Letter to the Congregations: 15th November 2025

Our Dear Brethren,

I spotted a couple I had never met before arriving just before services were scheduled to begin. There were a few others from the congregation also just arriving and seats were quickly filling up. We had our regularly scheduled youth day and there were plenty of people gathered for the Sabbath. I shook the hand of the husband and then proceeded to help find the couple seats. I noticed in one of the man’s hands a stack of thin books that I assumed might be notebooks. I thought nothing of it and services began as usual.

Services went on as usual, no major disruptions, a very enjoyable service. Afterwards one of the brethren came up to me with a concern. Remember the stack of thin books in the man’s hand? Apparently directly after services the couple began handing out booklets to anyone who would take one. They quickly exited the meeting room after a couple of short conversations. I don’t recall the title of the booklets that the couple were handing out, but I do recall that their purpose was to try and correct what they thought were inaccurate doctrines. There was no way of telling if they had done their research into who we are or what we teach except for the fact that they did arrive on the correct day and time for services. I can only assume this couple makes a habit of traveling from church to church in the city doing something similar in hopes that their personal doctrinal views might be heard by others.

Are we prepared for such an occurrence to happen? By the way, we don’t allow other faiths and other churches to hand out their literature at our services. If the couple would have asked my permission I surely wouldn’t have given it, which is probably why they didn’t bother to ask. We also don’t go to the services of other churches or faiths and hand out our literature, although it is free to all who request it. But are we, as individuals, prepared to give a defense against false doctrines when people bring them to us? Are we prepared with at least a few biblical examples or perhaps some scriptural quotes to give when people question our beliefs? Are we “ready to give a defense to everyone who asks [us] a reason for the hope that is in [us], with meekness and fear” (see 1 Peter 3:15)?

As a pastor I try to be prepared for various arguments against our doctrine that come my way. We as a Church hold our doctrine very dearly, as we should. We must learn to be firm in what we believe and what we teach so we won’t be brushed aside or “tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine” that other people propose to us (see Ephesians 4:14). We can begin to be prepared by reading the Bible for ourselves. And also utilizing our own literature which has been carefully written to be used as guides to our own personal study. We can also pray and ask God to help us understand His word more clearly, and to give us the words we will need when questions arise (see Mark 13:11). We can also seek counsel from those around us who have shown themselves to be solid faith and solid in their hold on the truth.

I encourage you all to continue in your personal studies. It’s a good idea to periodically review our fundamental beliefs so we are all on the same page when it comes to our beliefs. You can find our our booklet going through our fundamental beliefs here: https://www.ucg.org/learn/bible-study-tools/bible-study-aids/fundamental-beliefs-united-church-god

Our love is with you,

Lewis VanAusdle

Pastor, United Church of God

NYC, NJ, CT, Malawi, Zimbabwe