More on the Meakin matter

The buzz, according to a report received by AW, is that John Meakin and "honest, compassionate and effective leader" David Hulme (see below) had a "difference of opinion" over how the tithe money was being spent. Vision, it seems, is a thirsty beast, and there are those in COG-AIC who apparently believe that the dosh spent on the magazine might be better used in other ways: surely a deja vous moment, given the issues surrounding Hulme's departure from the UCG presidency.

Did Meakin walk out or was he pushed? That isn't clear, but rumor has it that John was spoiled for choice, being offered positions at both LCG and UCG.

Given the glowing professional endorsements of David Hulme on Naymz, I'm actually surprised that John could as much as raise his eyes to the Great One's shining presence. A sampling:

David is a highly intelligent individual, who is both creative and highly literate. Peter Nathan.

David seeks to know, live by and disseminate truth. He is an honest, compassionate and effective leader as a result of years of experience and practice of ethical and moral standards. Dr F Paul Roberts.

Knowing David Hulme has enhanced my life. Tom Fitzpatrick.

Dr. Hulme is a gentleman of highest integrity and moral standards. Bill Hendricks.

David is exceptionally capable and a keenly perceptive expert in International Relations. I ... have watched him always take the high road. His fair-minded approach and balanced outlook shines through whenever he speaks or writes. John Prohs.

David is the most intelligent and yet balanced person I know personally. A delight to be with him. You can trust him in anything. Winfried Fritz.

He is one of the most ethical, honest, and intelligent people I have ever known. Don Mitchum.

David Hulme is a scholar of the highest integrity... Gina Stepp.
Dear Lord, this man is almost perfect! One might note however that an endorsement from John Meakin is conspicuously absent from the hagiography. One might also note that something seems to be missing from the potted bio.

David Hulme holds a doctorate in International Relations from the University of Southern California with an emphasis on the Middle East. He has also studied theology, psychology and philosophy. He is the author of "Identity, Ideology and the Jerusalem Question" (Palgrave 2006) and a contributor to "What Makes Us Human?" by Charles Pasternak (ed) (Oneworld 2007). David Hulme is publisher of the quarterly journal, Vision, president of Vision Media Productions and chairman of Vision.org Foundation. In the Fall 2008 semester, he is lecturing in Middle East Politics at the University of Southern California.

What? No direct reference to his position as leader of an obscure schismatic sect? An oversight surely!

Meakin on the move

WCG, UCG, COG-AIC and now LCG. Over in Dear Old Blighty the much uprooted John Meakin has done it again; he's the latest elder to cross the tracks into Spanky's domain. Given John's current high profile at Vision, wouldn't you love to know the damage control measures David Hulme will lay on? Here's the report from Friday's Weekly Update.

Mr. Rod King reports: Recently we reported that Mr. and Mrs. Syd Hull had returned to the Living Church of God in South Africa. We are also happy to report that Mr. John Meakin has joined us. Mr. Meakin is a minister of thirty-three years’ experience in the United Kingdom and will be serving as Area Pastor in the south of England, including London. He has experience in editorial work and we look forward to receiving his help in this area.

There can't be too many flavor options left to John now... And given that the Titanic is the subject of several of John's fine articles (here's a particularly apt example) you have to wonder at his eagerness to leap aboard a rust bucket adrift among the icebergs. Quick John, paddle away while you can!

Meanwhile, the Lord's Anointed may be sidelined, but he's not going to let anyone forget who's the Big Cheese.

It is very encouraging to report that Mr. Meredith is doing much better after the mild stroke he experienced last weekend. He spent two days in the hospital undergoing some tests, but was released on Monday. He is now at home and has started daily rehabilitation exercises. We at Headquarters (Mr. Ames, Mr. Apartian, Mr. Crockett and I) had a 30-minute phone meeting with him on Tuesday and again today, Thursday. His voice is clear and his mind is sharp. He is diligently working through his rehabilitation program and is looking to God for strength and healing.

Stripped of the reassuring "hospital bulletin" tone, it would seem Rod's stroke wasn't so mild after all.

The Philadelphia Trumpet position?

Inspired by a recent magazine cover, this commentary appeared in The Clog, the staff blog of Philadelphia's (the city) citypaper.net.

The Philadelphia Trumpet, as Jon points out, has nothing to do with the city or a sexual position (we were disappointed too!). It's actually the monthly publication associated with the Philadelphia Church of God, based in Edmond, OK (get the skinny on them here). While it should be assumed the name derives from the fact that being a Philadelphian is next to godilness, they actually got it from a church in the book of Revelation. It was never mentioned in the 2005 miniseries starring Bill Pullman, so I can't confirm the truth in that statement. Still, had the Trumpet seen Live Free or Die Hard, they would know that we are all in fact vulnerable to cyberterrorism, and only John McClane can save us.

