Luker Sermon Link
July 3, 2010
Dennis Luker, United Church of God president, prepared a sermon to be played in all congregations the Sabbath of July 3. It was titled “Jesus Christ: The Head of the Church.”
For those who may have missed seeing it, here is a link to the video file on the member’s Web site. The sermon is available in two different video formats, and also as an audio-only MP3 file.
It is also available on the Cincinnati East, Ohio, congregation webcast page.
Inside United: Realtime 
The message was powerfully honest and humble! I felt that Mr. Luker’s “stage presence” was very personable, coming across as a man deeply concerned for the lambs and sheep of Jesus Christ’s flock, be they ministers or lay people. I look forward to the flock’s positive response and to God’s loving hand in guiding and directing it through the “valley of the shadow of death” to spiritual pastures that will feed the lambs and sheep the needed nutrients for growth in the grace and knowledge of our Shepherd, the Head of the Church, Jesus Christ. This video was much needed and well done! Thanks!!!
Hi Gary–
I certainly agree with your remarks about how the new President’s “stage presence”. Perhaps both the production team and the script-reading talking-heads on Beyond Today could gain sonme insight on making their own presentations more convincing.
Tim McCaulley
Jacksonville FL
Excellent sermon. Exactly what was needed. If after hearing and seeing the heart, attitude, and thinking of the church leadership, some can still not put their petty squabbeling aside, they should leave United to be in peace. No church is perfect nor will provide everything just the way you want it. Unfortunately, the lack of love, patience, tolerance, and forgiveness are the reasons we now have 450 different churches of God, and that is not what God wants to see. John 17:11
Denny–(because you said “call me Denny” that’s my name–45 min.)
You have set a very high standard and example for both yourself and the remainder of the eldership in the UCGIA Inc. Personally, I was most impressed by the following:
1. Your tacit acknowledgement (at 12 and 41 min) that regardless of how the current distresses are resolved that you understand that there are other of God’s brethren and ministers of Jesus Christ beyond the confines of the UCGIA Inc. and that you and all of us should love them all.
2. There is no perfect form of church governance (at 34 min) because after 15 years most all of us knew that anyway. By saying so you have correctly spread the responsibility for the current distresses to all the voting eldership and not just those who may have serious grievances at present.
3. Your calling for everyone to set aside a day of fasting and prayer “for all of God’s Churches and people” as well as for United towards the end that we all would be able to put our personal differences aside out of concern for a dying humanity in need of the Gospel (50-51 min).
Some of our younger congregation members noted how much like Mr. Rogers you presence seemed. There was no derision intended in the comparison since the late Fred Rogers was deeply loved and trusted by young and old alike for his obvious sincerity and devotion to those who watched his show and his steadfast refusal to talk down to his audience.
May you also be able to live up to such a fine standard as that of Jesus Christ and may the Council of Elders who appointed you and the remainder of the eldership who elected them give you the opportunity to exercise your authority (regardless of what final decisions must be made)in just such a spirit.
I will fast as you requested.
Tim McCaulley
Jacksonville FL
I heard your sermon sabbath 7/3/10. I felt it was a wonderful sermon and true, Jesus is the head of our church. And I also feel we must hold our opioins for now. Lets see what God does with time. He will change what needs to be changed. Or I should say correct. I wish you the very best. I will fast Monday God willing, my health is what govens. I’ve been in Gods church 40 years. Patence comes with time. Love Your sister in Christ
Jo Comparetto
Thank you, Mr. Luker, for a fine message and for your candor. At times we all need to hear ‘plain’ words and a good dose of ‘honesty’, though it may be uncomfortable to some.
May God bless His Church and guide it through these difficult times. Christ told us that the road would be difficult, so we should not be shocked when these troubles come upon us, His Church. God watches to see how we handle these trials. What kind of character will we display in such times? I think you did an excellent job focusing us all on this question. HOW WILL EACH OF GOD’s CHILDREN BEHAVE DURING THIS STRESSFUL TIME? WHAT CHARACTER TRAITS WILL EACH OF US DISPLAY?
