NationMaster - Encyclopedia: Worldwide Church of God

The Worldwide Church of God (WCG), formerly the Radio Church of God, is a Christian church currently based in Glendora, California, USA. Founded in 1933 by Herbert Armstrong as a radio ministry, the WCG under Armstrong had a significant, and often controversial, influence on 20th century religious broadcasting and publishing in the United States and Europe, especially in the field of interpreting biblical end-time (eschatalogical) prophecies. However, within a few years after Armstrong's death in 1986, the succeeding church administration, led first by Joseph W. Tkach, Sr. and then his son, Joseph Tkach, Jr., examined and changed the doctrines and teachings of which the WCG held fundamental differences with more mainstream Christianity. Many members and ministers left the WCG to form churches that conformed to most, if not all, of the church's former doctrines. The WCG claims 64,000 members in 860 congregations in about 90 countries as of June 2007. The WCG is a member of the National Association of Evangelicals.^[1] Image File history File links Nuvola_apps_important. ... Location of Glendora in Los Angeles County, California Coordinates: , Country United States of America State California County Los Angeles Incorporated (city) 1911-11-13 [3] Government - Mayor Ken Herman [1] - City Manager Eric. ... Herbert Armstrong often used the middle initial W. even though he had no middle name. ... This does not cite any references or sources. ... Joseph W. Tkach (pronounced Ta-cotch) (March 16, 1927â€“September 23, 1995) was the appointed successor of Herbert W. Armstrong, founder of the Worldwide Church of God. ... Joseph Tkach Jr. ... The National Association of Evangelicals (NAE) is an agency dedicated to coordinating cooperative ministry for evangelical denominations of Christians in the United States. ...

History

Beginnings as a radio ministry

The Worldwide Church of God is rooted in the teachings of Herbert W. Armstrong, which some say stem from his earlier involvement in the Adventist movement of William Miller and followers. He himself claimed that his teachings were the true teachings of the Bible, which he said had been replaced over the centuries by tradition through the seminaries and mistranslation. In 1927 Armstrong was baptized into a church of this movement, the Church of God. Armstrong was ordained by the Oregon Conference of the Church of God (Seventh-Day) in 1931, and began serving a congregation in Eugene, Oregon. Herbert W. Armstrong (July 31, 1892) â€“ January 16, 1986 (aged 93)) was the founder of the Worldwide Church of God and an early pioneer of radio evangelism, taking to the airwaves in the 1930s from Eugene, Oregon. ... The term Adventist generally refers to someone who believes in the Second Advent of Jesus (popularly known as the Second coming) in the tradition of the Millerites. ... William Miller William Miller (1782 - 1849) was an American Baptist preacher, whose followers have been termed Millerites. ... William Miller The Millerite tradition is a diverse family of denominations and Bible study movements that have arisen since the middle of the 19th century, traceable to the Adventist movement sparked by the teachings of William Miller. ... Year 1927 (MCMXXVII) was a common year starting on Saturday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Baptism in early Christian art. ... The General Conference of the Church of God (Seventh-Day) is an Adventist body descending from the followers of William Miller. ... Year 1931 (MCMXXXI) was a common year starting on Thursday (link will display full 1931 calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... It has been suggested that Track Town, USA be merged into this article or section. ...

On Jan. 7, 1934, the "Radio Church of God" radio program began broadcasting on KORE in Eugene, Oregon, with Armstrong as host. It was, essentially, a condensed church service on the air, with hymn singing featured along with Armstrong's message, and was the launching point for what would become an incorporated church. Among Armstrong's claims were: The British and their colonists in America were descended from the Lost Tribes of Israel; and that God was not a Trinity but a family (Father and Son, but no Holy Ghost, as the Holy Spirit was believed by Armstrong to be the essence of God, not a separate person). The program's name eventually became that of the church, and the broadcast was renamed The World Tomorrow. Through it, and his magazine, the Plain Truth, Armstrong called his beliefs the product of methodical explication of the Bible, which he said was a coded message not allowed to be revealed and decoded until this time. It has been suggested that Israelite Diaspora be merged into this article or section. ...

In 1933, the Church of God split, and Armstrong sided with the faction that located its headquarters in Salem, West Virginia.^[2] In 1937 the Church of God (Seventh-Day) revoked Armstrong's ministerial credentials, but he continued broadcasting. Armstrong moved to Pasadena, California and he incorporated his church for the first time on March 3, 1946, as the Radio Church of God and later the Worldwide Church of God. He prophesied that an apocalypse would begin in 1936 (later postponed to 1943, then 1972, then indefinitely). Salem is a city located in Harrison County, West Virginia. ... Year 1937 (MCMXXXVII) was a common year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Pasadena is a city in Los Angeles County, California, United States. ... is the 62nd day of the year (63rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1946 (MCMXLVI) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will display full 1946 calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ...

