in a controlling type spirit and attitude."

April 6, 1995 Legal--Accounting--and How to Memo: on how to organize and commence operations as a local congregation.

This 14-page document is very thorough and outlines how to set-up shop as a local corporation. The excerpts listed below are worth noting:

"We do not advise that you even consider the purchasing of a local church building for at least several years."

"Concentrate on establishing your local church and making it stable. Until you have that done, you are getting ahead of yourself in making plans for such a major capital asset as a church building. And there is another important reason. If the congregations with the surplus of cash, after paying for their own local operations, do not generously support the CA, so that the CA can also preach the gospel as a witness to the nations, but instead, spend all their surplus on a large local church building (and its maintenance), this "Work" is going to be ineffective at best."

"Also, the wealthier congregations are going to have to be willing to subsidize the smaller congregations because fixed costs (like minister's salary and hall rental) hit the smaller congregations so hard."

"For the UCG to establish an entirely different form of COG corporate organization is to obviously imply that the old form of hierarchical structure, with a large central headquarters complex is not acceptable. Let's not dance around this central point. Many, many ministers and members want nothing to do with COG corporate structure that has the trappings of HQ. We are leery of having one corporate form of church organization seized and then used against the church. We are leery of the wrong spirit and attitude which has so often affected too many (not anywhere near all) of those employed at HQ. For those who are more comfortable with the hierarchical form of government and a large HQ complex you will probably need to consider other alternatives."

"It should be noted that the UCG does not seek to run like a fool out of the dictator ditch and into the pure democracy ditch."

[Under the heading of checks and balances the memo defines the corporate structure and specifies 10 points including:]

POINT 8: An additional check and balance is that the government will have a much more difficult time attacking the COG, like the State of California did during the receivership crises, if we are organized as local autonomous congregations.

POINT 9: We recommend that the central association, once formed, take steps to have its liquid assets located in at least two to three countries to further protect against any inappropriate government action against the COG.

POINT 10: An additional benefit to local autonomy is it would be more difficult for the collective COG to be sued and have to pay a large judgment. It's far easier for a plaintiff's lawyer to attack one large target that has a lot of central assets.

The start up package for corporations include several other documents explaining how to incorporate and in what state the best deal can be found, along with more "Discussion of Local Church Autonomy VS. Central Control.

For your own copy write to: United Church of God, P.O. Box 361334, Birmingham, Alabama 35236-1334, (205) 822-8524, FAX (205) 822-8529

[This is not an endorsement]

After a careful review of the package; other considerations outlined above; and dialog with many individuals departing churches, we can plainly see that the old WCG is now fashioned into the new UCG with a government structure replacement that will do the job that the "Government from the top down" failed to do. The image of the UCG will serve to carry on the old WCG, avoid government investigation and scrutiny and prevent retaliation from those who sue for damages caused by the organization. Most likely, the cult watchers will also have a tough time tracking down the abuses and cult behavior.

In April 1995, an Illinois congregation was entertained by a tape-recorded message sent to the minister from HQ. The tape was supposedly recorded from an impromptu meeting at the Festival Coordinator's Conference in Pasadena in March. Joe Tkach Jr., Mike Feazell and Richard Rice answer questions from several ministers. This 30-minute dialog covers several major questions that most members have. The questions and answers are condensed for space. The tape is available from the Info-Order Form.

[UPDATE: Richard Rice died suddenly July 27, 2003 of a massive heart attack.]

Joe Jr.: The Council of Elders was never established for doctrine. The Council was used as a body to support decisions that HWA made. It rarely met together, only on a few occasions, at the discretion of HWA, but they never had a say in doctrine.

Richard Rice: Elders came together for the passing of the baton to Mr. Tkach. When HWA was about to die he called the elders together, was breathing heavily and in great pain and could hardly speak. We all heard him pray aloud to God for the passing of baton to Mr. Tkach. We only met 2 or 3 times. We (the elders) signed the necessary documents.

Joe Jr.: My Dad would read the Bible, and study certain issues out and say, 'You know, I've seen for a long time that we've been legalists.' He'd assigned me and Mike to research and look things up. He's the one who got this thing going.

Does JWT lead the change or do Mike Feazell, Joe Jr. and Greg Albrecht make the decisions?

Joe Jr.: My Dad (JWT) is the one who got this thing going. These rumors that he committed improprieties and I (Jr.) hold them over his head is nonsense. He'd kill me before he'd let me blackmail him. (Everyone laughs)

My Dad is the first to admit that he's no writer. He's the one who directs this stuff. We (Albert--Feazell--and Jr.) are the presenters. We bare the major burden of presenting it. It falls on our shoulders.

Sometimes I don't explain it clearly, that's my weakness. We are all broken somewhere. I never claimed to be infallible in any of my presentations. I'm sorry, I tried to give you the package and the package is a good package and I'm sorry that I wrapped it poorly.

My Dad doesn't want to talk to reporters, he's gun shy, watching HWA all those years. It is my lot and Mike Feazell's lot to talk to the press.

Mike Feazell: Sometimes there is a theory, 'that they planned these changes sometime way back,' and that's just not true. One thing leads to another and demands another, and a lot of times it demands another because the implications of one thing bring too many questions from the field.

How did the changes come about?

Mike Feazell: We've been updating booklets all along. Mr. Tkach was checking the booklets. And questions arose. He saw they needed updating. HWA was too old to update, or out of the country. A lot of updating was done by Herman Hoeh. When JWT became aware that there were questions we started to research. [Gives example of contradictions with Revelations] [Update: Herman Hoeh died November 21, 2004.]

We saw things didn't make sense. The Spokesman's Club manual wasn't accurate. We saw holes in our arguments regarding doctrine. How could Mr. Armstrong have been wrong about this stuff? [Talks about how things surfaced that needed changing, i.e., Born Again, Two Gods, etc.]

We started to see there were Christians in other churches. I got that from Mr. Tkach, he didn't get it from me. We saw there were Christians that don't keep the Sabbath. [Gives examples of situations that arose in the past surrounding other Christians in other churches]

Joe Jr.: [Talks about Christians willing to go to Zaire] I'm not willing to go to Zaire or Rwanda to help carry the dead. How can I say these people aren't Christians? The idea that we're (not JWT) the ones driving this is ludicrous. We're the ones saying, 'don't know what to do here, Dad.' I think this is obvious to everyone that this hasn't been planned.

Mike Feazell: There were times when JWT would say what he was thinking to someone and then he would be rethinking and say the opposite in effect in another conversation. One day he would be feeling one way and the next day another way. So, then when he was confident enough to present the subject the way he was led to do it, someone would say, 'He just told me something different than that, so you guys are somehow deceiving us.'

Well, I guess it has to look like that sometimes, but that isn't what is really going on. [Explains away the duplicity regarding salvation, Sunday keeping, the covenant]

Like Joe says, 'If you plan something like this, you have to be nuts. [Everyone laughs] Why would you plan to disaffect and hurt your ministers and membership, erode confidence, cause income to plummet, why would you plan something like that.'

Minister: This will help more people than all the other information.

