Global Church of God

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The "Global Church of God" (GCG) was founded in 1992, by Roderick C. Meredith, a former minister in the Worldwide Church of God (WCG). Meredith disagreed with doctrinal changes that had been initiated by the administration of Joseph W. Tkach, who had succeeded church founder Herbert W. Armstrong as leader of the WCG.

Armstrong had founded the church as a radio ministry in the 1930s, calling it the Radio Church of God. It was renamed the Worldwide Church of God in the spring of 1968. By that time the group had 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. This controversial Sabbath-observing group observed the 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 Tkach.^[1] Under Tkach a number of key doctrines were changed, and the WCG adopted a theology in line with historic and mainstream Christianity. During that period of change, many members left WCG, including many ministers, some of whom began their own churches in an effort to remain loyal to the teachings of Armstrong. The Global Church of God was one of these.

Armstrong was a believer in ministerial ranks, chief of which was his own -- that of apostle. Second to that was the rank of evangelist, and Meredith was one of the first five ministers in the church's history to be ordained to that level, in 1952.

The Global Church of God experienced upheaval of its own after dispute between Meredith and the church board in 1998. ^[2] Meredith then formed the Living Church of God, based in San Diego, Califoria (which in 2005 was moved to Charlotte, North Carolina). ^[3] Membership in the GCG declined to the point that it ceased operations in the United States, although it continues to operate in the United Kingdom. Some former members joined smaller groups whose leaders had been in the GCG, while others were absorbed by another large splinter group, the United Church of God. United formed in 1995, also over the WCG's doctrinal revisions, and currently is the largest group that broke away from the WCG.

List of smaller groups which formed after the dissolving of the Global Church of God:

Church of God, A Christian Fellowship: Originally presided over by Raymond McNair. When McNair left to join the Living Church of God, Larry Salyer was chosen to lead the organization. CGCF later officially merged with the United Church of God, redering CGCF defunct. Some CGCF ministers who did not join UCG formed other organizations.

Church of the Eternal God: Led by a group of ministers who resisted the merging of CGCF with UCG. From the CEG website, Norbert Link seems to be the most prominent. CEG is affiliated with the Global Church of God in the United Kingdom and the Church of God, A Christian Fellowship in Canada.

Restored Church of God: Led by David C. Pack. Pack was removed from the GCG board and subsequently formed his own organization. Pack claims that his RCG is the only Church truly preserving the doctrinal legacy of Herbert Armstrong and is the sole remnant of "Philadelphians" on earth. In 2005, Pack posted a two-part sermon on his website claiming he is an apostle. Publishes "The Real Truth Magazine" and a host of booklets and publications on his website which is probably the most extensive website, in terms of content, among any of the Church of God groups.

Church of God, Fellowship: Led by minister Harold Smith.

Sabbath Church of God: Led by Warren Zehrung.

Church of God-21st Century: Led by former WCG evangelist Raymond F. McNair.

[edit] References

^ "Herbert W. Armstrong goes to his Reward", Ambassador Report, Issue 35, April, 1986
^ "Meredith Downsized", Ambassador Report, Issue 71, February, 1999
^ "Meredith's Living Church", Ambassador Report, Issue 72, April, 1999

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