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VOLUME THREE contents: (partial index)
Letter from Editor of OIU Newsletters to Janis Hutchinson (Vitally important letter with much exposé regarding WCG's history and reasons for the changes) A year ago this past May, I looked outside the window in my office and admired the spring flowers all in bloom. As the Exit & Support Network (ESN) was in the startup phase, I was just too preoccupied to visit the garden very often and enjoy the outdoors. I thought to myself, next year I won't be so busy. Next year is here and my previous thoughts stand corrected, as the ESN is busier then I could have ever contemplated. Since the last OIU, events have
been unfolding like dominos collapsing on themselves. New information
finds its way to the ESN daily, as do many of the one time dedicated WCG
members in search of truth. As demands to the ESN stack up, we strive to
maintain our goal in providing assistance to exiters. The OIU could be
published monthly without delay if all we did was compile the information
and report it. However, other aspects demand our time. Our phone line
rings daily with first time callers, the mail has increased with requests
for help or information, the research continues and the ESN affiliates
grow, while we pursue education and networking through conferences.
Through it all, we make it our point to stay in touch with the exiters,
the professionals and the current events. We've been on the go. Thomas and Lavonne Holshouser of the WCG South Eastern Resource Network and other family members attended a conference on cults in Charlotte NC, entitled "Cults in America." Janja Lalich, author of Captive Hearts, Captive Minds and Ron Enroth*, author of Churches That Abuse [and Recovering From Churches That Abuse], were key speakers discussing topics related to cults and how they are infiltrating society. The Holhousers shared lunch with Ron Enroth while they discussed the changes in the WCG and how the WCG compares to other groups making moves toward evangelism and discipling.* Lavonne states, "The conference was so helpful, especially with understanding Mind Control and how all the cults function so similarly." (*Listen to: "From Cult to Church: The Quest for Acceptance," by Dr. Ron Enroth, 1994. If interested in this tape, email ESN, and ask for it by name. Please include your address on your email.) [Update 2000: The Holshousers are no
longer affiliated with the Exit & Support Network™]
The following list of ministers have been disfellowshipped with credentials evoked and were listed in a notice from Joe Tkach Jr. to the remaining ministers: [Note: There are 167 ministers on this list.]
By the time this is published it will represent only a partial listing. WHERE did all these men go?
In OIU Vol. TWO, we discussed the sequence of events leading up to the Tkach Company de-culting program and introduction of the Protestant/Evangelical belief. As the WCG continued to decline throughout the seventies and eighties, the leaders employed an array of new marketing tactics in effort to save the organization. Despite the fact that the yearly income statements reflected financial growth, the truth is, the recruiting of new members was at an all time low. The enhancement of financial figures was accomplished through “other means!” As the WCG did not have a clearly written doctrinal statement, the Systematic Theology Project (STP) was an attempt to provide one. Careful scrutiny of past literature will verify that the HWA teachings offered an enhanced system of belief characterized by mandatory behaviors. There was never a STATEMENT OF PURPOSE. The only way any prospect could grasp the church’s teaching was solely by wading through the thousands of booklets and articles. By the time one read a few booklets he was well on his way to “transformation and conversion the HWA way.” Ron Dart, chief assistant and Vice President to Garner Ted Armstrong and one time evangelist with the WCG (until his resignation in 1978), recently stated:
“For the uninitiated,
the STP was begun in the mid-70’s to pull together existing teachings of
the church into one place. Formerly, anyone wanting to find out what the
church believed would have to plow through booklets and articles to find
what they were looking for. Much of the time they got it wrong--not
altogether their own fault. The idea was to provide a source book for
scholars and others so an official statement of what the church believed
would be available.”
[Update:
Ronald Dart founded
Christian Educational Ministries in 1995 after he left the Church of God
International during the scandal
involving Garner Ted Armstrong and a masseuse). CEM produces his Born
to Win program (Whitehouse, Texas), airing on Christian radio. He also founded Independent
Church of God and continues to teach many of Herbert Armstrong's doctrines.
Dart is mentioned in ESN's
exposé article on GTA and in
12/16/04 letter to ESN: Ron
Dart Says He Has All the Money He Will Ever Need.]