Joe Jr.: Did you get a tape to play to your members? [Responds to a question about the book, Sabbath in Crisis by Dale Ratzlaff] As of today I haven't read the book yet, I haven't had time.

What about the income?

Joe Jr.: The income began the first month this year 30% below last year. That slowly improved to this point to 15% below and that's where it's at. We hope it stabilizes, we expected there to be some decline on income when we explained you don't have the tithe on the NET, when we explained tithing is really part of the old covenant and that under the new covenant the principal is the commitment that stewardship of giving is to advance the Kingdom. There are those who are committed of giving more. I appreciate the sacrifices over the years like those who never had their teeth fixed; you know the story, never bought a car, or whatever. I think that's appropriate to do out of commitment. Some people will continue that commitment, other will get their teeth fixed. That's all we have time for.

The End!

Comment: One can't help but question the validity of sincerity of this supposed impromptu dialog. The method of delivery not only leaves much to be desired, but when assessed on the backdrop of all the other data that is compiled these past four months, the tape more appropriately plays out as a staged event in effort to handle some major objections that have surfaced regarding:

1. The council of Elders

2. The passing of Baton (Gerald Waterhouse didn't mention this meeting when relaying the events of JWT's appointment in his [GW's] sermon, "What is Jesus Doing at this Time?")

3. Why were the "changes" made?

4. Who is the one who started these changes?

5. Why was there so much contradiction with JWT?

6. Why were the "changes so poorly taught or explained?

7. Was this a plan and billed as "new truth?

8. Why doesn't JWT speak with reporters?

9. Who does JWT's writing?

10. What is the income situation?

11. Was there deception under all the reorganization?

Each of these points can be radically disputed, but for the sake of space we note that the there is considerable documentation stating from HWA himself, that he met with the Council of Elders very frequently and they were in charge of overseeing all doctrinal issues. How Joe Jr. has the "guts" to make the statements he does is beyond our comprehension skills. Is the brainwashing so thickly applied to the members that he can make a statement in this manner, in his quietly smooth voice, and actually get away with it?

Future Forecast

• The leaders will continue the great division by separating the legalist (conservatives) from the true followers of the Tkach Company (liberals). Ministers in areas that do not conform to the "the change" will be shuffled over to the UCG by being forced to retire or resign. Members have been treated with continued abuse in the latest sermons from Joe Tkach (note below), which has forced individuals to make decisions to exit. "While the rhetoric has been, "Stay where God placed you," the actions spell, "Get over to Global and UCG."
  
  

• The HQ will deny any involvement in the separation or reorganization maneuver.
  
  

• Joe Tkach will be removed from Pastor General position and replaced with the Joe Jr. /Mike Feazell /Greg Albrecht team. JWT will most likely exit under the guise of ill health, possibly with a leave of absence. [Update: Joseph W. Tkach died September 22, 1995 of cancer at the age of 68.]
  
  

• The WCG will file for a bankruptcy type of protection, which will allow a closure to all negative connections to WCG/Armstrong Corporation. The main land holdings in Pasadena will be shifted under non-profit organizations for legal/tax reasons.
  
  

• The Tkach Company will continue under a completely new format: new name, new magazine name, new doctrines, new associations. Sunday keeping will be instituted, as well as other modifications with traditional holidays, communion and other traditional teachings clarified by Catholics, Baptists, Protestants, Methodists, etc.
  
  

• They will set up their government structure similar to the UCG's new structure. Local areas will incorporate with HQ acting in a franchise type relationship. The HQ will be moved from Pasadena into a new state such as Colorado, or Arizona. [UPDATE: In November 2004 the Worldwide Church of God moved its headquarters from Pasadena to Glendora, California. (Pasadena Star-News, October 25, 2004) By May 2006 all their offices were moved to Glendora. (Together May-June 2006).]
  
  

• The main market for the new (WCG) corporation will be the YOUTH. Local Fellowships will be initiated with a very high emphasis on recruiting through evangelism and fund-raising. Discipling methods will be employed for control management.
  
  

• The UCG will combine as a Church of God conglomerate. They will join hands with Global, International, Seventh-day Adventists, COG Seventh Day and others. They will modify their doctrines to coordinate well with other Sabbath keeping denominations.

[Update: Worldwide Church of God: New Changes, Ecumenical & New Age Connections]

Ambassador University, Big Sandy possibilities:

1. Become universal and accepting of students from all corporations.
2. Connect with the UCG conglomerate only. (That includes, Global and International.)
3. Join with another organization, such as Azusa Pacific University.

Of course our forecasting can fall short or miss the mark, only time will tell. Whichever way the "dust settles" the leaders of the WCG conglomerate and operandi are extremely rich with holdings in many countries. The multi-million dollars in assets sit in the pockets of the Tkach Company. As several researchers view from all directions and scrutinize the propaganda machine at work, we think of what "Goebbels," Hitler's propaganda minister said, "All it takes to sell a lie is to take a little truth, mix it with false information and repeat it often enough, until the people believe it."

The people have become overwhelmed and unable to tell the truth from the lies, as they have been victimized by purposeful misinformation from a propaganda machine bent upon the exploitation of the inalienable and inherent rights of the people. The gifts of pure spiritual fulfillment have been replaced by leaders who have set themselves up as speakers for God, while they deliver religious mumbo jumbo mind games and use psychology to attempt to outwit the converts and those in the cult-watching arena. The WCG PATRIOTS stick to their Klan and emulate their leaders as they are swirled and whirled into new directions with questionable destinies.

Divide and Conquer was the tool used in the past decades, and it remains to be the choice method used to fulfill the goal at hand---POWER, MONEY and CONTROL

The End of Part Three...To Be Continued

HOT NEWS:
WCG FUNDS THE UCG

As we are about to print, we learn of the latest development with the WCG/UCG connection.

A Southern states minister read a memo to his congregation on June 2nd, stating that Mr. Tkach has decided to award all exiting ministers a "generous" severance package. For those, (which is most), who have started their own corporations will receive funds equivalent to the percentage of members who accompanied that minister to the UCG. In other words, if the minister took 50% of the local membership with him to UCG, he would be entitled to 50% allocation of the local church funds. Mr. Tkach states that it is the "Christian thing to do."

This shocking statement comes on the heels of so many ministers being disfellowshipped? Why, some question, in the world would JWT Co. hand over more money to the so-called dissidents that have rebelled together to divide the church? How, others wonder, can the church possibly afford to pay the UCG organization, more money? It was already reported by Joe Jr. that the UCG ministers were stealing the computers, other church property and local funds. All this doesn't make sense! OR DOES IT?

If the WCG is anxious to remove its money out of the WCG name, possibly the UCG is the appropriate place to store it. Does that mean Big Sandy Ambassador University will be positioned under the UCG umbrella anytime soon?

[UPDATE: Read February 19, 2006 letter to ESN, which exposed United Church of God / WCG connections with Dynamics Resource Groups.]

