Are You Negative toward Other Churches of God, or… Are You Truly Christ-like? by Raymond F. McNair

Why have some members of God’s Church developed a rather negative attitude toward other “Churches of God” (now over 300!), which have sprung from the Worldwide Church of God, since the death of Mr. Herbert W. Armstrong in January 1986? Are we really “Christ-like” when we harbor negative, or in some cases, hostile attitudes toward those in other Churches of God? Can we come to realize that no person or “church” is perfect, and that includes each of us?

Isn’t it about time that all of us begin to look at those in other “Churches of God” with genuine understanding and Christian love, while overlooking human weaknesses and flaws, which we see, or think we see, in other persons, or other Churches of God?

[Note: I am not suggesting that we learn to accept, or wink at, serious “doctrinal errors,” or actual “sins,” which other individuals or churches may be guilty of. And when I speak of the “Churches of God,” I am not referring to those worldly “Churches of God,” which call themselves by that name, yet don’t even believe it necessary to obey God in such matters as: keeping the Ten Commandments (including the Sabbath), annual Holy Days, tithing, not eating unclean meats, etc. Such churches are in fact “daughters” of the “Mother” spoken of in Revelation 17!]

But when I encourage all the brethren and the ministry of the “Churches of God” to begin breaking down the barriers of suspicion and hostility, which some have erected between members of different Churches of God, I refer to those “churches” that are truly commandment-keeping Churches of God—to those who “keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus” (Rev. 12:14)!

If Jesus Christ were on earth today, would He hold negative, hypercritical or condemnatory attitudes toward any of the commandment-keeping Churches of God? Or would He walk among them, correcting, encouraging and strengthening them? We can know the answer to those two questions, for it is found in the first three chapters of Revelation. God used the seven churches in Asia to serve as examples of both good and bad conduct in the Churches of God. He both corrects and praises the members of those seven churches (Rev. 2 & 3). A careful study of chapters 2 and 3 clearly reveals that Jesus looked upon those seven churches as His Churches.

In the first chapter of Revelation we see seven candlesticks picturing the “seven Churches of Asia.” “And in the midst of the seven candlesticks One like unto the Son of man…. and out of His mouth went a sharp two-edged sword [God’s Word]….The seven candlesticks [which] are the seven churches” (vv. 13-20). Carefully notice that Christ was “in the midst of the seven candlesticks [churches],” as verse 13 clearly states. He did not shun them because of their weaknesses and sins.

Even though Christ pointed out certain strengths, as well as weaknesses and sins in those seven churches, He, as our Savior, had understanding, love and compassion for even those who were struggling to overcome sin. Some of them had doctrinal problems, while others had “moral” or “character” problems. So it is today. Christ is still walking “in the midst” of all commandment-keeping “Churches of God,” even though those “churches” are far from perfect! Rather than condemning, Jesus admonished and rebuked those who were “living in sin,” but He didn’t condemn them, write them off, or destroy them because of the sins of individuals in those congregations. Instead, He taught them and encouraged them to continue in the Truth, admonishing them, thereby removing the spots and wrinkles from their spiritual garments (Eph. 5:27; Rev. 19:8).

Furthermore, a diligent study of the New Testament reveals that Peter, Paul and John all spoke of serious problems (sins) in the N.T. Churches of God. They all spoke of numerous problems in God’s Churches during the days of the Apostles. Since they had to wrestle with many serious problems in the “churches,” is it any wonder that God’s true ministers must also wrestle with serious doctrinal or moral problems in the Churches of God today?

Over six billion people now live on this planet, two billion of whom profess to be Christians. The majority of them are Catholics or Protestants, who sincerely believe they are following Jesus Christ. But most members of the Churches of God believe the majority of today’s professing Christians don’t really know what true Christianity is!

God’s people understand that the “Mother of harlots” and her “daughters” are depicted in the 17th chapter of Revelation. “Like mother, like daughters!” Members of the Churches of God realize they are not to cozy up to either “Mother” or her “daughters”—because they have been utterly corrupted by pagan doctrines and practices inherited from the “Father of lies,” Satan, the devil (John 8:44).

