Another Sad Story

From the internet:
I remained in a marriage for many years with a "minister" that could not stay faithful, claiming he was a "sex addict" and after many years of forgiving over and over again, simply staying for "the church" and "for the kids" and for my "COGOP parents", I finally had enough! We attempted christian counseling, but he would leave the sessions more angry that when he came in, thought of it as a finger-pointing session. So after the last affair (which was with another ministers wife) I'd had enough and left. I found that I did not fit in any longer in the COGOP because I was that "divorced" person and knew I could never be a member again if I chose to date or remarry. That was okay because the COGOP would never be my salvation and God knows my heart! I have recently married after 6 years of being single and know in my heart I will go to heaven. I do not need a denomination to tell me my fate....
~Amy
Chattanooga, TN

By God's Grace update

I just discovered that Vivian McClaughtery's brother is the State Overseer for Ohio in the Church of God of Prophecy. This makes the book even more interesting. Apparently, his name is Fred Lawson and he doesn't appreciate the fact that his sister wrote this tell all book.

From the internet:
Vivian McClaugherty on October 28, 2007 at 09:18 AM said:
I have written a book about my life growing up in the Church Of God Of Prophecy and being there for my Mother and Brothers. I have two brothers that are in the church Fred lawson is the State Overseer of Miss. They are mad at me for writing the book and are treating me awful for someone who is suppose to be a Christian. Can you help? I have written and sent a lot of my books out to ministers to read. It is on the wed. (BY GOD'S GRACE) It is so sad to see how they are reacting.
Thank you, Vivian McClaugherty

You can purchase Vivian's book at Barnes & Noble. Here's a link http://search.barnesandnoble.com/By-Gods-Grace/Vivian-McClaugherty/e/9780595678037/?itm=1

More of what others are saying...

I am a former member of COGOP. I no longer go there because I was hurt so painfully by insensitive people at headquarters sending cruel and hateful letters to me, that I withdrew my membership. I had been made a lay minister and almost immediately was drafted into the army. Headquarters sent my a series of nasty, cruel letters demanding that I send in monthly reports as to how many people I had gotten saved, sanctified, filled with the Holy Ghost, and added to the church. I tried to explain I was unable to carry on a ministerial work as a member of the armed forces, but they refused to listen. People in authority in this church were so cruel and demanding, and put so much pressure on their members, it's no wonder they lose most of their members. My stance on divorce is-any pressing reason is enough to get one. Shouldn't abused women be allowed to get a divorce? What about a man being sent to prison for many years-What about my own case-my wife deserted me, divorced me and married another man! I have no intention to re-marry, but if I changed my mind, it would certainly be okay with God, I believe. I believe, along with the Bible, we also need a good dose of common sense! What if it happened to YOU? Think about it...
-Marco

One of your "pastors" raped me violently and premeditatively when I was a 16 year old virgin. He was 24 at the time, but "called" to preach in the COGOP.

He blamed his sin on me because I caused him to lust. However, those in the church agreed if we would marry then it wouldn't be a sin any longer according to Deuteronomy...where the man rapes a virgin who is not betrothed and he must marry her.

I was young, naive, and traumatized. I didn't tell anyone what happened...it was "no one's business". I married him the week after I graduated high school...just turning 18.

He was a traveling evangelist spreading the word and I stayed back working to pay the bills.
He would rape me so often that I had to go to a doctor...if I refused for any reason I was not in submission.

He locked me in a house with a deadbolt lock and took the phone with him when he caught me "putting on mascara".

I finally escaped, only to be told by the preacher and others in leadership that if I divorced and ever dated or remarried (at age 19 after a year of torment) I would go to hell.

I lived my life in fear of hell, not going to church, not praying, because I had committed the unpardonable sin.

Only 30 years later...30 YEARS...I broke down and cried out to the LORD in my darkest hours and what do you think happened?

The Holy Spirit fell on me as never before and yes, I spoke in tongues and I have never loved the LORD more in my life. Yes, I am remarried and have two grown children.

The Pastor that raped me went on to later get a young girl pregnant and the COGOP finally stopped him from "traveling".

I have forgiven him and the COGOP for such ignorance of the scriptures. This was in 1977 when they still thought they were the only people going to heaven.

GOD was not asleep that day that I was a scared young girl who had tried to adhere to church teachings, yet I had become "defiled".

He is Sovereign over all and he knew he would use it for good. I speak and write to women everywhere about the abuses that churchs are guilty of. Thank GOD he has given me a ministry. It is not GOD who hurts them. HIS SON'S blood paid for their sins. It is men who are either ignorant of the Hebrew and Greek that the Bible was written in originally or GOD help them, just arogant and prideful.

I do forgive and I have grateful love in my heart for the church teaching me about the Holy Spirit...however...it is the grace of GOD that keeps you different from me. Nothing in ourselves keeps us "good". HE is in control.

GOD sees two kinds of people...those covered with HIS Son's precious blood of grace...and those who are not.

DO NOT keep condemning people to "hell", please.
I beg you.

Blessings and love in the name of OUR Father,
-Teri

Does crazy run in the family?

Here's an old news article entitled, "Chips On The Mountain". It shows just how crazy things were/ are at this denomination.