The absolute verification of the reasons behind the current WCG events is clearly spelled out through the history of the 1970 era. The 1980’s marked the pivotal point for decision-making regarding church survival. Certainly, survival was a challenge to the Tkach regime. They were the ones to assume the position of the beloved leader Herbert W. Armstrong--not an easy task when one considers how the membership worshipped the ground HWA walked on. Transferring that HWA lust over to JWT was a task to behold. That problem coupled with the lack of new recruiting of members forced the Tkach regime to explore many maneuvers. Think back to 1986, shortly after HWA’s death. JWT moved in place with all the hard-line teachings. The Good News, Worldwide News, Pastor General letters, booklets, articles, all enhanced the Armstrong behaviors and ideology. The JWT article called, God Restored these Eighteen Truths: How Thankful Are You For Them? (WWN, Aug. 25, 1986), depicts quite well where JWT’s head was at that time. Throughout 1986 and 1987 there was a major push for distribution with HWA’s book, Mystery of the Ages. [Read ESN's two critical reviews of Mystery of the Ages] Many of JWT’s signed writings reiterated that this book was the greatest piece of literature ever written by HWA. During the years from 1986 to 1990, the Plain Truth and World Tomorrow format were in constant change. Always being billed as, “God is opening our minds to see other ways of reaching the people he is calling.” The membership became complacent to the simple excuses given them to condone change, and for the most part, they went along with whatever the Tkach regime put forth. It was too soon for the questioners to realize that the frequent marketing flip-flops meant that the church was not growing. After the church exhausted the hype over the famous TV clip, “Four Horseman of the Apocalypse” running over the TV screens, the Plain Truth (PT), took on a very secular approach (it accompanied the make-up approval). Of course, all these marketing strategy changes were billed as the famous, “God inspired new truth,” or “God is opening new doors.” Did the membership notice the rapidity of new strategies being enforced on them? Did they question why they were told the PT and World Tomorrow telecast were not really for them, but for those searching? One of HWA’s famous phrases was, “Never change anything that works.” All the quick change marketing strategies in the 1980’s should have been an indication and warning that “church survival” was a problem. We must keep in mind that insiders would have been unable to detect the shenanigans going on with headquarters. The fear/guilt mind-control was so intense, that it prevented members from critically thinking or questioning. It was the game plan to go along with everything and never deviate from the “GOD’S IN CHARGE” mantra planted into everyone’s brain. As the “new truth” was deceptively injected, oh so subtly in the beginning, no one really questioned it--except for maybe Gerald Flurry and few others in the upper ranks who knew a few things! Market and sales strategies were so rapidly changing that any good advertising and sales organization would have shuddered at the shortened time span allowed for testing the new strategies. Were the leaders that desperate? Comment: Mr. Ronald Howe committed suicide in early Feb. by jumping off the Golden Gate bridge in San Francisco, CA. He leaves behind his wife, Joy, and children. Mr. Howe was well known in Canada as he served in many areas. He also served as Pastor in Alabama, San Antonio, TX and associate Pastor in Pasadena. More recently, he pastored the Oakland Church. Many members and ministers knew Mr. Howe well for many years. [Taken from OIU#2: Another Sad Suicide, which includes other comments on the WCG suicide rate.] [Also read Letter from ESN to Watchman Fellowship, which mentions this suicide and boldly confronts WF with the massive double messages in Tkach's January 7, 1995 video to all WCG members.]
Was there a
choice? This is where the planned strategy enters that has been billed as “new truth.” When long time exiting members ask whether Mr. Tkach is being honest about the changes or whether or not it is “new truth,” we refer them to a thorough research on the 1970 era. Now that’s easier said then done for most questioners, mainly because they were “insiders” then and VERY limited to any factual information, thanks to their local minister. However, as they start to recollect their past and think about names such as Richard Plache, Al Carrozzo, Al Portune, David Antion, Ken Westby, David Jon Hill [died 11/03], Ernest Martin [died 1/16/02] and many others-- things start to click in the mind. [Update: Ernest L. Martin died January 16, 2002]
“Wait a minute,” some
say, “These changes JWT is making now are the same teachings that all
that rumpus was about in the 1970’s.”
“That’s right!” we
reply.