By sharp contrast, however, the Word of God says, the Church Christ founded (Matt. 16:18), is symbolized by a virtuous woman (Eph. 5:25-27). Clearly, the true Church of God is pictured as a “virgin” church, undefiled by pagan doctrines or fornicating relationships with the kings and rulers of this evil world (Rev. 17:1-6)—all of which are under the influence of Satan, the great “deceiver” (12:9), the “god of this world” (2 Cor. 4:4). Bible prophecy reveals that this Babylonian “Mother” and “daughters” will cease to exist after Christ’s Second Coming (Rev. 18), and just before Jesus marries His virgin wife (19:6-9).

God’s people must be cleansed from all sin, if we are to take part in Christ’s Royal Wedding shortly after His return. We must allow His blood to cleanse us of all our sins (1 John 1:7-9); God’s Word tells us that Jesus will “present [His church] to Himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle…but that it should be holy and without blemish” (Eph. 5:26-27). However, even though God’s people “keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ” (Rev. 12:17), nevertheless, the Bible reveals that our Savior isn’t pleased with the condition of His Church at the end of this age (Rev.3:14-22). Will His Church heed Christ’s warnings—watching our attitudes, making sure we love and obey God, thereby ensuring that we are “ready” to marry Jesus at His Coming?

God’s people need to ponder several very important questions. Our honest answers may reveal that there is yet much growing and overcoming to be done, otherwise, we will not make it into the Kingdom of God! Have we forgotten the Apostle Peter’s solemn admonition? “For the time is come that judgment must begin at the HOUSE OF GOD…. And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?” (1 Pet. 4:17-18). Some in God’s Church will be saved only by the “skin of their teeth.” Many professing Christians will be rejected by Christ, because of their attitudes and ungodly conduct. Christ gave a parable to illustrate this very point. He said a KING, meaning His Father, would arrange “a marriage for His Son.”

Jesus also said that the “King” will reject those who are not “ready” to attend the marriage supper, when they brazenly attempt to attend the wedding without proper “wedding garments” (Matt. 22:1-14). Christ also warned: at that time there will be “weeping and gnashing of teeth” by those rejected (v. 13).

Christ’s parable of the Ten Virgins shows that five “virgins” were “foolish,” because they were improperly prepared for the “wedding,” and as a consequence, were not ready to attend Jesus’ “marriage” (Matt. 25). Foolishly, they failed to take sufficient oil (God’s Spirit) to ensure their lamps burned brightly during the wedding: “And…the Bridegroom [Christ] came; and they that were ready went in with Him to the marriage; and the door was shut. Afterward came the other [five foolish] virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. But He answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not. Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh” (vv. 1-13).

Let Christ’s final warning suffice to show that we, members of the true Church of God, must be very careful, otherwise, we will find ourselves outside the Kingdom of God and not inherit the blessings which others will then receive. We will fail to make it! Notice Jesus’ warning: “Not everyone that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the Kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of My Father…. And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from Me, ye that work iniquity” (Matt. 7:21, 23)!

Our answers to the following important questions will reveal numerous blemishes—wrong attitudes and ungodly actions, which some in God’s Church are guilty of. Those sins could keep any one of us out of God’s Kingdom. Let us prayerfully ask, and honestly answer, the following important questions to see any areas where we may be falling short of the mark (Heb. 12:14-15):

1) Do we look up to and follow some man rather than following Jesus, the “Head” of His Church, the “Body of Christ” (Eph. 4:12-16; 5:23)? The Apostle Paul chided the Corinthian brethren for wrongly looking to him, Apollos, or Peter, rather than keeping their eyes focused on Jesus Christ: “I am of Paul [or] Apollos [or] Cephas [Peter] and I [am] of Christ. Is Christ divided?” asked Paul (I Cor. 1:10, 12-13). Let us continually make sure that we look only to God, rather than to men, making certain that we only follow or imitate men, as they follow Christ (1 Cor. 11:1)!

