LCG Again Mentions UCG Crisis, Calls a Fast (plus UCG loses two in the Philippines)

Dr. Douglas Winnail

In his update read earlier today, LCG’s Dr. D. Winnail had the following:

Sadly, within the Church of God community, division and discord have erupted again. Currently, the United Church of God is experiencing a traumatic split that will impact thousands of brethren. Please pray that God will guide His people at this critical time to see the importance of working together to fulfill the commission to preach the Gospel, warn the world and prepare a people to serve with Jesus Christ in the soon-coming Kingdom of God (1 Corinthians 1:10-13 & Ephesians 4:1-6). Mr. Meredith is sending out a special letter about these critical events and is announcing a Church fast for unity on Saturday, January 29.

We in LCG tend to believe that now is the time for those who have been affected by the UCG crisis and other circumstances to truly consider where they have been and where they should go.

BTW, since my last listing, UCG apparently lost two more international ministers:

Mr. Norman Julag-ay (Local Elder, Bacolod, Philippines) January 7, 2010, resigned from UCG ministry

Mr. Florante Siopan (Pastor, Visayas, Philippines), January 3, 2011, resigned from UCG ministry

Losses seem to be continuing. The list I looked a few moments ago had 149 elders/ministers on it who have left or were put out of UCG. I also just noticed that UCG only produced 339,000 copies of its flagship magazine, the Good News. LCG produces about 330,000 of its Tomorrow’s World magazine. Once the financial impacts of the ministerial losses hits UCG, it appears that LCG will be producing more magazines. Interestingly, UCG has had a downward trend for magazine production for some time, including since it went on WGN in the summer of 2010.

As I have repeatedly stated, I do not believe that the governmental structure of UCG ever would be effective in proclaiming the gospel to fulfill Matthew 24:14–nor do I believe that those who broke off and will become part of COGWA or other such groups will as well. They can try to act otherwise, but the past 15 plus years has shown that most (though not all) of the UCG leadership was simply not committed very much to that goal.

If you are or were part of UCG and are confused about what to do, please pray, fast, and study the Bible about this. Decide if you wish to follow the lukewarm or those that Jesus Christ has truly been using to do the work–those who have had the same basic governing principles for over 40 years.

It is my view that those affected by this crisis who wish to support a more effective gospel-proclaiming organization will consider checking out LCG, as it has stood for proper church governance and the work since its foundation (which preceded its formation). It’s decision time for those who have been affiliated with UCG.

No, LCG is not perfect (nor am I), but I believe that its fruits, telecast results, financial emphasis, and attempts at being faithful to doctrine demonstrate that it best represents the remnant of the Philadelphia portion of the COG held over into this Laodicean time. Please, carefully consider this and check it out for yourself if you are not sure.

Some articles of possibly related interest may include:

Polycarp, Herbert W. Armstrong, and Roderick C. Meredith on Church Government What form of governance did the early church have? Was it hierarchical? Which form of governance would one expect to have in the Philadelphia remnant? The people decide and/or committee forms, odd dictatorships, or the same type that the Philadelphia era itself had?
Unity: Which COG for You? Why so many groups? Why is there lack of unity in the Churches of God? Has it always been this way? What can/should be done about it?
Differences between the Living Church of God and United Church of God This article provides quotes information from the two largest groups which had their origins in WCG as well as commentary.
There are Many COGs: Why Support the Living Church of God? This is an article for those who wish to more easily sort out the different COGs. It really should be a MUST READ for current and former WCG/GCI members or any interested in supporting the faithful church. It also explains a lot of what the COGs are all about.
Should the Church Still Try to Place its Top Priority on Proclaiming the Gospel or Did Herbert W. Armstrong Change that Priority for the Work? Some say the Church should mainly feed the flock now as that is what Herbert W. Armstrong reportedly said. Is that what he said? Is that what the Bible says? What did Paul and Herbert W. Armstrong expect from evangelists?
this biblically correct?
What is a True Philadelphian? Many claim to be part of the Philadelphia era of the Church, but is claiming enough? This article has biblical and historical evidence about who really are the Philadelphians.
Are the Laodiceans the Modern Sadducees and Pharisees? Discusses similarities of the Sadducees and Pharisees to various COGs in this end-time.
Samaritans: Old and New Who were the Samaritans? Do the represent true Christianity or something else?
There is a Place of Safety for the Philadelphians. Why it May Be Petra This article discusses a biblical ‘place of safety’ and includes quotes from the Bible and Herbert W. Armstrong on this subject–thus, there is a biblically supported alternative to the rapture theory.
The 18 Restored Truths: Do You Know What the First Changes the Tkach Administration Made? Some have said healing, others other subjects, but probably the first change had to do with eliminating being part of the Philadelphia era. This article documents what those changes were and compares the Tkach list of restored truths to Herbert W. Armstrong’s list of restored truths. It contains many quotes from Herbert W. Armstrong.
The Philadelphia Church Era was predominant circa 1933 A.D. to 1986 A.D. The old Radio Church of God and old Worldwide Church of God, now essentially the Living Church of God.
The Laodicean Church Era has been predominant circa 1986 A.D. to present. These are non-Philadelphians who mainly descended from the old WCG.