Tuesday, June 20, 2017

Using Rod Meredith's Death As A Membership Recruitment Tool




It looks like Gerald Weston has learned well over his decades in the church.  Church of God groups have used world events and tragedies as weapons of fear in order to scare people into joining their respective groups.  Now the Living Church of God is getting ready to cash in on the death of Rod Meredith.


Gerald Weston writes in the latest LCG Coworker letter the following:



Dear co-workers, while these letters often focus on world events and how this Work is doing, I believe it is appropriate at this time to focus on something more personal. There is nothing like death to wake us up to the reality of life. When we were young we thought it would last forever, but time seems to speed up with age, and we see the end coming as a train speeding out of control. The end of the track comes more clearly into sight, and the realization sets in that there is no way to stop the train. Life is short!
  It is with great sadness that we announce the death of Dr. Roderick C. Meredith, Presiding Evangelist of the Living Church of God. He had been suffering from cancer and died peacefully late Thursday night, May 18, 2017. He would have been 87 years old in June and took his 67th Passover this year. He is survived by his 6 children, 10 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren.
     Dr. Meredith was one of the first evangelists ordained by Mr. Herbert W. Armstrong in 1952 and spent 64 years in the Work that Christ began through Mr. Armstrong. He was active in the Work until recent months. The Living Church of God, which Dr. Meredith raised up, has more than 350 congregations in 55 countries worldwide. He is succeeded as Presiding Evangelist by Mr. Gerald E. Weston.
     Even after the partial paralysis of a stroke in 2008, Dr. Meredith pushed himself to continue to preach the Gospel of the Kingdom of God to the world and to shepherd the flock. His greatest wish was for the Work in which he labored for so long to go forward in unity and power under Jesus Christ. We look forward to seeing him again in the resurrection at Christ’s return. 
------- 
    I have often asked the question, “What is success?” If you live a hundred years, amass great wealth, have a wonderful husband or wife with dozens of children and grandchildren, but never know WHY you were born, can you truly claim success in life? If there is no life after death, no overall purpose for your existence, what difference does anything make? Once you die, you will never know what happens afterward. All your efforts, no matter how seemingly successful, will never matter to you. If we are a product of blind chance and if there is no God, mankind will eventually disappear from the universe, and it will be as if we never were. That is the hope of an atheistic world, but not the hope of Dr. Meredith and those who know the true God!
     God does exist! He has a purpose for you and me, and you can prove that to yourself. As we have brought out in Tomorrow’s World articles and telecasts, the proofs of God’s existence are there for anyone brave enough to look at the facts as they are. The very idea that mankind can arise from something as simple as a bacteria cell is preposterous. Scientists, even evolutionary scientists, tell us that a bacteria cell is more complicated than the most sophisticated machine made by man, and animal cells are even more complicated. They report that cells are constructed by hundreds of miniature molecular machines that work in harmony to make life possible. 
     But because God is rejected, His plan and purpose is totally unknown to almost everyone. How sad! Our world is rapidly moving toward a crisis of unimaginable proportions. Godless men and women struggle for solutions, yet find none. Note this CNBC headline:  “‘Looks as if the world is preparing for war,’ says former Soviet president Gorbachev.” Mr. Gorbachev is then quoted as saying, “Politicians and military leaders sound increasingly belligerent and defense doctrines more dangerous. Commentators and TV personalities are joining the bellicose chorus. It all looks as if the world is preparing for war” (January 27, 2017).
As usual for the Living Church of God, the world is going to hell in a hand basket. Everything is evil and wicked and never has there been such a time in human history.
     This should come as no surprise to Tomorrow’s World followers. How many times have we reported what Jesus Christ warned in His Olivet Prophecy regarding the end of the age? “Now as He sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, ‘Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?’” He answered, “You will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet” (Matthew 24:3, 6). Of course, we have always had wars, but never has war been so potentially dangerous. This prophecy speaks of wars and rumors of wars in general, and when we look at the world as a whole that is exactly what we see in the Middle East, the Korean peninsula, Africa, and Eastern Europe. Rumors and fears abound! 
Weston attempts to send chills down coworkers spines that they are only "playing church" when they only give a few bucks here and there for some LCG booklet.  Real Christians must attend LCG services every weekend.
     Dr. Meredith often reminded us that we are not here to “play church.” Our lives are temporary, and we live in a dangerous world that is spinning out of control. Nations are more and more frequently turning to leaders whom they see as strong enough to make hard decisions that will solve our problems, but sometimes the result ends in disaster. 
Weston pretends to lay his heart on the line for these lazy coworkers.  He wants them to fear that they are not being called now.   The pathway of the LCG is not one for the weak and slovenly who cannot make it through the narrow gate.
     May I be totally open with you? Jesus tells us that “many are called, but few are chosen” (Matthew 22:14). He also tells us, “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it” (Matthew 7:13-14). 
The only REAL Christians and co-workers out there are those that send in tithe money of  20-30% or give substantial amounts of money. The LCG does not need your measly offerings to cover a couple of booklets. Your membership is required!  Members are tithe machines, plain and simple.
     Dear co-workers, we are very thankful for your dedication, your generosity, and the fact that you go beyond monetary support and offer up sincere, heartfelt prayers on behalf of this Work of God.  Never think that we do not appreciate you! However, I often wonder why many do not take the next step and become more intimately involved with those of like mind. The Apostle Paul wrote the Hebrews and reminded them of something very important. We are not to forsake “the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some.” On the contrary, we should be “exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching” (Hebrews 10:25).
Co-workers...our concern is NOT for your money, it is for your very salvation! Salvation does not exist outside the Living Church of God.  Of course the 
by-product would be that you would give more money to the church as members, but we really are not after your money...
     We often say, “You will not be asked to join anything” when you are invited to attend one of our live Tomorrow’s WorldPresentations, and that is true. We never want to pressure anyone to do what he or she is not ready, willing, or able to do. But I want you to understand that our concern is not for your money. You are already donating! Our concern is for you! While we will never come knocking at your door unless we are invited, we want you to know that we would love to meet you and offer to you what we enjoy—fellowship with others of like mind. So if you are interested, let us know. If not, we will continue to appreciate you as a faithful co-worker. We will continue to send you any, and all, of our literature free of charge. And we will continue to care for you in our prayers. 
Sincerely, in Christ’s service,
Gerald E. Weston