2) Do you believe those in your Church of God are better, more righteous, or more “perfect” than members of other Churches of God? God hates this attitude of hypocritical, self-righteous, professing Christians. Apostle Paul humbly confessed he was not “perfect” (Philip. 3:11-14).

3) Do we think “our Church” possesses the “whole truth” of God? Or do we humbly realize that no man or Church of God has yet attained unto “all of the Truth”? We are commanded to continually “grow in…knowledge” (2 Pet. 3:18)! We don’t yet possess “all Truth” (John 16:13)! The Prophet Daniel said that God often reveals prophetic truths, progressively. God inspired Daniel to “shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end [when] knowledge shall be increased” (Dan. 12:4).

4) Do any of us speak evil of our brethren, who are members of a different Church of God (Titus 3:2; James 4:11-12)? Don’t some even speak disparagingly of God’s true ministers, or of high Government officials (2 Pet. 2:9-13; Jude 9-13)? Never forget that the DEVIL is the “accuser of the brethren” (Rev. 12:9-10). Don’t play his dirty game, by joining his throng of slanderers!

5) Do you believe those who are members of your particular “Church of God” will be the only ones worthy of being taken to a “place of safety” (Rev. 12:13-17)—while other Church of God members will have to experience the “Great Tribulation”? Don’t be too sure! It could be the other way around, with others being taken to a place of safety, while you suffer in the Great Tribulation.

6) As a minister, or as a layman—would you ever try to entice members of another commandment-keeping Church of God, to leave their church, and “join” your particular Church of God? Mr. Herbert W. Armstrong refused to draw away members from the “Seventh-day Church of God”—even though some of them chose to leave that church and became members of the Radio Church of God (later, WCG).

7) As a professing “member” of God’s Church, are you narrow-minded, prejudiced, or even terribly biased toward other commandment-keeping Churches of God? Example: If you were visiting friends or relatives in another city on the Sabbath, and your “Church of God” didn’t have a church in that city, would you think it wrong to attend a different “Church of God” service? The Gospels reveal that Jesus Christ repeatedly worshipped in the synagogues with the Jews, who had many doctrinal errors (Luke 4:15-16, 44; 13:10). The Apostle Paul, immediately after his conversion, worshipped in the synagogues with the mainly unbelieving Jews (Acts 9:2, 20), and he continued that practice (13:5, 14-15, 42), speaking both to “Jews and…Greeks” (14:1). Years later, he was still worshipping with the Jews in their synagogues (17:1, 10, 17). “And [Paul] reasoned in the synagogue every Sabbath, and persuaded the Jews and the Greeks” (18:4, 7-8; 19; 19:8).

How is it that Jesus, Paul, Barnabas and others worshipped in the synagogues with the Jews, whose doctrines were quite different from theirs, yet many brethren in the Churches of God will not dare attend a church service with Spirit-filled brethren in other Churches of God?

8) Are we partial in our dealings with others? The Bible says we should not be “a respecter of persons” (James 3:1-12). Sadly, some in God’s Church, including some ministers, have been respecters of persons. Such persons often show partiality toward those who have money, position, power or influence, and generally ignore the “little people”—widows, orphans, the poor, or the sick or disabled (Luke 14:12-14).

Our honest answers to the above questions will reveal to us certain important insights into our attitude, character and understanding concerning our vital relationships with other members of different Churches of God. What does Jesus Christ have to say regarding whether or not we should only “love” those who “love” us? Doesn’t He reveal that we should broaden the scope of our love to include others, especially the poor, the fatherless and widows (Psa. 41:1-3), and learn to truly “love our neighbors as ourselves” (Matt. 22:39)?

