Matching Tracksuits

Ever since the Worldwide Church of God (WCG), the church I grew up in, made the changes that led it out of near-cult status and into traditional Protestant-ville, I’ve been fascinated with the resulting organizations that broke off from it in order to hold fast to the original teachings. None has been more fascinating to me than David Pack’s Restored Church of God (RCG), a little group based in Wadsworth, Ohio, consisting of a few thousand members at most (they’re tight-lipped about their membership numbers, but I’d guess they have fewer than 5,000 regular attendees) that is certain it’s the only truly Christian organization on the planet. They believe that they will become God as God is God — that God is a family not just a trinity and that people can become part of that family, thereby becoming a god themselves.

It is, to say the least, a very heterodox group.

Yet in the world of WCG offshoots, it has insisted that it and it alone has remained true to the founder’s original teachings. Of course, every other group has maintained that, too, but the RCG has done it most vociferously. But no one can remain static forever, and the realities on the ground forced various doctrinal changes. Course corrections, Pack might call them.

Recently, a website published some letters from inside that church, though, that shows that all is not well in RCG-ville, that Pack is making changes that have to be seen to be believed. It starts with accusations that the bloke leaving, the whistleblower for lack of a better term, of course, had a bad attitude. Had problems with leadership. Did not know how to follow God’s government.

Church Administration

Sun 2020-09-20 5:46 PM

Dear brethren,

Greetings from Headquarters. We trust that you had a profitable day of Trumpets. The Work continues to surge forward despite a world growing darker.

Yesterday evening, some of you received an email from either Brian Kaidannek or his son Greg, stating they are no longer in agreement with the teachings of God’s Church. These emails came not long after Mr. Pack’s recent comments were posted. Sadly, it appears that Brian Kaidannek followed his son out of the Church. Both men chose to forsake the assembling of themselves together on Trumpets, using the Holy Day to send divisive letters to their pastorates.

As has been the case with several other former ministers, their emails were the first indications of any disagreement. They now claim disagreement with scores of teachings, several going back to the very beginning of the series. Greg Kaidannek says that he once believed that The Restored Church of God was God’s Church yet does not explain when it ceased to be or where His Church is currently (of course, a unified Church will always exist somewhere on Earth—Matthew 16:18Open in Logos Bible Software (if available)).

Brethren, it is sad for us to see any of God’s Sheep stray from the path. Your thoughts go out to the children who are now isolated. We serve a merciful God, but these divisive letters put these men on dangerous ground.

Though filled with error on even basic understanding, Greg Kaidannek’s letter is long and reasonably well written, proving much time and thought. He admitted thinking long and hard about writing it. Yet shocking to everyone here at Headquarters, he never uttered any concerns. The Headquarters’ contact for both of these men spoke with them biweekly. They had abundant opportunities to express disagreement or confusion but never did.

Greg Kaidannek’s portrayal of his time at Headquarters is flat wrong. As one who has been in scores of meetings, there is always a chance to ask questions. His problem was not questions; it was attitude. Personal spiritual issues (not prophecy) led to him being demoted in rank (which rarely happens) and given a field assignment over a small congregation. God is patient and merciful, so we hoped that this correction and re-assignment would help him develop the heart of a shepherd and learn to focus on others. His letter made it evident that he chose not to address his problems, but instead justified his transfer and allowed bitterness to set in.

Brian Kaidannek was fully aware of his son’s issues. He agreed this was the right move to help him. In private discussions at Headquarters, we were concerned that if Greg Kaidannek left, his father would follow him. Again, sadly, this proved accurate.

Brethren, please understand that the ministry must walk a fine line when giving you details when someone leaves. People can repent, and we hope and pray they do. We share as little as possible to protect the flock. Much more could be said, but it should not be necessary. God’s Government works hard to help His flock (no matter their rank) to make it to the Kingdom. When someone leaves the Church, they are forced to make a choice: (1) Honestly admit they no longer wish to address their spiritual problems or (2) Invent a “righteous” justification for leaving God’s Church.

