Gone With The Wind: It's Springtime!

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 premium, what better time is there to restart UCG's website. United's tattered, old website is getting laid to rest, while a new and improved UCG website gets debugged, ready for action.  

Here's the new UCG website marketing strategy, guaranteed to start high school dropout, adman and WCG founder Herbert W. Armstrong spinning in his grave, at warp speed:

UCG requires a validated email to register for their new website features, such as personal profile creation, connecting with website chat features, or messaging. It says that they "will NEVER give away your information to anybody else - we promise!". (Ed: Does "NEVER"  include not giving it away to that soon coming Assyrian-German army, invading to spank the United? Ouch!) 


Some new UCG website features:

• · Website user accounts.
• · Author pages with bio information, photo and content produced by that author.
• · Online chat with other website user account friends.
• · Better search engine.
• · Mobile version.
• · MP3 recordings of various booklets and publications.
• · Recipe section (biblically clean).
• · Commenting on posted content. (They can't really mean this, can they?)
• · UCG congregation finder (by zip code). 
• · Highest UCG contributors by zip code, congregation or pastor. (No, not really.) 
•  · Ministerial salaries, bonuses and benefit payouts by rank or longevity. (Is that asking too much?) 

In this new website religious marketing scheme, UCG membership are expected to "encourage" one another, or anyone else that shows up at the website, forming a sticky glue of online connections.  Every relationship click to click to click of all 5,000 members of the UCG can be tracked, documents downloaded, database inquires analyzed, tithe records checked, online chat buzz monitored for dissident views. What's next, UCG online disfellowship? 

What UCG really wants to know is what happens when someone completely new shows up at the website; how much it costs and how long it takes to get them seated in a folding chair, loyally tithing every Saturday. One problem with that UCG church growth scenario is that Herbert W. Armstrong, Garner Ted Armstrong and the UCG's predecessor church, the Worldwide Church of God is now a failed and tarnished brand in the religious landscape. The Internet has a long and detailed memory of the fraudulent disaster that was Pasadena, back in the WCG's "good old days". 

Phoenix Church Of God Suicide

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 common...

AR reflects on this latest COG tragedy. Suicide is indeed "all too common" in Armstrongist Churches of God. Another entry will have to be made here for the long list of suicides related to the Worldwide Church of God and the successor churches.  

Ambassador Reports asks if this is somehow related to Armstrong's bizarre selection of recycled doctrines taken from others, ministerially enforced on others by use of whatever is the current "iron rod" standard in the Churches of God. Such doctrines as God's one true church; church divisions tearing families apart; inconsistent rulings on Sabbath observance; reliance on miracle faith healing, shunning effective medical treatment; harsh divorce and remarriage rulings; rules on mandatory triple tithing; and constant melodramatic emphasis on a cataclysmic end of the world as we know it, can all put cumulative stress on the members to the breaking point. The approach to Christian ministerial counseling the COG takes, and how the ministry authority mistreats the members are sadly, contributing factors to the many suicides resulting from Armstrong's ministry and his teachings.  

Our sincere condolences to Cecil Maranville and his family.

Preparing A People - For What?

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 apparently is to show how implausibly good the UCG internet media efforts are going, especially now that with the reduced budget, WGN television ads can surely no longer be as affordable. If that is true, why even consider throwing away millions of dollars buying time on WGN Chicago, with all of the attendant overhead, to get just one new petra-fied visitor, fully qualified to enter the UCG's door? Do 30,000 likes, like constitute an avalanche of new members on Facebook? How about 7,000 Twitter UCG "followers"? Then there's the 591 old-fashioned UCG youtube videos getting 1.4 million views (not counting RevKScribes' numerous videos on Mr. Herbert W. Armstrong, and UCG's antecessor Worldwide Church of God, viewed thousands of times).

To entangle more in the web, the UCG is asking for volunteers for the local congregation websites to post sermons with content and dish out local information.

Given the older demographics and WCG history, the question for the UCG may become more of survival, than smoke and mirrors church "growth" on the internet.