EVENTS CONTINUE TO UNFOLD
LA TIMES, May 12, 1995

"Faced with a deepening financial crises, the Worldwide Church of God has quietly auctioned off a trove of sterling silver purchased by its late founder Herbert W. Armstrong. The "high quality silver," used by Armstrong during formal dinner parties for heads of state and other luminaries, was sold for an undisclosed price last month by Christie's auction house in New York, the Pasadena-based church confirmed Thursday. Silver candelabra, wine buckets, platters, creamers, silverware and silver decorative items such as a miniature ship and horse were among the goods sold at the auction, said Tom Lapacka."

"Lapacka emphasized that the sterling silver was purchased by Armstrong for official dinners. I think that's important, least someone think Mr. Armstrong was buying this stuff just so he could have his scrambled eggs and toast in the morning," said Lapacka."

[Not Mr. HWA!!!!! NEVER!]

The article goes on/to say the money raised by the auction was definitely connected to attempts by the church to shore up its sagging financial condition. Other assets to be sold are the 54-acre Pasadena campus, church's private airplane and limousine.

Lapacka states that the church was undeterred from its new course, which moves the church closer to mainstream Protestantism. He stressed that most members accept the changes and the new course has been greeted with great rejoicing by members of other Christian denominations.

It has been relayed to us that the Christies sale apparently netted around $6 million--some of which went to the UK subsidiary before questions were asked, and not necessarily with JWT's approval. Once again, another opportunity to make it appear that the church's financial crisis is because of the doctrinal changes as the Tkach Co. creates the problem and offers the solution of choice. The following message appeared on the Internet, May 24, 1995.

"A teleconference transpired on 5/21/95 involving certain high WCG officials and was (unknown to some) video-taped. It has already been viewed by several people (one of whom is part of a non-profit group that is currently in negotiations with the WCG over some of the assets and took part in the video teleconference.)

Pictured on the Pasadena end of the video were: Joe Tkach; Joe Tkach, Jr.; Mike Feazell; Steve Andrews; and Leroy Neff."

"The basis of this video was the negotiation with this non-profit group to gift away (yes, GIFT away) some or all of the assets of the church. Contrary to general understanding, apparently the tax and legal aspects of selling the properties may make it advantageous to give them away to another non-profit group. Primary assets discussed in this video as being under consideration (in this order) were: 1. Orr grounds, 2. Ambassador University, 3. Pasadena HQ."

The reporter relays that Joe Tkach Sr. said the plan is to eventually dispose of all centrally controlled assets and become administered at the local congregation level. This would certainly point to a "plan" or "agenda" for the church to shift to a congregational focus.

As already stated above, the newly doctrinized mainstream church will possibly structure its government similar to the new UCG style. Lots of little fellowship franchises.

Along with the many cutbacks, cancellations, repositioning of ministers, PT and other publication withdrawals, more "work related" cutbacks are occurring on an ongoing basis, such as, the reading program for the blind. The cassette Services Department no longer provides literature on cassette tapes for the blind and instructs them to tap into the local churches for assistance. The May 18th PGR explains that the self-insurance fund is being temporality discontinued and ministers should investigate getting insurance on their own. In addition to the latest cutbacks we learn that a number of departments no longer have a receptionist and must rely on the voice mail system to channel calls. One wonders, what will be left under the WCG name for the remaining ministers to enjoy? While the New Covenant ministers are losing their benefits and bonus, the UCG ministers seem to be doing just fine, with no reduction in living standards.

While it appears to many that the WCG, as it was always known, is breaking apart and possibly vanishing, it becomes more apparent that the only thing busting up is the remnants and affiliations related to the name Herbert W. Armstrong and the Worldwide Church of God. As time goes on, the Plain Truth will also most likely take on a new name. The history cleansing operation might prove successful as the entire money machine lives on, under a whole new set of names.

THE PASTOR GENERAL IS SICK!

Joseph Tkach was reported to have had a gallbladder removal and was recuperating at home. Shortly after this report, congregations were told he had a tumor in the intestines the size of a grapefruit. Although benign, it required a new type of chemotherapy, which conveniently leaves NO side effects. As JWT is, in fact, in the Huntington Hospital as of early June, we do question whether this particular illness will lead to a timely announcement for a leave of absence for "illness reasons." This, in turn, could foster an early retirement for this very controversial man who was used as the agent of change. If the above does occur, it would pave the way for Joe Jr. and Brother Mike to assume the helm together and continue what they have started.

Medical professionals tell us that the possible side effects for such as large blockage in the intestines could include: constipation, restlessness, headaches, constricted thinking, anxiety, irrational behavior, poisons throughout the body and a host of other physical debilitation. While being unsure as to what side effects and symptoms JWT experienced, certainly he must have endured much progressive discomfort. Although, JWT has verbalized thoughts in recent sermons that members were praying for him to die, the ESN has never heard anyone state thoughts on this level (and we've talked to many). The ESN people join others in hope for a speedy recovery.

This recent illness incident reminds us of the time Loma Armstrong was ill prior to her death. HWA wrote a six-page letter basically blaming the illness on the sluggishness of the church and that God was using Loma's illness to rejuvenate the stagnant church. With many reminders that Christ will return in five years and those eligible will escape the terrible TRIBULATION and qualify for the Place of Safety, HWA goes on to focus on the MONEY. By the end of this guilt ridden exhaustive letter, he writes:

"We MUST have a spiritual AWAKENING! We MUST SPEND MORE TIME ON OUR KNEES with God in PRAYER, or stagnate, and be in danger of GEHENNA FIRE!" (March 2, 1967)

He goes on to manipulate the members about sending in special offerings, pledges and extra monthly offerings for property funds etc.

As this rambling despicable letter basically blames the members for Loma's illness, it offers a fine example of the treacherous abuse the victims of WCG endured throughout its duration. We can be assured the "illness" greatly improved the financial picture.

[UPDATE: Joe Tkach Sr. died September 22, 1995 in Pasadena, California of cancer. Some insiders have said it was pancreatic cancer.]

What about the FESTIVALS?
(Once upon a time known as feasts)?

Many reports have been relayed regarding the 1995 WCG festival cancellations. Within days of the cancellation reports, we learn that UCG moves right into the scheduled slot to occupy that "FEAST" site. Among many sites taken over by the UCG, are; Tucson AZ; Redding, CA; Keystone, CO; Orlando, FL; Jekyll Island, GA; Moline, IL; Lowell, MA and Corpus Christi, TX

Double Your Pleasure, Double Your Fun,
There Is a Doublement Feast, Under the Sun

Can't help but sing that catchy tune when reviewing the plans for the NEW FESTIVAL OF TABERNACLES. While the UCG is diligently and zealously planning for their first Feast under their new name, the WCG has something very new on the horizon. Some might have caught the article in the WWN April 4th, where Joe Jr., is quoted as saying, "Despite rumors to the contrary, we are not planning to stop celebrating the Feast of Tabernacles." Also quoted, "In this time of doctrinal clarification, we have more clearly realized we are not required to keep the Festivals for salvation," however, we meet together because we love to worship God at the Feast of Tabernacles."

"Ministers attended an annual conference in March to review the operation of the Festival: to talk about what we have been doing, what we can do to make the Festival more spiritually profitable to members." [Profitable to members?]