They said they were “standing for the truth,” but sat safely behind their computers and sent emails filled with error and confusion. Greg Kaidannek claims that men at Headquarters are “afraid” to speak up. Again, I can personally attest to men having various questions answered in each of these meetings. These men have had every opportunity to speak their minds, ask questions, bring up concerns and, based on the content of their emails, have disagreed with God’s Church for years.

These men claim that they believe God is in charge and that He is working out the final stages of His plan before Christ’s return. They also profess to believe there is not much time left in the age. Everyone here is at a loss about what so-called “plan” they believe God is working out. If it is not what we are learning, then what is it? They appear to indicate they are going back to the “big T.” That means the Kaidanneks are looking for ten kings to come together in an increasingly fracturing Europe—and it must happen soon to start a 3.5-year countdown.

It is hard to comprehend how anyone can be honest with the scriptures and return to what we once understood. These men lost focus on the big picture and allowed confusion and self-deception to take them out of God’s Church. They should be thankful that our Creator can still get their attention in the fire, and we may see them soon.

As the age comes to a close, we must fight allowing ourselves to “doze off.” The repeated warnings to not fall asleep are given for a reason! Stay vigilant, stay close to God and continue to make yourselves “ready” for Christ’s Return.

While we transition the pastorate, please feel free to reach out to Church Administration with any questions that arise.

Greg’s father, Brian Kaidannek, wrote a letter to members of the church (I guess members in his congregation?) in which he explained a few facts (emphasis mine):

From: Brian Kaidannek
Sent: September 19, 2020 9:05 PM

Subject: Hold Fast That Which is Good

Greetings brethren,

The time has come when I must speak. I am charged to protect the sheep from false teachings, and I can no more remain silent as the meaning of the Holydays comes under further attack. This is changing times and seasons. Leviticus 23 and Exodus 13 are plain scriptures which explain the spring Holydays and exactly when they occur. The Jews in Old Testament times confuse them, and that confusion remains to this day. Now we have followed suit. Mr. Pack has ignored what we all once knew that even is dusk or twilight, which is the time between sunset and darkness. There is only one even or evening in each day and it is at the beginning of the day. Look in Genesis where God says “… and the evening and the morning was the first day.” etc. Passover is completely separate from the NBTO. It is a violation of the rules of Bible study to go to an unclear scripture in Ezekiel and make a doctrine in the face of the clear scriptures mentioned above.

We have seen over the last few years how the teachings of a faithful apostle, who was the apostle to the Philadelphian era, an era which God had nothing bad to say about in Rev. 3, become destroyed and or altered. How could this era have been so wrong in it’s understanding? God’s Holydays have always been a map to God’s plan for mankind and we once clearly saw the meaning in each step of God’s plan reflected in each Holyday. Now the meaning of the fall holydays is muddied and therefore the understanding of God’s plan has been muddied. Ask yourself, what is the meaning of each of the 7 Holydays and Feasts. This is why we no longer have a Bible Introduction course to clearly explain them as we once did, because no one can!

We also now teach a Calvinistic type of predestination which was never taught in the previous era as this type of teaching will lead into even more heresy as time goes forward. Read our Predestination booklet, it still has it correct. Which leads me to a significant point. Our literature, in many cases, more closely reflects what we taught in the past and is far different from what is being taught in the church in sermons and so many come looking for a group that teaches what Mr. Armstrong taught and we now have a type of bait and switch going on. This is simply wrong!

One of the fundamental doctrines that only God’s church understood, different from all professing Christianity, was our knowledge of who the God of the Old Testament was: that God was the Word (Jesus Christ). This is why when Christ came as a man he came to reveal the Father. (Matthew 11:27, Luke 10:22) This lost truth has led to a mountain of error and confusion. Simply read Exodus 3:14: Moses is told the name of the God he was dealing with “I AM” and then read John 8:58: Where Christ says “… before Abraham was I AM”. Can it be any clearer. Don’t be deceived by clever manipulation of unclear scriptures, ignoring that which is most plain!

