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Dave Pack: Congratulations For a Job Well Done!
Marc A. MojicaBack in April or May of 1999, David C. Pack, formerly of the Global Church of God, started his own organization which he christened the "Restored Church of God." Why "Restored?" Because he believed that the Global Church had departed from the truth as God revealed to Herbert W. Armstrong, God's apostle and end-time Elijah, whom He (God) used to restore the true religion to the true church. Dave's purpose, in founding the Restored Church of God, was to restore "Mr. Armstrong's" teachings to the church and to provide a place to worship the Armstrong way.
Judging from the reports coming from the Restored Church, it is apparent that Dave is succeeding beyond anyone's wildest expectations. When Joseph W. Tkach Sr. succeeded Mr. Armstrong as Pastor General of the Worldwide Church of God, he said, "God doesn't intend me to fill the shoes of Herbert W. Armstrong, but to walk in the walk he has set for us, to follow his example. (The Worldwide News, January 27, 1986, page 3)." We all know that Tkach failed miserably to follow "Mr. Armstrong's" example. But Dave Pack, or "Mister," as he prefers to be called, has picked up the baton that Joe Tkach dropped. All we need to do is read the glowing testimonies of those who have worked for him, all of which have been posted to the internet.
Tim Mobley made this letter public:
Dear Brethren and Friends of the Restored Church of God,
Last January, Bill Sheppard and I set up a website with the approval of David Pack, to post his sermons for those people who were distant and wanted to be fed. Things went along well for a while until the split from the Global Church of God. At that point the website was converted to the website for the Restored Church of God.
As things progressed, Bill and I were offered jobs working for headquarters. In mid-July Mr. Pack abruptly changed his mind and Bill was declined the offer. After seeing many inconsistencies in July, I declined the job offer myself. Since then, things have really gone downhill. All paid staff workers have resigned (not counting volunteers) following the Feast except for Bob Papay and the soon to be employed Don Tiger.
I have found many inconsistencies in Mr. Pack and have found him to be quite double-minded. Ps 119:113 says: "I hate the double-minded, But I love Your law." and James 1:8 says: " He is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways." Friends, God isn't the author of confusion (I Cor 14:33). I can say that I've been quite confused with Mr. Pack's behavior since mid-July. You know a man by his actions, not by his words. How true! I felt Mr. Pack was not "living the Book".
For these reasons (not in any detail) I regretfully inform you that I have severed my relationship with the Restored Church of God and its website. I will stay on as WebManager until October 31st as a courtesy and so I can't be rightly accused of abandoning my fellow brethren. It has been a true pleasure serving you. May God bless you and all His children through the End of the Age!
Yours sincerely,
Tim Mobley
1789 Marks Ave.
Akron, OH 44305-4363330-794-0961
grizzly@neo.rr.comTim Mobley wasn't the only one who was confused by Dave Pack's behavior. Let's hear from Bill Sheppard:
Dear Brethren associated with The Restored Church of God,
I am Bill Sheppard. Many of you will recognize my name from the tape program, and the website, that Tim Mobley and I set up, a year or so ago. My wife Leah, and I produced, and mailed to you sermons by Dave Pack, for approximately 10 months. Many of you asked about us at The Feast. We sure appreciate that, and wish we could have met all of you.
I, along with six out of ten (a total of seven) office staff members that have quit since the first of July '99, have removed my family as members of The Restored Church of God. I have taken this action due to the massive inconsistencies, total confusion, (Far beyond that of starting up a corporation) 1 Cor. 14:33 Paul says, "For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace," and double mindedness. James 1:8 , "A double minded man is unstable in all his ways."
I had great hope and expectations at the onset of the Restored Church of God. I believed it would be the final gathering, under the umbrella of truth, and right conduct. Now, I see it as only the further scattering of God's people prophesied in Dan:12:7.
I am sorry for any problems I may have caused you, or your family in this past year.
Sincerely,
Bill Sheppard3065 Cleve. - Mass. Rd.
Norton, Ohio 44203
(330) 825-3061
shep@raex.comPat Homan fills in some of the details:
10/22/99
Dear Brethren,
Until a few weeks ago, I had been one of several volunteer proofreaders for the Restored Church of God-- my services were via e-mail. Until a few weeks ago, I was in Mr. Pack's "good graces". Until now, I would never have believed that I could write the following:
Before the Feast, I brought to Mr. Pack's attention something that I firmly believed to be error in one of his writings. In the past when I had found errors in sermons / writings of ministers in former associations, he was very pleased. The situation changed when I found error with Mr. Pack's writings.