A Philadelphia trumpet position? Uh... will any of us ever be able to think of Gerry's rag in the same way again?

Fessin' 'bout dressin'

Testimonies aren't a part of COG culture - at least not a part of any COG culture I've been part of. Whether the retreads in the Tkach sect indulge between cheery praise choruses is something I'm not aware of. Mormons testify, ratbag Evangelicals testify, but not us.

So when I ran across a testimony in the Bible Advocate by a former WCG member, it was time to pause and wonder.

I was a creative and sensitive child — the kind experts say is likely to become homosexual, primarily for failure to bond with the parent of the same sex. Brought up like this, a youngster may acquire gender identity disorder (GID) and become sexually confused in life.
In elementary school, I once went secretly to my teenage sister’s bedroom and found pairs of her nylon stockings in and around the wastebasket. I took a few of them back to my bedroom and put them on under the covers. Rubbing my feet and legs together, I felt the pleasurable slickness of the nylons. Then I hid them in the back of the lowest bureau drawer.
The next few evenings I occasionally wore them under an afghan wrapped about me. Family members may have known I was cross-dressing, but nobody said anything — not even Mother. She might have felt that I was in big trouble, but didn’t know what to do.

I don't want to gainsay Howard Mesick's sincerity; it takes guts to tell a less than flattering tale on oneself. But is it really helpful to relate this kind of thing?

Howard also mentions the late Richard Wiedenheft, one of the genuinely decent WCG pastors who left in the so-called "rebellion" of 1974.

I seriously considered suicide as a teenager but did not want to end my existence. I listened to The World Tomorrow radio program and was impressed because its beliefs seemed to follow what was in our Bibles. Persuaded that I could escape the pain and find a fulfilling life now and forever, I confessed my sins to God, asking His forgiveness and receiving the Holy Spirit... But I was still deceived about some things. The Armstrong church’s atmosphere of rank and privilege did little to help heal a man with family and personal baggage as deep-seated as mine.
Leaving Armstrong’s church, we attended the service of a distant congregation pastored by Richard Wiedenheft, often driving over one hundred miles on Sabbath to enjoy his interactive Bible studies. Or we drove to Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, to learn from sermons given by Bruce Chesney in a church there.
Mr. Wiedenheft eventually dissolved his church and encouraged its members to enter the Church of God (Seventh Day). After I joined this body, I had a religious experience. Standing by myself in our living room, I felt peace and assurance that God’s kingdom was not one of competitiveness and power structure, but of cooperation and eternal helpfulness.

Howard Mesick's observations about "rank and privilege" certainly ring true, and COG7 is a healthier place than WCG by far, judging from the experience of many who have attended there. His subsequent health problems have doubtless given him time to consider a great many things.

I’ve been institutionalized for the past sixteen years due to a paralyzed left side and other handicaps. Through all this, God has remade a confused, frightened, depressed soul into a trusting, rational person.

Testimonies: they still repel more than attract, and it's hard not to harbor suspicions about the psychology that underlies them. But as for Howard, I can only wish him well.

You can download the BA here. The article appears on pages 18 and 19.

Ames at the reins

To: HQ Staff & Regional Directors
Subject: Message from dr. meredith [sic]
Date: September 23, 2008

Thank you all very much for your prayers and encouragement! I am sure that I will be fit for service in a week or two or three.

However, in the mean time, after consulting with the Council of Elders and Board I am designating Mr. Richard Ames as acting CEO. He should make all necessary decisions in the operation of the office and the Work as a whole—in consultation with Messrs. Winnail, Apartian, Crockett and others. I ask all of you to give him your full support and prayers. As you know, he is already first Vice President and is very experienced in God’s Work. So let us all pull together and ask God to use us as a team to do our part in finishing this Work. He will never leave us or forsake us!

Thank you, brethren, for your full cooperation and your continued prayers.

Roderick C. Meredith

Meredith Stroke

The following item has appeared on one of the LCG boards. No comment yet on the Thiel blogs.

Please note the latest post regarding a mild stroke Mr. Meredith had on Friday evening. I spoke with Dr. Winnail about it a few moments ago,and Mr. Meredith was released from the hospital today (Monday), and is doing fine. Please read the post for a note directly from Mr.Meredith…

Jonathan McNair


Original Message:

Dear Fellow Ministers and Brethren,

I want you all to know that I suffered a mild stoke this past Friday night, September 19. I decided to have my son and my wife take me to the hospital as I was feeling unbalanced and my left leg felt wobbly.

