Twenty Seven Years After the Death of Herbert W Armstrong

As many know Six-Pack Gerald Flurry declared the 16^th of January was the most important date in history. Now, twenty seven years after the death of Herbie, he probably still believes this.

All others know it's a coincidence whether something happens on the 15^th or on the 16^th of any month, but Gerald Flurry was very specific:

You are going to see the date of HWA's death take on more significance as time goes on. (page 82, Malachi's Message 1990-edition)

As regular readers of this blog will know, Gerald Flurry has a unique ability to see things in coincidences. Things are easily upgraded into almost world-important proportions whenever Gerald feels something is important. Anyone questioning him is immediately expelled from fellowship and considered an "enemy of the truth."

What we know is that he, and all other proponents of Armstrongism, are the actual enemies of the truth, but these naive people still entreched in Armstrongism are discouraged to prove all things once they have become members of 'the faithful flock'...

Required Reading for PCG Attendees

It is quite interesting to read the Pastor General's Report dated 5. November 2004, because in that issue you can read:

Mr. Gerald Flurry has set the policy that the required reading for a prospective member prior to attending services be limited to Mystery of the Ages, Malachi’s Message and That Prophet. It is far better for our new contacts to thoroughly understand these three books that cover the major doctrines of the pcg than to “overload” them and set the bar for attending services too high. Th ere may be times in individual cases, however, that another booklet may need to be read prior to attending services. This decision lies with the discretion of each individual regional director.
[Source: http://www.pcog.info/PGR/PGR%202004-11-05.pdf]

You would have thought that reading the Scriptures was important, but the PCG emphasis is on HWA's & Gerald Flurry's writings.

Further down that issue there is a thought-provoking statement regarding visits to prospective members. Dennis Leap, who wrote the article, says:

Some prospectives may be co-workers. So we must work hard not to off end them or embitter them against God’s Work.

That is translated Armstrongism for: beware of losing tithes and offerings. Apparently because their primary concern is MONEY.

Further down the article by Dennis Leap, it is written:

Then, after being invited to attend, it would not be a bad idea to also require them to read and study the WCG Doctrinal Changes booklet, God’s Family Government, and The God Family Vision.

In the future, Stephen Flurry's "Raising the Ruins" is probably also going to be on the recommended reading list...

So, as you can see, the PCG really wants their members to be schooled in their own literature. This is a major STRENGTHENING of the ties when compared with the WCG which originally spoke of people normally having completed the Bible Correspondence Course when invited. But these booklets were not required reading. Attitude was a bigger issue then, whereas Gerald Flurry really wants closed doors.

That is most clearly proved by quoting the Pastor General's Report from March 11^th 2006, where it can be read:

All regional directors should do an immediate review (and continually monitor the spiritual condition) of the men that receive and/or play our tapes and CDs. We must ensure that these men are deeply loyal and will not pass our tapes/CDs onto outsiders. It could be evident that some of our tapes are being passed onto the Laodicean groups at this time.
[Source: http://www.pcog.info/PGR/PGR%202006-03-11.pdf]

So, as you can see, there is one type of message that goes out to the public, and a very different one that is shown to the ministers and members. You just saw proof of the straight-jacket of the PCG in fulfilling their devotion to Armstrongism