Several weeks ago, Mr. Pack told an RCG employee to discontinue my volunteer services. That employee was then told of things that I had counseled about, over the years, with Mr. Pack. The counseling topic became the basis for why I was no longer to be a volunteer. It was not an issue when Mr. Pack made me a volunteer at the RCG summer picnic.
When I found error with Mr. Pack, he did not try to correct me with scriptures; instead he attacked me by gossiping to the RCG employee.
As shocking as this sounds, there was NO WAY the RCG employee could have know of certain matters, except by Mr. Pack's gossip! Therefore, I have positive proof that what the employee told me is true.
A simple reading of just sermon titles on the RCG web site demonstrates that Mr. Pack knows how to "talk-the-talk". Now, amid a growing number of witnesses who have worked with him on a day-to-day basis, it is abundantly clear that he does not really "walk-the-walk".
Scripture tells us that a matter should to be established with two or three witnesses (Deuteronomy 19:15). Scripture also tells us what to do with this present dilemma:
". . .Brethren, mark them which cause divisions . . .for they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly . . ." (Romans 16:17-18)
Therefore, based on the above, Mr. Pack is not a true minister of God. He is sowing discord and further scattering the brethren.
Sincerely,
Pat Homan129 Sanford Street
Zeeland MI 49464(616) 772-1387
homanpat@hotmail.comLast but not least is the November 22, 1999 letter signed by several of Dave's former associates. The complete text of the letter is available in The Painful Truth website. The letter listed certain actions Dave has taken since he founded the Restored Church:
Mr. Pack has stated that he is not held to The Law (biblical) as members are - not that he is held to a higher standard, but that these things don't apply to him (1 Tim 3:1-7, Titus 1:5-15, John 14:15, 1 Tim 5:19-21)
Mr. Pack stated in the first office staff meeting, as Restored was being formed, that he would not look at tithe/contribution records. He decided he could not be held to that promise and began looking at these records immediately prior to the Feast of Trumpets 1999 (Ex 20:16, Mat 5:37)
Mr. Pack divulged, among the office staff, those who were the largest contributors, and those who tithed once a year and/or quarterly (Lev 19:16)
Mr. Pack showed favoritism in duty assignments based on contributions (Lev 19:15, Jam 2:1-9)
Mr. Pack was divulging confidential information given him in counseling sessions and used the information in an attempt to divide family members or as a reason to sever people from their position(s) at RCG (employee, contractor, or, volunteer) (Lev 19:11, 13, 16)
Mr. Pack was found to be a talebearer in that he was repeating stories rather than putting a stop to them (Lev 19:16)
Mr. Pack "terminated for cause" one of the staff members of RCG because he had not paid tithes, even though he was self-employed and all during the time he worked for RCG had incurred losses - therefore had no increase to tithe on (Lev 19:11, 13, 15)
Mr. Pack claimed that certain people embezzled funds after his having approved of the expenditure and or
reimbursement (Lev 19:11)Mr. Pack demanded people work for the church for free, while being paid their severance from their prior employer (e.g., if a person was being paid for two weeks of accrued vacation after resigning, Mr. Pack required them to work for RCG for two weeks without accruing pay) (Lev 19:13)
Mr. Pack was sowing discord within families and between husband and wife (Lev 19:16)
Mr. Pack was sowing discord between the various groups he was trying to get to join RCG (Lev 19:16)
Mr. Pack on a regular basis exaggerated figures as to income and/or attendance (Lev 19:11, Ex 20:16, Col 3:9)
Mr. Pack quickly and easily trampled on brethren who even slightly opposed or held a different viewpoint or opinion. Many times this precipitated inconceivable schemes by him. This was found to be a pattern throughout much of his ministry. (2 Cor 1:24 John 7:24)
Mr. Pack stated that one of the persons bringing the problems to him had gone public with that information. He [Mr. Pack] was challenged on this, and could provide no proof, yet continued to make similar statements. (Ex 20:16, 23:1-2, Lev 19:11, 16, Deu 16:19-20)
When confronted with these charges, Dave reacted in the following manner:
Meanwhile, Mr. Pack ultimately refused to accept his responsibility in these matters and then began attacking those bringing the problems to his attention. Part of that attack was to attempt to discredit the persons bringing the Mat 18 situation, and the witnesses, with the ministers within RCG. In doing this, he was telling those ministers to ignore what was brought before them, whereby he interfered with judgment - a violation of those principles found in Ex. 23 and Deut. 16 concerning interfering with the giving of judgment:
He even went so far as to "disfellowship" and "mark" one of the ministers who questioned him [Mr. Pack] on his conduct and his [Mr. Pack] sowing of discord.