"The conference focused on the meaning of the Festival, the proper approach to evangelism, planning more effective church services, and organizing a week-long celebration for many types of people."

Unfortunately, a series of notes from the conference made the circuit through the FAX machines which left many stunned regarding the WCG plans for this.... festival. Four full pages outline excerpts from videotape from Tom Lapacka, which reviews the Worship service, Mission of FOT 1995, Timetable for sample services and schedule for the 8-day festival. What seems to have shocked members mostly was the list of New Testament elements of worship. Craig Bacheller outlines:

Craig also outlines goals for members, stating--We should leave with our: Faith stronger, Hopes brighter, Love deeper, Sympathy extended, Hearts purer and with Will more resolute to submit every part of our lives to our sovereign Lord. [You must admit, it is a new spin!]

Another upsetting piece to this document was the Timetable for Sample Service, which included Intercessory prayer, Thanksgiving, A word from our youth, Ministry update and INTERVIEWS/TESTIMONIES.

Evangelism training will be big on the agenda, as workshops will be scheduled to train the members on how to evangelize effectively. Most multi-level marketing companies call this recruiting. All this should work in nicely with the new WCG [which will probably have a new name by then] as the main mission is, "Bringing people (WCG) to Christ--coming entirely into the New Covenant; New Covenant focus on FOT and on worship."

Yes, it looks as if it will be a smashing sales convention. Whoops! That's Festival. Now, HQ was mighty upset about the release of the document outlining the big event and stated in the WWN that, "Unfortunately, a paper with some notes from an earlier brainstorming session has been faxed all over. Some members have been told erroneously that this paper contained the official list of Church activities for the 1995 Festival, and that was never true."   [We'll see!]

Evangelistic-it is

Browsing the religion section of your local bookstore or used bookstore is a sure way of learning about evangelism. Evangelism strongly took hold this century in the U.S. while churches and denominations struggled to recruit the spiritual-seeking flock into their own doors and under their own spell.

The American Heritage dictionary offers this definition:
evangelism n. 1. The zealous preaching and dissemination of the gospel, as through missionary work, 2. Militant zeal for a cause.

As the new "Moses," Mr. Tkach, leads his people out of Egypt, he explains that they are now disciples for Christ. Their job is to spread the "good news." As the Tkachee army becomes trained on how to express militant zeal, the JWT Co. is hopeful to drastically increase the grease on printing machines as they add names to the new, "first century-like church" roster.

One wonders what took the WCG empire so long to catch onto this recruiting strategy. In the past, HQ assumed all the recruiting responsibility. While their management style allowed for tight control on their "school of fish" if you will, it prohibited HQ from reaping the benefits of each fish bringing in their own babies, which would have resulted in a massive growth for the church. It must have been quite frustrating to watch other cults, or evangelistic movements by-pass the WCG, while the WCG stagnated and declined these past twenty-five years.

It's never to late, as the saying goes, because the WCG conglomerate has gotten into the act. JWT tells the fish that the "Church has a twofold commission." WWN, April 25th: [excerpts]

"'If you love me, you will obey what I commanded,' Jesus said. (Jn.14: 15). And he repeated this in the great commission--his disciples were to teach people "to obey everything I have commanded you."

"Our message, our commission has two parts: 1) preaching the gospel and 2) teaching the disciples. The gospel brings people to the point of conversion, and the discipling process nurtures them after that. The gospel tells them that Christ died for them, and discipleship tells them how to live for Christ. The gospel invites them into the kingdom, and discipleship sends them back out to be ambassadors of that Kingdom."

"That is what we have been called for, brethren--to preach the gospel, to baptize those who believe and to teach them to live a Christ-like life."

"When we really believe Christ died for us and was raised to glory, when we begin to understand how profound his love for us is, 'Anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life so my sake will find it.'" [Ouch!] In explaining suffering, JWT says...

"If you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God. To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps."

[Possible translation: The gospel of Jesus dying on the cross to bring us salvation is to be preached by you, Brethren. Christ gave you his gifts and your job is to be ever indebted with thankfulness. The goal is to catch the fish and "transform" them into our organization. We'll use the gospel to provide the guilt that will weaken the new prospects into submission to us. Once you have them, you will be assigned to them and disciple (hover) over them. Don't worry; you'll learn just how to do that at the upcoming feast. After we've converted the new fish into our kingdom, we'll train them to go out and do the same job your doing. You, brethren will reap the rewards, because it will be your recruit that you personally trained as an ambassador. So, lets go fish and baptize those babies and get them cloned into our school.]

The WCG is diligently joined by all the WCG spin-offs in this new evangelistic strategy.

· UCG will focus on using the "talents" of their members to bring new people to the truth. They will incorporate evangelism into their "Armstrong" program.

· Garner Ted Armstrong has made several mass mailings from his, "Garner Ted Armstrong Evangelistic Association." These mailings are additional to the "Academy Books" order forms for tapes, publications and "Inspirational Favorites" as "How Great Thou Art," "Amazing Grace," "His Eye is on the Sparrow," "When the Saints Go Marchin' In," and many more. Ted has placed a price tag on these publications and it will be interesting to see if they will be able to drop the "We'll send it free" routine.

[UPDATE: Garner Ted Armstrong died of pneumonia at age 73 on September 15, 2003.]

· Rod Meredith is also moving in the "evangelism" angle, as his publications insert the word frequently. [Update: Rod Meredith later founded Living Church of God.]

YOUTH--YOUTH--YOUTH-YOUTH

And that's the "new church" story. The new WCG (whatever name that might be) will concentrate its recruiting efforts on the YOUTH. As the WCG hastily pushes the old folks, (can't teach a dog new tricks) over to the Armstrong church, UCG, it rapidly penetrates the YOUTH markets and organizes its agenda around the YOUTH. Vol. TWO, "Special Edition" introduced this strategy, since that printing we have seen many endeavors that confirm the YOUTH thrust. As stated in the past, the church will move into the same direction of the "International (Boston) Church of Christ," an evangelistic and discipling method cult. This organization is one of the fastest growing church organizations. They have concentrated on the schools and college campuses. Their recruiting tactics are so strong that several IVY league colleges have had to have them removed from campus. This year, YALE was baptizing over six members a week, last time I checked. Most recruited members become school dropouts to get on with "Christ's work" and fund-raise for the cult.

The Plain Truth takes a back seat to the YOUTH magazine, which is anything but pabulum. The modified magazine is enhanced with topics dealing with emotional issues of teens, such as, loneliness, suicide, dating and SEX, SEX, SEX. It is carefully crafted to lure the unsuspecting into its fold; stuffed with mailers inviting the reader to send for "free material." The last issue offered a 16-page brochure on teen sexuality--"Yours free with your subscription to YOUTH 95."

The campaign for the "entertaining…encouraging… enlightening." YOUTH magazine, as it is billed, was kicked off with a subscription price of $9.95, which is about the cost of a movie and a box of popcorn, the magazine advertises. The PGR outlined just what to say to the members and instructed the ministers to read with enthusiasm (in other words, sell it!). HQ strongly urges the members to purchase their own subscription and possibly buy a subscription for a needy person. The WWN 4/25 states 33,000 requests for paid subscriptions were collected in the first month of the promotion and has plans in place to triple that number in the next few month.

