The PCG loves to quote old testament scripture and apply it as present day prophecy.
Gerald Flurry in particular loves the book of Ezekiel, and fancies himself as being specifically mentioned.1
Here’s a statement in Ezekiel 34:
“Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel, prophesy, and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD unto the shepherds; Woe be to the shepherds of Israel that do feed themselves! should not the shepherds feed the flocks? Ye eat the fat, and ye clothe you with the wool, ye kill them that are fed: but ye feed not the flock. The diseased have ye not strengthened, neither have ye healed that which was sick, neither have ye bound up that which was broken, neither have ye brought again that which was driven away, neither have ye sought that which was lost; but with force and with cruelty have ye ruled them.” (Ezekiel 34:2-4)
In the context of that scripture, here are a few observations about the PCG, all of which are publicly available knowledge:
-They have a massive compound in Edmond, Oklahoma
-Ministers live in very well appointed homes
-They are building a hobby farm2
-They built a special hall for Irish dance practice for the children of Edmond elites
-They spent untold amounts of money on an Irish dance production that has visited a few countries
-They have high-priced coaches and dance teachers (just for the elites)
-They use their private jet to fly family members and elite headquarters members to and from productions (you can track this on Twitter via @pastorplanes )
Things they have NOT done:
-They have not clothed, housed, fed or otherwise helped any homeless in their community
-They have not helped any victims of domestic violence
-They have not served any victims of environmental disasters
-They have not visited imprisoned populations (with the rare exception of individual members)
-They have not visited those in hospitals or retirement homes (again, with rare exception of individual members)
-They have not even given away a single Bible for free
They HAVE ruled their congregations ‘harshly and brutally’:
-Have a legitimate doctrinal question? They kick you out.
-Notice a discrepancy in their teachings? Shut up or get kicked out.
-Have a family member not in the “church”? (PCG) No contact allowed.3
-Have a spouse that doesn’t believe? Divorce them.
-Have a mom or dad you wish to honor by visiting them? No contact allowed.3
-Grandkids you’d like to meet? Not unless the family is in the “church” (PCG).
-Did a family member in the “church” (PCG) commit suicide? They cover it up. Don’t ask questions.
-Kicked out of the “church”? (PCG) They don’t even follow up. You’re dead to them.
If I were a minister in the PCG I would be asking myself some tough questions knowing I was going to be judged much more harshly. If I were a member, I would be asking why the PCG’s actions don’t align with any of the commands in the Bible.
By Joel (former member of PCG)
August 19, 2025
“Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity.” (Matthew 23:28)
Related Article:
The Laodicean Policy in Philadelphia Church of God
Footnotes by ESN:
1 Refer to: Biblical Titles Gerald Flurry Has Appropriated for Himself
2 PCG received some new land in Edmond, OK and started a farm on it and called it “Millennium Farms.” It is more than a “hobby” farm.
3 This is dependent on how much of a threat ministers consider the person to be and is one of the areas you’ll see the biggest hypocrisy in. They’ll allow it for some people and make all kinds of crazy reasoning for allowing it. For others they draw a hard line and say absolutely NO contact. This is for the people they can’t control and think that they will pull a member out. They will sometimes make some exceptions if they feel like there might be a chance in reeling someone back in. But as a general rule, No contact with Laodiceans and this includes the unbaptized. They aren’t suppose to have regular contact with members who leave and aren’t baptized, but they give the example that if your teen leaves then you can have limited contact like maybe once a month briefly, for dinner or something similar.