Ambassador Reports

Gone With The Wind: It's Springtime!

2011-04-09T22:50:00.022-05:00

Springtime at Tara It's Springtime! Vagaries of the winds of war in the Churches of God are beginning to subside. Member allegiances, ministerial alliances, ownership of church real estate, territory and property continue to coalesce. Division of the spoils of the UCG-COGaWA war and reconstruction of what is left is on the horizon, if not already here. After the war - with money at such a

God Willing

2011-04-03T21:37:00.011-05:00

God Willing - Project 360 Preview from About Time Productions on Vimeo. Mysterious World of Religious Cult is Explored in Evangeline Griego’s Personal Documentary God WillingFilm to air on Public Television Stations Beginning April 2, 2011 - check local listingsGod Willing is the wrenching story of families who have lost their sons and daughters to a Christian cult. Told through the journey of

Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy

2011-03-20T12:30:00.001-05:00

U.S. takes lead in Libyan airstrikes

2011-03-20T02:31:00.004-05:00

The USS Barry launches a Tomahawk missile in support of Operation Odyssey Dawn. This was one of approximately 110 cruise missiles fired from U.S. and British ships and submarines targeting about 20 radar and anti-aircraft sites along Libya's Mediterranean coast. (U.S. Navy/ March 19, 2011) Even as President Obama sought to assure Americans that the U.S. would only play a supporting role, the

Gone With The Wind: The Money

2011-03-19T15:04:00.020-05:00

Mr. Kilough writes in his March 15 letter: We can be thankful that with the tremendous Internet capability and potential we don’t have to wait until we accumulate certain high levels of income to start. On the other hand, no effort to spread the gospel comes free of charge, and neither does Internet development. That brings us to the next matter of income and financial management. In this arena

Soulriding

2011-03-07T02:34:00.007-06:00

Jim West brings to our attention the story of what is allegedly the world's most absurd Phd. No, despite what you are thinking, it wasn't awarded by Ambassador College. An Anglican priest in British Columbia has earned a doctorate for his research into the spirituality of snowboarding. A chap by the name of Rev. Neil Elliot of St. Andrews Anglican Church in Trail, B.C. "began his studies 10

College, Inc.

2011-03-01T22:56:00.014-06:00

Meet Michael Clifford. Clifford's important new book is "How To Run A College - By A Guy That Never Went To One!". He could relate to high school dropout, Ambassador College adman and "Chancellor" Herbert W. Armstrong. MARTIN SMITH: Why did the university need to be reinvented? What's wrong with the way that universities were running up until the time that John Sperling came along with Phoenix?

Egypt On The Tipping Point: High Stakes In The Middle East

2011-02-26T22:14:00.007-06:00

What are the aims of the Muslim Brotherhood for the newly emerging Egyptian government? Now that Hosni Mubarak resigned, who will rule Egypt? Will Egyptian policy change towards Israel? What happens when Iran goes nuclear? The American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ) asks these questions: Please be aware AR does not specifically sponsor or endorse the accuracy, views or opinions of the

APOCALYPSE NOT: 21 DOOMSDAY PROPHECIES THAT FIZZLED

2011-02-24T22:21:00.006-06:00

Even a stopped clock is right twice a day: "The Maya Long Count calendar completes a 5,126-year cycle on December 21, 2012. With the winter solstice and a rare alignment of the Sun with the center of the Milky Way galaxy also on the docket, this has become the doomsday du jour. Most media outlets have snubbed scholars who insist the end of the cycle only means an extra awesome New Year's Eve

Phoenix Church Of God Suicide

2011-02-03T01:50:00.020-06:00

Cecil Maranville, a former United Church of God Phoenix East elder who left UCG for COGaWA, writes on the January 24, 2011 COGaWA blog - "We Lost A Family Member To Suicide Last Week" This is a difficult subject. It isn’t the first time it has happened in my personal community of family and friends. I am certain that it has happened to someone close to you, as well, because it is all too

Preparing A People - For What?

2011-02-02T00:12:00.009-06:00

United Church Of God - Bound For Petra, Jordan? The UCG's ad slogan is preparing a people - but for what? Preparing A People For "Petra"-fication? Aaron Booth did a snazzy presentation about UCG's internet marketing presence for 220 "petrified" elders, buried in snow-bound Cincinnati:UCG Internet Update http://prezi.com/jrvrzgmatqeu/united-church-of-god-web-internet-updates/ The presentation

COGW Ministry Fallout

2011-01-22T15:24:00.020-06:00

"I'm angry. Waste always makes me angry, and that's what all this is, sheer waste." -Rhett Butler Church of God, a Worldwide Association, has announced a total of 68 ministry assignments allocated on their website. These 68 men are divided amongst 97 reconstruction congregations in the COGW ministerial spoils system. That leaves 29 cities on divided circuits. Most states are allocated one

Mr. Herbert W. Armstrong Died Quarter-Century Ago Today

2011-01-15T15:31:00.013-06:00

Mr. Herbert W. Armstrong died on the morning of January 16th, 1986 in Pasadena, California, on the campus of the College the high school dropout founded. Born in the nineteenth century, on July 31, 1892, he was in his 94th year. Mr. Armstrong would be 118 years old if alive today. Just now, a Billy Joel song is playing on the radio, "Only The Good Die Young". On this 25th anniversary of his