As has been documented over the years in the pages of the Ambassador Report, Herbert W. Armstrong used the same management practices when he was the chief operating officer (with the title of "Pastor General") of the Worldwide Church of God. Clearly, Dave Pack is taking up where Armstrong left off, following in the footsteps of his hero. He seems to be doing a better job of it than all the other pretenders claiming to be heirs of the Armstrong legacy.
For those who mourn Herbert W. Armstrong and miss the days in which he ruled the Worldwide Church of God with an iron fist, you will feel right at home in Dave Pack's Restored Church of God. For more information about Mr. Pack, see the article "Dave Pack's Reign of Terror" in the June 1985 Ambassador Report.
Copyright (c)1998 by Marc A. Mojica. All Rights Reserved.
Dear Brethren:
From time to time, Christians must do what is commanded by God concerning those whose behavior shows them to be an enemy of God. While this duty and responsibility is quite unpleasant we are required to do it. This letter concerns a problem with a minister who is sowing discord among the brethren. So let us first look at what Jesus Christ told us concerning such a matter. He said in Mat 18:
vv. 15-17 (NKJV) "Moreover if your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he hears you, you have gained your brother. {16} "But if he will not hear, take with you one or two more, that 'by the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.' {17} "And if he refuses to hear them, tell it to the church. But if he refuses even to hear the church, let him be to you like a heathen and a tax collector."
Notice that there are no exceptions here as to who your brother is. Nor is there an exception where we are told how to deal with an errant elder or minister. Notice what is said in 1 Tim 5:
vv. 19-21 (NKJV) "Do not receive an accusation against an elder except from two or three witnesses. {20} Those who are sinning rebuke in the presence of all, that the rest also may fear. {21} I charge you before God and the Lord Jesus Christ and the elect angels that you observe these things without prejudice, doing nothing with partiality." [emphasis ours]
We see where Paul had to deal with a similar problem in 2 Cor. 11:
vv. 14-15 (NKJV) "And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light. {15} Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works."
Because God's commands (Mat 18:15-17 & 1 Tim 5:19-21) were not always followed in the recent past, we have wolves among the flock. In light of the prophecy in Dan 12:7, which talks about the power of the holy people being shattered, we see that we (ministers and members alike) are partly responsible for this shattering in that God's instructions were not followed correctly, if at all. This is in spite of what Jesus Christ told us in Mat 10:28 (NKJV) "And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell." The ministry, within the various corporations, has been afraid of lawsuits and therefore did not do as we were commanded. This problem apparently started with the mishandling of a situation in the sixties, which resulted in a lawsuit for slander, libel, and defamation of character. The end result is we now have problems with wolves that can and do attack the flock with impunity.
Because we are determined to do what God says, regardless of the physical consequences, we must warn you about a wolf that has entered into our midst. We tell you this because this "minister" has been sowing discord among the brethren. And by his own admission, before several witnesses, is not a minister of Jesus Christ, nor meets the qualifications given in 1 Tim 3 or Titus 1.
This letter concerns Mr. David C. Pack and has not been done lightly. While we are not ordained, we understand the implications of James 4:17. Therefore, we have proceeded slowly and cautiously, obtaining counsel because we did not wish to act precipitously, and because we did not want to do as Korah did. It is because of his [Mr. Pack] conduct and behaviors, that an investigation was done, and it was found that on May 3rd 1999, Mr. Pack had been terminated for cause from Global, disfellowshipped and removed from the ministry ("defrocked")! Mr. Pack did not disclose this to his congregation (Akron OH), but instead covered the truth. Global had taken their actions because he [Mr. Pack] was found to be sowing discord among the brethren. Unfortunately, Global did NOT make this public.
On October 11, 1999, Mr. Pack was approached, at his insistence, by those people who had been employees, volunteers, and/or, contractors of the Restored Church of God, and was confronted with further explicit evidence of his sowing discord. He told us that he was sorry and would repent. We withdrew from him to give him time to show fruits of repentance. The result was, rather than admitting before the church that he had been the one causing all the problems presented to him, he has decided to attack those who have confronted him over his conduct.
