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I have not attended services since March. Not because of the changes, but because of a pecking order that I felt was unscriptural and still do. Conversion was measured by choice assignments one was given, and was visible. Serving unseen, as necessary as it was, and is, was relegated to the caboose.
This ate away at me until I stopped attending. I analyzed what was wrong with me. I didn't see or feel love in the church. Was I being too idealistic, or was I unconsciously bitter because my talents went unnoticed? I then decided to go it alone. I was going to tough it out--just me and the Lord.
Well, here we are eight months later, and I'm here to tell you, God is real. He is merciful and patient, and I, for one, am thankful for that.
I did some research on other churches, looking for another fellowship to carry on with. Information packet after information packet, none were saying what the Worldwide Church of God was saying, and certainly none went through such a monumental doctrinal overhaul, which, in retrospect, is proof to me that God is with us.
Yes, I said us. I have decided to start attending again--with more humility, love, patience, and God willing, more maturity.
While I was going through the metamorphosis, some brethren stayed in contact. Letters from the Feast, phone calls gently probing, "Are you all right?" A card in the mail expressing brotherhood and love.
Well, friends, for those of you still attending to your wounds, or if your ship is taking on water and you are listing, I share your wounds and damage. But more importantly, I'm here to say, Get it all behind you, and let's get back to work.
Leonard W. Jaworski
Lackawanna, New York
The small price you ask for a subscription is nothing compared to the pleasure we get from reading it.
The changes in doctrine are one of the best things to happen in a long time.
My wife and I have been interested in the ways of the Worldwide Church of God for a long time. We invited one of the ministers to counsel with us, but we came up every time with the problem of working on Saturday, the Sabbath day, which we believed in, but with the jobs we have, there was no way we could get off Saturday.
We work in a textile mill, and when they get orders to run six days a week, that is what we had to do or lose our jobs. We decided to wait until we retired to get into the fellowship of the church. We did, however, attend a few times when the church had open house, but it offended the members to know that we worked on the Sabbath. So we quit going until we were told of the changes in church doctrine.
I can understand what members felt, because over the years they gave up a lot to keep the rulings of the church, and we can't blame them.
We were baptized at the Feast in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, this year.
I will continue to pray for the church and the problems caused by policy changes. I am sure God will see the church through the hard times if we keep the faith.
Bertis Isgett
Pamplico, South Carolina
Thanks be to God that we can now see more clearly the path all New Testament Christians must follow. Let's hold tightly, through faith, to our only plank of salvation--Jesus Christ. I love my church now more than ever.
Gustave C. Ahokpe
Cotonou, Benin, West Africa
I enjoyed the article about the "Scandal of Grace" [February PT] written by Paul Kroll. I was amazed to see that it was endorsed by the Worldwide Church of God.
I then read about the renewal your people have had. It sounds like the renewal I had in my own life, from dead works to life in the Spirit through the grace of Jesus Christ.
K. C.
I was happy to hear of another member involved in Moms in Touch International (Oct. 29 WN). I learned about Moms in Touch at the Feast and was happy to find, on my return home, that while there's only one MITI prayer group in all of Palmdale, it happens to be set up in our own little elementary school! I think it's a great program because it's really doing something about the schools.
Maria Stahl
Palmdale, California
Nov. 19, 1996, Worldwide News, page two
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