Tag Archive for: Featured

Author: David Markopoulos | Living Education

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These posts summarize the forums that our Living Education-Charlotte students attend each week.

Mr. Jonathan Bueno is an area pastor serving in the Pacific Northeast area. In a recent forum message at Living Education-Charlotte, Mr. Bueno spent time asking and answering an important question about Scripture: Does the Bible contain all the inspired words from God that we are meant to have?

God Communicates With Us

Hebrews 1:1 states: “God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by His Son.” This verse is important because it establishes the precedent that God does communicate with His people. 

As the Bible was put into writing, we see a clear pattern from Moses onward in which communication occurred through inspired writings. Today, our complete Biblical canon forms the basis of our faith—our ability to carry out our mission as Christians depends on living by every word of God.

Is Something Missing?

Some denominations, such as the Catholic Church, also rely on various traditions and sacraments. Many of their foundational doctrines are based on oral tradition not found in recorded Scripture, yet are regarded as equally important and valid. This raises important theological questions. Does the Bible indeed contain all the inspired words from God that we are meant to have? Is God’s revelation through the Bible really complete?

Mr. Bueno offered three reasons why God’s Church rejects the oral traditions of the Catholic Church.

1. God’s pattern for preserving truth among His covenant people is through inspired writings, not inspired sayings.

While there was likely a time before Moses when God did communicate primarily orally, it is clear that Moses’s effort to record both historical and contemporary accounts of God’s dealings with His people set a precedent going forward. Adam and Eve did know the law, which they likely received directly from God and passed on to their children. However, once God began working with Israel as a nation, we have an extensive record of history, prophecy, and divine interactions recorded in real time. 

Over the years, many scribes and scholars preserved these Scriptures. Towards the end of the first century AD, the apostles themselves contributed to the canon and completed it. Written Scripture is the primary vehicle for God’s revelation.

2. Oral tradition is unreliable because of human weakness and sin.

Human beings have an amazing intellect and ability to remember. But that long-term memory often falls short, and we are prone to sin. Our intellect and willpower are fallible, making oral tradition a difficult and unreliable way for God to preserve His truth. Over the thousands of years of God’s plan unfolding, it would have been very difficult to preserve that truth accurately. Furthermore, oral tradition is more easily discredited than a written record, which is more credible. God avoided a less effective method of sharing His truth not only to preserve its accuracy, but to keep its validity ironclad.

3. Oral traditions typically contradict Scripture.

So many doctrines and dogmas that come from “sacred” tradition actually contradict things that the Bible is clear about. If we treat the Bible as the primary and fundamental source of authoritative revelation, there is no room for oral tradition to usurp its role as the primary vehicle for God’s truth.

We Have God’s Word

2 Corinthians 11:4 states: “For if he who comes preaches another Jesus whom we have not preached, or if you receive a different spirit which you have not received, or a different gospel which you have not accepted—you may well put up with it!” Oral tradition is an unreliable contradiction to Scripture. Instead of relying on mixed messages and unbiblical dogma, we should let the Bible speak for itself and appreciate God’s foresight in having His word written down.

David Markopoulos is a Living Education alumnus from the 2023-2025 school years. Originally hailing from Chicago, he currently works for the Living Education program.

Author: David Markopoulos | Living Education

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These posts summarize the forums that our Living Education-Charlotte students attend each week.

Mr. Ryan Dawson, an Assistant Pastor serving in the North Florida and South Georgia area, addressed the Living Education-Charlotte students in a recent forum message. In his forum message, he encouraged the students to make a point of befriending the ministry.

What Will You Take Back?

Mr. Dawson prompted the students to ponder what they would write in a letter to their local congregations about their experience at Living Ed-Charlotte. What stories, experiences, and lessons would you bring back as a result of this experience? Mr. Dawson told the students that while they were the authors of this letter, they themselves were the letter. Your example as a student speaks to what the program is about and the value of what you’ve learned here.

One thing Mr. Dawson encouraged the students to consider including in the vast fold of their experiences here is the opportunity to get to know the ministry better. Being in Living Ed-Charlotte presents a great chance to get to know many ministers and leaders in the Work of God, and the relationships and mentorships formed can have a lasting impact in a student’s life.