Per the admonitions within The Bible, as stated above, we must tell you and explain what we showed him to be doing (conduct) and the results. Note that these problems are ones of conduct and some of the applicable verses are listed with each item:
Mr. Pack has stated that he is not held to The Law (biblical) as members are - not that he is held to a higher standard, but that these things don't apply to him (1 Tim 3:1-7, Titus 1:5-15, John 14:15, 1 Tim 5:19-21)
Mr. Pack stated in the first office staff meeting, as Restored was being formed, that he would not look at tithe/contribution records. He decided he could not be held to that promise and began looking at these records immediately prior to the Feast of Trumpets 1999 (Ex 20:16, Mat 5:37)
Mr. Pack divulged, among the office staff, those who were the largest contributors, and those who tithed once a year and/or quarterly (Lev 19:16)
Mr. Pack showed favoritism in duty assignments based on contributions (Lev 19:15, Jam 2:1-9)
Mr. Pack was divulging confidential information given him in counseling sessions and used the information in an attempt to divide family members or as a reason to sever people from their position(s) at RCG (employee, contractor, or, volunteer) (Lev 19:11, 13, 16)
Mr. Pack was found to be a talebearer in that he was repeating stories rather than putting a stop to them (Lev 19:16)
Mr. Pack "terminated for cause" one of the staff members of RCG because he had not paid tithes, even though he was self-employed and all during the time he worked for RCG had incurred losses - therefore had no increase to tithe on (Lev 19:11, 13, 15)
Mr. Pack claimed that certain people embezzled funds after his having approved of the expenditure and or reimbursement (Lev 19:11)
Mr. Pack demanded people work for the church for free, while being paid their severance from their prior employer (e.g., if a person was being paid for two weeks of accrued vacation after resigning, Mr. Pack required them to work for RCG for two weeks without accruing pay) (Lev 19:13)
Mr. Pack was sowing discord within families and between husband and wife (Lev 19:16)
Mr. Pack was sowing discord between the various groups he was trying to get to join RCG (Lev 19:16)
Mr. Pack on a regular basis exaggerated figures as to income and/or attendance (Lev 19:11, Ex 20:16, Col 3:9)
Mr. Pack quickly and easily trampled on brethren who even slightly opposed or held a different viewpoint or opinion. Many times this precipitated inconceivable schemes by him. This was found to be a pattern throughout much of his ministry. (2 Cor 1:24 John 7:24)
Mr. Pack stated that one of the persons bringing the problems to him had gone public with that information. He [Mr. Pack] was challenged on this, and could provide no proof, yet continued to make similar statements. (Ex 20:16, 23:1-2, Lev 19:11, 16, Deu 16:19-20)
(This is a short list, because to go over any more, or give specific details would be to invade the privacy of other individuals.)
These things were brought to his attention in explicit detail, with and before witnesses, and taken to the ministry (in explicit detail with witnesses) within Restored Church of God. Those documents presented to the ministry of RCG have not been publicly or privately circulated due to the nature of those documents [see the last bullet above].
Meanwhile, Mr. Pack ultimately refused to accept his responsibility in these matters and then began attacking those bringing the problems to his attention. Part of that attack was to attempt to discredit the persons bringing the Mat 18 situation, and the witnesses, with the ministers within RCG. In doing this, he was telling those ministers to ignore what was brought before them, whereby he interfered with judgment - a violation of those principles found in Ex. 23 and Deut. 16 concerning interfering with the giving of judgment:
Ex 23:1-2, 7 (NKJV) "You shall not circulate a false report. Do not put your hand with the wicked to be an unrighteous witness. {2} "You shall not follow a crowd to do evil; nor shall you testify in a dispute so as to turn aside after many to pervert justice. {7} "Keep yourself far from a false matter; do not kill the innocent and righteous. For I will not justify the wicked." [emphasis ours]
Deu 16:19-20 (NKJV) "You shall not pervert justice; you shall not show partiality, nor take a bribe, for a bribe blinds the eyes of the wise and twists the words of the righteous. {20} "You shall follow what is altogether just, that you may live and inherit the land which the LORD your God is giving you." [emphasis ours]
He even went so far as to "disfellowship" and "mark" one of the ministers who questioned him [Mr. Pack] on his conduct and his [Mr. Pack] sowing of discord.
These things show that Mr. David C. Pack has not only been guilty of sowing discord among the brethren but continues to do so with impunity. Again, we let God speak via The Bible from Titus 3:
vv. 10-11 (NKJV) "Reject a divisive man after the first and second admonition, {11} knowing that such a person is warped and sinning, being self- condemned."
As a result, we unfortunately have had to write this letter to finish what was commanded in Mat 18:17, of announcing it before the church and I Tim 5:20, to publicly rebuke those elders that sin. Therefore, we humbly submit to you all (regardless of corporate affiliation) that David C. Pack has disqualified himself by his actions and behavior as a minister and should be considered the same as "a heathen man and a publican" (Mat 18:17 KJV).
Your humble servants in Christ,
/s/ William Ambrose
/s/ Daryl Ambrose
/s/ Darrell Gaug
/s/ Brenda Gaug
/s/ Tim Mobley
/s/ Leah Sheppard
/s/ William Sheppard Jr.
/s/ Nancy Sheppard
/s/ Joan Thompson
/s/ Steve Thompson
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