We will now consider three important examples of the attitudes and behaviors of some members of the Churches of God—showing that many of us have a lot of overcoming yet to do:

Example # 1: “Do you pray only for those in the ‘Church of God’ to which you belong, yet fail to pray for your brethren in other ‘Churches of God’?” Ask yourself this question: “If you knew two sisters, or two brothers, both of whom were seriously ill—one being in your ‘Church of God’ and the other in a different ‘Church of God’—which one would you pray for?” Would you pray for just one or both? Sadly, some would only pray for the brother who is a member of their corporate “Church.”

To illustrate this point: some ministers and brethren, when making announcements, will ask those in their church to pray for a sick “brother” who is a member of their church, while omitting to pray for that same member’s “brother,” since he is a member of another Church of God. Why will some ministers and brethren only pray for the brother or sister in their church, while not also praying for his sick brother? Doesn’t such an attitude reveal just how much this world’s “spirit” has affected the attitudes of some of the ministers and brethren in the Churches of God today? Regrettably, any ministers who believe and teach such unchristian views infect their congregations with this same worldly attitude, thereby sinning against Christ and His spiritual Body!

In this world, people commonly love and help only those who are in their own church, party, race, or club, etc. But Jesus Christ reveals that such an attitude is far from “loving your neighbor as yourself”—which we are commanded to do (Matt. 22:39). Do you follow the world or Christ?

Jesus told His followers: “Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; That ye may be the children of your Father [Who] maketh His sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. For if ye love [only] them which love you, what reward have ye? Do not even the publicans [the tax collectors] the same? And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect” (Matt. 5:43-48).

Example # 2: Do you harbor unchristian, exclusivist attitudes toward others who belong to a different Church of God? Not long ago, an evangelist and his wife were invited to dine with a member of a different Church of God. The host who invited them was pleased to fellowship with them, for he believed they were also members of the spiritual organism, the “Church of God.” However, when another couple (in a different “Church of God”—who had also been invited) heard that the host had invited the evangelist and his wife, they objected to them being present. Sadly, their biased, Pharisaical attitude revealed that, either they lacked understanding, or love, or both!

How tragic that such unchristian attitudes in the Churches of God are, in some cases, harbored or actually practiced by some ministers and brethren, who have exclusivist attitudes regarding who is, and who is not, a member of the Body of Christ! How can such persons claim to be true members of God’s Church? Where do members learn this exclusivist attitude? All too often they get it from their “leaders.” “Like minister, like members!” If the members’ minister is a self-righteous, exclusivist person—one who is judgmental toward brethren in other Churches of God—then many in his church will often imitate their leader by also becoming judgmental. Like the Pharisee in Christ’s parable (Luke 18), they become hypercritical of others, being self-righteous and smugly proud, thinking they, and those in their church, are superior to the ministers and brethren in other Churches of God. Where did the couple mentioned above learn to harbor exclusivist attitudes, even shunning a faithful minister and his wife from another Church of God? Was it not from their minister?

Example # 3: Are you a person who is overly critical of others, a person who often judges harshly, instead of giving others the benefit of the doubt (Matt. 7:1-5; James 4:11-12)? Or do you like to think the worst about a reported bad deed of someone else? The following letter illustrates the all-too-prevalent, critical attitude of many. Even though my previous articles in The Journal have been well received by many hundreds of brethren in the Churches of God, I have, nonetheless, received one rather critical letter from a seemingly sincere, but misguided young man, whom I have considered a friend for many years. Without identifying the person, I will quote a few excerpts from his letter:

“Dear Mr. McNair…. It is good to know that your physical health has improved to the extent that it has…. Since so many have written and called to you lately, and since I am an old student of yours, I am glad to add myself to their number.”

After he read in The Journal, where I mentioned that God’s true Church had been “scattered,” this friend said: “The sad reality is that most of the so-called ‘scattered brethren’ who have come out of Worldwide are being led astray by false teachers—too often in direct fulfillment of 2 Timothy 4:3! …But ever since I came into Global [Church of God] I have been concerned about your apparent willingness to give unmitigated benefit of the doubt to all the so-called ‘branches of God’s Church.’ But if this is God’s Church, why are there ‘branches’?”

