An Illustration from a Past Sermon

In the late 1990s, the General Assembly Chairman shared the following parable during a sermon:

A king falsely accuses a citizen and commands him to dig a pit. Fearing the king’s power, the citizen diligently digs the pit. Once the pit is complete, the king orders the citizen to bind himself with chains. Believing compliance will grant him freedom, the citizen obeys.

The king then commands the chained citizen to step into the pit. Though puzzled, the citizen follows the order. The final command comes: “Cover the pit.” The soldiers proceed to bury the citizen alive. This parable illustrates a tyrannical king toying with his subject’s life for amusement.

The Chairman compared this evil king to Catholicism and mainstream Protestantism, warning that blindly following Babylonian doctrines would lead to a fate as tragic as that of the citizen in the parable.

A Modern Reflection

Now, almost 20 years later, I can’t help but wonder: isn’t the "bad king" in this story none other than the World Mission Society Church of God itself? Think about it carefully. They say, “We must evangelize 7 billion people to enter heaven.” Have you ever truly considered what that means?

The "King" of the Church

For those in ministry, you may be familiar with the nickname given to the General Assembly Chairman: “King Salt.” The nickname stems from his extreme frugality.

When local church leaders request financial support from the General Assembly, approvals are notoriously slow. The Chairman’s philosophy mirrors the Saemaul Movement—a mindset of “save at all costs.” No spending is allowed unless absolutely necessary.

Devoted senior pastors work tirelessly for the gospel, often formulating plans that require General Assembly support. Yet, most proposals are either delayed indefinitely or outright rejected, leaving pastors to handle everything themselves. Over time, pastors learn to adapt: they stop requesting resources and instead ask only for “permission” to proceed. The Chairman, of course, happily approves such requests since no money is spent while simultaneously encouraging grassroots efforts.

The Evolution of Self-Funded Missions

The practices of House Churches and self-funded missions likely emerged through this process. Financial requests often languished for months without approval, but proposals to “handle it ourselves” were immediately greenlit. Over time, pastors internalized this approach, creating a system where they bore the financial and logistical burden.

This gradual adaptation teaches pastors one lesson: they must fend for themselves. People, after all, are creatures of habit.

A Plea for Understanding

Writing this brings back memories of my own struggles as a pastor in the church. Pastors are criticized by outsiders, labeled “hired shepherds” on certain blogs and “accomplices” in anti-cult forums. But I want to caution against harshly judging current pastors and evangelists.

Most pastors lack savings or a clear path forward if they leave. The fear of financial instability and uncertainty makes leaving incredibly difficult. They need time and encouragement, not condemnation.

Moving Forward

I consider myself fortunate to have been able to leave, though it wasn’t easy. Financial difficulties were a major hurdle, and I had no savings when I exited. Adjusting to life outside the church was an uphill battle, filled with regret and tears.

I hope those who have left, are considering leaving, or will leave in the future find courage and hope. If and when my circumstances stabilize, I want to support former members, especially pastors and evangelists, as they transition to life outside the church.

To everyone who has left or is contemplating leaving, I wish you all the best. May you find freedom, healing, and hope in the journey ahead.