May God continue to bless His people! May He continue to mold us with His great love and mercy!!
May we all remember to love one another! If we do not have love, …we have NOTHING! God’s word makes this plain!
With Love and fervent prayers for us all!
Daniel Rich, NC
I thought the sermon was good, seemed very heartfelt. But how can you say you have love for us all and then post very hurtful things against Mr. Walker, a minister of 50 years, two days before the sermon?
God expresses His love for us in many ways. Look at all the warnings in scripture he provides for us. He tells us how to live and warns us how not to live. He gives us detailed examples of the lives of righteous people like King David and at the same time he give examples of UNrighteous people like King Saul.
We read about both together at the same time so we can fulfill the instruction of of Hebrews 5:14 “Such persons are mere babes. But solid food is for adults—that is, for those who through constant practice have their spiritual faculties carefully trained to distinguish good from evil.” (Weymouth)
This learning process takes time and experience. We all need to learn. Every one of us. And it seems God is in the process of teaching all of us this lesson.
God does not only provide the scriptures for our instruction but gives us real-life examples as well. That is why Christ himself said, “Matt 7:16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?
17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.
18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.
19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.”
It takes time to learn to discern. There is one simple fruit that is easy to discern and that is the fruit of repentance. John the Baptist identifies this in Matthew 3:8 “Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance”. Where is Mr. Walker’s repentance? Is it really righteous of him to present only his opinions on issues of importance to those under him and refuse to allow the other side to be heard, the side that was sending him his paycheck on a regular basis? Is that not what our former assocation did? They paid themselves very well the entire time they secretly plotted the downfall of all that would remain Godly. And they destroyed many. I saw many friends fall victim.
It is sad what has had to be said about Mr. Walker. Would it be Godly love to be silent and let division run rampant until UCG is completely destroyed by those who value their own opinion and themselves more than Godly unity? Does God expect those who are His leaders to remain silent and do nothing while sheep are in danger and being destroyed? Did we learn nothing from the late 1980’s and early 1990’s? Will God give eternal life and leadership to those who refuse to protect HIS flock.
I am a member of the ABC class of 2004. Mr. Walker was one of my instructors. I respected him for the job he was doing as I did all my other instructors. However, many times the point was made that we are to follow God and His way of doing things first. I hope Mr. Walker will demonstrate God working in his life by the fruit of repentance. I pray that our leadership will continue to fulfill their repsonsiblities and while showing appropriate restraint.
Good question Natalie. Gary has some excellents points. I will add a few that, hopefully, are useful.
We all know what Mat. 18 says and the three steps. The second step is so important, and often, the handling of this step is not understood well and handled even worse.
After going to the person privately, and there is no resolution, the second step is taken. Ideally, this is done with people who are impartial, mature, and have a gift and training in listening and handling conflict. This step can be very complex.
Inaccurate perceptions, clouded memories, emotions, poor communication, human nature and denial normally dominate. Often the people involved in this second step do NOT have the courage and maturity to STAY WITH this second step to reach a positive resolution. Excellent reflective listening skills are vital, to be sure each communication involved is understood. Once this second step is needed there is already a large dose of defensiveness involved, often on “both/all sides.”
If the third step is needed, truthful, often hurtful things need to be said publicly. The entire process is usually painful. Problems always include hurt. Even after the third step repentance can occur, but this, as we all know, is rare. Christ says this is the goal–to gain your brother.
Eighteen of our ”Braman-Clan” went camping, and while there, we all assembled together and played a CD with your Sermon.
Thank you VERY MUCH!!
We discussed many of the very important points afterward.
Congratulations for telling us..what we already should know>>Jesus Christ is the HEAD of United Church of God, and no one man is.
We sure do need the love and the example of Christ is each and everyone of our hearts!
Thanks again for your very important message to all of us!!