Mr. Pack, who declared last Feast of Tabernacles that he was a prophet and had been for some time then went on to make a plethora of predictions of when Christ would return, none of which obviously came to pass. Yes, he has said he had never claimed God spoke to him, that is true. But brethren do not ignore the clear warning in Deuteronomy 18:22: “When a prophet speaks in the name of the LORD, if the thing follow not, nor come to pass, that is the thing which the LORD hath not spoken, but the prophet hath spoken it presumptuously: thou shalt not be afraid of him.” Many times, we have heard, “On God’s authority, I am right!” He HAS spoken Presumptuously! And then to say he was foretold to be wrong is just foolishness. We do not serve a God of confusion! Recently he has stated he is not a prophet. When one says they are a prophet they are either a true or false prophet and later claiming not to be a prophet becomes a mute point. Now again Mr. Pack claims to be Elijah and a whole plethora of other titles; and has once again predicted that we can’t go past Thursday, just before Trumpets. Again his prediction failed and he proved himself false. How can we sit at the feet of, and listen to, this false prophet?

Many have said, “This is a test of our faith”, and to a degree that is true. But brethren this is not the first apostacy that I have encountered. I have heard this all before. If one continues to listen to heresy, one will eventually begin to absorb it. Do you wish to be the proverbial frog in the water and wait to be boiled to death?

World conditions are deteriorating around us and yes, we should watch as these do seem to be the beginning of sorrows and we all wish that the return of Jesus Christ will be soon. We are told to hold fast that which is good. What we are hearing IS NOT GOOD!

I know that this letter will find its way to HQs, and there will be a story spun putting me in a bad light, it has happened to many others before me. But you brethren know me and know I have always been straight with you, regardless of what is said of me. I hold no malice and I care for you all. It is for this reason that I am compelled to try to protect you from false teaching, regardless of where it comes from.

Have no illusions, I could be marked, and you told not to contact me. But I cannot remain silent any longer! Much, much more could be said but you know me, I always head straight to the point, so this warning is sufficient. Beware false doctrine!

Brethren during this confusion, a book I have found most helpful to remain grounded in the truth once delivered is “The Mystery of The Ages” by Mr. Armstrong. I recommend you find a copy and read it.

I love you all.

P.S Attached to this email is a document written by my son to his congregation which I think you will find helpful.

What an odd feeling to read this letter and realize that each of the bolded sections has a history behind it that could fill several pages, and that the changes associated with those passages could also fill several more pages, and that all this understanding that flashes through my mind is dependant on having the same silly background knowledge that I have and that even the phrases themselves are meaningless. These people have created their own world, with vocabulary that befuddles the average outsider and a layered history that informs that vocabulary and theology which outsiders know nothing about. It’s like a portal to another universe where fundamental laws of physics are different, only here it’s fundamental laws of logic that hold no meaning.

In Greg Kaidannek’s letter that his father Greg mentions above, there is a list of doctrinal changes that Pack has introduced over the last few years. Some of the items include:

• Apostles can’t get doctrine wrong – i.e. infallibility.
• Christ is returning to Wadsworth (Joseph) not Jerusalem.
• King David disqualified himself and lost his role in the Kingdom and David Pack will assume it.
• That Prophet – Elijah – DCP vs Christ.
• Doing the Work is the Campus FIRST – then preaching a Gospel.

As with the bolded portions of the letter, these are ideas that to me hold significance. These are enormous changes. They are changes to fundamental doctrines that Pack said he would never abandon. However, with the exception of the first two items, most of these ideas are completely meaningless to outsiders.

Just how much has this guy changed things? Not that much, it turns out.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=asgSSILBxA8

He’s predicting the end of the age before the “Feast of Trumpets” (don’t ask) next year, which, according to the RCG’s calendar, is Sept. 7, 2021. (Oddly, even though the world is supposed to end on Sept. 7, 2021, their calendar of events extends into 2023…)