Robert and Mary Jane
Sundin
Cheyenne, Wyoming
Our church, the Worldwide Church of God, has dealt responsibly with vital issues that could not honestly be avoided, no matter the cost.
Response to these issues has been biblical. The unavoidable decisions have been made carefully and prayerfully.
We thank those who find themselves in leadership positions in this trying, yet exciting period of human history. These men have manifested their love for the flock over which God has made them overseers.
There is an outward manifestation of much prayer, with the result that many of us are finding a more loving and living relationship with God, our Creator; and Jesus Christ, our Redeemer and everlasting Lord.
The door has been opened, and we are in a church that has shown us unlimited opportunity for our future as we trust and obey God. We welcome the removal of barriers between ourselves and all other Spirit-filled Christians. Our mutual faith and hope can now lead us toward a greater and more rewarding fellowship.
Let us show loving-kindness, thoughtful prayer and gracious speech and deeds to all we come in contact with, not exclusively to the "household of faith."
This world is in desperate need and the acceptance of Scripture in its entirety opens up a promise of the limitless power of God in the entire world.
Michael Deiter
Wilmington, Delaware
E-mail: Mcgarret@msn.com
My greatest joy in being a member of the Worldwide Church of God is twofold.
First, I truly feel emancipated that the shackles of bondage to the old covenant are broken so that we can now live in the freedom offered to us by Jesus.
At first I viewed the changes with a degree of skepticism as I know many did. Now, though, I have been mercifully shown that great joy can be realized by modeling our lives and actions on Jesus Christ instead of on ancient Israel.
This leads to my second point, which is that I now can see that God is working with a lot more people on this earth than I had ever thought before. Now, I know that although I am a member of the Worldwide Church of God, I am more importantly a member of the Church of Jesus Christ, which encompasses people from all denominations.
I believe that we are on the threshold of great things for the Church of Jesus Christ. God is breaking down barriers that have existed between us and others so that we "may become completely one, so that the world may know that you have sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me" (John 17:23, New Revised Standard Version).
I am excited and humbled to be a part of all of this. God has been merciful in helping us to see our past errors and in tearing down the wall that existed between us and other Christians in the world.
Let us all join together in doing the work and in always giving God glory for all he has done, is doing and will do.
With love in Christ.
Paul Nowlen
Columbia, South Carolina
For years I have felt my mother praying for us and the Worldwide Church of God. She never said anything directly, but I sensed her concerns about our legalism and the resulting division of my family from hers and the extended family.
I was pleased to write to her a letter of apology for anything I had done over the years that offended or hurt her because of my religious beliefs. I enclosed the article by Mr. Tkach, "A Church Reborn" [February PT], and received a loving and warm call from her letting me know all is OK.
Now I walk the same path to Christ that she has walked for many long years. There is no longer the wall of separation with her or with so many others.
It is wonderful to belong to the Worldwide Church of God as we broaden the perspective of what is really important--Jesus Christ.
Vickie Bolden
St. Louis, Missouri, South
I first came in contact with the Worldwide Church of God in 1984. What really got my attention was the straightforward teaching of Mr. Armstrong. He would always say: "Don't believe me. Believe your Bible."
As I continued to read and attend worship services, I realized that these people really wanted to obey God, no matter the cost.
Now with the changes, I can't help but be proud, as I always have been. Where we're going as a church right now, I'm not sure, but I know wherever God leads we'll follow.
Maybe through our experience we will be able to help others steeped in error. There's nothing like experience to help with understanding.
I also pray that God will give us a fervent love for his truth. Especially the salvation we have in Jesus Christ through faith by grace. And that we will communicate that truth to anyone who will listen.
Why am I proud of my church? Because it is willing to give up everything, to lay down its life, so to speak, and follow Jesus Christ. What Christian wouldn't be proud of that!
Claudia Sinkule
Palm Springs, California
Thank you for the chance to express our feelings. We can all learn from each other and lean on each other this way.
We in the WCG have embraced the pain of surrender once again. We were enmeshed in our own self-righteousness and judgmental attitudes, but God got our attention and humbled us to repentance.