5-Point Friendship Questionnaire

As part of this exercise, Mr. Dawson presented the students with a five-point questionnaire to help the students assess and develop better relationships with the ministry.

1. Do you pray for the ministry?

The ministry are human beings who get tired and who need prayers. In order to more effectively serve the brethren, specific and thoughtful prayers make a difference.

2. Do you consistently cultivate your friendship with the ministry?

As with all relationships, building a friendship takes time. We as members should be friendly and make the effort to be friends with our local ministers.

3. Do you give the ministry some of your time?

While the ministry gives up much of their time to serve, one way to serve them back is to be available and give of our time as well, particularly to cultivate a positive and cordial rapport.

4. Do you value what the ministry has to say?

While we should strive to be friends with our ministers, we should also respect their office. This means being receptive to the correction and guidance they offer at times. We should appreciate and seek out their advice and counsel.

5. Do you give grace to the ministry?

Ministers are human like the rest of us. Sometimes misunderstandings or mistakes can cause rifts between friends, but, as with all our friendships, we should avoid imputing negative motive on others. Instead, we should give the ministry—and all those around us—grace and the benefit of the doubt if misunderstandings arise.

Start a Friendship

Mr. Dawson admonished the students to pursue positive relationships with the ministry, not only in Charlotte but wherever they go, and encouraged them to seek out a local minister to befriend as the semester goes on—and furthermore, to make a point of developing a good relationship with their local pastors as they head home at the conclusion of the year. Like with any relationship, a close friendship can take intentional time and effort to develop. Mr. Dawson reminded the students of the importance of praying for others—the best way to start a relationship is to pray for the person. As the semester continues and the time comes when our students return home, the value of befriending the leadership and ministry of the Church is an important aspect of the learning experience of the Charlotte program.

David Markopoulos is a Living Education alumnus from the 2023-2025 school years. Originally hailing from Chicago, he currently works for the Living Education program.

Author: David Markopoulos | Living Education

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These posts summarize the forums that our Living Education-Charlotte students attend each week.

Mr. Chet Carpenter is an area pastor serving in the northern California and south Oregon area. In a recent forum message addressed to the Living Education-Charlotte students, Mr. Carpenter gave important principles to be prepared for the end-times.

Are You a Prepper?

Mr. Carpenter began by asking this question. Many of us know individuals who enjoy camping and the outdoors, and those who aim to be preppers in case of survivalist situations. The world is an unpredictable place, and the results of being unprepared for disasters can be deadly. The things we hope won’t happen often do, and we should be prepared for physical danger.

As we march closer toward the end and the return of Christ, we see world events heating up. It’s important for us as Christians to be prepared not only physically, but also spiritually for the trials that we know are coming. God expects us to be prepared and ready as we seek to inherit His Kingdom.

Building a Fire

Mr. Carpenter spent time explaining some important elements of prepper skills, beginning with fire. Any survivalist should know how to build a fire for emergency situations—but what about spiritually?

It takes physical action to be mentally prepared. Open the Bible, pray, fast, and meditate—these actions help not only keep us focused on God and His way, but they also build a fire of zeal within us. We should be actively stoking this fire and allowing God’s will to consume us. 2 Timothy 1:6 states: “Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands.” Maintaining this fire takes effort on our part. As trials come, our motivation, fortitude, and resilience that are rooted in God’s word keep us ignited for His purpose. To be spiritual preppers, it’s important to start and maintain a spiritual fire.

Food

One of the other critical elements of being a prepper is food. Knowing how to find safe food in the wilderness is an important skill, and spiritually, we have access to spiritual food as well. God has given us His word as a source of sustenance, inspiration, and learning, and through it, we are both informed and satisfied.

Water

Water is undoubtedly a necessity of life. Without water, no one can survive very long. A prepper needs adequate water storage. Spiritually, God has given us living waters and the gift of His Spirit to help us. 