COGaWA Hires McNeely and McNeely, Accountants

2011-01-12T16:12:00.007-06:00

COGaWA has announced the hiring of McNeely and McNeely, a father and son Texas-licensed public accounting firm with offices located at 205 ET Petty Street, Hawkins, Texas 75765, 7 miles west of the former Ambassador campus in Big Sandy. MCNEELY, STEPHEN DAVIDMCNEELY03/09/198405/31/2011IssuedHAWKINS, TX MCNEELY, WILLIAM MELTONMCNEELY02/06/197903/31/2011IssuedHAWKINS, TX Using virtual

Gone With The Wind - Or Ready For Takeoff? COGaWA

2011-01-12T12:37:00.010-06:00

COGaWA published these canned press releases on the January 10 and 11th conferences today:January 11, 2011 – The meetings began as Interim Board President Mike Hanisko called upon Kevin Epps for the opening prayer. Mr.Hanisko then announced the result of the ballot for our church name. Of the 118 ballots cast, 78 chose "Church of God, a Worldwide Association," making the temporary name

Gone With The Wind - Or Ready For Takeoff? COGaWA

2011-01-11T16:10:00.012-06:00

COGaWA- Ready For Takeoff? This morning in Louisville, the results of the vote for the name of the new COG sect were announced. Of 118 total ballots cast yesterday, a majority, or 78 ballots were in favor of naming the new splinter, “Church of God, a Worldwide Association”. Also yesterday, the option to extend the terms of the leadership team and directors of the Florida corporation, until a

NAME BALLOT RESULTS ANNOUNCEMENT

2011-01-11T08:09:00.001-06:00

9:05 A.M. NEWS FLASH: NAME ANNOUNCED AT LOUISVILLE CONFERENCE OF 118 BALLOTS 78 IN FAVOR OF: CHURCH OF GOD A WORLDWIDE ASSOCIATION

Make Your Vote, Take Your Pick

2011-01-10T17:15:00.026-06:00

Jockey Silks Bourbon Bar at the Galt House, Louisville Monday, January 10, 2011 - The COGaWA elders today voted to extend the terms of the temporary leadership team and the temporary Board of Directors that have been serving prior to and during the conference, until the permanent form of governance is selected. In the morning, Jim Franks did a slide presentation on the home of Stephen

The "Oh Dear, Not Again Church"

2011-01-10T09:24:00.005-06:00

The Know-Nothing Lads in Louisville: I heard Nothing, I said Nothing, and I read Nothing The "Oh Dear, Not Again Church"- that's what someone jokingly suggested COGaWA should be named in Louisville this morning. Now that it is known that publisher Dixon Cartwright was Banned! from reporting at the COGaWA Conference, maybe the next edition of The Journal should include a one inch black border

Cold Kentucky Rain

2011-01-09T03:50:00.008-06:00

At the opening of the Louisville conference, it's cold in Kentucky, with precipitation in the forecast. Elders' Conference Webcast - January 9-10, 2011The links below connect to the live Elder' Conference. COGaWA Internet webcasting scheduled to resume Monday morning Jan 10, 2011 @ 8:30 a.m. EST.. English [FLASH Video or iPhone/iPad] [Windows Media Player]AUDIO ONLY (recommended for low bandwidth

Rousing Patriot Passion: Propaganda

2011-01-07T13:10:00.028-06:00

Herbert Armstrong was a master at mass media propaganda - on the radio, delivering his messages, and in the written word. His autobiography and Mystery of the Ages are full of it. He learned the principles of advertising, and began to sell his product - religion. Advertising can be considered a form of propaganda- it doesn't play fair. It plays for keeps. Advertisers want you to buy as much of

Gone With The Wind: Frank Dunkle's Open Letter

2011-01-06T00:31:00.017-06:00

Wars over keeping control over loyal tithe-slaves, such as in the current crisis, stirred-up and driven by the overseer, tithe-farming ministry class, often wind up tearing the congregations apart. Frank Dunkle, UCG member in Columbus, OH, writes an open letter to UCG pastors resigning, from a very rarely heard perspective about the current crisis. The letter is from the congregational

Gone With The Wind: United Casualties Staggering

2011-01-04T11:49:00.003-06:00

The number of UCG ministry who have resigned or been fired by any estimation is truly staggering. By one estimation, 124 UCG elders have resigned or been fired. 59 full time pastors have currently resigned/been fired. Others are anticipated to depart UCG. Vic Kubik noted on December 6 there were 87 full time pastors in the field. This was after 13 firings or resignations took place.

Gone With The Wind: Or United?

2011-01-02T16:39:00.010-06:00

Oh Ashley! What should we do; and where do we go? Gary Scott has a brilliant piece up at The Critical Edition-Annotations and scribblings at the end of the age, "History Repeats" about the current crisis in the UCG. He outlines the history of governmental issues in the three main Worldwide Church of God splinters, and then comments on a letter the UCG ministry sent to Dennis Luker. He

UCG V. COGaWa War Update

2011-01-01T00:50:00.013-06:00

Brent Tarleton: What do we care if we *were* expelled from college, Scarlett? The war is gonna start any day now, so we'd have left college anyhow. Stuart Tarleton: Oh, isn't it exciting, Scarlett? You know those fool Yanks may actually *want* a war? Brent Tarleton: We'll show 'em! Scarlett: Fiddle-dee-dee. War, war, war; this war talk's spoiling all the fun at every party this spring. I get

UCG Law and Order

2010-12-28T23:25:00.101-06:00

The ex parte legal opinion offered by UCG attorney Larry W. Darden in support of withdrawal of the resolution relied on the opinion of another as yet unnamed, mysterious California attorney, who was also instrumental in the UCG crisis of 1998. Mr. Darden attended law school at Glendale University College of Law in Glendale, CA and has been licensed as a California attorney since 1978. Mr.