Gone With The Wind - Or Ready For Takeoff? COGaWA

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 permanent corporate and church association governance was approved. As a result, corporate directors and officers, and “temporary” leadership COGaWA are:

The Church of God, a Worldwide Association, Inc., Initial Directors and Officers of the Florida Corporation:

Michael Hanisko - President, Ken Giese; Secretary, Greg Sargeant;  Treasurer, George Evans; Roger West

COGaWA incorporation filing in Florida (link)


COGaWA “Temporary” Leadership Team:

Jim Franks, Doug Horchak, Clyde Kilough, David Register and Richard Thompson

Tuesday, Jan 11, 2011 marks the last scheduled half-day for the Lousiville, KY COGaWA conference proceedings.

Tuesday morning, Dave Meyers spoke about potential youth camps development. Depending on geographical distribution of COGaWA membership, areas were being drawn up in which to hold future youth and teen camps. He said youth camps were critical to fostering further religious development,  preferably starting in the early formative years.

Dave Trebig outlined future publications development from an editorial services perspective. Because of church development in 1995 and beyond, he said the church should have no problems producing new literature, due to having been on “The Apprentice” program for the last fifteen years.  The COGaWA  has the ability to create a “virtual office”.  It could, for example, teleconference to plan out a magazine, with  review  conducted throughout the stages of the production process. Edits and graphics could be incorporated into the writing process. This virtual collaboration could produce a much better work product. It could then be sent it to a printer to print,  in whatever form or format desired.

He said one way to start the process might be for COGaWA to begin producing what is designed as “first contact” literature- the very first information packet that is sent out in response to inquiries.

He recalled that in the aftermath of 1995, proving that doctrines still stood was of primary consideration, but not today. One possible idea, he said, would be to combine booklets together. One  booklet could be done for both baptism and conversion; another booklet made  for holidays and holy days, leading from milk to meat in an “orderly process”.

The trend in most major denominations is to no longer have a magazine. The internet will likely be the primary COGaWA delivery tool. More international areas are getting net connections. Internet access is continuing to grow. Another prospective idea put forth would be to incentivize co-workers who donated money with printed literature, or by other means.  He reminded the audience that Armstrong wanted material that wasn’t stale, so he updated and modernized his material every few years,  keeping it fresh for the greatest possible impact.

Doug Horchak talked about some logistical considerations for future sites for the COGaWA Feast of Tabernacles. Nine different regions of the country are designated as festival areas. It is widely known if rooms are booked in advance at a given hotel, the hotel will usually throw in the meeting space completely free, or at a heavily discounted rate. However, members don’t want to spend their entire feast inside a hotel, so that factor must be taken into consideration. Also, satellite links or internet web casting possibly might be utilized for those that can’t travel.

After the break, a speaker remarked it wasn’t about the move to Texas or other issues. The present split  came about, he said,  because of the “abusive way” elders and members were treated, and unethical behavior of the the leadership.

Concluding the ministerial conference,  Andre van Belkum’s remarks tended to bolster the troops. Recalling the recent Qantas A380 mid-flight emergency engine failure, he made the point that the pilot focused not on what wasn’t working, but on what was working - which can make the difference to an outcome.

He mentioned the governance committee he attended is considering many possible forms of church governance which might take shape in COGaWa. Many suggested forms of church governance were put up for discussion on the white board. Additional suggestions were taken for various governance scenarios under consideration, and the process was started over again.

Regardless of the final governance outcome, any church government will not work “no matter what it is”, if pride overrules.  “Humility is needed to make it work”, he said.

COGaWA 2011 Louisville conference proceedings were then concluded.

UCG Breaking The Law?

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 new covenant  doctrines. The egotistical, headstrong, high school dropout, 20th-century apocaholic false prophet was proven erroneous or incontrovertibly wrong, innumerable times. Armstrong was finally forced by the abundant facts staring him in the face to admit he was doctrinally, biblically, or morally wrong, and he made major changes to his cult's sect's doctrines in many key areas.  

When pulled out of public schools by Armstrong for observing holy days, school children could be adversely affected; due to isolating sabbath restrictions, they could not participate in sports, band, and many other key developmental activities in school. That's not exactly a trivial matter. Also, those in the COG were severely handicapped in their limited choices for getting any higher education. Other than choosing God's college restoring true values, all other "pagan" higher education was viewed to be of highly dubious value.  Other occupational fields generally were denied, either because it was not permitted by Armstrong or the government (such as military and defense related jobs). Those lucky enough to be employed in the professions were very, very few and far between in the church. Of the permissible jobs remaining, the need to be off every Friday night and Saturday without exception, and of course the absolute need to be off during the festivals severely affected every member's employment choices at every point in their lives.  