Estimados hermanos:
Me enviaron un mail y acabode leer el documento “Trasfondo de la Situación con Leon Walker y América Latina.” en pdf y Me encuentro totalmente desolada con tanta basura, Se pelean por puestos, por autoridades, por lugares de `privilegio, por opiniones, etc , etc y no se dan cuenta del daño que han causado al rebaño, no son capaces de mirar por el hermano menor que está siendo mirado por Dios para ser parte de su familia, por las pequeñas ovejas que están siendo llamadas. Tengo a mi esposo enfermo de cáncer hace 2 años, y tal vez esto no signifique nada a uds. pero también se que sigue con vida sólo porque Dios lo ha permitido, estoy segura de eso. Por favor, por favor, pónganse un poquito en el lugar del otro, Si uds, supieran que tienen los días contatados,si supieran que deben morir por una enfermedad terminal, si supieran que sólo vivirían hasta mañana, estoy segura k nadie ni nada de esto estaría pasando, si supieran que la vida se les va, estoy segura k dejarían de pelearse unos con otros, Pasa k damos por sentado lo que tenemos y k no nos pertenece: la vida. Díganme por favor, diganme, qué le digo yo ahora a mi esposo, que explicación le doy yo a él por mi amada iglesia, que se está peleando y dividiendo por quien dice más verdad k el otro, y tomándose casi en vano la palabra de Dios todos tratando de ser poseedores de ella. Mi amada iglesia que tando amo,que llevo en mis entrañas, donde encontré la verdad, donde encontré mi tesoro de vida, por favor díganeme como hago, Pienesen todos con humildad, por favor, les pido compasión ante tamto sufrimiento para el Cuerpo de Cristo, cada carta que se envían unos con otros no es nada más k decir “yo tengo la razón”. Si Dios regresara mañana, sí, mañana al alba, si lo supieramos, k haría cada uno? o si maña ya no puedas abrir más tus ojos, si no pudieras moverte, si no fueras capaz de comer, si no pudieras sentir ni ver más a tu hijo, k harías??, seguirían peleando y discutiendo? estoy segura k no!!… pero como pueden seguir haciendolo, adelante entonces y terminen por destruir lo que con tanto amor nos fue entregado. Reflexiono yo en las palabras de Jesucrito “hallará fe en la tierra”? , me lo digo para mí, poniéndome yo a prueba, como si fuera la última persona con el privilegio de la vida, sólo eso me pregunto… el resto de citas bóblicas pueden seguir uds, mandándoselas unos cono otros de allá para acá y etc., pero veo k nadie las acata como para cada uno, sino para el otro. Pido perdón si con estas palabras les ofendo, pero no es mi intención, sólo estoy siendo sincera con uds Consejo de Ancianos.
Se que mis palabras tal vez terminen en nada y sea totalmente indiferente para uds, pero tengo tanta tristeza y dolor que desde lejos, siendo yo la última de todas, les envío un grito desesperado de Paz para todos,
Con mucha tristeza, Gemi Ancavil, 37 años, miembra de Iglesia de Dios Unida en Chile.
Gemi, amiga, tú sabes que siempre podrás encontrar paz y amor en Dios… todos te queremos mucho, y Dios hará justicia. Para un conflicto se necesitan 2…
Un abrazo amiguita y sigue fuerte junto a Luchito y la Susi… 🙂
I was so good to hear you say the head of the chuch is Crist Jesus ,I look forward into battle ! A marching we will go!Love all lovingley Your brother in Crist Mark Huff!!! Thanks again Denny ! Be strong in crist.
El Comunicado de la Iglesia de Dios Unida, una Asociación Internacional VOLUMEN VIII, NÚMERO 1
E N E S T E N Ú M E R O
1 Leon Walker: 25 años de servicio en la obra hispana
2 Los ingresos se incrementan en un 3,2 por ciento
3 381 bautizados en todo el mundo
3 La República Dominicana recibe la primera visita
de la IDU
5 ¿Qué es la levadura?
5 Cosas que debemos tener en cuenta cuando estamos
deshaciéndonos de la levadura
5 Cómo contar el Pentecostés en 2005
6 El estímulo, un poderoso recurso
para la crianza de los hijos
9 Echemos fuera el temor y la angustia
10 ¿Es usted un ‘árbol de vida’?