Gone With The Wind: Joel Meeker

2010-12-28T17:00:00.009-06:00

Joel Meeker, in his recent letter, makes three references to the UCG constitution, bylaws and rules of association. Emphasis mine: Joel Meeker Regional Coordinator 21 December 2010 Mr. Melvin Rhodes Chairman, Council of Elders United Church of God, an International Association Dear Melvin, I write to you in regard to the seat on the Council of Elders which has come to me following the

Gone With The Wind: United Blues, Rebel Reds

2010-12-27T18:31:00.007-06:00

A representation of how the following congregations align themselves on a google map can be obtained by clicking on the page linked to at upper right. The following is "a mashup of congregations with pastors that signed the "Open Letter"; December 13, 2010 letters, resigned or were terminated." The blue pins represent pastors still associated with UCG. The red pins represent pastors that are

Gone With The Wind: Headquarters Property

2010-12-27T14:00:00.011-06:00

Local COG congregations are now in the process of incorporating themselves separately in various states. In the past, the process of exactly how individual congregations incorporated themselves to fit into the respective, larger church association was tightly controlled by those in charge. Does the following email support the charge that these recent, local COG incorporations deployed,

UCG-Gone With The Wind: Read The Fine Print

2010-12-25T17:44:00.018-06:00

The Church of God-West Palm Beach filed incorporation with the Florida Secretary of State December 13, 2010. Five men and one woman are listed on the filing: James D. Cannon as incorporator, president, and registered agent; Dan Carreiro, treasurer; Robin Nicholls, secretary; David and Debra Jenkins as Directors, and Michael Moore as Director. What is one of the most important aspects of

UCG: Gone With The Wind: Who Hasn't Resigned Yet?

2010-12-21T20:14:00.002-06:00

The following list of men have resigned or been removed from their United Church of God positions in the last year. It's not a complete list of departures, either. And some are biding their time cashing their paychecks, while waiting to see just which way the wind blows. With the list of resignations snowballing more and more from UCG, it may be getting easier to build a list of who haven't

UCG: Gone With The Wind

2010-12-20T19:25:00.001-06:00

Banned by HWA! reports that Clyde Kilough, Demarest and West have now resigned: "Clyde Kilough has now resigned This has taken many in UCG by surprise. With his resignation many now admit the Titanic that UCG has become is now sinking rapidly. Roy Demarest and Roger West have also resigned" ""

Picking Cotton: UCG or Church of God America - Which?

2010-12-19T21:17:00.009-06:00

J over at Shadows has put together an interesting poll about the UCG crisis. So far, amongst other things, the majority think the UCG is extremely close to a large split, the UCG crisis is the result of a power struggle, and there is little hope for reconciliation. And Banned By HWA! covers the resignation of Greg Sargent, and the latest UCG split, the Church of God-America. Now on all their

The Union is DISSOLVED! Part 2

2010-12-12T22:51:00.019-06:00

The Council question and answer session held at ABC on December 8th, 2010 appears to have been used in a deliberate way for the entire Council to get on the record and put their spin control on the current crisis. Whatever it was, it was not intended solely for the benefit of the students. Present were President Dennis Luker, Chairman Melvin Rhodes , and current council members Robin Webber,

Leon Walker Fires A Broadside

2010-12-12T00:35:00.004-06:00

Leon Walker tries to maneuver in response to a letter by the United Council of Elders. In this letter, he makes the representation that the Council has not made"genuine" efforts to reconcile with the ministry in Latin America. But just what does Walker mean by no "genuine" efforts? No efforts at all would be one thing, but adding "genuine" to efforts in the wording gives him some additional

UCG: The Union Is Dissolved!

2010-12-10T02:22:00.004-06:00

Can UCG President Dennis Luker keep the United at peace, or do the following "irreconcilable differences" split up United for good? Over 110 have already publicly signed on to the following grievances: An Open Letter to the President of the United Church of God, Dennis Luker Dear President Luker, This open letter is being sent to you as the chief executive officer of the United Church of

UCG: Gone With The Wind

2010-12-09T16:01:00.005-06:00

Abigail Cartwright reports on the latest in the civil war at UCG Current Crisis with the following audio dispatch (click the play button): "This Question and Answer session was held at ABC on December 8th, 2010. The current CoE10 answered questions surrounding the current church government and the crisis in the church." You need Adobe Flash Player

Giese Resigns; More UCG Turmoil

2010-11-05T14:28:00.008-05:00

Steve comments, "I heard that the UCG HQ has sent someone out to California to see Ken Giese. Anyone heard anything about it?" Mr. Giese has just announced his resignation November 4, 2010 from UCG, with a self-imposed "gag order" in effect: Dear Brethren and Friends, Today, Thursday, November 4, 2010, I officially tendered my resignation as an employee of the United Church of God. I can