The YOUTH magazine has shown up on Library shelves, in Pediatrician offices and most disconcerting, in Jr. High and High School Libraries. Just recently, a mass mailing to PT readers was sent from JWT asking all the "adults" concerned about their teenagers to mail a brochure called, "Relating." The letter contends that this informative brochure will cover topics on, getting along with parents; God; loneliness; broken families; and of course, drugs and premarital SEX. Any loving adult would want this brochure for their child. You can be assured that each brochure will be stuffed with lures to get the new YOUTH magazine. The highly advertised YOUTH magazine is the HOT recruiting vehicle that is being used to build the new YOUTH church.

What's new with Doctrine these Days?
APOLOGIES,
or are they excuses?

April 3, 1994 Sermon, Pasadena and played on Pentecost:
JWT states the following in response to someone's letter:

"They have no compunctions at all about exaggerating. Like I read from this list of rumors that are going around: we're going to start keeping Christmas, and we're changing the Passover, and we're making changes to please the Protestants to get accreditation. We will ask members to start displaying crucifixes, doing away with unclean meats, doing away with tithing and we don't believe that there's a place of safety, we're going to do away with the Sabbath, we're going to do away with the Holy Days and we're going to do away with the law."

JWT continued by stating that all liars…. those who deliberately mislead people, will have their place in the lake of fire. [Read excerpts from this "Rumors" sermon.]

PGR May 18, 1995

"I have not set the pace for doctrinal change. Jesus Christ has. As I was convicted by Christ, I told the Church everything the Holy Spirit led me to understand. Even last year, I still did not understand what I understand today. Some of you know I was still preaching that we would never understand what I understand today. Some of you know I was preaching that we would never change our position on the Sabbath, the Holy Days, tithing and unclean meat as late as last October."

He goes on to say:

"But when Christ led me to understand the simple and pure biblical truth, it was indeed, as so many ministers and members have described it, like a veil of blindness being lifted. "

"Now some people want to accuse me of 'planning these changes for decades,' alleging that I had an 'agenda' from the beginning to make all the changes we have made. What astonishing nonsense! All I can say is that if I had been working from a prearranged agenda of changes, I certainly would have chosen a slower pace of introducing them to the Church. What I did was to teach what Christ led me to see at the pace he led me to see it, and I am the first to admit that I certainly did not foresee all the implications of some of those things." "Looking back now I can see that one thing led to another. One thing is for sure: Our loving God knows what we need, and he knows how to lead us."

"I serve Jesus Christ, and I take the responsibilities he has given me most seriously. If the Holy Spirit had led me to understand the truth about the old and new covenants a year ago, I would have preached it a year ago. But I have been led as Christ determined to lead, not as I might have chosen for myself. The fact is, I have continued to grow in understanding about the covenants ever since I first introduced it to the Church last December." Joe Tkach Sr.

Some insiders might think JWT's message answers some puzzling questions. But, it they dare to look back at the last ten years and scrutinize the documented trail left with the meetings of the outside Christian Ministries, theologians, Christian writers, publishers, etc., they would see that this message just doesn't cut it. The resignation letters and tapes left behind from the 1970 "rebels" would point JWT in the direction of telling a falsehood, if you will. How easy it is, to pass the old buck onto Jesus Christ. We see this happen everyday in many situations. All one has to do is say, "I prayed about it, so I knew that's what God wanted me to do." The old "Jesus made me do it," routine seems to serve as an absolute scapegoat. It seems so peculiar that leaders can say anything they want, at anytime, for any reason, and then blame the result on...Jesus Christ! What a racket!! Interestingly, the PGR message ties in nicely with the tape meeting with Joe Jr. Mike Feazell and Richard Rice.

JWT's finishes with: "The future is indeed bright for the Church, because Jesus Christ is faithful. The gospel will be proclaimed, and that is a task that every part of the Body, all according to their gifts, are called to have part in. Our goals are still the same: 1) Nurture and equip our local ministers and ministers and congregations for spiritual growth, worship and evangelism, including providing youth programs, member assistance programs and local church facilities; 2) publish the Plain Truth, Worldwide News and booklets; and 3) support Ambassador University. And our Master is still the same. The only difference is that he has brought us closer to him."

The new focus for the membership is that the "WCG church" is enduring the same pains as the first century church. Articles in the WWN, sermons by Mike Feazell and other documentation all demonstrate how the current WCG change relates to what Paul endured and the experiences of that time; a duality of sorts. JWT gave a sermon called, "Believe" in April where he talked at length relating Moses and the Israelites, as a likeness to himself and the membership. "Moses didn't appoint himself anymore than I appointed myself to be Pastor General of the Worldwide Church of God." With many other statements along that line, the message reads, God is leading his people into the Red Sea, are you coming or returning to Egypt? "Repetition is the best form of learning, Mr. Armstrong always said," relates JWT, as he and his team reiterate the message that God has just now decided to take his people out of bondage. The message that this is God's Church and Christ is the head of it is clearly spoken, and that the members are really like the Israelites with Moses (TKACH) leading the way to freedom. Why, some wonder would God have left the WCG members in bondage so long while he was out freeing up the rest of the world?

Long time WWN writer Paul Kroll points out 4/25/95:

"Events in the last few years show we have a lot more in common with the church of the apostles than we might imagine."

"'Connection to us.' We can see the startling parallels between the Worldwide Church of God as it was and the Jewish Christians of the first century. We had the same general boundary markers of faith as they had. We were, in effect, a Jewish Christian Church!"

"But we've had to recently learn something about religious practices--as did the original Jewish believers in the first century. We have had to see that whether one eats a ham sandwich, whether on works on the Sabbath, or whether one eats leavened bread during the days of unleavened bread are not moral-spiritual considerations. These practices that identified a certain people at a certain time of history, they marked Israelites who were under the old covenant."

While the members are being prepped as the first century church all over again, we wonder if they are aware of the other changes creeping up slowly, such as, the practice of meeting together for corporate prayer. In the PGR, JWT tells the ministers:

"And I want to point out that there is an aspect of church-wide prayer that has been long neglected in the Church, and that was a vital part of the first-century Church and a vital part of this Church in the early days of Ambassador College. That is the practice of meeting together for corporate prayer."

"We should encourage pastors, wherever possible, to hold weekly prayer meetings, either before or following Sabbath services, or at a convenient time during the week. Plan the meeting ahead of time. Have members share what they'd like to have prayer for, and then take volunteers to pray for each specific issue that needs prayer. Allow all who wish to pray aloud to have an opportunity, one at a time. You may wish to include worshipful music, if possible, as well as hymn singing. I remind you that this is not a new thing. It was part and parcel with the experience of the first-century Church and Mr. Armstrong's practice in the early days of this Church." [So were speaking in tongues.]