11 Se necesitan dos
12 En los negocios de mi Padre
12 ¿Por qué ustedes no creen que la recompensa
de los salvos es ir al cielo?
13 ¡Dios le está buscando!
16 ¿Se unirá Europa por el temor?
19 La intolerancia de los tolerantes
Leon Walker: 25 años de servicio en la obra hispana
H an pasado 25 años desde que a Leon Walker, quien había estado enseñando en la Institución Ambassador en Pasadena, California, se le pidió que encabezara la obra de la iglesia en la re-gión hispana. Muchas cosas han cambiado durante esos años, pero el Sr. Walker y su esposa Reba han sido una influencia estabilizadora durante ese tiempo.
Pablo Dimakis, quien sirve en la Ciudad de México, dijo: “Sus continuas visitas al ministerio mexicano y a las iglesias, al igual que la continua comunicación del Sr. Walker, primero mediante cartas, luego por “cc-mail” (correspondencia electrónica interna) y finalmente mediante “e-mail” (correspondencia por Internet), nos motivó a mantenernos enfocados en el alcance mundial de la iglesia. Ambos nos han motivado también a conservar la unidad en el ministerio y en las iglesias”.
Mario Seiglie, miembro del Consejo y antiguo pastor en Sudamérica, habla del Sr. Walker co-mo “un líder excepcionalmente dedicado”, quien después de 25 años “tiene todavía la misma rutina básica de visitar a casi todas las congregaciones en América Latina por lo menos una vez al año”.
“Los viajes internacionales no siempre son placenteros”, dice Alec Surratt, administrador de la correspondencia internacional en la oficina central, y quien sirvió en el Departamento Hispano por 34 años. A pesar de eso, algunos años los Walker “han pasado más tiempo viajando del que han podido pasar en casa. Su celo y resistencia tienen que ser admirados y apreciados”.
“Pegamento” amistoso
Saúl Langarica, quien presta sus servicios en Chile, Argentina y otros países sudamericanos, describe cómo los Walker han ayudado a mantener la iglesia unida en los lugares de habla hispana. “Su deseo y actitud de servir a los hermanos latinos han sido un pegamento para la obra hispana a tra-vés de los años. Más que un patrón, él ha sido un amigo para todos nosotros. Mi sentimiento personal es que su presencia y liderazgo fueron de mu-cha importancia en 1995 para conser-var cerca del 50 por ciento de los miembros de la iglesia en la región”.
El Sr. Dimakis estuvo de acuer-do: “El Sr. y la Sra. Walker desempe- 24 Circulación internacional de Las Buenas Noticias
El Comunicado Página 2
ñaron un papel importante en conservar unidos a la mayoría de los ministros de habla hispana en México y en América Latina durante la confusión creada por la crisis doctrinal que sufrió la iglesia entre 1990 y 1995”.
El Sr. Dimakis explicó también cómo los Walker se identificaron con los hermanos en México. “A través de los años que han estado sirviendo en la obra hispana, el Sr. y la Sra. Walker han des-arrollado vínculos profundos de amistad cristiana y de camaradería con el ministerio hispano y con las iglesias por todo México, América Central y América del Sur”.
Manuel Quijano, quien sirve como pastor en Perú, dijo: “Alguien me preguntó en una ocasión: ‘¿Por qué ustedes en la región hispana le tienen tanto amor y respeto al Sr. Walker?’ Yo nunca había pensado acerca de esto antes, pero después de hablar con algunas personas y de considerar mi expe-riencia personal con él, creo que el vivir él lo que dice [1 Pedro 5:2-3 y 1 Reyes 12:7] es la respues-ta a la pregunta. Ha dedicado los últimos 25 años a servirnos y enseñarnos con fidelidad mediante su ejemplo personal lo que es un verdadero líder y siervo”.
Haciendo que las dificultades parezcan fáciles
Varios de los ministros relataron ocasiones en que los Walker visitaron a los hermanos a pesar de las dificultades, mostrando su preocupación y ganando el respeto y aprecio de los hermanos.
