Global Church of God

The Global Church of God (GCG) is a Sabbatarian church based in England. [ [http://www.globalchurchofgod.co.uk Global Church of God ] ] It was founded in San Diego, Calif., in 1992, by Roderick C. Meredith. [ [http://www.thejournal.org/archives/cgtimln3.html Church of God Timeline: 1981 to 1995 ] ] 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 God (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. [ [http://www.thejournal.org/archives/cgtimeln.html Church of God Timeline: 1830 to 1940 ] ] 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. [ [http://www.hwarmstrong.com/ar/AR35.html "Herbert W. Armstrong goes to his Reward", "Ambassador Report"] , Issue 35, April, 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. 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".

Controversy 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. [ [http://www.hwarmstrong.com/ar/AR71.html "Meredith Downsized", "Ambassador Report"] , Issue 71, February, 1999] Meredith then formed the Living Church of God, based in San Diego, California (which in 2005 was moved to Charlotte, North Carolina). [ [http://www.hwarmstrong.com/ar/AR72.html "Meredith's Living Church", "Ambassador Report"] , Issue 72, April, 1999]

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 [http://www.eternalgod.org/ Church of the Eternal God ] ] , and the Church of God, "a Christian Fellowship", based in Summerland, B.C. [http://www.churchofgodacf.ca Church of God - A Christian Fellowship ] ]
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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. Pack was removed from the GCG board and subsequently formed his own organization. Publishes "The Real Truth" magazine and a host of booklets and publications available on the RCG website. [ [http://www.restoredcog.org The Restored Church of God ] ]

Living Church of God (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. [ [http://www.lcg.org Living Church of God ] ]

Church of God Fellowship: Led by minister Harold Smith and based in Spokane, Wash., with an office in Canada. [http://www.cgfnw.org]

Sabbath Church of God: Led by Warren Zehrung and based in Little Rock, Ark. Produces "The Proclamation of Jesus Christ" radio program. [ [http://www.childrenofgod.net Sabbath Church of God ] ]

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. [ [http://www.cog21.org Church of God-21st Century Homepage Raymond F. McNair ] ]

References

External links

* [http://www.globalchurchofgod.co.uk Global Church of God]
* [http://www.eternalgod.org Church of the Eternal God]
* [http://www.churchofgodacf.ca Church of God, a Christian Fellowship]
* [http://www.cogwriter.com/gnews.htm News of Those Once Affiliated with the Global Church of God]
* [http://www.hwarmstrong.com/ar/index.htm Archive of the Ambassador Report, publication includes critical history of Herbert W. Armstrong, the Worldwide Church of God, and the Global Church of God] '
* [http://www.thejournal.org The Journal, News of the Churches of God]
* [http://www.dswarnerlibrary.com/ Christian Church Library from A.D. 30-2007]