His message has been described by some critics as an eclectic mixture of cultic doctrine, Jewish observances and Seventh-day Adventism. The church strictly observed the Saturday Sabbath, annual festivals found in Leviticus, and strongly advocated the clean meats of Leviticus 11. Members were asked to give up to 10 percent of their incomes to the church as a tithe, while also being told that another 10 percent was to be saved for annual festival observances, and, every third year, an additional 10 percent had to be sent to the church. The church had strict guidelines as to who could become a member, so as to ensure that those who joined truly wanted to be there. Those who did not wish to join or continue being members were simply asked to not participate. Through what a former minister of the group called fear and manipulation, Armstrong's church controlled the membership, deciding who they could date, how they could dress, what they could eat, etc. It is true that dating outside the church was strongly frowned upon, that there was a dress code for members while attending services, and the church believed that God did not intend certain things to be meant for human consumption. Those who refused to follow the church's guidelines were excommunicated. Members were not allowed to wear make-up, observe birthdays or celebrate Christmas, Easter or Halloween.^[3] Leviticus is the third book of the Hebrew Bible, also the third book in the Torah (five books of Moses). ... Christmas is an annual holiday that celebrates the birth of Jesus. ... Topics in Christianity Movements Â· Denominations Ecumenism Â· Preaching Â· Prayer Music Â· Liturgy Â· Calendar Symbols Â· Art Â· Criticism Important figures Apostle Paul Â· Church Fathers Constantine Â· Athanasius Â· Augustine Anselm Â· Aquinas Â· Palamas Â· Wycliffe Tyndale Â· Luther Â· Calvin Â· Wesley Arius Â· Marcion of Sinope Pope Â· Archbishop of Canterbury Patriarch of Constantinople Christianity Portal This box: Easter, the Sunday of...

A major component of Armstrong's "theology" was British Israelism—the view that America and Britain are the descendants of ancient Israel. Armstrong rejected traditional Christian views of heaven, hell, eternal punishment and the day of salvation. Armstrong also taught that members of the WCG would actually become members of the God family themselves after the resurrection.^[3] British Israelism (sometimes called Anglo-Israelism) is a Christian theology essentially based on the premise that most ancient British people, Europeans and/or their royal families were direct lineal descendants of some of the Lost Tribes of Israel and in many cases also of the Tribe of Judah. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... â€œThe Infernoâ€ redirects here. ...

Protegés

In 1947, Ambassador College was founded in Pasadena by the Worldwide Church of God. The campus of the college served as the headquarters for the church. It was here that Armstrong met Stanley Rader, CPA, in 1956. Rader stated that he was employed to sort the church's accounts, which he claimed had become disorganized. Armstrong reportedly was so impressed with Rader's work that, under his encouragement and patronage, Rader furthered his education by going to law school. Rader then graduated as valedictorian of his 1963 law school class at the University of Southern California Law School. Rader continued this relationship as special legal and financial advisor to Armstrong's Ambassador College and Worldwide Church of God, working for them in a full-time capacity by 1969. Year 1947 (MCMXLVII) was a common year starting on Wednesday (link will display full 1947 calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Ambassador College was originally established as an unaccredited liberal arts institution in 1947 at Pasadena, California by the Radio Church of God, a religious organization incorporated in the State of California by Herbert W. Armstrong to promote the beliefs of the Church of God. ... Stanley R. Rader (August 13, 1930 â€“ July 2, 2002) was born as a Jew and raised to be observant. ... Also: 1969 (Stargate SG-1) episode. ...

As Rader was beginning his career in service to the church, Armstrong had at least one son whom he was said to be grooming to take over as head of the church upon the elder Armstrong's retirement or death, Garner Ted Armstrong. Somewhat charismatic and engaging, the younger Armstrong began to guest host the radio and then the television version of the World Tomorrow. As the elder Armstrong reviewed audience ratings and incoming donations garnered from The World Tomorrow program hosted by his telegenic son, Garner Ted proved an increasingly obvious choice to become the public voice of the church in what were the early stages of the televangelistic era. Garner Ted Armstrong (February 9, 1930 - September 15, 2003) was an American evangelist and the son of Herbert W. Armstrong, founder of the Worldwide Church of God, a Sabbatarian organization that, at the time, taught strict observance of a seventh-day Sabbath, holy days typically associated with the Jewish faith... The World Tomorrow is a now-defunct radio and television half-hour program which had been sponsored by the Radio Church of God (later renamed Worldwide Church of God while under the direction of Herbert W. Armstrong. ...