El Sr. Quijano describió sus visitas a su país durante tiempos peligrosos. “Por muchos años en Perú, él fue el único contacto personal que tuvimos con la Iglesia de Dios en otras partes del mundo. Durante los decenios del 80 y parte del 90 nuestro país sufrió por la violencia terrorista. Por largos períodos nuestras ciudades principales fueron destrozadas por coches bomba casi a diario; aprendi-mos a vivir con los apagones diarios. Nuestro país estuvo cerrado a los turistas y hombres de nego-cios. Grandes compañías cerraron sus negocios y abandonaron el país”.
El Sr. Quijano explicó que algunos de los ministros, bajo tales circunstancias, hubieran estado poco dispuestos, y con suma razón, de ir a Perú para la Fiesta u otras ocasiones, “pero no el Sr. Walker. Él nunca dejó de visitar nuestro país, y eso fue de gran significado para nosotros aquí. Nos sentimos amados y que él se preocupaba por nosotros. Nos sentimos conectados a una obra más grande, no sólo en la región hispana, sino en todo el mundo. Sus visitas nos ayudaron a perseverar durante esos tiempos tan difíciles”.
El Sr. Seiglie dijo: “Me acuerdo, allá por el año de 1980, que los Walker querían visitar a los hermanos en el sur de Chile. La carretera estaba bastante mala, y era un recorrido de nueve horas. Alquilamos un vehículo e hicimos el peligroso viaje. Había literalmente cráteres en el camino, y a veces era casi imposible evitarlos. Aun así, los Walker nunca desistieron de continuar el recorrido, aun cuando algunas veces nuestras cabezas golpearon el techo del auto por tantos baches en el ca-mino.
“Cuando llegamos, yo estaba absolutamente exhausto porque fui el principal conductor del au-to, pero los Walker nunca se vieron cansados o decepcionados. Querían encontrarse con los herma-nos. Después de 25 años, ellos todavía hacen estos viajes peligrosos con toda puntualidad, y siguen siendo tan alegres como siempre”.
Gabriel, thank you for your comments, although I had to use my Google Translation Tool to translate it into English. You may want to consider the same for future postings. Although I have no problem with you listing previous positive comments made about Mr. Walker, including by Mr. Seiglie, I think you miss a major point. Although he may have done very good things in the past serving the Church, why is Mr. Walker now refusing to subordinate himself to the authority in the Church, the authority that he himself used to support and be part of? Why was he not openly discussing his feelings with fellow Council members instead of promoting his personal agenda behind the scenes? I think this is a betrayal of trust. Remember that God Himself says in Ezekiel 18:24 “But when a righteous man turns away from his righteousness…will he live? All his righteous deeds which he has done will not be remembered.” (NAS) If Mr. Walker could not, and would not, be willing to work with the Council, then the honorable thing would have been for him to resign his position. This would have been preferable to inciting a base of personal support from the ministers and brethren under his authority. What goes around will also come around, but God will ultimately judge.
A very heartfelt message that was honest enough to admit UCG has a problem with governance. I also appreciated the comment that there is no perfect form of church government, which is why I can’t understand that the ‘one man rule’ government is singled out for criticism. Was this not the form of government that God chose for the church and that everyone agreed with prior to 1995?
This is a quote from the latest July/Aug GN. ‘While humanly designed security systems have their place and we should do what we can to shield ourselves from harm, complete protection can only come from God. Regrettably, most people have rejected this critical security arrangement. Too often they have placed trust exclusively in humanly-devised safeguards, which can and do fail.’
To believe that the government UCG chose for itself would safeguard it from Satanic influence has proven false. With that in mind, why do people continue to defend a ‘failed security system’?
May be there be unity in the Church as Mr Luker rightly calls for, but may it be with honesty before God and open eyes to the errors of our ways.
“If you will REPENT, and come to God through Jesus Christ our Saviour, trusting in His precious shed blood for the remission of every sin you ever committed, trusting the risen, Ever-Living Christ as High Priest to come literally inside you, through His Holy Spirit, and to mold, fashion, shape your character — then you will see that the Creator is STILL CREATING, in you, the very highest work of all His works of creation! Yes, Christians are being CREATED in Jesus Christ “UNTO GOOD WORKS” (Eph. 2:10) — “CREATED in righteousness and true holiness” (Eph. 4:24).