Now crumbling are the walls of pride and isolation that have separated us, not only from the lost and hurting, but also from each other. What freedom we are finding in this process of change. As hard as it has been for us, we've been given a new beginning.
God's Spirit is alive and working in his church, bringing about unity to all. We in the WCG are just a part of the body. This is where God has chosen to put us to grow. I look forward to becoming more like Jesus. I want to know and work toward becoming a contagious Christian, one who is not afraid to rub shoulders with those hungry for the hope that lives in us.
John M. Brooken
Jacksonville, Florida
I am excited, awed, humbled and overjoyed at the mercy of God and how he has opened our eyes, freed us to serve him, and worked a miracle in delivering us from ourselves.
I love God. I love my brothers and sisters in the Worldwide Church of God. I feel even though I came in at age 20 and am now 34 that I grew up in the WCG and the WCG is my family. I thank God for the WCG. I thank God for the leadership of the WCG (past and present), and I have no regrets that the WCG is my church home.
Roberta R. Grant
Charleston, South Carolina
Back in 1980, when I first started coming to the Worldwide Church of God, it didn't interest me. It was a boring place to be as a teenager.
The church came across as a dictatorship. Everyone walked a fine line, a line no one was capable of walking. As a result, a lot of people dropped out because they didn't feel good enough.
But now, thanks to the love and grace of God, we have a church of Christians. People who are yielding to God's Holy Spirit and changing to be like his Son, Jesus Christ. I now see a church that talks the talk and walks the walk.
My heart goes out to all of our brethren who have chosen to leave for whatever reasons. I pray they realize our God makes all things work together for the good of those who love him. He promised to never leave us, nor forsake us.
Rolf G. Varga
Harare, Zimbabwe
Last Feast I had not understood the new covenant teachings, and I had many bothersome questions. I decided not to jump ship, but to hang in and wait, in faith for understanding.
At the end of the Feast I put in an anonymous notice explaining my predicament and asking all to pray for me. Usually anonymous notices are not accepted, but out of love and concern, mine was read. Thanks to you all.
I get it at last. How come it took me so long?
This letter will, I hope, serve to encourage any who may still be unsure of where they're going, and any who have quit but still may be reading The Worldwide News. Please trust your Saviour, Jesus Christ. Give yourself more time, another chance.
Yes, you can do part of God's work as you are, but trust me, with the new knowledge available to us, you can do so much more, so much better. Really.
Joseph Hazan
St. Louis, Missour
The WCG has valiantly, relentlessly followed the lead of Jesus Christ by the Holy Spirit into all truth. As we yield ourselves, God the Father bestows on us further truth and we grow.
The gospel of Jesus Christ, the good news of God becoming man for the sake of helpless man is the greatest news ever. As we endeavor to know Jesus Christ and him crucified, we become better stewards of his heritage.
Our willingness to change, to be transformed into him as he molds and fashions us, maximizes his glory. The church can only follow and imitate Jesus Christ as we say, "Father, not my will, but your will be done."
In our daily lives as we leave the shackles of the past, we bring Jesus Christ with us wherever we go. As we become one with the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, we live the gospel; indeed he lives in us, the gospel of grace and peace. Thus, we become true ambassadors through whom God is beseeching all to be reconciled to him.
L. Dale Johnston
Cheyenne, Wyoming
I am proud of my local church for its generosity and eagerness to devote time and talents to meet a need.
I am proud of the entire Worldwide Church of God and our late Pastor General Joseph W. Tkach for the humility and lack of fear to take the baton of truth Christ has handed us and courageously race forward holding high the light of revelation Jesus Christ has put on us.
I am proud my church is not tiptoeing cautiously forward, but instead, seeing the urgent needs of a troubled world; is busy building the framework to prepare each individual member in a personal ministry of evangelism.
I am in awe of the dedication to Jesus Christ that shines through the works of our pastors and the depth of their compassion for us; for the joy and heartache they endure to hold us together.
I am proud of my church because when our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ calls us to follow him, we follow him.
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