The beginnings of change

The late 1960s saw the beginnings of change within the church. To some extent, these changes were long foretold (and perhaps even somewhat self-fulfilling): The broadcast of The World Tomorrow on Radio Luxembourg on January 7, 1953 prompted Herbert Armstrong to view his ministry in the context of two periods of nineteen years each. The first period covered the time from the start of the radio ministry until early 1953. The second period, then, would conclude sometime in late 1972. Armstrong and Ambassador College graduate Herman L. Hoeh first detailed this interpretation in a 1956 booklet, 1975 in Prophecy!. This interpretative vision of his ministry consumed Herbert Armstrong, who now repackaged his radio program as The World Tomorrow. It also apparently had an impact on many others; including Michael Dennis Rohan, who cited Armstrong's work when questioned on the attempted destruction of the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem in 1967. The 1960s decade refers to the years from January 1, 1960 to December 31, 1969, inclusive. ... Radio Luxembourg (1933-1992, 2005-)was an important forerunner of pirate radio and modern commercial radio in Europe. ... is the 7th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1953 (MCMLIII) was a common year starting on Thursday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... 1975 in Prophecy! is a digest-size booklet warning of an upcoming nuclear war and subsequent enslavement of mankind, leading to the return of Jesus Christ as a benign dictator. ... Michael Dennis Rohan is an Australian citizen who gained worldwide infamy on August 21, 1969, when he attempted to set fire to the Al-Aqsa mosque, located atop the Temple Mount in Jerusalem. ... For other uses, see Al-aqsa (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see Jerusalem (disambiguation). ... Year 1967 (MCMLXVII) was a common year starting on Sunday and the summer of 1967 was known as The Summer of Peace and Love (link will display full calendar) of the 1967 Gregorian calendar. ...

1968 change of name

On January 5, 1968 the corporate name of the church was changed to Worldwide Church of God.^[4]^[5] Whether Armstrong changed the church in response to the loss of his wife, or in preparation for the predicted events of 1972 and beyond, is not known; indeed, it may have been for a completely unrelated reason. However, these events seem indicative of fundamental change within Armstrong's ministry. January 5 is the 5th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1968 (MCMLXVIII) was a leap year starting on Monday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ...

In 1970, the first of many groups to splinter from the Worldwide Church of God were founded. Carl O'Beirn of Cleveland, Ohio led what may be the first group, the Church of God (O'Brien), away from the Worldwide Church of God. Others followed that year, including John Kerley's Top of the Line ministry; the Restoration Church of God; the Church of God (Boise City) in Boise City, Oklahoma; Marvin Faulhaber's Sabbatarian group (also known as Church of God (Sabbatarian)); and the Fountain of Life Fellowship of James and Virginia Porter. 1970 (MCMLXX) was a common year starting on Thursday. ... This article needs additional references or sources to facilitate its verification. ... Boise City is a city in Cimarron County, Oklahoma, United States. ... Etymology: Latin sabbatarius, from sabbatum sabbath Function: noun 1 : one who observes the Sabbath on Saturday in conformity with the letter of the fourth commandment 2 : an adherent of Sabbatarianism Function: adjective 1 : of or relating to the Sabbath 2 : of or relating to the Sabbatarians or Sabbatarianism External links...

Humanitarian projects

During the sixties “Armstrong had sought to put into stronger action what he termed God’s 'way of give.’”^[6] To Armstrong and his students, this was generally said to include “the way of character, generosity, cultural enrichment, true education: of beautifying the environment and caring for fellow man.” He began undertaking humanitarian projects, selecting underprivileged pockets around the world, which eventually led to the creation of the church-run Ambassador International Cultural Foundation in 1975. The Foundation’s efforts reached into several countries, providing staffing and funds to fight illiteracy, create schools for the disabled, set up mobile schools, and provide funding and staffing for several archaeological digs at biblically significant sites. The auditorium he built for the church hosted, at highly subsidized ticket prices, hundreds of performances by noted artists such as Luciano Pavarotti, Vladimir Horowitz, Bing Crosby, Marcel Marceau, and Bob Hope. ^[7] Luciano Pavarotti Luciano Pavarotti (born October 12, 1935) is an Italian spinto tenor who is one of the best known vocal performers in contemporary times, in the world of opera and across multiple musical genres. ... Vladimir Samoylovich Horowitz (Russian: ; Ukrainian: ) (1 October 1903 â€“ 5 November 1989) was a Russian-American classical pianist. ... Harry Lillis Bing Crosby (May 3, 1903 â€“ October 14, 1977) was an American singer and actor whose career lasted from 1926 until his death in 1977. ... Marcel Mangel (born March 22, 1923; Strasbourg, France), better known by his stage name Marcel Marceau, is a well-known mime, among the most popular representatives of this art form world-wide. ... Bob Hope, KBE (May 29, 1903 â€“ July 27, 2003), born Leslie Townes Hope, was an English-Born American entertainer who appeared in vaudeville, on Broadway, on radio and television, in movies, and in performing tours for U.S. Military personnel, well known for his good natured humor and career longevity. ...

1972 and scandal

As 1972 approached, it became clear that the events forecasted by Herbert Armstrong would not come to pass. While the European Union was already an idea in the making, the various "states" of Europe were far from united, as the union itself was still another 20 years in the future. The Worldwide Church of God, however, experienced several scandals which could arguably be said to have brought Armstrong's second 19-year period to a close.