UCG Crisis Continues; Ministry Flushed

2010-10-19T21:34:00.022-05:00

Abigail Cartwright has produced a shocking list of ministry separated from the UCG at UCG Current Crisis (for the complete list, click over): All Regional Pastors removed to be replaced by Ministerial Team October 2010. These Regional Pastors were: Bruce Gore, Todd Carey, Greg Sargent, Jim Haeffle, Jim Servidio, Larry Grieder, Lyle Welty, Larry Neff and Mike Hanisko. Denny Luker was an RP when

Too Many UCG Chiefs, Not Enough Indians

2010-10-14T15:47:00.005-05:00

From: Ministerial Services [mailto:ministerial_services@ucg.org]Sent: Wednesday, October 13, 2010 3:28 PMTo: Regional PastorsCc: vic_kubik@ucg.org; dennis_luker@ucg.orgSubject: Change in the Regional Pastor Structure To the Regional Pastors -- We want to write to you about a change in the management of the RP structure. The Regional Pastor structure for the ministry of the United Church of God in

The Plain Truth About Worldwide Jets, Jewelry, Gifts, Clothes, And Cars

2010-09-22T13:37:00.007-05:00

Now in their 20s, their lawsuits claim that when Long showered them with "cars, clothes, jewelry and electronics," flew them across the world in private jets and booked them into luxury hotels, all the while pushing them into a sexual relationship. "The allegations are that sexual things started to happen at 17 and 18 years old," their attorney said. Even though 17 is above the age of consent

UCG Breaking The Law?

2010-09-18T21:30:00.027-05:00

Keeping the weekly Sabbath and holy feast days deeply affected everyone in the WCG in one way or another. HWA, in his infallible style, perfectly laid down which Levitical laws, exactly when and precisely how his sabbath and triple-tithing festivals should be kept. Armstrong transformed the symbolism of these old covenant Levitical laws and festivals into differing heretical interpretations of

Teenage Wasteland

2010-09-06T00:05:00.034-05:00

Growing through adolescence into adulthood is not an easy experience for most teenagers. For Church of God teenagers, it's even harder. Much harder. Going through absolute hell might not be too strong a description for many of them. Observing COG doctrines, repeated absences for cult church holy days, explaining the controlling COG Talmud to your peers in the public school system can create a

The End Of The World And The Profits of Doom

2010-08-31T17:36:00.010-05:00

When a naive minister in a doomsday cult becomes a father for the first time, his wife implores him to seek a transfer from England, where their American religion is based, back home to Australia. Upon their return, the wife’s sister dies during pregnancy and the couple soon suffer another tragedy when they lose premature twin babies: all three deaths a direct result of the cult’s rejection of

It's Dennis!

2010-08-30T23:25:00.015-05:00

Graemme and Lynn Marshall of Ottawa, Canada complain in a lengthy letter here why they resigned from the disintegrating UCG ministry. They confess, “In good faith and conscience before God we could not sit by and remain as if all is well and nothing has changed. We left WCG in ’95 and considered it was no longer God’s Church. We leave UCG similarly and await whatever might emerge as a new

UCG Titanic - Too Important To Fail? Part 2

2010-06-23T20:38:00.018-05:00

Which one of the members of the United International Association under present consideration will become the next UCG President (or, more to the point, next Captain of the UCG Titanic)? It's anybody's guess. In the meantime, besides selecting his successor-in-interest, Roy Holliday has been busy with Leon Walker, reshuffuling some of the few folding deck chairs remaining, as the band plays

United Church of God Titanic - Too Important To Fail?

2010-06-23T19:43:00.005-05:00

Hat tip to PG for this.. As UCG's Council of Elders interviewed four finalists for President today, the Home Office suddenly had another fire to put out: As it happens, the leader of a different WCG splinter group has sent e-mails in recent days to the four finalists for President AND Leon Walker. Is the man overseeing Living God Ministries offering encouragement? Uhhhh, well.... here's a

UCG Elders Forum: An Analysis of the Kilough Resolution

2010-04-19T00:01:00.012-05:00

The sponsors of the Kilough resolution have further explained and defended their proposal in the UCG Elders Forum. AR has examined the proposed Kilough resolution, and believes the overall resolution in question was very carefully drafted on its face to legally mesh with present UCG bylaws and constitution. The resolution is lawyerly, well thought out and detailed enough to cover possible

The Buchanan Letter

2010-04-18T02:32:00.001-05:00

In the days of Esther, God’s people were pushed to the very brink of destruction. Today, the United Church of God stands at just such a critical juncture. Satan was behind the attempt to destroy Mordecai and God’s people, and make no mistake, he is behind the events of the last three years – events that have come dangerously close to tearing the very fabric of our Church apart. For three years

The Kilough Resolution

2010-04-18T00:37:00.012-05:00

Preamble: In 1995 the United Church of God, an International Association, came into existence, born reluctantly but of necessity. In the aftermath of an unprecedented doctrinal upheaval in the Church, hundreds of elders and thousands of members were finding themselves in a chaotic and confusing time, desperately desirous of preserving the truth of God, yet severely challenged on issues

UCG TITANIC STRIKES ICEBERG - Just A Small Crack, Or Too Big To Go Under?