After an extensive series of tests, and a MRI, the neurosurgeons said that I had suffered a "mild stroke," but should be okay within a few weeks. But everyone said I should "take it easy" for a few months, and not push myself as I am used to doing. And we are concerned that I may not be able to preach for a few months — though I hope to go to the Feast and at least make a few announcements. I know that God is in charge and that He will be with me if I do my part.

So, brethren, I will really appreciate your prayers. My wife is much better and your prayers for her have been heard! However, please do not send me any flowers as I would rather you use any extra money to increase your offerings for the Work of Christ. Many new "doors" to preach the Gospel are now opening and I hope with all my heart that all of us will increase our offerings this fall Holy Day season. Let us all be generous with the Work of God and — in every way — follow the Apostle Paul's instruction, "press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus" (Phil. 3:14). Thank you, brethren, in advance, for your prayers and for your part in the very Work of our Savior and living Head—Jesus Christ! We must always remember that this is His Work, not ours. And in spite of all these trials and tests along the way, in the end, "We win!" May God bless you and inspire you as you prepare for His Holy Days!

With Christian love,

Roderick C. Meredith

A Career Move for Dropouts?

Here's the latest missive from Rod Meredith. It's a kind of "wanted ad" for manly young recruits to rally to the Imperious Leader and his gerontocracy. Not a bad idea, but how many young guys out there - at least the sort of non-intellectual, submissive jocks with acceptably deep voices - would be even slightly interested?

With the need being great, isn't it time to ordain Bob Thiel?

Dear Fellow Servants of Christ,

I want to thank all of you and all of the brethren who prayed for my wife! We have received dozens of cards, notes, emails and phone calls to encourage her and let her know you were praying for her. So thank you, very much, for your kindness and your concern. I, personally, appreciate it very much.

Sheryl is growing steadily stronger, although it is a slow process this time - slower than it was five and one half years ago. So it will take a number of weeks for her to regain her full strength. And we will appreciate your continued prayers and concern - as we should pray for all the brethren who are ill or have serious physical problems. God will surely honor us if we fervently pray for one another.

On another note, I would like to ask all of you to intensify your efforts to reach out in every way you can to leading men - including young men - and try to "coach" and strengthen those who have the capacity to serve in leadership positions in the Church. We certainly need more leaders - and certainly more ministers - as the Work grows.

Even now, as some of you know, a few men from other fellowships are beginning to come with us - some not yet announced - and this will be a big help. But, as these things become better known, additional scores and perhaps even hundreds of members from other Church of God fellowships may begin to join with us as they see where the Work of God is really being accomplished! As the prophetic events truly cascade forward in their intensity, it will focus people's minds on reality. They will then have to see where Christ is working most powerfully.

So we must do everything we can to prepare more leaders - and more ministers - to serve in Christ's Work and help us "feed the flock" in every way we can. Remember the Apostle Paul's admonition to Timothy: "You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also" (2 Tim. 2:1-2).

Remember, fellows, none of us were "perfect" - and still are not - when we were first placed in the ministry. Many of us were very young - as I myself was only 22 years old! Let us not "despise the youth" (1 Tim. 4:12) of some of our young men and wait until they are 40 or 50 years old before thinking they are "old enough" to serve in the Work. As world events rush forward, as others of our separated brethren come with us, as additional thousands of brand new people come along, we will need these young men - and certainly older men - to help us in the ministry and in the leadership of the Church of God.

Therefore, I urge you to earnestly "seek out" those men who seem truly converted, "conquered by God," as Mr. Armstrong used to say - and who have really good biblical knowledge, good personalities and leadership capacity. Work with them. Pray for them. Strengthen them and bring them along in every way you can as this will certainly help us build a foundation for great growth in the future.

Thank you for all of your help and your loyalty to the Church of which Christ is the living Head! Thank you for your work and sacrifice. Let us all keep forging ahead with all the strength that God gives us and truly prepare the way for Christ's coming Kingdom in a way that honors Him and honors our Father in heaven.

Roderick C. Meredith

Boyne Again?

In the beginning was The Plain Truth. That's if you don't count the Bible Advocate.

These days the PT - cut loose from the Tkach church - is unavailable outside the US and Canada, where it promotes a weird "religionless Christianity" gospel for a small fringe readership. In its fading shadow many pretenders have arisen: the Good News (UCG), Tomorrow's World (LCG), Vision (COG-aic), the Trumpet (PCG) and - reinventing the wheel - WCG's Christian Odyssey... these are the flagships of the fleet, the way the various Churches of God present themselves to the world at large, dripping wholesomeness and cheap wisdom, garnished with a pretense of biblical competence and prophetic insight.

A lesser known contender is Armor of God (CGI). I'm not sure how many print copies circulate - probably not a lot - but if you're curious you can always download a copy. Although issued irregularly, it compares well to its bigger siblings in concept and design thanks to the undeniable talent of Shey Smith (in comparison Tomorrow's World looks almost geriatric.)