“Do you mean to tell me
all that so called “rebellion” was because some caring high level
ministers wanted to bring the church out of a cult with similar teachings
they’re instituting now?”
“That’s right!”
“That’s right!” we retort.
“Was it dictatorial,
authoritarian and Government from the top down, then?” they question.
“That is what led the
1970 pioneers to discover that HWA’s Bible interpretation had some
real flaws. These men claimed they wanted to free the membership from the
constrained obedience to one man, to freedom in Christ,” we
explain. After a little dialog and reference materials, the questioners soon became exiters and began their own journey into the past. Thankfully, much documented material was left behind from the 1970 era that clearly outlines and verifies the agenda of today. The 1970 era story is enormous and will be told. Current events have preempted the space for this issue, but details will follow in the upcoming months. Full knowledge of the 1970's era is the “proof” way of de-bunking the “new truth” spectrum and deprogramming one’s mind from the “WCG system.” [Read: Worldwide Church of God History by Ken Westby, a transcription of ESN tape RE-2, and the very turbulent 1970 era talked about in ESN's letter to author Janis Hutchinson.] One reason why members were repeatedly drilled to “look ahead and not behind,” was so they could not figure out the inside maneuvers. The leaders neglected to understand that under mind-control one doesn’t stop absorbing his environment, he just stores it up in a mental file cabinet for future use when he’s ready to look at the data. As everything appears to unfold and fall apart with the old WCG structure, it becomes very plain that the “new truth” was nothing but another new strategy and a desperate attempt to put humpty-dumpty back together. As the OIU has outlined in previous issues, the thrust is not about Doctrine or God (the D&G syndrome), it was about keeping the business in operation. There wasn’t much depth to hold the church together after the entrepreneur, HWA, died. The HWA image sold the product: no image--no product. The multi-level marketing company took a dive. The only hope for survival was to incorporate a product that is known to work with the religion market. As all the surveys indicate, Protestant evangelicalism is on the incline while Apocalyptic-ism is on the decline. So the leaders set out like busy little beavers making friends with the popular spokespersons in the Christian arena (such as Ruth Tucker). One must admit the leaders must have feasted on humble pie to face the enemy of yesteryear and say, they want in....! The pot of gold softens the blow a bit; nevertheless, it had to be a tough task at first. All that wheeling and dealing is enough to grate on anyone’s nerve, let alone the WCG leaders. Think about all the things they had to pull off:
etc., etc., etc. Since the Tkach Co. assumed the leadership role, they pretty much tried every market tactic available to increase recruiting. A major switch into mainstream was about the only thing left if the church had a chance at all of making it. The decline was going on for years (the financial totals had nothing to do with the growth). No one says it better than Stanley Rader in the Good News, Nov. 20, 1978 under the section entitled, FORUM with Stanley Rader. Question: In the face of the sagging dollar and declining economy, do you foresee any problems for the Work?
Well, the future was not so bright Mr. Stan Rader, because the church barely recruited during the eighties and many continued to leave (the reader is referred to Vol. TWO). The reason for the changes should now become clearer. It was the last resort--to make or break the organization that postulated as a church for decades, while the leaders lapped up the luxury afforded to them by the tithes and offerings of mind-controlled and deceived members. While Stan Rader and HWA globetrotted in luxury, the church was in decline. The financial reports were no indication as to the actual condition of the church, furthermore, they are very misleading (just try and read one), they do not indicate who "dumped" the extra 150 million dollars into the church bank roll during the 1980's, nor do they indicate what direction the money was filtered. Obviously, it appears. "Worldwide News,
Feb. 10, 1986, "Members of the Church tithe voluntarily, and the Church also says it receives significant financial support from non members who back it's evangelical work." (emp. Ed.) Please, read that
again! Who are the non-members with deep pockets? Who are these backers of
the evangelical work!??? Inquisitive minds want to know!
