Tag Archive for: Forum Summaries

Author: David Markopoulos | Living Education

---

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

Mr. Phil Sena is an area pastor serving in the Ohio region, and in a recent forum message to the Living Education-Charlotte students, he offered important lessons from the example of Biblical characters on how to show willingness to God’s will.

An Attitude of Willingness

The Bible gives us many examples of those who showed willingness and served God. Willingness is characterized by accepting God’s will and being willing to follow His direction no matter what. This trait is expressed in the phrase: “here I am.” Spoken by many biblical figures at key points, this phrase should be our go-to response when God gets our attention.

A Personal Relationship

One way we can cultivate a willingness to say “here I am” is by developing a strong personal relationship with God. Mr. Sena gave the example of Abraham in the book of Genesis. Genesis 22:1-2 is the account of God asking Abraham to sacrifice Isaac—a very difficult test that Abraham did not want to do. But this verse shows Abraham’s response to God was purely humble and faithful, and God revealed that it was a test later on by allowing Isaac to live. Interestingly, Abraham even said “here I am” before he had even heard God’s request. Hebrews 11:17 says that Abraham offered up Isaac “by faith”—he trusted that God would work it out. Abraham was able to say “here I am” because he already had a strong personal relationship with Him, and knew that He would honor His promises.

Personal Hardship

Another way we learn to say “here I am” might be by learning lessons through personal hardship. One example of this is the story of Jacob. Jacob was a highly confident individual who tricked his father and brother. But he had been humbled after being tricked by his father-in-law, Laban. God then humbled Jacob further by taking him out of where he had been living, and back to the land of Canaan. There, he experienced the heartache of losing his son, Joseph, who he thought was dead. 

In Genesis 46:2, God appeared to Jacob and told him not to fear—he would meet Joseph in Egypt, and would eventually bring them back to the land of Israel. Interestingly, Jacob’s response was identical to Abraham’s: before he had even heard God’s statement, he said “here I am.” 

In his youth, Jacob had been a confident, smooth-talking individual. But a life of hardship and humbling from God had helped him get to a place where he could finally say “here I am.” This might be familiar to us sometimes—it’s easy to get satisfied or even overconfident with our ability to figure things out for ourselves. But just like Jacob, we can’t figure everything out ourselves. Sometimes God allows us to be humbled before He makes His will known—after He knows we’re reading to show willingness.

Unexpected Ways

Mr. Sena also reminded the students that God can make His will known in unexpected ways. How will we respond in those situations?

Giving the example of Moses, Mr. Sena pointed out that God did not appear to have had contact with Moses during the 40 years he lived in Midian. Moses had left his life behind and was living as a shepherd—and he may have thought that’s all there was to it. But, seemingly out of the blue, we find in Exodus 3:1-4 that something happened that would change Moses’ life once again. Happening upon the burning bush, Moses heard God’s voice call his name. Moses’ response was the same as his ancestors—before he even knew what God wanted, he responded with “here I am.” This unusual setting for God to communicate His will didn’t stop Moses from presenting a willing heart, and we shouldn’t be surprised when God shows up in unexpected ways in our lives either. 

Anyone Can Be Willing

Another important point to consider is that anyone can show willingness—we shouldn’t wait around for the right time. Like the examples of Abraham, Jacob, and Moses, we should be ready to faithfully follow God even if we don’t know what He’ll require of us. God can call anyone He chooses, including young people or those without offices. Mr. Sena pointed out the example of young Samuel—before he was ever a prophet, God spoke to him in the night in 1 Samuel 3:1-14. Samuel, unsure of what he was hearing, still listened for God’s voice, telling Him: “Your servant hears.” God often calls and uses young people and children. 

And in the New Testament, a miraculous healing was performed by a Christian disciple who never appeared to have ever held an office. Acts 9:3-17 tells of the story of Saul’s—later Paul—conversion. Stricken blind, God used Ananias—a humble Christian in Damascus—to heal and baptize Saul. Paul would become one of the most prolific and charismatic apostles who spread the Gospel across the known world, contributing greatly to our modern biblical canon. Ananias was never ordained and not much is known about him as a person, yet God used him in a small but important part of Paul’s story. While God made a unique exception in this case to fulfill duties reserved for the ministry, Ananias was willing to overcome his fear of Saul and to serve him by presenting himself before God as a humble servant.