2010-04-14T23:24:00.029-05:00

Update On The Kilough Resignations Now that Clyde Kilough was forced to resign by the Council of Elders, interim (and next? or final?) UCG President Roy Holladay is putting the spin on with another member letter and video on the showdown in Cincinnati. And just what was the unpardonable sin of the Kilough regime? According to Holladay: "Matters finally came to a head with the introduction of

Mike Wallace Interviews Stanley Rader

2010-03-12T21:29:00.010-06:00

This video interpretation of the famed 60 Minutes interview of Stanley Rader by Mike Wallace, linked from Google, includes a quote by journalist and magazine editor H.L. Mencken, "The urge to save humanity is almost always only a false-face for the urge to rule it". If, as God's especially chosen, lone wolf "apostle" for the end-time, Herbert indeed had plainly revealed God's hidden, one true

"Six-Pack" Gerald Flurry - Now Distinguished Man Of Letters

2010-02-08T17:43:00.033-06:00

Some of the original bronze letters from Ambassador Auditorium's Pasadena dedication inscription are to be affixed to Gerald Flurry's $18 million dollar, 800-seat imitation Armstrong Auditorium in Edmond, OK! The 44,266-square-foot auditorium is found on the southern exposure of the unaccredited Armstrong College campus. It will serve as a Sabbatarian church building for the Philadelphia

Ambassador Watch Suspending Publication

2010-01-20T00:03:00.020-06:00

Gavin Rumney today announced his last posting on the Ambassador Watch blog. For more than eleven arduous years, Ambassador Watch faithfully reported on the goings-on in the WCG and spinoffs, becoming one of the most widely bookmarked sources on the net for lively, uncensored Church of God news with insightful commentary. Under Rumney's decade-plus talented editorship, AW deservedly wins the

Appointed 'Godfather' Joseph Tkach Jr. Is Not A Crook?

2010-01-02T21:22:00.013-06:00

Appointed Joe Tkach Jr. runs his WCG-GCI so-called denomination like it's a family owned, private business enterprise. Very privately owned. Tkach is the sole authority (The Godfather, if you will) of the Church association and the California Church business corporation HWA founded. It's 2010, and Tkach is still the sole, supreme controlling legal and spiritual authority in the Church. Chapter

COG Living Off Three Tithes

2010-01-02T11:26:00.023-06:00

The cost of real, abundant living as advertised (see photo, left) in the Church of God, indeed can be very high.As the cost of the COG pyramid weighs down heavily on the bottom ranks, the COG government's effect on the families of the lowly membership can be very harsh. Nevertheless, to pay for that government ministry, the three tithes law is stringently enforced as the ministry's primary

United V. COG-AwA: War Update

2010-01-01T00:11:00.000-06:00

Snow Flurries

2009-12-27T23:33:00.005-06:00

Flurry's imitation Ambassador Auditorium is taking final shape as snow descends on Edmond, OK.

UCG Headquarters Is For Sale

2009-12-18T23:00:00.016-06:00

The UCG new HQ property purchased in 1998 under Clyde Kilough (UCG cost: $1,599,784, or $19,610 per acre with an appraised value of $1,710,000) has been listed for sale as follows:Price: $2,239,875Lot Size: 81.45 AC918 Milam, FM 3163, Lantana, TX 76226* Property Type:Land* Property Sub-type:Residential (land)* Find Out More...Last Verified 12/10/2009 Listing ID 164638861 Lot AvailableLot

Tkach To Terminate Canadian Plan, $1.1 Million Short; Can Tkach Be Trusted?

2009-07-31T00:41:00.011-05:00

Dateline Surrey - The WCG-CGI ministerial pension plan covering Canada, according to a reliable source, is today $1.1 million dollars short of getting a final termination by the church.Under financial pressure, the rather costly Canadian church defined benefit plan is to be terminated as soon as is financially possible, once the million dollar plus shortfall is overcome. To come up with that

Tkach's Denominational Redo Redoo

2009-06-30T23:00:00.007-05:00

The WCG/GCI Canadian National Pastors’ Conference took place June 2 – 5 and Board Meeting June 6 at Providence Renewal Centre.Thanks to Bob Millman, Edmonton (edmonton.wcgweb.org) there is audio and video of some of what took place at the 2009 conference:Denominational Update - Joe Tkach06_03_Denominational_Update.mp3 (audio only)06_03_Denominational_Update.wmv (video)Q & A - Joe Tkach06_05_Q_&_

Ron Dart Emergency Notice

2009-06-19T14:24:00.002-05:00

Ron Dart, age 78, GTA's former favorite sidekick, blares the following warning at RonDart.com to the world:"Emergency Notice. The Born to Win Website is broken and our Webmaster is sick. So until further notice, the Born to Win site will forward here so we can stay in touch. Our email is working fine, as are the phones, and we can provide every service, but we are having to shift how we provide

Can You Spot A Con?