Garner Ted Armstrong began to lose favor with his father, Herbert Armstrong. The younger Armstrong was discontented with prophecies attached to a certain date, and wished to cease preaching the message that associated the U.S. and Britain with the Lost Ten Tribes. (This message would later be picked up by portions of the Christian Identity movement.) Garner Ted also spoke of greatly expanding the church's media ministry on the model of the Church of Christ, Scientist (with its widely-read Christian Science Monitor). // For the general identity of an individual with certain core essential religious doctrines, see Christianity. ... The factual accuracy of this article is disputed. ... The Christian Science Monitor (CSM) is an international newspaper published daily, Monday through Friday. ...

In a report in the May 15, 1972 edition of TIME magazine, Herbert Armstrong was reported to have said that Garner Ted was "in the bonds of Satan." The elder Armstrong did not elaborate, but it was speculated that Herbert had to come to grips publicly with Garner Ted's alleged continuing problems with gambling and adultery with Ambassador College coeds. Garner Ted Armstrong was soon relieved of his star role within the church. is the 135th day of the year (136th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1972 (MCMLXXII) was a leap year starting on Saturday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Time (whose trademark is capitalized TIME) is a weekly American newsmagazine, similar to Newsweek and U.S. News & World Report. ... Caravaggio, The Cardsharps, c. ... Adultery is voluntary sexual intercourse between a married person and a partner other than the lawful spouse. ...

While Garner Ted Armstrong was being removed, Stanley Rader had been orchestrating the church's involvement in a number of corporations which Rader established. Critics saw Rader's moves as an attempt to seize control of the church. Rader characterized his involvement as that of an adviser and claimed that his advice was opening doors for Armstrong that a strict theological role would not have allowed for. Herbert Armstrong approved of the establishment of the Ambassador International Cultural Foundation (AICF), which Rader set up ostensibly to give the elder Armstrong a role as the "Ambassador for World Peace without portfolio."

As the church was experiencing internal crises, its external, public face was also crumbling. Church followers had anticipated the removal of church faithful to Petra, Jordan, to await the prophesied apocalypse. By 1972, it was evident that this was not going to occur. When combined with Garner Ted Armstrong's very public removal from the church, this failure of prophecy caused many within the church to lose confidence and withdraw. The church hastened to restore public confidence, and returned Garner Ted as host of The World Tomorrow a mere four months after his ouster. Petra (from petra, rock in Greek; Arabic: Ø§Ù„Ø¨ØªØ±Ø§Ø¡, Al-ButrÄ) is an archaeological site in Jordan, lying in a basin among the mountains which form the eastern flank of Arabah (Wadi Araba), the large valley running from the Dead Sea to the Gulf of Aqaba. ... Look up Apocalypse in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ...

The church continues

Despite the scandals of 1972, the church continued to grow in the 1970s with Herbert Armstrong still at the helm. In 1975, Armstrong baptized Stanley Rader, who until then had been a practicing Jew in spite of his association with the Christian church. Some felt that, under Rader's influence, Armstrong began to de-emphasize the Christological aspects of church doctrine, instead preaching a message of peace, brotherly love, and "giving and not getting." Others say that this approach was to announce the coming Kingdom of God and mankind's duty to that end. The church began to teach of humanity's being guided by a "Great Unseen Hand from Someplace." The 1970s decade refers to the years from 1970 to 1979, also called The Seventies. ... Year 1975 (MCMLXXV) was a common year starting on Wednesday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Topics in Christianity Movements Â· Denominations Ecumenism Â· Preaching Â· Prayer Music Â· Liturgy Â· Calendar Symbols Â· Art Â· Criticism Important figures Apostle Paul Â· Church Fathers Constantine Â· Athanasius Â· Augustine Anselm Â· Aquinas Â· Palamas Â· Luther Calvin Â· Wesley Arius Â· Marcion of Sinope Pope Â· Archbishop of Canterbury Patriarch of Constantinople Christianity Portal This box: A Christian () is a person who... Topics in Christianity Movements Â· Denominations Ecumenism Â· Preaching Â· Prayer Music Â· Liturgy Â· Calendar Symbols Â· Art Â· Criticism Important figures Apostle Paul Â· Church Fathers Constantine Â· Athanasius Â· Augustine Anselm Â· Aquinas Â· Palamas Â· Luther Calvin Â· Wesley Arius Â· Marcion of Sinope Pope Â· Archbishop of Canterbury Patriarch of Constantinople Christianity Portal This box: Christology is a field of study...

Herbert Armstrong himself continued with his life. Widowed by the death of Loma eleven years earlier, Armstrong married Ramona Martin, a woman nearly fifty years younger than the octogenarian in 1977, and moved to Tucson, Arizona. While Armstrong administered church business through Stanley Rader from his Arizona retreat, the church continued to be headquartered in Pasadena. Also: 1977 (album) by Ash. ... This article needs additional references or sources for verification. ...