11 comments:

Byker Bob said...

Why how spirituelle!

Check your mind at the door. If you buy, you buy the whole package (no line-item veto or no Kingdom!) The only acceptable way to participate is fanatically! So, come let us suck all the joy from your life, and allow us to teach you to become part of the elite whose sheer joy in Phariseeism qualifies you to look down on everyone who is not part of our special little group!

For a limited time, with your offering of $100 or more to the Meredith Family Trust Fund, we will send you our just released "Best of Rod" CD in commemoration of Dr. Meredith's life and calling. This hilarious comedy CD contains an unedited collection of our beloved Uncle Roddy's comments on masturbation, starting where it all began in First Year Bible Class at Ambassador College in 1965, and continuing throughout his tenure in WCG, GCG, and LCG! When it comes to comedy, fellows and girls, nobody beats our Rod!

Wait! This just in. The first 500 people to contribute $1,000 will also receive a special edition of the Rolling Stones' classic "Sticky Fingers" CD. You must act now. Associates are waiting to process your VISA, Discover, Mastercard, or American-Express! Call us now!

BB

Hoss said...

Of course HWA set the precedent here too - using the lingering deaths of Richard and Loma to hit the brethren for more cash.

Anonymous said...

Weston might want to read some pagan literature, like Aesop's fable, "The Goose That Laid The Golden Egg."

This greedy man hopes to turn hundred-dollar donors into many-thousands-of-dollar members. But has he truly counted the cost of his greed? For every donor who becomes a member, how many will stop donating when they see Weston's greed? If he isn't very careful, he may lose more money than he gains.

Just look at how he treats these people. For many years, they received nice letters from Meredith that were addressed to "Brethren and Co-Workers." Meredith's donors were made to feel like true brethren, so it's no surprise that many kept on donating. Weston, however, has addressed this letter to "Co-Workers" -- making it clear that he doesn't consider the recipients to be his brethren. How will that go over with generous non-LCG-members? Why donate money to a man who doesn't consider you to be a brother in Christ, and who is so clearly a pushy jerk?