2009-05-12T15:45:00.000-05:00

Apparently, the SEC can't.PBS's Frontline reports (emphasis mine):In the mid-1960s, Bernard Madoff tapped money from Jewish businessmen at exclusive country clubs with the promise of steady guaranteed returns on their investments. He then set his sights on Europe and Latin America, brokering deals with powerful hedge fund managers and feeder funds from Buenos Aires to Geneva. Billions of dollars

Godfather Changes Corporate Name

2009-04-11T20:48:00.001-05:00

Feazell pays homage to Tkach Family for nowIn contrived timing surrounding the Easter holiday, "Godfather" Tkach has announced the name change of the WCG Church Association and its affiliated California-based subordinate business corporation to Grace Communion International.Readers of the AR blog may recall the focus on possible criminal legalities surrounding the fraudulent, perjured actions of

In Three Tithes They Trust

2009-04-07T21:40:00.001-05:00

Let's start with a $100 dollar bill. As of now, it is the largest U.S. denomination in general circulation. Most everyone has seen this denomination. Slightly fewer have owned them; some have dropped the denomination for holy day offerings. Almost guaranteed to open doors and make friends, in whatever country the Pastor General should grace with a visit. (In the upcoming millennium, should

Herbert Armstrong's Entangling Web

2009-02-08T19:02:00.000-06:00

Honey, look at what we've got them believing in this issue!Mary Lane graciously comments, saying: "You can no longer purchase Robinson's book from John Hadden publishers, but there is a site on ESN for purchasing the book, and Painful Truth's editor once had a download of the book. Not sure if Mike still does this. " So while TW is no longer available from John Hadden publishers, we understand

Herbert W. Armstrong: Guilty of Incest!

2009-01-31T22:56:00.015-06:00

While the multifacted evidence of HWA's incest with Dorothy is getting weighed and sifted again by those in the blogosphere, AR came across a Tangled Web appeal to the Tenth Circuit you may not have yet seen. The lawsuit was filed against HWA confidant David Robinson by Rader associate Henry Cornwall and WCG minister Sherwin McMichael - not for libel, but to chance an incredible legal long shot

Tamara's New Video, and Lunch with Jesus

2009-01-12T10:01:00.000-06:00

A new video has been posted on the WCG website front page in the WCG Today series, starring WCG box office luminaries Tamara Tkach and Mike Feazell. Tamara deftly and demurely answers Feazell's scripted questions while regally clad in a rich maroon blouse and black pants, hair cascading down to her shoulder line, while adorned in gold jewelry, which suspends a large rock of some import centered

Armstrong Indicted On Financial Fraud

2009-01-10T21:59:00.014-06:00

Police made the raid as part of an ongoing criminal investigation and seized financial records and computers. In a raid evoking shades of the 1979 receivership, more than 20 officers sealed off the block-long church complex at 601 N. Tejon St., evicting the senior controversial pastor, who strode the sidewalk, a copy of the warrant clenched in his fist.Police raided the landmark Grace Church and

Sentenced To 200 Years In Prison

2008-11-02T00:36:00.007-05:00

Former Catholic priest Rodney Rodis (see prior story) was sentenced Thursday night by a jury to 200 years in prison. Rodis was convicted by a Louisa County jury on ten felony counts of embezzlement. The retired Roman Catholic priest prosecutors said stole more than $1 million from two rural Virginia churches.According to testimony at his state trial, Rodis said he stole the money to help his

Rodis Upcoming Trial On Embezzling Counts $1 Mil

2008-10-21T12:31:00.029-05:00

An upcoming trial against a former priest accused of stealing from two Catholic parishes caught our attention. The internal authoritarian governance structure of the WCG association has been compared to that of the Catholic church hierarchy, and some of the constitutional legal arguments advanced on behalf of the priest have some surprising similarities to those advanced on behalf of Herbert

Survey Now Online

2008-10-18T14:15:00.019-05:00

The much anticipated David Barrett survey is now online. Barrett notes this survey is only for members and ministers of offshoot Churches of God in the Worldwide family, so is not for (a) members of COG7 or other Sabbatarian Churches, or (b) members who have remained in WCG. Former members who no longer belong to any Church are welcome to answer whatever questions are relevant to them. More about

Raymond McNair Dead

2008-10-12T20:30:00.014-05:00

Ramond F. McNair has died after a long bout with prostate cancer.McNair was ordained a minister of the Radio Church of God by H.W. Armstrong over 51 years ago. He served as pastor over 14 different churches in the United States, Britain and New Zealand. In 1954-1955, he founded the Chicago Church of God, the first WCG Church east of the Mississippi River. He was next employed as Armstrong's

Spanky's "Canons of Evangelistic Discipline of the Living Church of God"

2008-09-18T01:23:00.002-05:00

Rod Meredith replies in his Global interview response to the question "are you as rotten as people say you are?""I just had a strict personality and (they) had so many visits per week they were supposed to get in, so many reports and so on- which is overdone- the system is what bothered people, plus an intense personality. I have mellowed as I've gotten older and we are getting rid of that system

The Pack Shack - Follow the Tithe Money!

2008-08-21T14:34:00.053-05:00

Frontage ViewBack ViewAmbassador Reports presents front and back views of the Packatollah's humble triple-tithe estate in Wadsworth, Ohio. Did Pack mention it is 100% paid for, and titled solely in his own name? I can hear it now...Even so, as real estate has severely depreciated recently, and a real financial crisis in the Work is emerging, brethern! A dig deep, empty your savings, cash out

Tkach Travels Worldwide Airlines; Fall Cruises for Beer

2008-08-16T23:21:00.022-05:00

Tammy Tkach posts some interesting information about herself and the "first family" of the WCG on the internet at AC Reunion:Tammy (Hall) TkachMarried Joe Tkach in 1980 and lived in Phoenix, Arizona until fall of 1986. Moved to Pasadena with baby Joe who was born in January. Baby Stephanie came along in 1988. Been hanging out in Southern California all these years, working and traveling for WCG.

