Global Church of God
Encyclopedia
The Global Church of God (GCG) is a Sabbatarian church based in England. It was founded in San Diego, Calif., in 1992, by Roderick C. Meredith
. Following the dissolution of most church operations in the U.S., the GCG's operations shifted to the U.K., and it reestablished a presence in North America under new organizational identities.
(WCG) for 40 years. He established the GCG in response to a number of major shifts in the long-standing doctrines of the WCG.
Herbert W. Armstrong
had founded the WCG as a radio ministry (originally called the Radio Church of God) in 1934. Over the next 50 years the church developed an international presence through The Plain Truth
magazine, "The World Tomorrow
" radio and television programs and three campuses of Ambassador College
in the US and England. The WCG taught certain controversial doctrines, including observance of selected Mosaic laws as outlined in the first five books of the Bible (similar to aspects of Judaism), yet held to repentance and baptism and the testimony of Jesus Christ as taught in the New Testament.
Armstrong died in 1986 and was succeeded by Joseph W. Tkach
. Under Tkach the WCG adopted a theology in line with historic and mainstream Christianity. During that period of change, many members left the WCG, including many ministers, some of whom began their own churches in an effort to remain loyal to the teachings of The Bible as they interpret it. The GCG was one of these.
Similar in fashion to Armstrong's approach, Meredith and the GCG soon established a magazine and television program, both under the name The World Ahead.
, based in San Diego, California (which in 2003 was moved to Charlotte, North Carolina).
Membership in the GCG declined to the point that it ceased operations under that name in the United States
. Most U.S. members either affiliated with Meredith's new church or were later absorbed into the United Church of God
, which had split from the WCG in 1995.
Administrative affairs for the GCG shifted to the church's office in the United Kingdom
. The GCG reestablished a presence in the U.S. and Canada as The Church of the Eternal God, based in San Diego, and the Church of God, a Christian Fellowship, based in Summerland, B.C.
Groups that formed out of the GCG breakup in 1998:
Roderick C. Meredith
Roderick C. Meredith is the leader and founder of the Charlotte, North Carolina based Living Church of God. One of the first five Evangelists of the Worldwide Church of God, he was ordained to the rank in 1952 by Herbert W. Armstrong, founder of the Radio Church of God...
. Following the dissolution of most church operations in the U.S., the GCG's operations shifted to the U.K., and it reestablished a presence in North America under new organizational identities.
History and background
Roderick C. Meredith had been a minister in the California-based Worldwide Church of GodWorldwide Church of God
Grace Communion International , formerly the Worldwide Church of God , is an evangelical Christian denomination based in Glendora, California, United States. Since April 3, 2009, it has used the new name Grace Communion International in the US...
(WCG) for 40 years. He established the GCG in response to a number of major shifts in the long-standing doctrines of the WCG.
Herbert W. Armstrong
Herbert W. Armstrong
Herbert W. Armstrong founded the Worldwide Church of God in the late 1930s, as well as Ambassador College in 1946, and was an early pioneer of radio and tele-evangelism, originally taking to the airwaves in the 1930s from Eugene, Oregon...
had founded the WCG as a radio ministry (originally called the Radio Church of God) in 1934. Over the next 50 years the church developed an international presence through The Plain Truth
The Plain Truth
The Plain Truth is a U.S.-based magazine founded by Herbert W. Armstrong, who also founded the Radio Church of God , Ambassador College, and The World Tomorrow radio and television programs. Herbert W...
magazine, "The World Tomorrow
The World Tomorrow
The World Tomorrow is a now-defunct radio and television half-hour program which had been sponsored by the Radio Church of God which ran from 1934 to 1994...
" radio and television programs and three campuses of Ambassador College
Ambassador College
Ambassador College was a four-year, liberal arts college run by the Worldwide Church of God. The college was established in 1947 in Pasadena, California by radio evangelist Herbert W. Armstrong, leader of what was then the Radio Church of God, later renamed the Worldwide Church of God...
in the US and England. The WCG taught certain controversial doctrines, including observance of selected Mosaic laws as outlined in the first five books of the Bible (similar to aspects of Judaism), yet held to repentance and baptism and the testimony of Jesus Christ as taught in the New Testament.
Armstrong died in 1986 and was succeeded by Joseph W. Tkach
Joseph W. Tkach
Joseph W. Tkach was the appointed successor of Herbert W. Armstrong, founder of the Worldwide Church of God. Tkach became President and Pastor General of the church upon the death of Armstrong in 1986...
. Under Tkach the WCG adopted a theology in line with historic and mainstream Christianity. During that period of change, many members left the WCG, including many ministers, some of whom began their own churches in an effort to remain loyal to the teachings of The Bible as they interpret it. The GCG was one of these.
Similar in fashion to Armstrong's approach, Meredith and the GCG soon established a magazine and television program, both under the name The World Ahead.
Governance and new affiliations
The Global Church of God experienced upheaval of its own after dispute between Meredith and the church board over governance issues in 1998. Meredith then formed the Living Church of GodLiving Church of God
The Living Church of God is one of the church groups formed by followers of the teachings of the late Herbert W. Armstrong. It was formed as a series of major doctrinal changes were introduced in the Worldwide Church of God after Armstrong's death in 1986...
, based in San Diego, California (which in 2003 was moved to Charlotte, North Carolina).
Membership in the GCG declined to the point that it ceased operations under that name in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. Most U.S. members either affiliated with Meredith's new church or were later absorbed into the United Church of God
United Church of God
The United Church of God, an International Association is a Christian denomination based in the United States with members in various countries around the world...
, which had split from the WCG in 1995.
Administrative affairs for the GCG shifted to the church's office in the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
. The GCG reestablished a presence in the U.S. and Canada as The Church of the Eternal God, based in San Diego, and the Church of God, a Christian Fellowship, based in Summerland, B.C.
Groups that formed out of the GCG breakup in 1998:
- Affiliated with the Global Church of God
- Church of the Eternal God (CEG): Led in the U.S. by a group of ministers who resisted the merger of CGCF with UCG. Based in San Diego, Calif., CEG is affiliated with the Global Church of God in the United Kingdom and the Church of God, a Christian Fellowship in Canada.
- Church of God, A Christian Fellowship (CGCF): Formed when the U.S. operations of the GCG dissolved. The CGCF later merged with the United Church of God (UCG) and likewise ceased operations in the U.S. However, the CGCF's Canadian office continued to operate in affiliation with the GCG in England. Based in Summerland, B.C.
- Not Affiliated with the Global Church of God
- Restored Church of God(RCG): Led by David C. Pack and based in Wadsworth, Ohio. Publishes The Real Truth magazine and a host of booklets and publications available on the RCG website.
- Living Church of GodLiving Church of GodThe Living Church of God is one of the church groups formed by followers of the teachings of the late Herbert W. Armstrong. It was formed as a series of major doctrinal changes were introduced in the Worldwide Church of God after Armstrong's death in 1986...
(LCG): Led by Roderick C. Meredith, former chairman of the GCG board. Publishes Tomorrow's World magazine and produces a telecast under the same name. Based in Charlotte, N.C. - Church of God Fellowship: Led by minister Harold Smith and based in Spokane, Wash., with an office in Canada.
- Sabbath Church of God: Led by Warren Zehrung and based in Little Rock, Ark. Produces "The Proclamation of Jesus Christ" radio program.
- Church of God-21st Century: Led by Raymond F. McNair, a former board member of both the GCG and the CGCF. Based in Temecula, Calif.