As JWT well instructed his
flock at FOT, 1993: "To be TRANSFORMED means to be CHANGED...be different...a different set of values...by a process in one sense of the use, the expression by BRAINWASHING, the RENEWING OF THE MIND, to RESTORE, to REBUILD, to change into a likeness of Christ." [Note: Tkach Sr. also talked about a "brainwashing program" in the January 7, 1995 video sermon to members, which introduced the new doctrinal changes.] It seems that many followed JWT's commands--- just fine, "in many ways, shape and form," to quote a JWT saying. Was JWT paving the way for what is transpiring today? As we will see, many financial backers (tithers) didn't aspire to the orthodox quick fix. But then, how could they accept the new teaching in the manner of which it was presented...deceptively; dialectically; with confusion and contradictions; with little support materials or straightforward explanations of the supposed teachings. For a group of SKILLED writers who for decades have been able to publish writings that were entrenched in trickery, one must wonder WHY the same team couldn't explain the "new truth" in a proper, open, honest and straightforward fashion. Was there a method to the madness? Did the big push for Christian mainstream--flop?? Since JWT presented the January 3 1/2 hour video on the New Covenant, the church has been in great disarray. How much of this fragmentation is going according to plan? Is there really a severe rebellion occurring? Is the church going bankrupt? Will the WCG change its name? Where are all the exiting ministers going? What direction is the WCG headed? What is happening to the members? These questions and more are answered in the:
Chronology of events January Week two & three--Follow-up 1 1/2-hour video, sending conflicting messages regarding first video. Week four--LA TIMES and Pasadena Star News broadcast church's financial woes. Immediate cutback in advertising/ closing of Ambassador Auditorium, lay-offs, liquidating of property/PT cutbacks/International funding cut. February Week two-four--Tkach Co. relays financial stress to members. Dear Brothers and Sisters
2/16/95, "I wish I could say that this letter is full of good news.
But the truth is, my heart aches as I write it, brethren, and I have no
choice but to bare my soul to you. Let me share my sorrows with you. The
income of the Church has dropped sharply, and we must lay off hundreds of
employees. I grieve for them, and for their families. Please join me in
praying that they would be able to find other work soon." Dear Brethren letter 2/23/95, "I am sorry to have to write to tell you that we may not be able to hold our summer camps this year. As you know, we have stepped out on faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, choosing to teach the truth of the Bible despite the consequences, and this has resulted in a lower level of income for the church." "Brethren, I know the summer
camps are very important for our young people, and I am willing to go
ahead with them this summer if the
operating expense can be met with
special donations within the next four weeks." [Update: In 1996, because of the small number of applications for S.E.P., the program was canceled and applicants were being referred to S.E.P. in Orr, Minnesota. In 2002 WCG sold the camp in Orr and closed it the same year. As of 2005 WCG has 8 local S.E.P camps in the United States (and some in Canada). There are "pre-teen camps" for children as young as seven and eight. They desire to hang on to their youth and disciple them into WCG youth ministries; however, the number of young people in WCG continues to decline.] March--Dear Brothers and Sisters
in Christ, 3/27/95, "Last month I shared with you my sadness about having
to terminate hundreds of Church employees due to a 30% decline in income.
Now, I thank you from the bottom of my heart for your generosity. As of
March 10, income had stabilized at 15% under last year, and with our
cutbacks, if income remains at this level, we will be able to remain on
budget." Within three weeks of the
New Covenant Video and follow-up
sermon, the WCG implements a slash and dash program while it places the
financial strain blame on the members. Some old timers who have had enough
of the above say, "So what's new?" The point to be scrutinized is the time
frame of the mass ministerial exodus in conjunction with the rocket
approach "new truth" deliverance. Many wonder how the church financial
condition could have fallen apart within three weeks of the "voluntary
tithing" knowledge. By mid-Feb. to March, several
names of men surface to reportedly be working behind the scenes,
supposedly they were responsible for organizing a new corporation and
possibly a big takeover. The men named at that time were Richard Helge (in
Texas getting the legal/financial affairs together) Victor Kubik, Ray
Wooten and Dennis Luker. Alex LaRavia's name was mentioned intermittently.