With today's high double-digit unemployment in many areas, finding and keeping suitable employment is not just an academic issue for many Worldwiders, with the sole exception of perhaps the ministry. There's slim pickings indeed leftover for survival after taxes, three tithes, and buying thousands more in Dom Perignon for The Apostle. Take, for example, two former UCG schoolteachers who operate a day care business in Chile. Should they stay open for business during the Sabbath and Holy Days?

 “Through the years, we didn’t discuss the issue of the Holy Days while Mr. Mario Seiglie was our pastor, and neither with Saul Langarica for the first six years of his tenure and we just rested and regularly attended all the Sabbaths and Holy Days. We thought it was a private matter on how we resolved this issue. It must also be stated that we were never suspended for this matter. It was never mentioned as a reason for the suspensions. The subject was broached in 2009 and 2010 by Mr. Langarica, but no decision was made about the matter." 

The UCG's answer to this problem? Luker and Rhodes' Take On How To Observe The Sabbath

UCG Headquarters Is For Sale

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:
$2,239,875
Lot Size: 81.45 AC
918 Milam, FM 3163, Lantana, TX 76226
* Property Type:
Land
* Property Sub-type:
Residential (land)
* Find Out More...
Last Verified 12/10/2009 Listing ID 16463886
1 Lot Available
Lot 1
* Lot Type:
Residential (land)
* South Side of Milam Road, East of I-35

Description
1,060 Feet of Frontage on Milam Road; Zoned: Agricultural (Denton ETJ); includes house

One of the highest spots in N. Denton County, beautiful views
Map of 918 (Milam) FM 3163, Lantana, TX 76226 (Denton County)
Hide Map
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Contact Listing Broker to find out more details.

Source Link: LoopNet Commercial Real Estate
Related Post: HQ Property Photos
Related Post: UCG's 1.6 Million Dollar Deal

United's Worldwide Vote from Ohio

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 17. President Clyde Kilough gave a sermon that was reported to be heard by an estimated 5,400 members through telephone and internet hookups. Approximately 197 elders and 146 elders' wives attended the conference.

During the GCE conference, the new treasurer, Jason Lovelady. noted out that even after the purchase of the home office land in Texas, that UCG has more than the required 10 weeks of cash set aside in reserves. Mr. Lovelady also presented the cash flow report and gave the salary ranges for various levels of church employees.

Mr. Jim Franks noted a 1.5 percent increase in UCG church attendance for the year (meaning about 200 more people). Average attendance is 11,430. UCG pastors have declined in number from a high of 125 to the present 87 pastors; which number will likely continue to further drop, as many in the aged UCG ministry soon face the prospect of declining health in retirement.

What the GCE voted on May 19, 2008:

The General Conference of Elders selected Paul Kieffer (international) and Aaron Dean, Darris McNeely and Robin Webber to the Council of Elders.

The Strategic Plan was ratified with 286 yes and 73 no.

The Operation Plan was ratified with 279 yes and 80 no.

The budget was ratified with 269 yes and 92 no.

The proposed Amendment to Bylaws 7.5.4 and 8.4.3 (to have the GCE vote when an election of Council members results in a tie) was rejected with 174 yes and 180 no.

The proposed Amendment to Bylaw 8.3.1 (setting aside a Council seat each year for an elder not employed or retired from employment by the Church) was rejected with 149 yes and 208 no.

The proposed Amendment to Bylaws 9.1 and 9.2 (prohibiting operation managers, secretary and treasurer from serving on the Council) was rejected with 194 yes and 165 no. (Passage of amendments requires a two-thirds majority, or 240 in this case.)

The proposed Amendment to Bylaw 9.6 (requiring sending Council minutes to all pastors) was rejected with 146 yes and 211 no.

The Amendment to Bylaws 12.2.2.11 and 12.2.2.12 (allowing statements of support for amendments to be included with the call and notice packet) was approved with 266 yes and 88 no.

The resolution to rescind the 2007 GCE vote to relocate the home office to Texas was approved with 187 yes and 175 no.