[Note from ESN: Paul Kroll exited the Worldwide Church of God sometime shortly after 1973 and was listed among other leading men and women who left their positions because of "frustration, matters of conscience, and disgust over doctrinal and organizational problems" and who "no longer supported AC or the WCG." (Ambassador Review, 1976, p. 5) One must ask why he's back in again?]

In Other NEWS

PGR May 3, 1995: Second New Testament Passover

· Baptized members of the Church who were unable to take the 'LORD'S SUPPER' in April will have the opportunity to do so..." [Emp. Ed.]

· Graven images are OK as long as they are not used for the purpose of bowing down to them.

· Illustration of Angels is fine.

· It is not wrong to illustrate Jesus. Such artwork can help us understand what the Bible describes.

· It is not a sin to eat unclean meat. It's only a sin if you think it's a sin. Actually, it's not unclean anymore; ALL FOOD IS CLEAN! [We'll, all is not lost, look at this way, you helped the lobster population and you're a pig's best friend!]

Along with the above changes, the Tkach Co. is still working out the 'kinks' with the New Covenant interpretation, keeping the Sabbath, and the UN-commanded-Ten Command-ments.

How about the finances?

Good question--but good luck in finding out. The true financial picture has always been a WCG secret. The leaders have traditionally used figures to substantiate the condition of the church. However, the figures were easily manipulated with a psychology twist to lead others into thinking, all is well, or, all is in danger. Readers might recall the famous "30%" increase or "5% decrease, etc. What was portrayed at any given time depended on whether there were holy days approaching and whether the guilt routine was due.

Lately, we've heard it all: quotes indicating anywhere from a 10% to 50% drop in income. Who knows? What we do know, is that most of the church's income is derived from sources other than tithes and offerings. And, it is obvious those "other sources" are supporting the organization during this reconstruction of thought reform. Even if the church files bankruptcy, it will occur after the money has been protected and secured.

JWT says the following in his 5/25/95 letter to the Brethren:

"Thank you also for your faithfulness in tithes and offerings, brethren! Per person average of the offering on the last day of unleavened bread was 10.3 percent higher than last year, bringing the total amount of the offering to 19.5 percent under last year. This means that the faithful made up for those who have left, keeping the income within the budgeted range. As I wrote last month, this offering was much needed and at a critical time."

Providing these numbers are valid and our math is correct, this would support that there was a 25% to 30% drop in the number of individuals making an offering. Does that help?

In Business...

The WCG Travel Agency continues to expand its services as it keeps up the dramatic changes in the travel industry. This lucrative WCG business is hopeful "to have the opportunity to serve you as a partnership to financially serve both you and the church."

In Public Relations...

Ministers Ralph Orr and Richard Burkey joined historians, scientists, theologians and educators from the US, Canada and Great Britain areas at the Evangelical Engagement With Science conference, March 30th to April 1st. The Institute for the Study of American Evangelicals sponsored the conference that included representatives from American and Canadian evangelical universities and seminaries, as well as Harvard, Notre Dame, Indiana University and others.

The WWN states:

"Mr. Orr and Mr. Burkey were there to strengthen the Church's contact within the evangelical and academic communities, and to gather information that could help the Church write on scientific issues."

"Topics at the conference included Charles Darwin's 'conversion,' environmentalism, women evangelicals in science, attempts to reconcile Scripture with geology, evangelicals and natural theology, and Canadian evangelical support for the social sciences."

We at the OIU couldn't help but wonder whether Mr. George Bush, Mr. Clinton and wife, Mr. Newt Gingrich, the Council of Foreign Relations, The Trilateral Commission and the Club of Rome, also attended.

Golf Anyone?

What's the story on "golf playing" on the Sabbath, some have asked? Well, JWT and Co. has reconstructed their thoughts on this topic, again and again. JWT sends the following quotes to his people:

Big Sandy Sermon Dec. 24, 1995.

"Does that sound like I am encouraging you to go play a game of golf on the Sabbath instead of being here? What I am saying is that if you came here and you did want to have some relaxation, you want to go play a game of golf, that would not be a sin, brethren! Does that shock you?"

January 7, 1995 Sermon to Pasadena and all the members:

"Paul; is telling us that the reality or the substance is Christ. And now that he has come, now that we have the reality, there is no more requirement for the substitute. See, some are going to take this fact as license that, well, they can go and golf because this is what I have been misquoted as saying. And now you can go and play golf on the Sabbath. I never said any such thing!"

May 18, 1995 PGR, Dear Ministers:

"Please allow me to verify the now infamous golf statements in my recent sermons. I have been accused of denying that I preached that it is not a sin in my sermon in Big Sandy on December 24, 1994. I did have the statement edited out of the video that was played in all the churches; however, I had it edited out because I was informed that some people had misinterpreted my comment to mean that it was fine to play golf instead of going to services."

"That is certainly not what I intended. So I thought it best to avoid the misunderstanding by not including the comment in the video. Then in a later sermon, I tried to explain that I never said it was fine to miss church to play golf and the result was the accusation that I was lying about having mentioned golf in Big Sandy at all."

"Well, please forgive me if I have misstated my intent, or if I have not made this clear, or if I have confused anyone. That was not my intention. To make it plain, I do not believe that golf or other such things should take priority over coming to church services. But neither is it a sin to play a round of golf on the Sabbath. I hope that makes clear the point I was trying to make."

[Translation: The law is done away with, but it is still priority to obey it. For those members who wish to stay in good standing at the Big Sandy campus, we suggest you book in for your Sabbath golf slot early in the week, it is very likely that there will be a stampede from the church hall, up the path, and onto the golf course. Members last in line; of course, ministers have the right of way.]

WHAT GOLF COURSE???

You mean you didn't know that the WCG in Big Sandy, TX had a sprawling "76" acre golf course, meticulously manicured and privately available to those whom have special permission to use it? It is not surprising that insiders and outsiders, some of whom have been affiliated with the WCG over 30 years, deny ever having known of its existence.

On my recent trip to Dallas, TX, I stretched the days and visited the famous Big Sandy campus. After a 1 and 1/2 hour trip east of Dallas, I approached the little town of Big Sandy. My initial reaction was, "How quaint," but as I viewed the town of approximately 1,400 population, I realized that the Ambassador University was the big happening in the area. Big green signs announcing, "Welcome, Home of Ambassador University" led me through the small streets of the town to the impressively constructed, brick gateway that assured me I reached my destination. After riding past, what seemed to be an endless connection of high quality, glistening white, corral fencing, I proceeded to enter the main approach into the campus.

I was freely allowed to exit my car and walk the campus grounds. The large, rectangular white administration building greeted the entrance of the campus and offered Pasadena flair with its art structures and water decor. As I walked the very tailored paths, I was stuck by the silence that prevailed. If it were not for the slight breeze that unsettled the leaves, one would truly hear a pin drop. I carefully noted the stillness as I observed each passer by. The few students I saw around the campus during this mid week school day all had a pleasant and timely smile for me as they approached. The students appeared to have much in common, as it seemed they walked at the same pace and carried their back packs in the same position.