Meanwhile, other ministers were starting to resign, for supposed doctrinal
reasons. The pattern seemed to mimic a visit to the local region in
question, from an HQ representative. Within a few days of visitation, the
local minister would resign. This happened with Jim Franks and Roy
Holladay, both of who were managerial ministers in areas that leaned
conservative or legalistic. Within a few weeks of resigning, it was
announced they were setting up their own corporation and bringing many
members with them. The ministerial exits continued as stories piled up
about in-house fights. By mid March the picture looked somewhat like the following: · United Church of God, Inc. from
Alabama, Ray Wooten Since then, we are told there are
over "50" WCG spin-off Corporations set up, with over 100 Fellowships,
with exiting ministers and over 250 full-time ministers who have exited
since January. This is a rough estimate based on
Tom Lapacka's quote to the LA Times, Another Schism Racks Worldwide
Church of God. However, we find a
major discrepancy in what the officials report as JWT tells a very
different story. April--A memo dating April 5, 1995 states that three regional pastors met with Joseph Tkach, Jr. Dennis Luker, Bob Dick and Jim Franks met for the purpose of informing Mr. Tkach, Jr. on the current state of affairs in the congregations of Worldwide Church of God" All previous requests for a ministerial conference were rejected. The note sights the
irreconcilable doctrinal difference that has brought the church to the
brink of destruction. It stated that all ministers and members who cannot
accept the current doctrinal position should be permitted to begin
fellowshipping together on the Sabbath and Holy Days without
recrimination. April 4, WWN,
Pastor General Letter: On the same page
JWT, Jr. states, "I am saddened to report that several full-time
ministers have decided to step from their pastoral duties. We have had
several calm and friendly conversations with certain of our ministers, yet
some have decided to resign. These are men we know and love." Jr. goes on to list many ministers who have departed but stresses that "nearly all of them have told me that they would not join any of the splinter groups." Ironically, most ministers listed on page two have immediately joined with the "splinter" Churches of God upon exiting. In the same issue, another article, called, "Coping with doctrinal change: Give yourself time," Jr. writes, "We are convicted that Christ is leading these changes, and it is our responsibility to help our members understand them. We are definitely not out to lose ministers." (emp. Ed.) For an organization that did not want to "lose ministers," the facts state, they have lost a bulk of the ministry backbone.
The Tkach Company did expect to lose many members when they started the Protestant belief campaign. The Tkach leaders stated that on several occasions. I personally recall Tom Lapacka shouting at the Tucson FOT in 1992 that the train was moving ahead and those hanging onto the caboose would be cut loose and stranded. Could the leaders have misjudged the membership's reaction to all the change these past few years? In April of '94, Joe Tkach Sr. made the following statement in his Holy Day sermon video: "And the rumor
was that we were going to do away with unclean meats, and that we were
going to do away with tithing. How on earth are we going to get out the
work? And that we are going to be doing away with the Sabbath and that we
are going to be keeping Sunday instead." Members started to see that they were victims of contradictions and confusion. While the Tkach Company thought they would subtly inject the mainstream changes, while simultaneously denying any change, the members were SLOWLY catching on. Even some ministers started getting angry over the duplicity. The membership at
large started to divide into the Tkachites and the Armstrongites. This
division took time as most members had to fight off
cognitive dissonance
(trancing out, due to trauma and confusion). One must question whether it
was a local church reaction that dictated what side the minister would
follow. Certainly, HQ had a handle on the overall feeling of the area; the
tithing barometer would be a foolproof indication.
[UPDATE:
Read February 19, 2006 letter to ESN
which exposed United Church of God / WCG connections with Dynamic
Resource Group.]