For this tremendous PURPOSE, YOU are made of mortal clay — made subject to pride, vanity, passions and tempers and desires of the flesh. Character is something which cannot be instantly created. It grows, and is developed through EXPERIENCES OF OVERCOMING — and these require time. It requires a lifetime, during which you must suffer temptations, encounter obstacles, endure tribulations, overcoming self.
But God promises you His POWER to draw on to help you. It isn’t REALLY your doing — it’s GOD’S doing! Your part is TO REPENT, surrender fully, wholly, unreservedly into His hands — seek Him, CRY OUT TO HIM, TRUST Him. And God even grants you the understanding and spiritual capacity to enable you to repent! But you have your part in it, of course — else no CHARACTER could be built!
Yes, the very purpose of this world, populated as it is with carnal-minded people who have produced an overall unhappy world is to bring men to repentance! It is to make them realize they should have different minds.
We shall have to WANT the righteousness of God with such fervor and burning desire that we are willing to FIGHT our own SELVES, to even SUFFER while striving to control and master ourselves — and finally to throw ourselves on God’s mercy, trusting in His power — the Holy Spirit — in order to overcome our natures and develop God’s character.
And so the first beginning toward the fulfillment of your purpose on earth is TO REPENT — repent of all that is wrong with you, including the wrong customs and practices of “this present EVIL world” which you have followed.”
Selected excerpts from the Introduction to Lesson 22 “The Experience of Repentance” from the origianl 58 lesson Ambassador College Bible Correspondence Course–sequentially edited–It is available at the web-site herbertarmstrong.org if you are interested in purusing it further.
Maybe we ought to put all the eldership and brethren of the UCGIA Inc into a seperate room with a sign outside proclaiming:
“An Incomplete Work Still Very Much in Progress”
–God
Tim McCaulley
Jacksonville FL
I’ve been trying to find the doctrinal paper Mr. Luker referred to about “Godly Governance” in his address to the UCG here. But somehow with all the searches I’ve performed, there are too many results to know exactly which one he referred to.
May someone help me by posting a link please?
Thankyou in advance,
Norbert
http://members.ucg.org/content/study-papers
This may be the one, Norbert. http://members.ucg.org/papers/governance.pdf
…not 100% sure, though.
The link is below.
Click to access governance.pdf
I found this paper very interesting and to the point in understanding Godly Governance. The summary point that Godly governance comes from righteous behavior is clear from one end of the bible to the other. Two Godly people who have disagrement will seek out and find a way to peace and mutual joy regardless of the governance structure because there is no reason to bludgeon one another into submission with authority. Christ and the Father have total mutual respect. When one or both parties are thinking and acting unGodly in part or totality, the result is strife that does not resolve even though a truce may be created.
There is much food for thought and refection in this material.
I truly appreciate this sermon. Mr. Luker is the right man for the job at this time. The job is peace-making, promoting understanding, and reconciliation.
Mr. Luker and his wife have demonstrated that they are motived by LOVE and have a devotion for the brethren — the Church.
I am thankful for the 1st half of the sermon that covers the scriptural instruction regarding Jesus Christ as the Head of the church and His direct teachings regarding righteous Christian behavior. I am also thankful for the remaining part of the sermon which gives frank mention to some of the feelings and “positions” of many of those in the General Conference of Elders — on both/all sides.
I pray everyone will take a DEEP BREATH, take a step back (from the brink), and allow cooler heads to prevail.
We have preached continuously that we are A FAMILY … and that the elders are a BROTHERHOOD. Our ‘covenant’ with one another is like a marriage. Failure is not an option. Departing from the ‘union’ should not even be a consideration.
We will be tremendously blessed if we stick it out and work through these problems. We will attain a spiritual maturity that we have never know before.
(Any who decide instead to part ways, we will have LOST a GREAT OPPORTUNITY …. and forsaken all that we have built together.)