Content? Well, that depends what you're comparing it to. Depending on your perspective the articles are either fresher or goofier than the big boys churn out (or possibly both)... it's certainly hard to imagine references to ancient worthies like Polycarp and Polycrates making an appearance in the Trumpet, for example.

CGI's first flagship magazine was the ill-fated Twentieth-Century Watch, launched in 1980 (with an innovative cover price of $1.25) and then sinking like a stone. TCW featured well known ex-PT writers like Garner Ted Armstrong, Brian Knowles and Gary Alexander, but Armor's by-lines are far less familiar: there's apparently a shortage of aging Armstrong-era identities on tap.

Though, with reference to the current lead article, perhaps a future edition could include a feature called Just what do you mean - Boyne Again?

The Chicken Little Gospel

Snap! How surprising that like the current Good News, the September-October Tomorrow's World features a lead article on why we should all be studiously avoiding political participation. The highly original title: How Would Jesus Vote for President? Obviously the DNA runs true in both LCG and UCG.

Rod Meredith advocates a "Chicken Little" Gospel. The one true purpose of a Christian is to run around like a headless chook - the sky is falling!

What would Jesus do in this election year in the United States? He would be so busy proclaiming the good news of the soon-coming Kingdom of God that He would have no time - and no interest - in politicking, voting or taking part in any groups pressuring to clean up Satan's world. (p.8)

No worries dudes. Sit back, take it easy. Children dying in Africa? Sad, but don't sweat it: three to five years and it'll be taken care of. Just keep praying and paying.

Probably within this very generation, the biblical Jesus Christ will return to sit on a real throne in the city of Jerusalem. (p.6)

Bollocks.

Rod has been pushing this wagon uphill since before most of us were born. A polluted environment? It's just a sign of the times, do nothing. Community concerns? Don't get involved. Injustice? Not our business. The same mentality pervades almost all COG groups... even the more enlightened factions tend to look down their snooters at those prepared to roll up their sleeves and work for change in the here and now - especially systemic change as opposed to band aids. Why bother? Jesus Christ will take care of it shortly... in three to five... probably.

Maybe there's a challenge for Rod and his god, the missing-in-inaction god of 1972, 19 year time cycles and "three to five" - in 1 Kings 18:

Maybe he's meditating, or he's off relieving himself, or he's gone on a journey. Maybe he's just asleep and needs someone to go and wake him up. (cf. v.27)

Yup, Elijah was the original scoffer, setting a valuable biblical precedent. And I suspect Elijah was a bit more colloquial than most prim Bible translators and paraphrasers allow.

Rod needs to consider trading in his Chicken Little model for a Little Red Hen. He can probably pick up some clues from the Salvation Army, the Quakers, or even (shudder) the nice Catholic folks at Caritas. Handwringing procrastination in hope of a fantasy utopia "probably" dropping down out of the skies "within this very generation" just doesn't cut it any longer: we've all heard that before - some of us over l-o-n-g decades. Rod's track record is abysmal. It's just plain delusional.

A do nuthin' gospel? A sit-tight, hold-fast till some latter-day prophet of Baal finally hits a home run gospel? That's no gospel at all: time to dump it in favor of something more authentic. A good place to begin is by participating in the democratic process, a right, responsibility and privilege that has been hard won and should never be wasted.

The World That Was

I got hit by nostalgia shrapnel yesterday: digging through the office shelves at work I came across ancient copies of the Reader's Digest. Let me explain that by nature I am not the tidiest, most orderly of persons, and that the cleanup was a once in five years event. Last time I'd uncovered the stash of Digests I'd left them there without a second thought. This time I took a break to flick through a few copies (I scored a dismal 17/20 on a 1966 It Pays To Increase Your Word Power - but I'd be prepared to argue the case on two!) then, behold, flying shrapnel...

... in the form of this double spread in the New Zealand edition of June 1971. I actually remember this ad, though it wasn't the one that led me to subscribe to the PT: that was about a year earlier - the bait was a brochure called Our Awesome Universe. Needless to say I was very young at the time...

I wonder how successful those Reader's Digest ads were? Given the piles of money WCG spent on them over the years I'd guess they were real winners. Once the beachhead had been established there then were endless booklets to get hooked on. In the less sophisticated 1970s glossy publications were more of a draw card than is imaginable today, though I never particularly "clicked" with either the marijuana booklet, or Hippies, Happiness or Hypocrisy? I guess I had a sheltered upbringing.

Does WCG still operate that box number? I wouldn't be surprised. I wonder what might happen if that coupon got sent it in - just a few years late. Do they have a form letter for this sort of thing?