On my first day visit, I toured all the grounds that were accessible. Acre after acre I glanced at the dorms and buildings all nestled within rolling landscape which was spotted with gardens, streams and waterfalls. The many gardeners were actively cultivating the massive grounds with various machinery. Every now and then, I would come upon a young person, slowly raking between bushes as he sorted the debris from the mulch.

As I journeyed up the incline I came upon an airstrip. As my thoughts became increasingly reflective and somewhat flooded, I started to visualize Herbert W. Armstrong and son landing in their private jets, only to be greeted by mobs of members cheering them on and welcoming their footsteps. Oh, what magnificent times the 1960's and part of the 1970's must have been! I thought to myself. At this juncture, I started to have a most difficult time assimilating what I was viewing and relating it to what an insider's WCG world is all about.

"Is this the same operation that writes the WWN?" I asked myself.

"It couldn't be!" I thought.

As I proceeded onward I was confronted by a fence that noted the grounds were privately owned by the Worldwide Church of God. Being that, we too, paid (through coercion and fear) many thousands of dollars into the pockets of the leaders who owned this luxurious land, I felt very welcome to tour this off-the-path acreage.

To my right and mostly hidden by the bramble was the rolling and sprawling golf course. Slightly stunned, I glanced with amazement; I never knew it existed. Never was it mentioned in the church during my constant presence. Never did I see it in writing or view it on any WCG Newsreels.

"Was this another kept secret?" I thought.

As the big tractor manicured the lush sod in my presence, I became overcome and reminiscent of the many people who died with no medical treatment and the extreme amount of poverty members experienced. How many people suffered and sacrificed their families, their futures and their lives for this golf course?

As I walked a few yards, I entered the neighborhood of homes that bordered this golf course. Home after home demonstrated more obsessively tailored grounds holding large brick structures that represented home. On average, each home was approximately 2,000 to 2,500 square feet. Most of the homes had ample play yards that edged up to LOMA Lake. Now I realized where the ministers lived and how they lived.

The glistening water of LOMA Lake was a beauty to behold. But my moment of time was spoiled as I reflected on what a 30-year ex-deacon told me. "I helped scrape the hole for LOMA Lake until my hands were cut up." Now, I understood what he was relaying to me. At that moment, I wanted to hold his hand.

The journey didn't end at the lake, as the next day I visited the "Ambassador Farms." I leaned on the very high quality fence to gaze at the hundreds of beautiful Holstein cattle, as they grazed in the far distance on the sprawled out hilly farmlands. Suddenly, the funniest thing happened. About 20 of the cattle started a rapid approach toward me. Their pace was fast enough to alert any gawker. I skeptically waited for their approach, only to be rewarded by the friendliest cattle I ever came across. It was almost as if they were saying, "Please take me with you!"

I accomplished much detailed research of what I will note in future OIUs. I did interview several students and had several tours of inside buildings, including the dorms. The stillness within the wall of the buildings mimicked that of the outside. One student asked me what I thought about the campus. I remarked that it was so quiet, similar to being on a remote island in the middle of the ocean. He said to me, "Wow, I haven't heard it described that way; most visitors say it's like living in a bubble or under a dome."

Some visitors might equate it to Brigadoon, especially if they try to find the University listed in the local telephone book. The campus consumes miles of the Usher County geography. It stretches in length of approximately five miles and is three miles deep. With an entity the size of Ambassador University, you'd think it would at least be listed by phone.

As I wandered around the campus inside and out for two days, I never came upon a building named after the founder Herbert W. Armstrong, nor did I see his picture hanging in what would be termed the obvious places. As I walked into the Administration building I was confronted by a detailed oil painting of Joseph Tkach, Bible and all, proudly displayed on a golden easel, but no Herbert W. Armstrong. If there was a dedication to HWA, I missed it!

How could this school of about 1000 students support all this? How could the church carry this financial burden when it is supposed to be financially strapped? I'm told the enrollment is significantly down for `95/96. Where does the money come from to maintain the opulence? What else is going on in Big Sandy? So many questions to be answered. Why haven't many others wondered these things, or did they?

Only 15 miles down the same road going west, sits the Headquarters of Garner Ted Armstrong, just a hop--skip--and a jump from Big Sandy. The assessment of this and other mysterious findings gathered from this journey will be relayed in the future.

To Be Continued:

OBSERVATIONS FROM CULT CENTRAL
By Thomas Holshouser

A recent business trip took me to Los Angeles, CA. With WCG HQ (cult central) in the vicinity, I decided to drive over and check things out. It happened that my trip had me in LA on the Last Day of Unleavened Bread and the weekly Sabbath. Initially, I planned to visit Cult Central only on the Sabbath, but I found that I had some spare time on the afternoon on the "Holy Day" so I went then also. I arrived at the Auditorium just as Mr. Tkach was winding up his sermon. I only caught the last five minutes or so, but since I got to hear him making desperate attempts at defending himself and recent doctrinal changes, I was happy to have at least gotten the "gist" of it.

Since I arrived so late, I watched Mr. Tkach by remote TV in the Auditorium lobby with a small group of members who were huddled together out there. Following the sermon, I went inside for the closing song. I spent some time looking around for recognizable faces; after all, this was a Holy Day and I reasoned that there should be several evangelist ranked ministers in the crowd. Mr. Tkach had mysteriously vanished, and try as I might, I could not spot a single other prominent minister. The only face I recognized was Ralph Helge's. I wondered at this, since on a trip here a couple of years ago I had seen at least a half dozen evangelists, including Herman Hoeh, Rod Meredith, Dean Blackwell, Joe Jr., Carn Catherwood, and David Hulme. Hmm, could it be that they've all left? Or maybe some have been sent to Texas to quell the "uprising" there. I didn't know. I asked a friend who attends there if either of the Tkach's were ever present for Sabbath services. He said that they rarely were, but went on to make the same excuse we always made for Herbert W. Armstrong--that they were either traveling or busy and probably had the sermons "piped" into their homes.

The following day was the Sabbath and I arrived with time to spare. I didn't want to miss the services that day because I was curious to hear the content of the sermon. Would it be on some irrelevant topic like the sermons back home had been before I stopped attending? If the topic were relevant, would it be full of double-talk like so much of the church's published material these days? I was anxious to see first hand. The sermonette was given by the editor of YOUTH magazine. His purpose was to defend the continued existence of the magazine. I thought that it was interesting that one of his main justifications for the publication is that it "gives the Church positive PR." Well, I thought, at least he's being honest. He went on to mention that the magazine would now carry a subscription price and that church members were encouraged to subscribe and also give gift subscriptions. This reminded me a lot of the 1970's QUEST magazine. The sermon was given by Bernie Schnippert, head of "Media Relations." His topic, I was glad to see, was mostly free of double-talk. The subject was on "Grace vs. The Law." I thought it was quite good and to the point. It sounded almost as if he had been listening to some tapes put out by Mr. Earl Williams.

Immediately following the sermon, I approached Mr. Schnippert and told him that I enjoyed his sermon. I mentioned that I found it very clear and helpful. I went on to ask him, however, why this kind of clarity was so lacking in local church areas and in the church's publications. His reply was that this was characteristic of a church "in transition." He said that I could not expect to see old ways of phrasing things, etc., eliminated right away. I could have agreed with him on this if it were only in local churches that the "old" ways still linger--but surely there could be some control of the publications at the editorial level! Given the quickness and nature of his answer I felt that I had received his practiced reply when fielding the same question from the "cult watch" media.