With Garner Ted Armstrong resuming his role within the church, however, the rivalry between the younger Armstrong and Stanley Rader intensified. The adultery problems that reportedly drove Garner Ted from the church once before, had reportedly continued unabated. In 1978, unwilling to change, Garner Ted Armstrong was disfellowshipped a final time. Year 1978 (MCMLXXVIII) was a common year starting on Sunday (link displays the 1978 Gregorian calendar). ...

Garner Ted moved to Tyler, Texas, and there founded a splinter group, the Church of God International. Tyler is the county seat of Smith County in East Texas, United States. ... For other organizations with the same name, see Church of God International The Church of God International is a splinter group of the Worldwide Church of God. ...

More scandal

Garner Ted Armstrong blamed Stanley Rader for his two-time ouster from his father's church. Garner Ted and other former and discontented members of the Worldwide Church of God prompted the State of California to investigate charges of malfeasance by Rader and others involved with the AICF. By 1979, California Attorney General George Deukmejian had brought civil charges against the church, and the church was placed into an investigative financial receivership for one year. Official language(s) English Capital Sacramento Largest city Los Angeles Largest metro area Greater Los Angeles Area Ranked 3rd - Total 158,302 sq mi (410,000 kmÂ²) - Width 250 miles (400 km) - Length 770 miles (1,240 km) - % water 4. ... The expressions misfeasance and nonfeasance, and occasionally malfeasance, are used in English law with reference to the discharge of public obligations existing by common law, custom or statute. ... In most common law jurisdictions, the Attorney General is the main legal adviser to the government, and in some jurisdictions may in addition have executive responsibility for law enforcement or responsibility for public prosecutions. ... Courken George Deukmejian, Jr. ... Bankruptcy is a legally declared inability or impairment of ability of an individual or organization to pay their creditors. ...

The group of dissidents also gained the attention of Mike Wallace, who investigated the church in a report for 60 Minutes. Using documentary evidence obtained, Wallace brought to light lavish secret expenditures, conflict of interest insider deals, posh homes and lifestyles in the higher ranks, and the heavy involvement of Stanley Rader in financial manipulation. Wallace invited Rader to appear on 60 Minutes on April 15, 1979. Rader began by answering many questions by Wallace with his confident, characteristic unabashed aplomb. However, Wallace completely surprised Rader with a secret tape recording, wherein Herbert Armstrong had alleged Rader was attempting to take over the church after Armstrong's death, reasoning that the donated tithe money might be quite a "magnet" to some evangelists. Perhaps sensing at this point that it would no longer do him any good to continue answering questions, Rader jumped up, abruptly told Wallace the interview was over, and left immediately to speak to the press waiting outside.^[8] Mike Wallace (born Myron Leon Wallace on May 9, 1918) is a former American game show host, television personality, and journalist. ... Not to be confused with a BBC news magazine program of the same name. ... is the 105th day of the year (106th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Also: 1979 by Smashing Pumpkins. ...

Rader, with the approval of Herbert Armstrong, was spending millions to fend off any financial audit or examination of the Church's income and expenditures by litigating the issue all the way from California to the United States Supreme Court, several times, unsuccessfully. Having lost in the courts, as a last ditch effort, perhaps to save himself from scrutiny and to prevent the receivership from going into further testimony, Rader lobbied the California legislature with intense pressure from all sides to force the California Attorney General to drop the charges against the church and him. Under Rader's lobbying, the California State Legislature passed legislation known as the Petris bill, signed into law by Gov. Jerry Brown, which effectively gave Rader and the Worldwide Church of God a special "legal loophole" from any outside judicial scrutiny or further civil investigation from the Office of the California Attorney General. Rader and Armstrong, then, were relieved of any further concern about civil liability or any outside exposure of their own internal financial dealings as the directors of a California religious corporation. In trying to defend his fight against the investigation, Rader wrote the 1980 self-exculpatory polemic "Against the Gates of Hell: The Threat to Religious Freedom in America" arguing that his legal fight with the Attorney General was allegedly more about religious freedoms rather than about abuse of public trust or fraudulent misappropriation of tithe funds. Californias Capitol, where the State Legislature meets California State Assembly chamber California state Senate chamber The California Legislature is the legislative branch of the state government of California. ...

