The Worldwide Church of God (WCG) is a Christian denomination that was founded in 1933 by Herbert W. Armstrong. The WCG is headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, and has congregations in over 100 countries. The WCG’s beliefs are based on the Bible, and the church teaches that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and that He died on the cross to save humanity from sin. The WCG also teaches that the Bible is the inspired word of God and that it is the only source of truth.
The WCG has a unique history. Armstrong was a former advertising executive who began preaching in the early 1930s. He founded the Radio Church of God in 1934, and the church quickly grew. In 1968, the church was renamed the Worldwide Church of God.
The WCG has been controversial throughout its history. Armstrong’s teachings were often at odds with mainstream Christianity, and the church has been accused of being a cult. In the 1990s, the WCG underwent a major change in leadership. Joseph Tkach, Sr., who had been Armstrong’s successor, died in 1995. His son, Joseph Tkach, Jr., became the new leader of the WCG. Tkach, Jr., made a number of changes to the church’s teachings, including adopting the Trinity doctrine. These changes led to a number of members leaving the WCG.
Today, the WCG is a much smaller church than it was in the past. However, it continues to exist and to teach its unique beliefs.
History
The Worldwide Church of God was founded in 1933 by Herbert W. Armstrong. Armstrong was a former advertising executive who began preaching in the early 1930s. He founded the Radio Church of God in 1934, and the church quickly grew. In 1968, the church was renamed the Worldwide Church of God.
Armstrong’s teachings were often at odds with mainstream Christianity. He believed that the Bible was the inspired word of God and that it was the only source of truth. He also believed that Jesus Christ was the Son of God and that He died on the cross to save humanity from sin. However, he also believed that the Bible taught that the Trinity doctrine was false and that the Sabbath should be observed on Saturday.
The WCG grew rapidly in the early years. By the 1960s, it had over 100,000 members and was one of the largest Protestant denominations in the United States. However, the church began to decline in the 1970s and 1980s. This was due in part to Armstrong’s controversial teachings, but it was also due to the fact that the church was becoming increasingly isolated from mainstream Christianity.
In 1986, Armstrong died. His son, Joseph Tkach, Sr., became the new leader of the WCG. Tkach, Sr., made a number of changes to the church’s teachings, including adopting the Trinity doctrine. These changes led to a number of members leaving the WCG.
In 1995, Tkach, Sr., died. His son, Joseph Tkach, Jr., became the new leader of the WCG. Tkach, Jr., continued the changes that his father had made. He also led the WCG to adopt a number of other changes, including moving its headquarters from Pasadena, California, to Charlotte, North Carolina.
Today, the WCG is a much smaller church than it was in the past. However, it continues to exist and to teach its unique beliefs.
Beliefs
The Worldwide Church of God’s beliefs are based on the Bible. The church teaches that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and that He died on the cross to save humanity from sin. The WCG also teaches that the Bible is the inspired word of God and that it is the only source of truth.
The WCG has a number of unique beliefs. For example, the church believes that the Trinity doctrine is false. The WCG also believes that the Sabbath should be observed on Saturday.
Practices
The Worldwide Church of God practices a number of unique practices. For example, the church observes the Sabbath on Saturday. The WCG also practices baptism by immersion and communion.
Organization
The Worldwide Church of God is a hierarchical organization. The church is led by a board of directors, who are appointed by the president of the church. The church is divided into regions, which are further divided into districts. Each district is led by a district superintendent.
Membership
The Worldwide Church of God has over 30,000 members worldwide.