On May 22, the Council subsequently voted with 11 in favor of a resolution to have President Clyde Kilough make a report on strategic issues and questions involving relocation: "Therefore, it is hereby resolved that the President bring recommendations for determining how to proceed from this point in addressing these issues and questions and, “It is further resolved that this report will be presented to the Council of Elders at the August 2008 meeting for Council review and approval.”

Question: Would anyone like to buy 81.5 acres of prime Texas real estate on sale now, for a very cheap price?

World Exclusive - Photos of UCG Denton HQ Property!

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 picture and intersects with Milam Rd. at the top left. The arrow points over the UCG property.

The yellow area on the subdivision plat, drawn to scale, highlights the area encompassed by the 81.5 acre UCG property. The arrow again points to the section where Milam road runs along the north boundary of the UCG property line.

Take Interstate 35 to exit 473, FM 3163 - Milam Road east. Love's 24 hour/7 day truck stop is at this intersection on the UCG side.

Another view of exit 473 along the I-35 service road, looking north towards Milam Road. Love's 24/7 combination truck stop and Subway sandwich sign visible along barbed wire fence.

Turning right onto Milam Road east, AmeriSteel Structures is on the corner on the north side - specializing in building metal buildings, steel frame homes, and horse barns.

New Life Church (www.NewLifeDenton.org) acreage is located across the road from UCG, further east at 1350 Milam Road.

Above is the UCG property for sale sign. Picture is taken from the front of the property on Milam Rd. looking south towards the property. Click on the sign. Note Milam Ridge Rd., ending in a cul-de-sac, running perpendicular to main thoroughfare Milam Rd. on the south side.

Another view from the front of the property. The other side of the hill in view gently slopes towards Milam Creek bed, which meanders south of the property between Milam and Ganzer roads.

A northwesterly view towards the front of the property. Milam Road FM 3163 is in the background.

Looking in a westerly direction across the UCG property towards Milam Ridge Road.

Southwestern view across the rear of the property.

Ganzer Road ranch (makes a "U" type shape from above on a googled map) is south of the UCG acreage on the other side of Milam Creek.

Cattle grazing along Ganzer Rd. pasture.

More bovine splendor along Ganzer Rd. ranch.

Looking northward from Ganzer Rd. vantage point towards Milam Rd.

View looking southward along Milam Ridge Road, which runs right alongside the west side of UCG property, and perpendicular to Milam Rd.- FM 3163. These Milam Ridge Road estates could become "Waverly Drive" type ministerial or executive homes for the church.

Looking northward along Milam Ridge Road. These home lots are sized with substantial setback - and a sizable three acre estate per lot.

Southwesterly view across the UCG property towards Milam Ridge Road estates.

View from Milam Ridge Road towards United acreage.

Some Truth About Ministry Fundraising and Finances Needed

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, but he managed to get over over a billion dollars in cash donated over his lifetime. Indeed, he raked in a lot of cash without having to account for how he spent it, to the very people who provided it.

In more recent, leaner times, the WCG has become a member of the Christian "Stewardship" Association (CSA), turning to it for financial advice on how to "milk" the donor cows for the best yield. Dan Rogers (with little Joe, no doubt) and scores of WCG ministers have attended CSA conferences.

Articles on the CSA website include such stewardship advice as:

10 Biblical and Practical Reasons to Teach People to Give 10%; 10 Practical Ways to Help Increase a Congregation's giving 10-25% (or more); 7 Secrets to Teach About Biblical Giving (I hope keeping the financial statements and unincorporated association bylaws a secret isn't one of the 7 “Secrets”); 90 day Giving Challenge; 100 Stewardship Verses and Ideas; How to Encourage Generous Giving Through People's Wills and Estates.

Hmmm... Could David Pack or Gerald Flurry use the practical wealth extraction techniques found in any of those CSA golden "nuggets"?

CSA is having it's upcoming annual meeting at the Hyatt Regency/Albuquerque Convention Center in Albuquerque, NM Jan 31- Feb 2, 2998. Cost to attend the three day conference, with preregistration by members is $740.00.