The other side to this equation is the fact that we must have a thirst for that living water God is offering. Psalm 63:1 states: “My soul thirsts for You; my flesh longs for You in a dry and thirsty land where there is no water.” God offers the only solution to our thirst, and we must appreciate and seek it out by developing a relationship with Him. If we have a deep awe and thirst for what God gives us, He in turn will give us that gift of His Spirit.

Spiritual Shelter

As a natural result of these steps—igniting an internal fire for God, seeking out the food of His word, and relying on the living waters of His Spirit—we can have rest, protection, and true shelter in God. 

While there is nothing wrong with preparing physically for emergencies and trials, we should also remember to keep the big picture in mind, follow the right steps, and keep God first. We should always stay loyal and on fire for God and His will, seek and crave His spiritual food, and rely on the refreshing water of life He gives. God loves us and promises to watch over and protect us, and we should take comfort in His promises.

David Markopoulos is a Living Education alumnus from the 2023-2025 school years. Originally hailing from Chicago, he currently works for the Living Education program.

Author: David Markopoulos | Living Education

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These posts summarize the forums that our Living Education-Charlotte students attend each week.

In a recent forum message, Mr. Rod McNair, an evangelist serving as the Assistant Director of Church Administration, spoke to the Living Education-Charlotte students about what the Church Administration Department does. CAD fulfills a variety of functions within the Church, and Mr. McNair spent time explaining in particular how CAD organizes Tomorrow’s World Presentations, and how it works with the local ministry. In order to do so, Mr. McNair referred to a number of statistics that highlighted what CAD has accomplished over the years. Statistics can be a helpful measure of how much progress is being made. 

CAD’s Mission

Church Administration’s mission statement is as follows: “Our mission is to serve, edify, and support the worldwide ministry of the Living Church of God in fulfilling Christ’s commission with coordination, training, and administrative assistance.” This mission statement covers the commission Christ gave His apostles to both preach the Gospel and to feed the flock. Christ’s words implied a sense not only of tending and guiding, but also overseeing and governing. 

Tomorrow’s World Presentations

From the early days of Mr. Armstrong’s ministry, not only did he host his popular radio program, he also conducted live presentations. This was part of a 3-point campaign on his part to spread the Gospel: hosting the radio program, printing the mimeographed magazine, and hosting personal public meetings. This was a helpful and important method for promoting the Gospel. Over time, as Dr. Meredith helped revive the Work, ministers who had experience hosting public lectures led the way to a new series of public presentations, what we now call Tomorrow’s World Presentations, or TWPs. TWPs have been an important effort in giving people who are responding to the telecast and the magazine a chance to attend local services.

Today, CAD handles the organization and logistics of TWP planning, coordinating with local pastors and sending out invitations to guests. Since the program’s inception in 2006, over 52,000 people have attended a TWP. There are a variety of topics that intrigue potential guests, such as prophecy and the Holy Days. With so many people looking for someone to answer their questions, TWPs stand in the gap to answer these and other questions. To date, we have held over 2,360 TWPs, and 135 new attendees began coming to Church in 2024 and 2025 thanks to a TWP.

The Local Churches

Another major aspect of what CAD handles is the area of the local Churches. Director Douglas Winnail and Mr. McNair coordinate and work with the local ministry and area pastors to ensure the wellbeing of areas and congregations. We have 433 congregations around the world, with over 12,500 people attending the Church. About 7,400 people have been baptized since 1999—reflecting the growth in the Church in recent decades. There are about 3,000 responses per week to the telecast—an average of which 800 were first-time literature requests.

Our Part Before God

As the local ministry seeks to fulfill the needs of an ever-growing Church, Church Administration fulfills a necessary function within the Body of Christ—not only to govern, but to serve. Mr. McNair referenced Matthew 24:45-46: “Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his master made ruler over his household, to give them food in due season? Blessed is that servant whom his master, when he comes, will find so doing.” This instruction is relevant to all of us in the Church, and we should bear it in mind as we do our part to support the Work being carried out to preach the Gospel.

David Markopoulos is a Living Education alumnus from the 2023-2025 school years. Originally hailing from Chicago, he currently works for the Living Education program.