While we were talking, he mentioned that Holy Day attendance was down 27% compared with last year (while offerings were up 3%). I asked him if he thought that this drop in attendance was a positive sign or negative one? He emphatically replied that he thought it was negative. "Why?" I asked, "Wouldn't this indicate that people are getting it?" That is, that they really aren't required to keep the Feast under the New Covenant? "Well, they need to keep them even if they aren't required!" he stammered. Here is the double-talk that was missing from the sermon, I thought.

I spent the next 30 minutes talking with him and Mike Carol, Head of Data Processing. I tried vainly to get either of them to come right out and say that, since there are Christians in other churches, WCG members were free in the sight of God to choose to worship elsewhere if they chose. No luck though. I closed the conversation by telling the two of them that the WCG would continue to be a cult-like organization until it came to the point that it could discontinue holding onto members by psychological coercion and make them feel free to leave if they choose--that is, that they will not fall from favor with God for doing so. The reply was that while individual members are in fact encouraged to find fellowship elsewhere if they are unhappy in the WCG, I should not look for any type of public statement in this regard. [I understand this to mean that "unhappy" members equal "trouble-makers" and are therefore encouraged to leave.]

As I walked around the grounds, I came upon a garden that was once pictured in the Good News magazine when I was a child. I was amazed at how small the garden was compared to the picture that made it look so impressively big. While I pondered the technical considerations of manipulative advertising, it made me think of a metaphor for the ways and means of Herbert W. Armstrong. According to the legendary Apostle who brought to light God's ONE'S TRUE CHURCH after 1900 years, the end was VERY NEAR, the world was VERY EVIL and he was a VERY IMPORTANT instrument of GOD, doing a VERY GREAT WORK. Now we see that that image was nothing but a created, enhanced picture that was planted in every member's mind--technical considerations to boot!

Canadian Update
by Brent

"Fellowship groups" seem to be the emphasis lately, although, many members are calling them "disfellowship groups." In one Canadian city a minister obtained from the head of the fellowship group a list of names of those that were not in agreement with the church and said that he was going to "get them." It appears these fellowship groups will be vehicles to the old "Deacon-Elder" spy and report meetings. This same minister will be moving to California to take over a WCG congregation in July. After his recent visit to California in April, he reported to his Canadian congregation that, "Everything is fine in the church and there are no problems."

I had the opportunity to talk to a Global minister and his wife from Edmonton. They were concerned about how quickly David Hulme went from the WCG to be President of the UCG (isn't everybody?). They also commented on how Richard Panelli had been in Edmonton a couple of months ago and telling people to stay in the WCG; shortly after that he joined the UCG. The people in the Canadian area have always adhered to the government commands and have been obedient to the WCG leaders. Now with the newest "double message," some are finding themselves in a greater state of confusion than in the past.

Frank Brown adds to that confusion quite nicely by announcing to the Canadian church that the WCG has recently lost 20,000 members while nothing has really changed. Frank Brown instructs the Canadian ministers to reassure the brethren that all will continue to honor the Sabbath and keep the Holy Days. It's too soon to tell, but Frank's rhetoric seems to support the UCG development. We may see all of Canada roll over to the UCG before all is said and done.

We still are hearing about people that left the WCG many years ago who are still living in fear that they left God's True Church and his Government. They live in guilt and emotional trauma because of the mind control that was used on them. These people are hurting and are very sincere, yet approach this matter with the WCG leaders or current members; they accuse you of dwelling on the past or of being bitter. When inquiring cult watchers ask the leaders about the past, they are appeased by small talk and statements in the fashion of, "We want to move forward, not dwell in the past." This may sound noble; however, it is dismissing their accountability for the personal destruction they have caused. The leaders have even stooped to stating that the past was in ignorance and they have been forgiven. [Note: Read this part on our site which covers headquarters' "apologies."]

Some of the Christian cult watchers are so excited about the evangelical language the WCG is using; they simply accept and forgive the organization at face value. With so many distraught ex-members in Canada, we are reminded that forgiveness does not mean that all accountability is gone. Actually with the forgiveness should come a greater willingness to be accountable and an urge to reconcile with openness and honesty.

The WCG leaders are using the same naïveté to some of the evangelical cult watchers in effort to further their own agenda. MacGregor Ministries of Nelson British Columbia recently met with the WCG leaders. Shockingly, Lori MacGregor releases an issue of her newsletter and writes at length that the WCG can be given a clean bill of health. Individuals who received her newsletter were so disgusted and baffled as to how a former Jehovah's Witness cultist could possible ignore the cult leaders tactics and play right into the manipulation. What an incredible disservice to the victims of the Worldwide Church of God.

Lori MacGregor was well informed by many about the tactics the leaders use. Much material was sent to her, which obviously she ignored. Christians here now question her motive and wonder what made her stoop to the cult leaders. It is puzzling how an individual could spend their working life combating the falseness of the Jehovah's Witnesses and then set herself up as an expert for the WCG while she judges them as Christian. How would Lori feel if a non-JW cult watcher gave the JW's a clean bill of health without getting all the facts? As we scratch our heads, we must attribute such a blatant error to vanity. MacGregor Ministries joins the Christian Research Institute, as many view both Ministries as grossly uniformed and a detriment to the thousands of ailing victims of a destructive cult. It is a shame they have lost credibility in the eyes of those who once supported their work.

Another cult watcher once explained to me that there is a heavy competition between the cult-watchers as to who is the expert. It does seem that there is more deception under some of these cult-watching groups than we're aware of. In Lori MacGregor's newsletter, Set Free Ministries was being advertised. This is the same group under investigation with Hank Hanegraaff of CRI. Allegations were written about Hank being paid by Set Free in exchange for a cult-free status. Some question if the WCG possibly made the same sort of deal after CRI gave WCG cult-free status.

Some of the Christian cult-watching ministries are becoming as dangerous as the cults themselves. They set themselves up as speakers for God and then decide who else isn't. They seem to pride themselves in being experts on all the cult groups, but refuse to work with those who were part of the group. It's hard to believe there isn't an ulterior motive to such behavior, or an unseen dividend.

[Read offsite link: Smoke, Mirrors and Disinformation: The New Age Ties of the Apologetics Ministries]

On a funny note, the sign in front of the meeting hall for services in Winnipeg used to read, "Saturday Services 10 AM, All Welcome." A few months ago some former members decided to go to services. Many members complained about the former member intrusion and didn't think the former members should be allowed. So, they have now changed the sign by deleting the "All" and leaving the, "Welcome!"

From The Mailbox  

We continue to receive many letters and will continue to share them with our readers. The following letters are printed in their entirety because the content can be helpful to others. We have many other letters on file; yours may be in a future OIU. Many of you have expressed how you do enjoy the letters, as they connect you to support. We assure you, all letters printed are actual letters. Please let us know if we can use your name.