Workshops and seminars hosted by CSA at the Albuquerque conference include:

How Data Mining Can Increase Net Income for Ministry; Ten Mistakes You Shouldn't Make with Donors; Developing a Personal Solicitation Strategy; Slay the Gospel Bird: Fundraising Banquet or Free Chicken Dinner; How to Acquire Even More Donors; How to Get Out of Debt by Applying God's Principles; Getting More Bank For Your Buck From The “Hired Gun”; and How to Add Hundreds of Thousands of Dollars to Annual Budget Without Finding New Donors.

You can find a copy of the CSA conference schedule at their website here.

These clever modern ministry fundraising techniques have been criticized by Phil Cooke, a ministry media consultant to ministries and churches (unrelated to CSA). He has this to say about modern ministry fundraising techniques:

"For churches and ministries across the country, fundraising has
become a vital tool that ís used to raise the necessary money to make ministry happen. It ís a noble effort, because people need to understand that without financial support, significant outreach is
nearly impossible. However, in many cases, the tail has started to wag the dog, and some ministries focus on raising money more than their actual mission.
The science of fundraising has become a massive business. It has spawned financial consultants, direct response companies, fulfillment businesses, telemarketing, and more. Helping ministries raise money has become an industry in itself.
The fact is, the "personal" ministry letter you receive each month was probably not written by the ministry leader at all, but by a direct mail strategist, and designed by a graphic designer for maximum response. Today, color scheme, spacing, layout, and structure are some of the most important features of monthly letters and and the most effective fundraisers can even compare responses based on different colors of the envelope. They mail the letters on just the right day each month so it arrives when people get their paycheck either from the mail or direct deposit. Statistics prove that if it is only a few days late, the response will drop considerably. I've seen people fired from ministries because they mailed the monthly letter 48-72 hours behind schedule, it ís considered that important.
In fact, I spoke to one Christian fundraiser who said that the single most important thing is getting a person to open the envelope - and he would be willing to do anything to make that happen.

Even lie about what ís inside.

It ís important to note that I'm not against fundraising with integrity. There are some marvelous ministries out there doing great work because of effective relationships with their supporters and partners. But I do think you need to know how the business works, because believe me, it's a business, and they're trying to work you.

Here are some suggestions to consider as you pick up the next fundraising letter from your mailbox:

1) They have timed the letter to arrive when you have the most money in the bank. Giving will be easier for you, but that shouldn't control your decision.
2) The cute little underlines, exclamation points, and arrows that look like the writer inserted with a pen after it was written - weren't marked by a person, but a computer. Each one was strategically planned for placement and effect.
3) The amount of the suggested gift on the reply was calculated by a computer based on your past giving history, and often with the goal to nudge you to give a little more.
4) Even the color of the paper was researched based on past responses to that particular shade...
5) You're more likely to give because they ministry sends you something in return. Sadly, we wouldn't even need fundraising if Christians gave as the Bible teaches. So am I suggesting that we stop fundraising? Absolutely not. As I said before, great ministries are impacting the world because good people give. Plus, there are many gifted fundraising experts who are ethical and operate with utmost integrity. Frankly, I wish people gave more to deserving churches and ministries.
But I am suggesting we become informed givers. Don't be a ministry zombie and give on impulse for any reason. Give because you have researched a ministry, believe in what it's doing in the world, have confirmed its integrity and track record, and then prayed about the gift.

Giving for any other reason, is usually a waste of money."

With all the above in mind, I humbly present the:

Church of God

Donor's Bill of Rights

When you give, be sure the church employs standards and policies that assure you of your ten rights as a Church of God donor. You have the right to:

1. Know exactly how the funds of the COG organization are being spent, where Christian stewardship is not just a web policy for the sake of appearances, but an actual practice.

2. Know the salary and total compensation packages of key ministry, evangelists, executives, and board members.

3. Know what the COG programs you support are accomplishing or not accomplishing. Check and see if any outside ministry you are considering gifting to has a passing or failing financial transparency grade at www.ministrywatch.org.

4. Know that the organization and its employees comply with all federal and state laws, including tax regulations for nonprofit, tax-exempt ministries, including regulations against inurement or personal benefit from tithes and donations.

5. Be able to specifically designate and permanently restrict your COG gifts to fund a specific charitable or religious cause within the organization's mission objectives, such as helping widows and orphans, the sick, or the assistance of the needy or hungry.