How Can I Know God’s Will?

These examples and the lessons we can learn from them give us a template for how to respond when God makes His will known to us. But you may be thinking: I am just as willing and want to do the right thing, but I don’t know what God’s will is.

Sometimes, God doesn’t always make His will immediately clear—it can be difficult to tell what He’d like for us to do. And sometimes, we face choices between two things that are not inherently bad at all—both choices could be good, and the decision falls to us to make.

In general, we do know God’s will. We know He wants us to obey His word, follow the Ten Commandments, and stay focused on the Kingdom. There are fundamental things that we can know for sure, but the hang-up is often on specific things. What, you might ask, is God’s will for me?

1. Look For the Open Doors

Mr. Sena advised the students to look for the open doors. What doors and opportunities are open, or opening? If there is a smooth and consistent path forward that doesn’t require us to force our own will, we can be confident that God is blessing it. Sometimes we shut those doors or try to force our own way, but the results will not turn out well. But if we aren’t hitting hard spots, we can show willingness to follow God by walking through the doors He’s opening.

2. Seek Wise Counsel

It’s important to seek wisdom and counsel from those around us. Sometimes a choice isn’t necessarily between something good and something wrong—God might let us make a decision for ourselves. In those cases, it can be helpful to assess our priorities and seek advice from those who know us well. Proverbs 1:5 tells us: “A wise man will hear and increase learning,

And a man of understanding will attain wise counsel.”

3. Fleece Test

In Judges 6:36-40, Gideon was trying to understand God’s will. He laid down a fleece of wool on the ground, and asked for God’s will to be made apparent in two steps—if it was God’s will for him to lead the Israelites, in the morning there would be dew on the fleece only and not on the ground; the next day, there would be dew on the ground but not on the fleece. God followed these steps to make it very clear to Gideon what he should do. While we don’t want to tempt or goad God, it seems that God didn’t mind being tested in this way. And after this step, Gideon did obey—if we ask for a sign and are given confirmation, will we show willingness by acting on that confirmation?

Getting on Track

We might also find ourselves on the other side. Maybe we’re facing a difficult question and we may not want to follow where God is leading us, let alone are we sure of what He’s doing. In that case, we can do two things to help us get back on track:

1. Ask God For Willingness

Pray to God to ask Him for a willing and humble heart to follow His will no matter what.

2. Fasting

Fasting will help us draw closer to God and develop humility.

Say “Here I Am!”

Throughout our lives, we will all face situations where God tests us, calls us to follow Him, or faces us with a decision. Our attitude should be one of humility and willingness to serve and follow Him, even if we don’t yet know what He might require of us. And while it might take time, we should continually cultivate a strong personal relationship with God and be receptive to His direction, as well as His correction. When God begins moving in our lives, our response should be a wholehearted and earnest “here I am!”

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

---

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

---

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

---

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.

Author: David Markopoulos | Living Education

---

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

January 16th, 2026 was the 40th anniversary of the death of Mr. Herbert W. Armstrong. For a recent forum presentation, the Living Education-Charlotte students had the opportunity to watch a Behind the Work film from the year 1982. This video covered several major aspects of the Work being done by the Worldwide Church of God, and familiarized the students with the heritage of the Church of God.

The video contrasted the humble beginnings in Eugene, Oregon to the extensive facilities in Pasadena at the time. Mr. Armstrong pioneered the modern era of the Work from a small office space. By 1982, the Church’s headquarters included many buildings such as the Ambassador Auditorium, various college facilities, and more. 

The film also showed several behind-the-scenes meetings between Mr. Armstrong and department heads, showcasing different aspects of the Work, including the editorial process, the college, facilities management, and Church administration. Today, we have several departments following in those same footsteps and performing many of the same types of jobs. At that point in time, the Church had over 400 congregations, and regularly maintained refresher courses for the ministry to keep them up-to-date and focused on their mission to serve the membership.

While this era of the Church may seem far in the past for us, this was a relatively recent time in history. God used Mr. Armstrong and other  faithful men and women to carry out a large-scale Work, making use of resources and technology that had never existed up to that point in history. Today, we have the responsibility of carrying on that same Work of preaching the Gospel and preparing for the coming Kingdom.

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.