July 1, 2001
Resignation
Church of God, ACF
Attention:
George Meeker, Secretary
Larry Salyer, President
Jack Hendren
Rex Sexton
Rick Stafford
Gentlemen,
In order for us to pursue the original goals that were established
at the founding of the Church of God, acf, and in order to reduce
contention, dissension, and division amongst all of our people,
we hereby submit our resignation from CGCF and from any corporate
offices we may hold, effective this date.
We will continue to serve the brethren as we serve God, and in
so doing, we must act according to our conscience in teaching,
as we were taught under the tutelage of Mr. Herbert W. Armstrong,
the doctrines of God. God revealed these truths and they are precious
indeed. We are firmly committed to preaching these doctrines and
to preaching the gospel of the Kingdom of God going forward from
here as God leads us.
We have stood by far too long and watched you tear apart the
progress made with the UCG task force by your violation of what
was agreed upon in Cincinnati. You have told our brethren that
there are no differences in the doctrines of the two Churches
when there clearly are differences, especially in the presentation
and implementation of those doctrines. In so doing, many brethren
have left our fellowship, prematurely, based upon the things you
have said.
You have continually ignored our questions relative to what happens
to those brethren who will be left behind because of conscience,
not even allowing time for positive discussions, which may have
led to past errors being resolved. This has caused a certain distrust
on the part of the brethren toward the leadership of CGCF.
You have gone outside the established government of the Church
and are shutting down the organization. You have cancelled feast
sites; you have discontinued internet services and the audio tape
program; you have held unauthorized meetings with other fellowships
while not providing a place of worship for brethren not willing
to follow you to those meetings; you have discontinued all hall
rentals so that the brethren are in jeopardy of having no place
to meet for services in the near future; you have written letters
to the members which have not revealed the truth concerning what
is happening; and you have accused your fellow ministers who are
not willing to follow you in your plan. When repeatedly questioned
concerning these serious matters you have refused to respond.
Additionally, you now go to United as you shut down the organization
you established just two years ago, supposedly for the purpose
of providing a safe haven for brethren who had been maligned by
others in the name of Christianity, and in so doing you leave
brethren without a haven.
And, gentlemen, you have done this supposedly for the sake of
“uniting” all of God's brethren. Shame on you! Had you
spent the time over the past months focused on preaching the gospel
and feeding the sheep God has put under your care, rather than
in the name of “unity” pushing to join UCG while at
the same time forsaking your brethren in CGCF, there would be
no need for this letter.
We have proposed on several occasions in the past few months
that you who desired to go to UCG at this time go ahead and leave
us in peace, but rather than accepting our proposal for peace,
you have accused us, maligned us with the brethren, and openly
attacked us on the internet and now in the current member letter.
You have gone into areas where there was peace in a congregation
and have split those congregations down the middle. All of this
you have done in the name of “unity”.
Well, gentlemen, you have accomplished your purpose. You have
destroyed this organization and even very close friendships and
you continue to attack. We are committed to continue this work
that God commissioned us to do with total dedication.
You say you are concerned that you will not be able to have your
meeting this morning. Well, you may now have your meeting in peace.
Amos asks the question, “Can two walk together, unless they
are agreed?” And, since we do not agree with the approach
CGCF is now taking under its current leadership, either in doctrine
or in direction, we feel we cannot continue to walk with you.
Our prayer is that in time all of God's people will be able to
come together in the bond of peace through the unity of His Holy
Spirit.
Sincerely,
| J. Edwin Pope |
Jean Carion |
| Warren Zehrung |
Rees Ellis |
| Norbert Link |
Joseph Musso |
| David Harris |
Bob Devine |
|