6. A timely and courteous response to your inquiries about finances and programs, not incomplete or misleading Orwellian doublespeak about quarterly income and budget percentages as substitutes for periodic, complete financial reports.

7. Give without being pressured by the organization, or computer donation tithe-checked for loyalty or "member in good standing" roadblocks to HQ accountability.

8. Obtain a full copy of the ministry's most recent audited financial statements and charitable disaster fund statements - not a sanitized version with meaningless categories lumped together. Third tithe collected by the ministry and spent for that specific charitable purpose should be placed in distinct, separate categories on the financial reports.

9. Know that there is a responsible, qualified, governing board of members providing oversight to the church mission, accepting responsibility for board actions; not a rubber-stamp, unincorporated church association's board of elders, controlled legally by one man and one man only.

10. Know that all appeals for funds are truthful and accurate, and that conflicts of interest are avoided. Audited financial statements are absolutely not a "clean bill of health" or CPA guarantee of fiduciary integrity. CPA-audited financial statements can also hide church assets, real estate, gold bullion in Swiss bank accounts, payouts, or loans; provide inadequate retirement funding for employees, continue to "cook" the books, or materially misrepresent your COG's financial condition.

You have a right to timely, accurate, and complete sets of financial statements from your COG, and to know exactly how your money is being spent by your ministry.

Try tacking the Church of God Donor's Bill of Rights up on your COG's bulletin board or website, and emailing your ministry requesting financial statements promised to all COG members in good standing. See what kind of charitable response you receive in return for exercising your Christian responsibility.

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

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 I-35 on Milam road, south side, by the area marked "Hills of Denton Home Sites", in orange. (Catacorner opposite the red area on the photo marked "site").

As Clyde Kilough informs in United News:

The 81.5-acre parcel north of Denton considered a "very good value" at $1.6 million. Closing likely in early January. Further discussions of development plans set for December Council meetings.

We have been working for several months on finding suitable land, and the process gradually narrowed from several good options to one that is very suitable for filling our short-term needs, and also offering flexibility for yet unforeseen long-term options.

Here are the details:

• Property: 81.5 acres.

• Location: South side of FM 3163 (Milam Road), just east of Milam Ridge Road, Denton, Texas, one-half mile east of Interstate 35 (visible from the freeway), approximately 3 miles north of loop 288 and 7.5 miles from downtown Denton.

• Cost: $1,599,784, or $19,610 per acre.

• Appraised value: $1,710,000.

• Description: The property is outside of the Denton city limits (which simplifies the development process somewhat), with vacant land to the north, east and south, and a small subdivision adjoining to the west. The property is gently sloping to the south.

We consider this to be a very good value, not only for the specific site and price but for the surrounding area and future potential. It is, by the way, 15 more acres, for $100,000 less, than the Kings Row acreage we originally considered.

The future growth in the Denton area is moving in this direction, with four major commercial/residential developments all planned for the north and west sides of town, including a 2,000-acre project between Loop 288 and the Milam Road property.

Already under construction is a major, 412-acre mixed-use commercial/residential development approximately five miles south on I-35 that will include major department stores, Sam's Club, theater complex, restaurants, a 280-room hotel and a 90,000-square-foot convention center.

The appraisal states, "In conclusion, the market area has good access to all parts of the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex via US Highway 380, US Highway 377, Interstate 35E, and Interstate 35W. It has a good single family residential base which is located throughout Denton, primarily on the interior streets. There is plenty of available land for development. The proximity of freeways and the dramatic growth of Denton are positive influences on the market area creating a good long term outlook for real estate values."

We have found a very good property with close proximity to all the services we will need, and for a very good price. We most likely will not actually close on the property until early January, but the Council gave its approval last week in light of a looming deadline for commitment. So, if anyone drives by the area, remember that it is yet private property, and please don't drive into it.

Of course, purchasing land is just a first step, and much work lies ahead. Further discussions about where we go from here with development plans will take place at the December Council of Elders meeting (which is scheduled for Dec. 11 to 13 at the home office).

Note to Clyde: So if the land is a cool $1.6 million, how much in 3rd tithe is the 1st building gonna cost?

Scroll through the facts on Denton, TX from City Data (link)