Church of God, a Worldwide Association
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| Church of God, a Worldwide Association | |
|---|---|
 Church of God, a Worldwide Association Headquarters | |
| Classification | Independent Christian, Sabbath-Keeping |
| President | Jim Franks |
| Region | International |
| Headquarters | McKinney, Texas |
| Origin | 2010 |
| Congregations | 241+ |
| Members | 10,000+ |
The Church of God, a Worldwide Association (COGWA) is a Christian religious group with members around the world. It is one of the Sabbatarian Churches of God that trace their history through the ministry of Herbert W. Armstrong.[1]
Formation[edit]
The Church of God, a Worldwide Association was formed in December 2010 as a result of internal divisions within the United Church of God, an International Association (UCG).[2][3] Numerous issues led to over half of the employed US pastors of UCG resigning[4] and meeting in Louisville, Kentucky in January 2011 to reorganize as the Church of God, a Worldwide Association.[5][6][7] After the Louisville conference, an interim board of directors and administration was formed.[8] A permanent governance structure was approved in September 2011.[9]
Doctrine[edit]
The Church of God, a Worldwide Association, is a Christian church that claims to base its doctrines on the Old and New Testaments of the Bible.[10] Many of the doctrines and beliefs of COGWA are similar in some ways to their previously affiliated church organizations that stem from the Worldwide Church of God.[11] However, there are differences in some of their doctrines. The specific doctrines of COGWA include:
God the Father and Jesus Christ the Son are two distinct beings who compose the God family, and the Holy Spirit is the power of God to project His will and to produce His divine character in human beings. The Church of God, a Worldwide Association is therefore non-Trinitarian.[12]
The Kingdom of God is the core of the gospel message. The Kingdom of God is defined as the future rule of the glorified family of God on earth.[13]
The Ten Commandments are to be kept by Christians and they define the character and the conduct God expects of human beings.[14]
The Fourth Commandment teaches people to observe the seventh-day Sabbath (Saturday).[14] Members of COGWA do not work or take part in regular recreational activities from sunset Friday to sunset Saturday and instead assemble for church services in cities and locations around the world.[15] Instead of observing the holidays traditionally celebrated by most Christians, COGWA teaches observance of the seven annual religious festivals found in Leviticus 23, teaching that those festivals contain Christian symbolism and were observed by various individuals in the New Testament. COGWA teaches that popular Christian holidays (such as Christmas, Easter, and Halloween) should be avoided because they have roots in ancient paganism.[16]
Human beings do not go to Heaven or Hell immediately after death, but instead remain unconscious in death awaiting a future resurrection.[17] The visible, premillennial return of Jesus Christ is yet to occur and will begin the establishment of His kingdom (government) on earth.[18]
The physical blessings promised to Abraham found in the book of Genesis have been primarily fulfilled in the modern-day nations of the British Commonwealth and the United States of America (as the descendants of Ephraim and Manasseh respectively). COGWA teaches that the other "lost tribes of Israel" exist today and that the Jewish people primarily represent the descendants of the nation of Judah.[19]
Leadership[edit]
The organization is overseen by a Ministerial Board of Directors composed of seven senior ministers: David Baker, Arnold Hampton, Joel Meeker (chairman), Larry Salyer, Richard Thompson, Leon Walker, and Lyle Welty.
The board selects a president to serve a seven-year term to oversee the day-to-day operations Jim Franks currently serves as the president and is currently fulfilling his second seventh-year term.
The corporate headquarters of theorganization is McKinney, Texas. On March 9, 2017, COGWA purchased 7.4 acres of land in southeast McKinney on which to construct a permanent headquarters facility. That facility was finished in early 2019 and opened its doors on March 1, 2019.[20]
See also[edit]
- Armstrongism
- Christian observances of Jewish holidays
- Christian views on the Old Covenant
- Restorationism
References[edit]
- ↑ Barrett, David (2013). The Fragmentation of a Sect: Schism in the Worldwide Church of God. Oxford University Press. pp. 131–133. ISBN 978-0-19-986151-4. Search this book on
- ↑ Dewey, Pamela. "Field Guide: Worldwide Church of God Family Tree: Branches 3". www.isitso.org. Retrieved 2020-05-19.
- ↑ "Announcement from the Communications Team of the COG, aWA". UCG Current Crisis. Retrieved 2020-02-06.
- ↑ Thiel, Bob. "COGWA Statistics: Increased Attendance and Congregations". Retrieved 2020-04-14.
- ↑ "The Timeline for the Establishment of Church of God, a Worldwide Association" (PDF). Retrieved 2020-02-05.
- ↑ Cartwright, Dixon. "Church of God Worldwide Association's board chairman gives reasons for new UCG split group". The Journal: News of the Churches of God. Retrieved 2020-04-14.
- ↑ "An Open Letter to the President of the United Church of God". UCG Current Crisis. Retrieved 2020-04-14.
- ↑ "January 14, 2011 Member Letter". COGWA Members. Retrieved 2020-04-02.
- ↑ "September 1, 2011 Member Letter". COGWA Members. Retrieved 2020-04-02.
- ↑ "Fundamental Beliefs". Church of God, A Worldwide Association. 2011. Retrieved 2020-04-02.
- ↑ Knott, Kim; Francis, Matthew, eds. (2020). Minority Religions and Uncertainty. Taylor & Francis Group. ISBN 9781317095705. Search this book on
- ↑ Treybig, David (2017). Getting to Know the God of the Bible. Allen, TX: Church of God, a Worldwide Association, Inc. pp. 42–45. Search this book on
- ↑ Treybig, David (2013). Mystery of the Kingdom. Church of God, a Worldwide Association, Inc. pp. 6–9, 18–22. Search this book on
- ↑ 14.0 14.1 Bennett, Mike. "What Are the 10 Commandments". Life, Hope & Truth. Retrieved 2020-04-02.
- ↑ Palmer, Bill; Henson, Don; Bennett, Mike; Treybig, David (2014). The Sabbath: A Neglected Gift From God. Church of God, a Worldwide Association, Inc. pp. 32–39. Search this book on
- ↑ Bennett, Mike (2018). From Holidays to Holy Days: God's Plan for You. Church of God, a Worldwide Association, Inc. Search this book on
- ↑ Jones, Erik; Pinelli, Jon (2014). The Last Enemy: What Really Happens After Death?. Church of God, a Worldwide Association, Inc. pp. 17–24. Search this book on
- ↑ Treybig, David. "King of Kings and Lord of Lords". Life, Hope & Truth. Retrieved 2020-04-02.
- ↑ Jones, Erik (2016). The United States, Britain & The Commonwealth in Prophecy. Church of God, a Worldwide Association, Inc. Search this book on
- ↑ "April 2019 Member Letter". COGWA Members. Retrieved 2020-04-02.
External Links[edit]
- Church of God, a Worldwide Association -- official website
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