As of December 2011
Back to The Work of God
Bear in mind that for years, because of steady progress and evolving plans, the numbers that follow changed almost daily. For this reason, the statistics, dates and certain time-sensitive references in this section are periodically revised. The date on this subhead will always tell you when the last revision occurred.
Here is a summary of what RCG produced in 12 years and 8 months:
(1) Again, RCG now has 108 books, booklets and brochures in place. Such a rate of production has neverhappened in the history of God’s Church! The enormous help and guidance of God—coupled with technology, efficiency, unity of purpose, zeal and hard work—made this possible. As Mr. Armstrong taught, we are to ;prayas though it all depends on God and work as though it all depends on us.
Incidentally, I have rewritten all 47 of Mr. Armstrong’s books and booklets. Besides MYSTERY OF THE AGES, which only Mr. Armstrong was APPOINTED to write, there are no exceptions to this. Mr. Armstrong explained in that book that he was almost certainly the messenger to Philadelphia (Rev. 3:7), and this was the centerpiece of his work to that era. (Recall that he described it as possibly the most important book after the Bible.) However, we discovered, largely after the fact, that we had incorporated nearly every aspect of MYSTERY OF THE AGESinto other literature.
(2) We currently have almost 60 articles—some longer or even much longer than certain of our booklets—teaching additional important doctrines, and covering the same topics as the WCG when it was on track. Perhaps a few more will be written over time.
(3) RCG has produced about 230 form letters, reflecting all those available in the past, plus others. About 30 serve members of the Church, internally. The others are on our website as ;Q & A’s.
(4) RCG regularly publishes a large, full-color magazine for its members, The Pillar, which is similar to the oldGood News magazine, with some ;Church news aspects of The Worldwide News included. This publication is loaded with meaty articles that assist the Church (the ministry) in its responsibility to feed God’s flock. The content demonstrates that no one else publishes anything like it.
Flagship Magazine!
(5) We made the decision in late 2001 to work toward a four-color, Plain Truth-style magazine. We stayed on track and all of the necessary editorial staff and writers fell into place to launch this flagship magazine by January 2003. Called The Real Truth, this monthly publication reflects the quality of The Plain Truth. It educates mankind about why society is fast mirroring Sodom and Gomorrah—why violent crime is exploding—why the breakdown of character and moral decay around the world—why America is plagued with evils of every kind—why the United States and Britain are declining in power and prestige, while the European Union continues to rise—why world peace has been so elusive—and why man cannot solve his political, moral, social, economic, criminal, educational, personal and spiritual problems.
Like its predecessor, The Real Truth offers humanity its only hope! (Ask: Why do two of the four large wealthy splinters produce their ;flagship magazines only bi-monthly? What are their priorities?)
With the arrival of this magazine, and our websites, we are spreading the good news of the kingdom of God to the world, and God’s warning to modern Israel—backed by the fullness of His restored truths—as a witness. The Real Truth is currently read throughout the Israelite nations of the United States, Canada, Britain, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand—and every other country and territory on Earth. (rcg.org, realtruth.org andworldtocome.org have reached all 193 countries on Earth, as well as most or all territories.) As mentioned, it is now also read by any number of heads of state, among other leaders.
It made much more sense to publish this magazine after we finished all of the other necessary materials to be able to properly follow through and teach all those who became interested through its message.
(6) In conjunction with The Real Truth magazine, 16 brochures in our Prophetic Trends and Conditions series have been published.
(7) RCG has produced an entire Bible Introduction Course, with 30 lessons (bound in two volumes). Primarily designed for adults, this course was also written in a way that would work well for teenagers.
(8) We have rewritten all of the original Bible Story books, titled The Story of the Bible, and included one extra volume.
(9) RCG launched a four-color youth magazine—Ambassador Youth—in August 2003. It is similar to the originalYouth 81…82…83, etc. This quality, no-nonsense magazine is published quarterly.
(10) We have rewritten all of the original ;Y.E.S. lessons—Kindergarten through 6th grade—a monumental undertaking. This vital project for the young children of the Church—called the Children’s Bible Lessons—began to be a reality in October 2003. In just over three years, all twelve lessons were completed in seven levels—84 lessons total! We have also regularly produced for years both Spring and Fall editions of a Children’s Holy Day Activity Book. No one else attempts to produce anything similar. Automatically sent to members, all of these are available from our website to everyone outside RCG, and many thousands download or receive these many lessons and books.
(11) RCG has a comprehensive Member Services Section (in several languages) on rcg.org so our brethren can freely access hundreds of our sermons (we currently list over 600), among numerous other things found there. This includes regularly posted videos ranging from lectures given at Ambassador Center to special music productions. We intend to never neglect our duty in these extra ways.
(12) We have many internal tools in place that serve both the brethren around the world and the machinery of RCG. Because we do not have hundreds of ministers, we had to prepare additional, very detailed manuals—Festival Planning Manual, Editorial Instruction Manual, Host Information Manual, The Real Truth Newsstand Distribution Manual and our Leadership Development Program, among others. More tools can be added as needs mature.
(13) We have produced a beautiful, high-quality Bible hymnal similar to the purple WCG version, also automatically sent to new members. We offer a musical CD for accompaniment, as well as another wonderful DVD collection of music for the Church.
(14) We produce an annual high-quality sacred calendar for RCG brethren.
(15) Unlike any splinter, we produce a well-illustrated yearly Manpower brochure to inform Church members of the ever-expanding ministry and Work around the world.
Our Literature Policy
An essential element of our Strategic Plan involves how and to whom we distribute literature. Because of the vastness of what we have available, and because it is of such high quality, we face something the Church of God has never faced.
Some explanation. The ten books and related sermons explaining the apostasy to those with a Church of God background are very expensive to produce and mail. Jesus taught, ;Freely you have received, freely give (Matt. 10:8)—and we happily do this. Preparing and providing these special materials is part of the responsibility of God’s Church, and of true shepherds. It was a duty no one else and no other organization would perform—or could even understand how to perform.
For some time we were only able to offer the rewritten material teaching and explaining God’s doctrines to those learning them for the first time. Here is why: Though the majority today have forgotten or rejectedcertain biblical truths, former WCG brethren at least once knew these doctrines. Therefore, receiving hardcopies of this literature generally should not be necessary for them to make their decision whether to come with us. Besides, our website makes virtually everything we have instantly available to everyone! All material can be accessed instantly and without limit.
Some initially accused us of unwillingness to send hardcopies to those in the splinters. They seemed unable to grasp that our SEP alone (again, very expensive), explaining the apostasy in great detail, contains over 2,000 pages of information—far more literature in itself than what any of their organizations offer in total produced for its members and the world! (And remember, we also offer thousands of pages of other material.)
Part of our Strategic Plan has been—and always will be—to avoid wasting resources. We cannot afford to spend money we do not have. Remember, Christ instructed the apostles to make ;disciples of all nations, not ;subscribers—or viewers—or listeners—of all nations. This must be done wisely, within a budget (I Cor. 4:2). Steady growth changed our circumstances and we became able to more freely offer hardcopies to those of Church of God background.
Any who will not act on the knowledge and proof of over 2,000 (SEP) pages—again, freely offered—will probably never act, period! Our obligation to such people has been met. But, we do send literature explaining God’s truth restored to the Church through Mr. Armstrong to those in the splinters wishing hardcopies.
Some may find interesting the story behind our literature...
Back to The Work of God