"Mr. Herbert W. Armstrong
ordained me a Pastor in Jan. 1967 and an Evangelist in Jan. 1979. I have
faithfully obeyed and served God and His people for nearly thirty-two
years in the ministry of Jesus Christ." JWT acknowledges Denny's
position and states: The letter leaves the impression that the Tkach Company was not aware of the "reform church" being organized since February. This seems rather peculiar being that the organizers were significant WCG men on the payroll, men of whom have been involved in the WCG for decades, men who remained extremely loyal to HWA through all the exposed corruption, and transferred that loyalty to the JWT administration. These same men were and are VERY aware of the true history of the Worldwide Church of God. They are in the know! They did not only watch the turn of events these past decades, they were part of them. David Hulme joins the pack of exiters with his early April resignation letter of six pages. The thrust of Hulme's letter focuses on JWT's contradiction--duplicity--and deception with doctrine. Now, this seems quite humorous in light of the fact the David Hulme was an "in-crowd" kind of guy. He was snugly positioned in HQ and functioned in many significant roles, such as, on the doctrinal committee with Ruth Tucker; Church Administration Dept. (CHAD), Public Affairs and Public Relations, The World Tomorrow telecast and administrator with Ambassador International Cultural Foundation (AICF). He has corresponded with other cult watching ministries and even threatened to sue one ministry for questioning his authority regarding the doctrine change/duplicity. In a letter to Mr. Craig Branch, Alabama Director of Watchman Fellowship Inc. (WF, March 5, 1991) Michael Snyder, Assistant Director of Public Affairs, states the following: "...you may be interested to know that David Hulme (who is presenter of the World Tomorrow television program and member of the Church's doctrinal committee) and I traveled to Chicago last week, where we participated in two days of open and intense discussion with faculty members and graduate students of Trinity Evangelical Divinity School (the attached doctrinal summary was presented in front of more than 400 students and faculty members.) We also reviewed church activities and beliefs with various theological journalists who were present. We found all of these discussions to be helpful and were thanked for our honest approach." In response to charges of duplicity and deception, Snyder writes: "I am sorry to read that you regard our direct and explicit statements about Church beliefs as insufficient. When you write that you "do not appreciate any duplicity or deception," I hope you realize we hold the same opinion about Watchman Fellowship. The church emphasizes the discovery and practice of Biblical truth over the maintenance of membership rolls." "Clarifying points for doctrinal summary:
In a several page document with letters from Hulme to James Walker, Head Director of WF, Hulme repeatedly strives to convince Walker that the WCG is making honest changes: Aug. 3, 1993 Could Hulme have forgotten he left quite a documented trail sighting his support for all the doctrinal changes in his rush to resignation? After all, nobody said it better than Hulme, that's why he had such an influential job as Public Affairs Director under the Tkach Company. The publicized six page
resignation letter turned many an eye as Hulme seemingly throws JWT quotes
regarding change right back in JWT's face. Hulme leaves the strong
impression that he was in the dark with the Tkach agenda. Hulme continues: As Hulme attempts to construct
chronological events of doctrinal change through his own eyes, he alludes
that JWT has twisted his doctrinal position since the 1970's. Hulme
centers JWT as the culprit of false teachings and sites examples that
show JWT as a liar. Hulme neglects, however, to see that he, too, is very
responsible for the exact same behavior that he accuses JWT.
This represents many letters
of this nature that Hulme applied his signature. Hulme was also
responsible for sending many PR kits to mainstream
(Protestant-Baptist, etc.) ministries. The kit included a brief
description of changes, proving it has updated its beliefs since HWA's
death. Tkach quotes are used to prove that the changes are sincere and
that all the members are well informed of the "new changes." The PR kit
speaks as if the new Tkach Co. is the "good-guy who, immediately following
HWA's death, brought the church through apostasy, leading the reader to
note that Herbert W. Armstrong was the only apostate and since his death,
the "good-guys" were able to turn the church around. [UPDATE: David Hulme left UCG-AIA in 1998 and formed "Church of God, An International Community," Pasadena, California, a group which publishes a quarterly entitled, "Vision--Journal for a New World." He proclaims most of Herbert Armstrong's former teachings in his literature. [Read: how Hulme, along with seven other evangelists, were offered severance pay [hush money?] from WCG. Also read: What You Should Know About United Church of God-AIA] On April 26, JWT responds to David stating: Dear Dave, "It is with regret that I accept your resignation, and with sorrow that I read your false accusations and misrepresentations." In response to a quote that Hulme used from the April 1994 sermon, JWT says: "You accuse me of having had a