Tkach's 1987 WCG Restatement - or Corporate Amendment - Which?

2008-08-13T14:28:00.063-05:00

The 1987 Restatement of Articles of the Worldwide Church of God, signed by Joseph Tkach Sr. on June 2, 1987:1987 Restatement of Articles Of TheWorldwide Church of God A California nonprofit religious corporation Joseph W. Tkach and Gene M. Michel certify that: 1. They are the Chairman of the Board and the Assistant Secretary, respectively, of the Worldwide

Tkach's Law II: California Corporate Bylaws

2008-08-12T09:32:00.039-05:00

The following bylaws are bylaws of the Worldwide Church of God, a particular type of California non-profit religious corporation allowed under the incorporation statutes of the State of California. The corporate bylaws are separate from the related Articles of Incorporation, which have been publicly on file with the California state government since the original version was filed by Armstrong in

WCG Pension Fund Insolvency?

2008-08-04T17:46:00.039-05:00

The graph in question is not of the plummeting income or disappearing assets of the WCG. It is a graph of the declining stock price of Wachovia Bank. Wachovia Bank is the financial trustee for the WCG pension fund, and Wachovia Securities provides investment advice to the WCG. (WB Quote, Profile, Research).Investors sued U.S. bank Wachovia Corp and its affiliates on Monday, charging them with

Tkach's Law: The Statutory Religious Bylaws of the WCG Church Association

2008-08-03T11:59:00.059-05:00

BYLAWS OF THE CHURCH OF GOD (a/k/a WORLDWIDE CHURCH OF GOD) AN UNINCORPORATED ASSOCIATION 1.1 "Church" shall mean and include the Church of God, a/k/a Worldwide Church of God, an unincorporated association. 1.2 "Church Authority" (meaning Joe Tkach Jr.) shall mean and include the power and authority vested in the Pastor General and his duly authorized delegates, and in the event that either

Tkach Axes Canadian Church Governance - "Inability to Govern" Worldwide?

2008-07-31T22:57:00.070-05:00

The WCG Canadian Board, at the WCG Canada Annual Board meeting in Montreal June 1st, 2008, voted unanimously to cave in and repeal-completely abolish! -the entire Canadian WCG Policy Governance Manual, at the directive of the Pastor General. By what secret written authority, or power claimed by a reform school Pastor General, does Tkach do this? The Canadian board had formally adopted the board

Rod-Busters Busy Reinforcing Flurry Underground Bunker

2008-07-21T10:27:00.021-05:00

ACHTUNG!Work continues apace on PCOG Gerald Flurry's construction project. Of late, rain has flooded his basement, but the waters have receded and have been pumped out. Reinforced concrete has been placed all-around to form an underground bunker. The “rod-busters” (who tie the steel reinforcement bars) tied steel around the elevator pit, elevator equipment room, and the mechanical room, as well

Ambassador Who?

2008-07-13T15:11:00.020-05:00

Chancellor Rod Meredith suggests on the faculty page here of his Living University to have been awarded successive degrees in theology - including his 1966 D.Th. -from accredited Ambassador University. But the real truth is, Meredith never actually obtained an officially accredited degree from Ambassador University. According to official records obtained from the Texas Secretary of State,

United's Worldwide Vote from Ohio

2008-06-06T18:32:00.014-05:00

The June 2008 edition of United News is now online covering the annual General Council of Elders (GCE) meeting. The annual GCE meeting included a service May

Living University Commencement

2008-06-01T23:43:00.012-05:00

In August of 2007 Living University (if it may be properly called a "university"- which confers legitimate, recognized graduate level and doctoral degrees in various professional fields) began enrolling more than 150 students online from 18 countries. Of the 150 students who originally enrolled, more than 50 of the 150 are Living Church of God church elders, deacons and deaconesses.On May 19th,

Rhubarb in the House for God?

2008-05-22T17:55:00.056-05:00

You may have already heard of The House of Yahweh, a splinter cult that broke off from the Worldwide Church of God in 1980, and their founder pastor-prophet Yisrael Hawkins, via media coverage. The church grew from humble beginnings out of a mobile home in Abilene, to one attended by thousands, keeping Passover, Pentecost, and the Feast of Tabernacles; publishing printed media, with millions

Tkach Loses Round One - The Fight Continues!

2008-04-27T17:16:00.018-05:00

The fight over who owns the church property entered the Virginia court system when eleven congregations filed petitions with the courts in their jurisdictions reporting the results of their congregational votes and seeking the court’s declaration that the property belonged to the congregations and not to the headquarters denominational hierarchy. While the Virginia local church congregations

The Religous Property Wars: Tkach Joins The Fight!

2008-04-26T11:17:00.050-05:00

Who gets to keep the church property assets? Washington, DC— On April 3, Judge Randy Bellows of the Fairfax County Circuit Court ruled in favor of the Virginia churches that have departed the Episcopal Diocese of Virginia. Bellows ruled that a religious Division had occurred, and that the Virginia Statute on Religious Division, Va. Code 57-9(A), is applicable to this case. The Episcopal Church

The Plain Truth please - Did Herbert W. Armstrong lie about Worldwide?