The church received vindication of its position when, in denying a request for fees by the dissidents' attorney, Hillel Chodos, the Second Court of Appeals said, "We are of the opinion that the underlying action [i.e., the State-imposed receivership] and its attendant provisional remedy of receivership were from the inception constitutionally infirm and predestined to failure."^[9]

Departure of Rader

Stanley Rader left his positions within the church in 1981. While Rader was able to legally, then politically stiffarm the judicial investigation of church finanial misappropriation, he could not spare the collapse of AICF. A lawsuit had been filed against Steven Spielberg and George Lucas alleging that the pair stole the plot for Raiders of the Lost Ark from AICF. When the lawsuit went nowhere, AICF collapsed. Meanwhile, the church was eager to sever its ties from AICF, as the Foundation had been producing works which were not in keeping with church doctrine. Rader parted church leadership amicably, and reportedly received a six figure financial package (or golden handshake) upon leaving his post. Steven Allan Spielberg KBE (born December 18, 1946)[1] is an American film director and producer. ... George Walton Lucas, Jr. ... Raiders of the Lost Ark, also known as Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark, is a 1981 adventure film directed by Steven Spielberg, produced by George Lucas and starring Harrison Ford. ... A golden handshake or golden parachute is a clause in an executive employment contract that provides the executive with a significant severance package in the case that the executive loses their job through firing, restructuring, or even scheduled retirement. ...

Era of transition and major doctrinal changes

On January 16, 1986, Herbert W. Armstrong died in Pasadena. Shortly before his death, Mr. Armstrong named Joseph W. Tkach Sr., an associate of Rader, to succeed him as the leader of the church. As early as 1988, Joseph W. Tkach Sr. began to make doctrinal changes. Doctrinal changes were made quietly and slowly at first, but then openly and radically in January 1995. Changes are presented as new understandings into Christmas and Easter [1], Babylon and the harlot [2], Anglo-Israelism [3], the weekly Sabbath [4], and many others. . is the 16th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1986 (MCMLXXXVI) was a common year starting on Wednesday (link displays 1986 Gregorian calendar). ... Joseph W. Tkach (March 16, 1927â€“September 23, 1995) was the appointed successor of Herbert W. Armstrong, founder of the Worldwide Church of God. ... Year 1988 (MCMLXXXVIII) was a leap year starting on Friday (link displays 1988 Gregorian calendar). ...

In general, Tkach Sr. directed the church theology towards mainstream evangelical Christian belief. A current statement of beliefs can be found here [5]. It was extremely difficult for many members of the church to understand and accept the doctrinal changes. This caused much disillusionment among the membership, and another rise of splinter groups. During the tenure of the elder Joseph Tkach Sr., the church dropped in membership by about 50%. His son, Joseph Tkach Jr., succeeded him after his death in 1995. Under his^[Who?] administration, the church issued an apology for past mistakes in doctrine.

Eventually, all of Herbert Armstrong's writings were withdrawn from print by the Worldwide Church of God—many are available for educational purposes here [6][7]. The leadership, up to this point of writing, has not declared Herbert Armstrong a false prophet. Whilst the apology was made over false teachings, no overt move has been made towards publicly admitting the excesses of the leadership, nor the psychological abuses heaped on the members for practices such as 'disfellowshipment' or slander of members who were removed from the church.

Current organizational structure

The Worldwide Church of God is established under a hierarchical, non-voting form of government. The chief ecclesiastical and chief corporate executive officer of the denomination is termed the Pastor General. Historically, Pastors General, as chairmen of their board, have appointed their own successor without representative vote from the membership. Ecclesiastical or corporate governance issues are within the decision-making jurisdiction of the Pastor General, who has the power to appoint, as well as terminate, the Council of Elders and the board members of the corporation, with or without cause or notice. The denomination's ecclesiastical policies are determined by its Advisory Council of Elders (ACE), which is, in turn, appointed and controlled by the Pastor General. A Doctrinal Advisory Team may report to the Advisory Council on the church's official doctrinal statements, epistemology, or apologetics. Under ecclesiastical bylaws, the Pastor General may "pocket veto" doctrinal positions he determines to be heretical. Image File history File links Circle-question. ... It has been suggested that Meta-epistemology be merged into this article or section. ... This article or section does not cite any references or sources. ... A pocket veto is a legislative maneuver in American federal lawmaking. ...

The Worldwide Church of God maintains national offices and satellite offices in multiple countries. Pastor General Joseph Tkach, Jr. periodically travels worldwide in personal appearance campaigns to congregations in diverse intercontinental areas, such as Great Britain, Africa, and the Philippines. However, membership and tithe income originates primarily from within the eastern United States.

In the United States, denominational contact with local assemblies or local church home small group meetings, i.e., cell churches is facilitated by district superintendents, each of which is responsible for a large number of churches in a geographical region (such as Florida or the Northeast) or in a specialized language group (such as Spanish-speaking congregations). A cell church is a Christian church structure centering on the regular gathering of cell groups. ...