Is it true that, while in the GCG, I was willing to “give unmitigated benefit of the doubt to all… branches of God’s Church?” Yes, it is true that, on many occasions, I did try to get the ministers and brethren in the GCG not to entertain or teach an “exclusivist” view of being the “true and only Church of God.” For years, I have tried to help God’s people understand that His Church is not a “corporate organization.” Neither are all Spirit-filled and Spirit-led people of God now in one Church of God. Rather, God’s people are today found scattered in many different groups, incorporated under the name “Church of God.”

However, I refuse to call any of them “branches,” because Christ referred to individual members as “branches” (John 15:5), yet never referring to individual churches as “branches.” The leader of one “Church of God” refers to the over 300 Churches of God as “splinters,” although, he doesn’t consider his “church”—with a rather small membership—to be a “splinter”! There is only one true “Church of God,” but that “Church” is a spiritual organism—comprised of all who have repented, been baptized, received God’s Holy Spirit and are being led by His Spirit (Rom. 8:9-14, 1 Cor. 12:13)!

Finally, this writer says, “…I hope you don’t mind hearing from an old student who has often debated both with you and with some who would have misled you….”

But, I would ask, “Am I misled, or is my former student misled?” One final quote will, I believe, provide the answer to the question I just asked. The writer also says, “Basically, we tend to equate Philadelphia with overcomer and Laodicean with non-overcomer (or even liberal)…. Again, though it may shock some people (including yourself) to hear it, there is nothing wrong with being a Laodicean!” WHAT?

Whom should we believe—this former student, or Jesus Christ? If it is not “wrong” to be a Laodicean, why did Christ give such a stern warning to all who would endorse and promote the Laodicean attitude (Rev. 3:14-22)? God inspired me to reply to my friend’s critical letter; so I sent him a kind, fatherly, but firm letter, pointing out some of his egregious errors!

I received a letter from another person, whose criticism of one of my articles in The Journal was like a “breath of fresh air.” It showed a marked difference in attitude. God’s Word says, “Let another man praise thee, and not thing own mouth…” (Prov. 27:2). Bear with me, as I quote excerpts from another person’s letter—a man whom I have never had the honor of meeting:

“Dear Mr. McNair…. I just read today the ad that you recently placed in The Journal. It takes courage and conviction to stand your ground against all odds as you have done. But having ‘known’ you for years, I am not surprised. It is a validation of Mr. Armstrong’s trust in you, to set God’s College [Ambassador College] back on His track, after Mr. Armstrong discovered what evil men had done to God’s college, polluting it and turning it into Satan’s playground. I was a student at AC for one year from 1980-81, and lived in Pasadena for over 7 years…and heard you speak on numerous occasions. Your messages were always to the point and on track, and you were certainly one of the good shepherds who took your calling and job seriously….

“I believe I can understand somewhat of your sorrow over the past several years, and that sorrow comes through very well in your writing. There are certainly some bad shepherds for one reason or another, and I know you have tried your best with God’s help to do what is right under difficult circumstances. Over the years, you have set an outstanding example, and been an inspiration to many. Please keep on leading the way, even if no one appears to be following. I know that God is watching, and I am sure He is pleased with what you have done for Him.”

This writer also says, “I too wish that God’s people could join together once more to do the work that they have been called to do. I believe that many ministers engage in petty bickering and power games. Mr. Armstrong made allusion to this when he said on several occasions, ‘while the cat’s away, the mice will play.’ He knew what was going on even if he didn’t always know who was responsible. But, of course, once the cat was out of the picture, the mice not only played, but took over! They then proceeded to chew holes in everything that Mr. Armstrong had built.”

The writer concludes with the following words: “But I have faith that God will do something to stop all of this, unless we are indeed on the very verge of the Tribulation. But if we are not, there is still a work to do, and God needs loyal men such as yourself to stand up and be counted for Him and His way. I am very happy that you are one of those who stands up for what is right no matter what, which is why Mr. Armstrong entrusted you with God’s college and putting it back on track over 20 years ago….Sincerely….”