2008-04-10T17:44:00.039-05:00

Now that we have covered the reformed bylaws of the Big Sandy Church of God in some detail (see By Law! below), perhaps a closer look a the bylaws of the Worldwide Church of God California corporation might be in order. If Worldwide has an inspired set of "God's auditing procedures" to uncover tithe theft and fraud, would there not also be a set of divinely inspired bylaws, let us say, bylaws

Big Sandy - By Law!

2008-04-06T14:34:00.026-05:00

The Church of God in Big Sandy in its March 31st meeting passed a motion for Dave Havir to takeover oversight of the Big Sandy website, which was previously overseen by the church board, but did not give any specifics on why the change needed to take place.In other action taken at the meeting, the Big Sandy bulletin further reports:"In other Big Sandy board action, Neil McIver made a motion to

To Set The Record Straight - Again!

2008-02-23T00:51:00.031-06:00

WCG Together has added a belated notation - an explanation if you will - to the glaringly inconsistent WCG membership numbers it published in its January-February 2008 Together edition. The Together web page now tries to wave the numerical contradictions completely away with a note that says it was based on a PowerPoint presentation in Indian Wells, August 2007, but with additional statistics

To Set The Record Straight

2008-01-29T10:54:00.001-06:00

The credibility of the WCG is at issue again. The WCG published two sets of differing member numbers in the same January 2008 edition of Together.Some of the numbers are consistent between the two versions, such as in the following table collated for Ambassador Reports from Together. WCG does claim these consistent membership totals within the article:WCG MembershipUSA.......................

Big Sandy Bylaws

2008-01-27T23:42:00.003-06:00

The Church of God in Big Sandy in its March 31st meeting passed a motion for Dave Havir to takeover the oversight of the church website, which was previously overseen by the church board, but it did not list any specifics on why the change took place.The Big Sandy bulletin further reports:In other Big Sandy board action, Neil McIver made a motion to change the interpretation

WCG US Membership Plummets Into Nosedive

2008-01-18T16:45:00.001-06:00

As longtime Worldwiders have suspected, most of the few membership statistics and financial figures coming out of the secretive Tkach administration have long been inflated or suspect.Now however, the green light has been given to release some overall WCG membership and congregation statistics. But after years of Tkach stonewalling his finances and padding the membership, why now?Perhaps Tkach

World Exclusive - Photos of UCG Denton HQ Property!

2008-01-15T14:10:00.001-06:00

Ambassador Reports is pleased to publish the first photos of the new United Church of God headquarters site located near Denton, TX!Just click on any of the maps and photos for a larger view of the property.Denton, TX is located on the north side of the Dallas-Ft. Worth Metroplex. Site is marked by the green arrow on the map.Above is an over look of the general area. I-35 runs along the left of

The Strange Case of Gerald Flurry vs. Fuller

2008-01-15T01:09:00.000-06:00

Stanley Fuller of Vanderhoof, British Columbia, Canada, died in July 2000. His last will done in 1997 distributed just $1,000 each to his three adult children, while giving all the rest, approximately $1,000,000 to the Philadelphia Church of God. Also, Fuller had named Gerald Flurry to be the new executor of Fuller's estate. The Fuller children contest their father's capacity to make the will,

Flurry's $15 Million Dollar Folly

2008-01-06T18:35:00.000-06:00

In 2006, Gerald Flurry, Philadelphia Church of God leader, approved a set of architectural drawings for a $15,000,000, eight-hundred seat imitation Ambassador Auditorium to be built on his church-financed Armstrong College in Edmond, OK. Having obtained enough church tithe money necessary to start the new construction, Flurry broke ground on the auditorium construction earlier today.Flurry

Some Truth About Ministry Fundraising and Finances Needed

2007-12-21T11:21:00.000-06:00

You'd be hard pressed to find just one monthly letter appeal from HWA from the hundreds he personally wrote without hearing a need for more money, some great impending financial crisis for the work, or at least an emphatic request for bigger donations, lest one be found guilty of "robbing" from God's Work.It's not hard to be critical of the effectiveness of HWA's guilt trip fundraising techniques

Grounds For Impeachment

2007-12-11T16:55:00.000-06:00

Raising the Ruins refers to an unpublished, sworn to tell the whole truth deposition of Joseph Tkach Jr., which may help answer some pointed questions about the distressed sale price of WCG's Ambassador Auditorium:"Yet another legacy that was neither heavy nor burdensome. After 2,500 concerts and recitals, it was the Tkaches who shut down the famous performing arts series in 1985, saying they

New UCG Estate Building; United Landing $1.6m Texas Deal

2007-12-09T21:01:00.000-06:00

It's 160 miles west of Big Sandy, TX; 168 miles south of Edmond, OK and and 132 miles north of Waco, TX on Interstate 35 and Milam Rd.Just go east at the Milam Rd. exit, #473 off I-35 (notably on the southeast UCG corner is Love's 24 hour truckstop) and you're right there in the promised land.What is it? It's land where God's new UCG headquarters building is to be erected!The UCG land is east of