hidden 'agenda of doctrinal changes' Dave, there has been no 'agenda' set
by humans." How very interesting that a select few "resignation" letters from ministers, manage to become public knowledge and are accessible to many in different countries. After having read close to 50 resignation letters from the 1970-decade, it's immediately noticed that these modern select letters are short, sweet and emotionless while being tailored toward doctrinal issues only. The fact that Hulme pretends he was "in the dark" all this time offers a red flag to those carving away at the inner core agenda. Dear Brethren, April 17, 1995: (four page letter) warning to members not to be pulled away by the newly disfellowshipped ministers. "I am saddened to have to write you this important emergency letter to let you know that certain disfellowshipped former ministers are now forming their own church organization and have pulled out all stops in trying to disillusion and overthrow the faith of our brethren. I have to warn you that a few of these ministers want to disaffect as many members as they can in order to finance their efforts to divide the Body of Christ." "Brethren, I implore you not to allow yourselves to be pulled into these or any other efforts to divide the Body of Christ. We have now been informed that some of these men have been at work for months, secretly laying the groundwork for their rebellion. We have also received information that certain ones would like to take control of Ambassador University from faithful University members. Some of them have tried to convince members that headquarters is 'doing away with God's law.' Nothing could be further from the truth, and yet some have used such reasoning to lead people away from the Church." "Brethren, it grieves me that certain ministers have taken advantage of our patience and kindness toward them to devour as many of God's flock as they have been able" "Brethren, I must also ask you to be especially generous with your offerings on the last Holy Day of the Unleavened Bread festival. These offerings are a voluntary expression of our love of Jesus Christ and support of his work through the church. We take them up on the Holy Days as a tradition, and not a commandment of God. Yet, brethren, I must tell you that we do really need these offerings, and especially at this time, when this rebellion has so negatively affected the church's income. Please give prayerfully and generously." "And brethren, I do thank you so very much for the love and support of our Master that you are reflecting in you regular tithes and offerings. So many have expressed to me how much more meaningful tithing has become for them now that they realize tithes and offerings are given out of a devoted and loving heart rather than a mere duty. Your devotion in this way reflects your personal stewardship of the blessings God gives you. It is the way God has chosen to provide the financial needs of the church, and I thank you deeply for your generosity and faithfulness. The need is surely great at this critical time." (emp. Ed.) As the momentum builds, more strategic occurrences and documents surface that appear to be very compatible to an inside plan for a church division. It is vital that the observer considers the histories of the key player and notice the timing of the events listed. Ellis LaRavia sends a letter
to JWT on April 20, 1995 "When it became obvious that
you wanted to succeed HWA and did everything within your power to acquire
the office of Pastor General, we still sought to support Mr. HWA in his
decision." The letter closes by alluding to Mr. HWA's admonition about not masking any massive doctrinal changes. Of the several letters that mysteriously ended up in public domain, this latest achievement seems to be the most believable, unless, of course, you have some history on Mr. Ellis LaRavia. Interestingly, he never mentions Stanley Rader, when in fact LaRavia had several vital positions under Mr. Rader. The letter seems to offer information that paves the way for possible future events. The letter could be interpreted as the following:
As far as propaganda goes, this letter is a success. If the JWT Co. was out to convince the media and members that they were not the plotters and planners, this would be the way to gain support. The Indianapolis
Conference The conference convened on April 30-May 2, 1995. Over 345 ministers and wives flew from all corners of the United States to attend. Joining the WCG "renegades" were representatives from the Global Church of God and Church of God International. The goal was to organize as separate corporations under one umbrella or "Balkanize," as one we interviewed stated. The conference adopted the following: A Mission Statement Several reported to the OIU that the conference was not as organized as they would have hoped and it left many with questions on various topics such as doctrine. Amazingly however, in just a few short months and supposedly behind the WCG leaders' backs, hundreds of ministers organized and UNITED to restore the noble teachings of HWA and re-institute the LAW, TITHING, SABBATH and HOLY DAYS. What is even more amazing is that JWT denies knowing that plans were in the making since January for: The UNITED CHURCH OF GOD The 1995 General Conference of Elders and Board of Director nominations, were as follows:
These individuals have long histories with the Worldwide Church of God. They were educated in the college system and witnessed all the turn of events that have transpired throughout the decades. When names like Gerald Waterhouse surface as the new current defenders of the HWA system, one must wonder why and how he suddenly changed his pro JWT attitude as he so aptly described in his more recent sermon 1994: [Excerpts only] · Now I hope I
can build into your own thinking about how God looks on people who assume
that they know more about how to run God's church than he does. · There is only
one [JWT] who has it legally, through the authority of Christ. That's the
one Mr. Armstrong, who was God's apostle, appointed to carry [on]. You
need to have it hammered in your mind, and I hope you do; so etched into
your mind, your thought process, nothing else can get in there and
interfere with it! [UPDATE: Gerald Waterhouse later left WCG and joined United Church of God-AIA in 1995. He died September 4, 2002 at age 76 after a long illness (swollen prostate, collapsed bladder and extreme toxemia).] Somehow, the facts do not stack up to an honest agenda. Have all these men been opposed to the changes on an ongoing basis? Was it coincidental that the radical cutbacks (listed in Vol. TWO) were on the heels on the "new truth" videos? Was the decline in church revenue really the members' fault for withholding tithes? What would inspire David Hulme to purport "doctrinal contradictions" when he, in the past eight years, documented his supportive position on the change through many publicity measures? Now, look who shows up as CHAIRMAN OF THE UCG. It's our suddenly unhappy, WCG camper. Hulme slides into position as top gun, within days after his rush to resignation. The following excerpts were taken from articles placed in the LA TIMES. Keep in mind, it was Hulme and Lapacka who decided what the newspaper was to relay. Another Schism
Racks Worldwide Church of God, "The new
church-announced at the close of a four-day conference in
Indianapolis-will be headed by David Hulme of Pasadena, who resigned from
the Worldwide Church of God." Group Splits From Worldwide Church May 5, 1995 "A former pastor in the WCG said yesterday his defection to establish a new church was prompted by doctrinal changes. David Hulme of Pasadena said he will lead a new sect, dubbed the United Church of God, which was unveiled Wed. at the end of a four day conference of former Worldwide pastors and elders in Indianapolis." "'A number of us
want to have continuity of belief and practice,' Hulme said, "We feel we
had to do what we did." How interesting! Every article stresses that the income has drastically dropped due to the changes in tithing. As Vol. TWO, "Special Edition" pointed out, it is becoming clearer to all that the sudden January doctrinal, "law keeping" release, allowed for an excuse and cover-up to the real agenda and quite possibly aids in masking what is currently going on with the shifting of money. Equally amazing is the smooth transition the many pastors and evangelists make on the crossover to the UCG, especially the ones who were Tkach's right hand men! In quick review: We recall how disinformation seemed to be surfacing from Pasadena. Evangelists were reported to have been fired and then re-hired, retired and then reinstated. It left onlookers puzzled as to the real Tkach Company agenda. Ralph Helge is one such person, a loooooong time head of the WCG legal department and one time partner with Stan Rader from the office of Rader and Helge. Reports surface that Helge retires; Helge leaves the church; Helge sets up legal format for "Global"; Helge sets up legal format for United COG; Helge is still in church, but not in the legal entity; Helge is just renting space in Pasadena. And it goes on and on. The funniest report we've had is, "Helge quit because he sees some things are wrong." Well, Mr. Ralph Helge has been thickly involved with the WCG in EVERY degree (and in many courts). We do not doubt that he is very aware of what is WRONG! [Update: Ralph K. Helge retired as legal head of WCG in 2005 and was replaced by Bernard Schnippert. Helge was referred to as an "unprincipled liar" in Jack Kessler's 1981 Letter to Worldwide Church of God Board of Directors.] When we consider: --The unique timing
and smooth transition of the UCG developments. · The WCG was not in a healthy
recruiting position in the 1970's or 1980's. So what do you do??? 1. A de-culting campaign combined
with joining evangelical Protestantism would provide an avenue of
recovery. [Update: Many local WCG
congregations have now changed their name. Worldwide Church of God moved
their headquarters from Pasadena to Glendora, CA in November 2004. (Pasadena Star-News, October
25, 2004) By May 2006 all their offices were moved to Glendora. (Together
May-June 2006). In 2006 they were considering
a name change.] Since the Indianapolis meeting, the UCG has been maneuvering with great speed spreading zeal across the land (and the computers) for their new (old WCG) church. The new UCG recruits instituted an "Attitude Policy Statement," which states: "We will not criticize, judge,
or condemn any individual or group publicly or privately." (point 3) |
OUTSIDER'S
INSIDE UPDATE™ 
