Various updates from the COG blogosphere:
UCG has posted videos from their conference. I haven’t looked at any of them because of lack of time. You can find links on Inside United: Realtime.
James Malm of The Shining Light Blog recently posted in “False Complaint Rejected in Florida” that he received information from someone that four individuals in CGWA were being reported as having illegally funneled monies for UCG to the new organization while still under the employ of UCG. Wisely, Malm did not post their names, as the allegation turned out to be false and by someone using a false identity, and the charge that was filed wasn’t even against the individuals named. You can get the new organization’s side of part of the story in “COGWA Attorney Responds to False Allegations”.
Speaking of CGWA, it is now COGWA again. A member letter just arrived stating that CGWA is not available as an Internet domain name, and since cogwa.org is already registered, they want to keep it consistent and use COGWA. The trials of new startups!
So, now, “J” of Shadows reveals his real name is Jeff Miller. Um, OK. Maybe it’s just me, but I never understood the need to be pseudo-anonymous to begin with, and so I don’t understand this either. At least now I can quit wondering whether quotes should be around the “J” or not.
COGWriter, Dr Robert Thiel, has already posted “Do Christians Celebrate Valentine’s Day?” Since he’s reacting to a post by Christianity Today, I guess they’re really eager to see it come.
I don’t know about you, but I’d rather read LCG’s Thoughts En Route article by Wallace Smith on Jabba the Squirrel than Valentine’s Day.
Here’s wishing everyone a pleasant, refreshing and Spirit-led Sabbath!
Perhaps "J" was responding to a post at Otagosh, which challenged both Church of God members and critics to come out from "behind the burkas." His point is that openness breeds honesty, and there's isn't really that much to fear after all.
@Richard: I only read Otagosh when something interesting comes up on Google, so I wasn't aware of that. Openness might breed honesty, or perhaps rather honesty requires a significant degree of openness.
As Christians, we are called to honesty, are we not? Do pseudonyms help or hinder that cause?
I'd say it depends on the purpose. For instance I blogged under Buckblog primarily because I didn't want to take any chance of causing a problem with my employer or being a distraction at work. A secondary concern was, although a few in the congregation knew I blogged, I wasn't looking to have it known by everyone and take the chance of offending someone or being viewed as having some sort of agenda.
However to make accusations and hide behind a pseudonym as some have is a problem, whether it be an Abigail or Luther (that has recently appeared) or people that infiltrate facebook sites.
I guess it comes down to intent and actions.
Re: the UCG conference, I heard a UCG Pastor quote someone today as saying it looked like "an AARP convention."
That pastor also announced several new ordinations to fill the COGWA gaps. A few of them were announced as "half-time" ministers, which sounds like what WCG had to do after the big split of 1995.
I know of one minister that wanted to be a half-time minister…he was asked to do full time
He did not want to give up his full time job…I believe it is good move…I believe he can do both…In the case of COGWA…
A lot of ministers followed…not as many members left this time as in 1995…they may have to hire the ministers has half-time or maybe some will not be hired…
If you recall UCG put a number of ministers on reduced salary to keep from going belly up after David Hulme's tenure. However it seems this is going to have to be a long term arrangement at COGWA. The ratio of Indians to Chiefs can't support it otherwise.
The argument could be made and has been made by some that UCG is actually in a better financial position for now than prior to the split.
Of course it will be a while before we see what the new normal is.