Local churches are led by a senior pastor or a pastoral leadership team, each of which is supervised by a district superintendent. Most local church groups retain the long-standing traditional policy of meeting in leased or rented facilities for meetings or services. The trend since 2000, however, has been to adopt a local church setting blending into the local milieu with headquarters retaining administrative oversight functions. Some senior pastors are responsible for a single local church, but many are responsible for working in two or more churches. Church government now mandates a local Advisory Council, which includes a number of volunteer ministry leaders (some of whom are also called deacons), and often additional elders or assistant pastors. As of 2005, the church established a new computer system of financial checks and balances for church budgets at the local level. Salary compensation for the paid local church pastor, if available, is determined by the church treasurer in California. [8]

In 2005, the church announced it was considering another name change, after more than a decade of controversy and upheaval in the wake of doctrinal changes made following the death of Herbert Armstrong.

WCG teachings under Herbert Armstrong

The Gospel

Armstrong taught that the religions of the world had lost the essential knowledge of the purpose for human life, and that God led him through careful and diligent study of scripture to a special understanding of the Bible and its end-time prophecies.^[10]. Armstrong's express purpose, and that of the WCG, was to spread this restored knowledge throughout the world as a prerequisite to the second coming of Jesus Christ to earth. The gospel included "The good news of the soon coming Kingdom of God," a 1000-year utopia under Jesus' rule, and warnings of the coming Great Tribulation and Day of the Lord (destruction of human civilization), from which God's true Church would be protected in a yet unknown "place of safety."

Mr. Armstrong taught that the Beast of Revelation represented the Roman Empire, which would be revived within his lifetime as a federation of ten "United States of Europe," and that the harlot riding the beast represented the Roman Catholic Church ^[11]. Revelation This article is about prophecy. ... Topics in Christianity Movements Â· Denominations Ecumenism Â· Preaching Â· Prayer Music Â· Liturgy Â· Calendar Symbols Â· Art Â· Criticism Important figures Apostle Paul Â· Church Fathers Constantine Â· Athanasius Â· Augustine Anselm Â· Aquinas Â· Palamas Â· Luther Calvin Â· Wesley Arius Â· Marcion of Sinope Pope Â· Archbishop of Canterbury Patriarch of Constantinople Christianity Portal This box: The Roman Catholic Church or Catholic...

These themes were broadcast on a weekly 30 minute radio and television series, The World Tomorrow, and published in numerous books, booklets, and in a widely distributed magazine 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 (later renamed the Worldwide Church of God), Ambassador College and The World Tomorrow radio and television programs. ...

Beliefs about God and his Church

Beliefs about sin and the commandments

Sin is the transgression of God's law. The penalty for sin is death. The law consists of instructions from God in the Bible, including Old Testament laws of Leviticus and Deuteronomy:

It has been suggested that this article or section be merged with Passover in the Christian tradition. ... The factual accuracy of this article needs to be verified. ... The Descent of the Holy Spirit in a 15th century illuminated manuscript. ... This article or section contains information that has not been verified and thus might not be reliable. ... The Christian Day of Atonement is based on the English translation of the Jewish Holyday Yom Kippur. ... The Feast of Tabernacles is an 8-day Biblical pilgrimage festival, also known as the Feast of Booths, the Feast of Tabernacles, or Tabernacles. ...

Tithing

The early Worldwide Church of God used a three-tithe Levitical system, under which members (and their children) were expected to give three tithes or thirty percent "of their increase."

The church also gathered funds in the form of donations from "co-workers," those who read the church's free literature or watched the weekly TV show but did not actually attend services.

In contrast to many other churches' religious services, the practice of the WCG was not to pass around offering plates during weekly church services, but only during holy day church services (seven days each year).

Under Joseph W. Tkach Sr., although still strongly recommended, the mandatory nature of the church's three-tithe system was abolished, and it was suggested that tithes could be calculated on net, rather than gross, income; afterwards, church income declined precipitously. Today the Worldwide Church headquarters is downsizing for financial survival. Facing possible bankruptcy, the church liquidated its high maintenance real estate properties, such as Ambassador College, and other auctionable inventory to pay for current headquarters expenditures. The church leadership had proclaimed that it could not allow people to profit from the wrong doctrines of Herbert Armstrong as it was morally wrong. Yet, when faced with financial hardship, the leadership made an about face and sold the rights to Herbert Armstrong's writings to the Philadelphia Church of God, however this was after a 6 year long, arduous court battle.

To further economize, the church has sold its properties in Pasadena and has purchased an office building in Glendora, California. Church marketing strategy and advertising has changed significantly since the days when the Plain Truth magazine was distributed worldwide, to millions upon request, without charge, to anyone who simply asked for it. Formerly, the church's membership sent all tithe donations directly to the headquarters in Pasadena, CA; meeting in rented halls on Saturdays such as public school buildings, dance halls, hotels and other venues. Under the new financial reporting regime, Worldwide Chairman CEO Joseph Tkach, Jr. permits local churches to use some funds for local purposes, such as constructing local church buildings for use by the congregations. President Joseph Tkach, Jr. now positions Worldwide as a mainstream Christian evangelical church. Christianity percentage by country, purple is highest, orange is lowest Topics in Christianity Movements Â· Denominations Ecumenism Â· Preaching Â· Prayer Music Â· Liturgy Â· Calendar Symbols Â· Art Â· Criticism Important figures Apostle Paul Â· Church Fathers Constantine Â· Athanasius Â· Augustine Anselm Â· Aquinas Â· Palamas Â· Wycliffe Tyndale Â· Luther Â· Calvin Â· Wesley Arius Â· Marcion of Sinope Pope Â· Archbishop of Canterbury Patriarch...