Since Tennessee's Bishop A. J. Tomlinson died in 1943, the Church of God, which he founded, has been divided into warring factions.* One group, with national headquarters in Queens Village, N.Y. and a membership of 94,000, is led by Bishop Homer Tomlinson, 61. the founder's elder son. Another, called the Church of God of Prophecy, with a membership of 65.000. is run by Overseer Milton Tomlinson, the bishop's 46-year-old brother, who lives in Cleveland, Tenn. Last week, after several years of feuding over leadership of the denomination, the bishop arrived in Cleveland (pop. 12,605) to "reconcile" the factions. In his right hand he carried a 12-lb. sledge hammer.

Leading a small group of followers, Bishop Tomlinson walked into his brother's administration building. After exchanging a fraternal kiss of peace with Overseer Tomlinson. he announced that his brother was deposed from office. His proposal: transfer the Tennessee denomination's headquarters to Queens Village, and close down its million-dollar shrine on North Carolina's Burger Mountain, which, thundered the bishop, had become "a place of idolatry." Overseer Tomlinson quietly but firmly disagreed.

Bishop Tomlinson, not surprised, set off for the Burger Mountain shrine with his sledge hammer to dramatize his idolatry charge for the denomination's membership.

As he approached the shrine's huge outdoor display of the Ten Commandments, lettered in concrete, Sheriff M. G. Crawford watched closely. "You strike one blow with that sledge hammer on this property." he told Bishop Tomlinson, "and I'll have to arrest you." The bishop moved his lips in prayer, then swung, chipping away a bit of concrete from the Eighth Commandment ("Thou shalt not steal"). Said Sheriff Crawford: "That does it." He took the bishop off to jail. After an hour, Bishop Tomlinson was released to await trial for destroying private property. Said he confidently: "The trial will not be for Homer Tomlinson, but for idolatry."

By God's Grace

Vivian McClaugherty wrote a book a couple years ago called "By God's Grace". In the book she discusses the how her father was a Church of God of Prophecy minister. She talks about how he drank, smoked, tried to molest her and did molest young girls in his church. According to her book, everytime Church of God of Prophecy officials were made aware of his actions they just gave him another assignment at another church.

The sad thing is, they still continue this practice today. They move Bishops and Ministers around instead of dealing with the problems. These people go on to hurt more people. What a shame!

Missing Money

Remember that guy O.W., who was in charge of the Publications Department and the White Wing Bookstore? Ever wonder why he disappeared so quickly? He disappeared as quickly as the money? THE MONEY? Oh, you didn't know? Of course you didn't! Church of God of Prophecy officials don't want you to know when there are funds missing because they were asleep at the wheel. I would never give to a church that is so irresponsible.

What others are saying

Here are some things that others are saying about the Church of God of Prophecy:

I've been wanting to know more about the Church of God of Prophecy. My fiance grew up in this church but left when she was 16. Her parents are members and strong supporters. From my observations of her parents and other members, I see a controlling, exclusive, and manipulative attitude and environment that is domineering, emotionally damaging, and not Christ-like. Does anyone have information good or bad about this curiously small denomination? -schwenky84

I grew up in the COGOP and i would never take my family there. They are a cult. Their doctrines are not scriptural and once you are a member they will not hesitate to try and tell you how to live your life. If you have the gift of the set apart spirit of the Creator within you, you do not need man to tell you how to live. Man will deceive you and fail every time. Remember the words of the Messiah, take heed that no man deceive you. This cult still believes they are the only church. My family is still members and I pray for their veil to be lifted and the truth of Yahweh be received. I have never been treated so harsh and cold then by a member of that cult. Stay away from them if you can. -yhwhisone

I was raised in the Church Of God Of Prophecy, My father was a pastor in the churchs. I was abused and I stood up agaisnt the evil things my father did. The church leaders just moved him to other church when he began to have problems at that church. The leaders of the church did not help the children. We all were effected by this all our lives. I have written a book about my life and the abuse. I always said when I retired I would write a book about my life. I could have left home and stayed away but! I stuck it out to be there for my Mother and six brothers. I am 8 years older than the oldest boy. My Mother became ill and finally died. I still have been there for the brothers. I have two brothers that have became ministers in the Church Of God Of Prophecy and are mad at me for telling my life's story. They have turn against me and my husband. My husband has been a wonderful man to help me with all of this. I do not understand their defination of a christian. Life shows in our action, also in our Attitude.When some christians feel they are threatened they want to play dead like a possum. My book (By GOD'S GRACE) is for sell at Barnes&Noble at Universal publishing Company and on amazom.com BY Vivian McClaugherty My father lived a double life and just used the church for a way to make an easy living. I have one brother who told me " Mother did not raise no fool, I preach on Sunday and get paid for the whole week" I told him he might not be a fool but! the people that were giving him thier hard earned money were. It is all about the money. I could tell you a lot more, If you are interested just order the book and learn how you can be hurt when you are trying to help. God is a wonderful God, man makes thing so wrong in his name. Thank you for reading this and may God help us all. -eunice

Here We Go!

This blog is for those who have been spirituality hurt or taken advantage of by those in leadership at the Church of God of Prophecy.