I have received many letters similar to the one just quoted. In The Journal, I have generally deleted personal compliments, because I didn’t want to foster the impression I was giving myself kudos. However, I don’t want to be like Israel’s evil King Saul, who was much too concerned about what “the people would say,” and was consequently removed by God from his kingship (1 Sam. 15:20-24). I don’t want to give “offense” to anyone, whether “Jews…Greeks or to the Church of God” (1Cor. 10:32).

I would like to make the following appeal to the ministry and brethren of the Churches of God: our main concern must always be never to displease or offend God in anything we think, say or do (John 5:41, 44)! King David of Israel aptly expressed this when he said: “Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD….” (Psa. 19:14).

We, the children of God, have been invited to become immortal members of His very own family! Can we, His “sons and daughters” (2 Cor. 6:18), who have been called into His precious Truth, truly fathom the magnitude of our high calling? God promises us that we who overcome shall “inherit all things” (Rev. 21:7). Could there possibly be a more glorious future awaiting us?

A PERSONAL NOTE. Here is a brief note regarding my varied experiences in the Work of God during the past 55 years. Most of you will have become familiar with my articles in various Church publications (the Good News, Plain Truth, Tomorrow’s World, etc), and more recently in articles which were published in other “Church of God” publications. I have served for nearly 50 years as a writer and editor.

My appointment to serve on the WCG Doctrinal Teams. Mr. H.W. Armstrong appointed me to serve under him over the Headquarters Doctrinal Team in 1974, knowing that I would not introduce “liberal” doctrines into God’s Church. After Mr. Armstrong’s decease, the Pastor General who succeeded Mr. him appointed me to be over the Doctrinal Team in Pasadena; but shortly afterward, my wife and I were sent to the South Pacific to head the Work of God in New Zealand, Fiji, Tonga, etc. Since I would not endorse the strange doctrines then being seriously considered at our Pasadena Headquarters, my continued presence would have been a big obstacle in the eyes of those who planned to make sweeping doctrinal changes in the WCG.

My ordination as an Evangelist in the WCG. Mr. Herbert W. Armstrong ordained me as an Evangelist—over 51 years ago. During those 51 eventful years I served as the pastor of 14 churches in the U.S., Britain and New Zealand, and in 1954-1955, I founded the Chicago Church of God, the first WCG Church east of the Mississippi River. I also served as Director of the Work of God in Britain (1958-1973).

Appointed Deputy Chancellor of Ambassador Colleges in England, and Pasadena, CA. In 1960, Mr. Herbert W. Armstrong appointed me Deputy Chancellor of Ambassador College, near London. Later, in 1978, Mr. Armstrong asked me to serve as Deputy Chancellor of Ambassador College in Pasadena, California—in order to help him put Ambassador College back on track. I continued serving God’s Work in that position for nearly ten years—until 2 years after Mr. Armstrong’s death in 1986. I was gratified to hear him say, before his decease, that he was very pleased to see Ambassador College back on track. I always counted it a great honor and a fantastic privilege to work with God’s end-time Apostle for over 36 years, from the time I entered Ambassador College in 1948, until his death in 1986—approximately 36 years.

I was privileged to conduct many baptismal tours while serving in the Worldwide Church of God. In the summer of 1949, Mr. Armstrong sent Raymond Cole and me on the first student-led, nation-wide baptismal tour, during which time we baptized about 125 brethren. In the following years, I conducted seven more baptismal tours in the U.S. and Canada before being sent to London, England in 1958 to take charge of God’s Work in Britain, where I continued to serve the Work of Jesus Christ during the next 15 years. After arriving in London, England, I conducted several baptismal tours in the British Isles, and was later sent to Southern Africa with another minister to baptize a number of people in Northern and Southern Rhodesia, and in South Africa.