Weston even reveals that he doesn't understand one of HWA's most basic teachings. In this new letter, he writes:

I often wonder why many do not take the next step and become more intimately involved with those of like mind. The Apostle Paul wrote the Hebrews and reminded them of something very important. We are not to forsake “the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some.” On the contrary, we should be “exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching” (Hebrews 10:25).

HWA understood, and at one time everyone in WCG understood. Paul was writing to the Hebrews, to a group of converted Christians. That's not the same as writing to people who just gave you money. Weston should recognize this, as he refuses to call the donors his brethren. Since they aren't brethren, Weston should know that God, not man, does the calling. Weston may think that in his letter he is pushing on-the-fence people to get involved, but what he is really doing is doubting God, since it is God who moves people to get involved with the church. At least that's what HWA taught, whether or not Weston believes it. Weston is greedy for more than God is giving. If Weston's effort succeeds, he will guilt more money-giving unconverted tares into his church, which will weaken it spiritually even if it prospers financially. If he fails, though, he may offend his donors and lose their future donations. That's not a good sign for LCG.

Anonymous said...

I always like when they say rod or herbie raised up the church. How come they never say GOD raised it up?

Wolfechase said...

And...

Anonymous said...

Hebrew 10.25 does say not to forsake the assembling of ourselves. However that advice was given to a specific group of people, in a specific location and specific point in time. That is, there are underlining assumptions in that advice.
In Acts, Paul mentions a church leader who put out members who wanted to meet him. That is, he was running a abusive cult, so attendance would have been counter productive.
Attending a XCOG involves a lot more than 'fellowship with like minded people.' It means being mentally ground down, being robbed of ones rights and adulthood, with the ministers giving themselves the perks of lording it over members faith and verbally beating members. Forget about the due process thingy, there are no trials.
It you want to be treated like a rightless five year old, and have every decision influenced by those around you, by all means join.

The body of evidence of my claims is out there. The victims groans are heard over and over on the internet. Take care potential members.

Anonymous said...

After years in the Armstrong cult of doom, I still haven't found the one and only "true church" . Hell, I've never met a real christian.

Anonymous said...

This arouses the suspicion that Weston wants more people attending services, so that there are more members to boss around. If Weston is sincere, he should clean up his church by demanding that ministers obey Gods instructions (no abuse of members) and give genuinely meaty sermons rather than de facto Kenneth Copeland slop.

anonymous63 said...

Anonymous 8:30 AM said, "... I've never met a real christian."

You would think that following /being in the "true church" (whichever ACOG or splinter, or self-appointed guru you want to name) one would see, find, and know a real christian. Their fruits would be obvious, they would SO stand out of the crowd.

All many in the COG's are, are people grasping for some kind of sense of value instead of the worthlessness many of us brought with us. Unfortunately it did, as some have mentioned, turn us into always fearful (what's the first thing listed that won't be in the Kingdom?), self-righteous, horribly judgmental hypocrites. After 10 years out of there, I'm still trying to get off of and stay off of my high horse and put away the 'judge/critique everything and everyone around me for everything that's done and said' attitude. I don't know if it's possible to remove it. Too many decades of indoctrination. Sigh.

If these co-workers want to learn how to be a professional unrighteous judge they could hop on over to a COG. But, in an effort to love my neighbor, I would suggest they stay far away unless, and until such time as the COG's show right 'fruits'.

Tom Baker (The Fourth Doctor) said...

Weston is a very wicked person. I am dumbfounded that anybody would even remotely consider attending his group. Beware of wolves in sheep's clothing!

Sweetblood777 said...

Weston is throwing out the net to see how many will take the bait.

These people have grown accustomed to living high off the tithes of ever growing poor people. They must sense that their time of stealing money from people through the use of deception, is coming to a close. The internet has given people the power of hiring a detective without using a living one. Doing a search on Google would produce thousands of results. Knowledge is power. If the internet existed when we first joined up with WCG, we wouldn't have jumped into the net.

So Weston, prepare to live on less, just as HWA used to say.