As of 2006, 80% or more of all congregational donations stay in the local area, with 20% going to the church's headquarters in Glendora for ministerial training and support, legal services, and denominational administration.

Criticisms

Under Armstrong's leadership, the Worldwide Church of God was considered by many to be theologically a cult with unorthodox and, to some, heretical teachings.^[13] The WCG rejected the doctrine of the Trinity, regarding it as a pagan concept absorbed into mainstream Christianity.^[14] Critics also claimed that the WCG did not proclaim salvation by grace through faith alone, but rather required works as part of salvation. The late Walter Martin, in his classic The Kingdom of the Cults, devoted 34 pages to the group, claiming how Armstrong borrowed freely from Seventh-day Adventist, Jehovah's Witnesses, and Mormon doctrines. ^[15] This article does not discuss cult in its original sense of religious practice; for that usage see Cult (religious practice). ... This article or section contains too many quotations for an encyclopedic entry. ... Dr. Walter Ralston Martin (September 10, 1928 â€“ June 26, 1989), was an American Evangelical minister, author, and Christian apologist who founded the Christian Research Institute in 1960 as a para-church ministry specialising as a clearing-house of information in both general Christian apologetics and in countercult apologetics. ... The theology of the Seventh-day Adventist Church largely resembles that of mainstream Protestant Christianity, and in particular evangelicalism. ... According to Latter Day Saint belief, Mormon is the name of the compiler of the book of scripture known as the Book of Mormon. ...

Remnant Churches

Due to the significant doctrinal changes which occurred in the WCG throughout the 1990's, a large percentage of ministers and members left the WCG, many to form churches which held to most or all of Herbert W. Armstrong's teachings. This resulted in the formation of the Philadelphia Church of God (1989), Global Church of God, the Living Church of God (1993, 1998), United Church of God (1995), and the Restored Church of God (1998). The introduction to this article provides insufficient context for those unfamiliar with the subject matter. ... The Living Church of God (LCG) is the second largest church group formed by followers of the teachings of the late Herbert W. Armstrong. ... The United Church of God, an International Association (UCGIA)[1] is a Christian denomination. ...

The United Church of God (UCG) is the largest of these remnants. In 1995, former WCG directors and pastors were among 150 "elders" who gathered in Indianapolis, Indiana to select a board of directors and a chairman, David Hulme, who had been one of the presenters of the WCG's television program, The World Tomorrow, and had also served the WCG in public relations. By the end of 1995, the number of those affiliated with the new UCG movement was estimated to be 17,000, far exceeding the size of any of the other splinter groups.^[16]

Led by John Ritenbaugh, the Church of the Great God (CGG) is one of the churches to form in the wake of the Worldwide Church of Gods major doctrinal revisions of the 1980s and 1990s. ...

References

Notes

^ NAE Accepts Worldwide Church of God, NAE press release, May 7, 1997. Retrieved on 2006-08-16.
^ See more at General Conference of the Church of God (Seventh-Day).
^ ^a ^b Covington, David. What is the Worldwide Church of God? Quoted at http://www.apologeticsindex.org/w01.html, accessed 03-13-2007
^ "1946 Articles Of Incorporation Of Radio Church Of God"
^ "1968 Certificate Of Amendment Of Articles Of Incorporation Of Radio Church Of God"
^ Flurry, Stephen (October 30, 2006). Raising the Ruins:The Fight to Revive the Legacy of Herbert W. Armstrong. Philadelphia Church of God, pp. 23-24. ISBN 978-0974550718.
^ Flurry, pp. 25-26
^ "Stanley Rader on Sixty Minutes with Mike Wallace"
^ PEOPLE EX REL. DEUKMEJIAN v. WORLDWIDE CHURCH OF GOD, 127 CA3d 547 (Court of Appeals of California, Second Appellate District, Division Two December 9, 1981)
^ Herbert W. Armstrong, Mystery of the Ages, AC Press, 1985, http://reluctant-messenger.com/HWA/Mystery/index.htm
^ Herbert W. Armstrong, Who or What is the Prophetic Beast? AC Press, 1960
^ Herbert W. Armstrong, The Plain Truth About Christmas, AC Press, 1970
^ http://www.apologeticsindex.org/w01.html
^ http://www.ctlibrary.com/ct/1997/june16/7t766c.html
^ Tucker, Ruth. "From the Fringe to the Fold, Part 1." Christianity Today, July 15, 1996.
^ Christianity Today, July 15, 1996. http://www.ctlibrary.com/668

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