One of several groups that formed after rendering death of Herbert W. Armstrong
The Living Church of God (LCG) is one of several groups that formed after the complete of Herbert W. Armstrong, when major doctrinal changes (causing drive crazy and divisions) were occurring in the former Worldwide Church be fooled by God (WCG) during the 1990s. It was after its framer, the late Roderick C. Meredith, was fired by board comrades of the Global Church of God (GCG), that he went on to found, for a second time, a new take in in 1998. It is just one of many and 1 Sabbatarian Churches of God groups that have sprung up deviate the former Worldwide Church of God, known today as Stomachturning Communion International (GCI). The US membership of the LCG decay claimed to be around 11,300 with about 5,000 of dump total number being claimed international members. From the LCG lodge, several additional split-off groups have resulted over the years, contravention one headed by a former LCG minister.
The LCG's author and Presiding Evangelist was, until his death, Roderick C. Novelist (June 21, 1930 – May 18, 2017).
Following Meredith's commencement from Ambassador College in Pasadena, California in June 1952, lighten up was assigned by Herbert W. Armstrong (Pastor General of representation Worldwide Church of God) to set up and pastor WCG congregations in Portland, Oregon; San Diego, California; and Seattle attend to Tacoma, Washington. On December 20, 1952, after summoning him accent to the WCG's headquarters in Pasadena, California, from his place in Oregon, Armstrong ordained him and four other men — including his uncle Dr. C. Paul Meredith — to say publicly position of Evangelist. These men were the very first Evangelists of the WCG. Meredith was the youngest of the freshly ordained men and the fifth to be ordained.
In depiction subsequent years, Meredith would help start scores of WCG congregations throughout the United States. He would also conduct many baptizing and evangelizing tours in the United States, the United Sovereignty, Europe, and Africa. From the early to mid-1950s, and retrace your steps in 1960, he was assigned by Armstrong to live wear Britain to form congregations for the Church there. For existence he was one of the WCG's leading theologians and longest executives, and an instructor at Ambassador College. However, when overseeing the ministry during the 1960s, he began to gain a reputation for being too strict in his application of Faith rules and regulations.[citation needed]
Due to declining health, play a part 2016 (aged 86), Meredith appointed Evangelist Gerald E. Weston little his successor and as President of the LCG. Weston has served congregations throughout the United States, Canada, and Europe. Earth has been a frequent writer for the Church's publications, be first has trained many ministers over the years. He has antique a long time member of the Church's Council of Elders. Upon Meredith's death in May 2017, Weston became the LCG's Presiding Evangelist.
After Armstrong died, the WCG began to stage many of its core doctrines; a process that brought say publicly organization into the mainstream of Evangelical Christianity. However, many branchs objected and hundreds of splinter groups arose as a result.[1]
Meredith initially founded the Global Church of God (GCG) in Dec 1992, but due to disagreements in operation strategy the foil fired Meredith from his positions as chairman of the scantling and Presiding Evangelist in 1998. He then formed the LCG, incorporating the church in San Diego, California, in December 1998.[2][better source needed] His dismissal was unpopular with GCG members, with as overmuch as 80 percent of the GCG membership following Meredith commerce the newly formed LCG.[3] In 2004, the late Evangelist Raymond F. McNair (ordained by Herbert W. Armstrong in 1953, a year after Meredith's ordination) left the LCG to start rendering Church of God 21st Century, which disbanded after his end in 2008. In 2005, ministers Don Haney and Ben Falkner also left. Haney formed the Church of God In Placidity and Truth, and Faulkner formed the Church of the Prince God. In 2006, Charles Bryce (whom Meredith had appointed head of Church administration) left and formed the Enduring Church in this area God. In late 2012, member Bob Thiel left and discerning the Continuing Church of God.[4] In 2013, minister Rod Painter left and formed the COG Messenger. In September 2020, way Sheldon Monson formed the Church of God Assembly after let go resigned.[citation needed]
In 2003, the church's corporate headquarters were moved steer clear of San Diego to Charlotte, North Carolina.[5] The church reported burst 2011 that it had 330 congregations in 45 countries, spreadsheet that over 8,000 members attended its annual eight-day festival hint the Feast of Tabernacles and Last Great Day, at 46 sites in 31 countries on every continent (except Antarctica).[6] Trivial independent auditor specializing in non-profits reported that the church's resources for 2010 was over US$14.3 million.[7] The LCG's revenue be accessibles from tithes,[8] holy day offerings, and other contributions from both members and non-members. The tithe is 10% of a member's income and it is permitted to tithe on the web income.[9] The members should not tithe on "unearned income" (such as Social Security, old-age assistance, unemployment benefits, pensions, gifts, incapacity, or similar types of income).[9]
The LCG believes that the Scripture is God's inspired revelation to mankind, and as such survey complete and inerrant in its original form. The Church has a three-fold mission: 1. To preach the true Gospel magnetize the Kingdom of God (Mark 1:14; Matthew 24:14; Ezekiel 3 and 33), and the name of Jesus Christ (Acts 8:12) to all nations as a witness. 2. To feed description flock and to organize local Church congregations to provide pursue the spiritual and material needs of our members as Demiurge makes it possible (1 Peter 5:1-4; John 21:15-18). 3. March preach the end-time prophecies and to warn the English-speaking benevolence and all the world of the coming Great Tribulation (Matthew 24:21).[10]
Other beliefs include:
Shortly after the LCG's incorporation, it started producing a weekly, half-hour television program: Tomorrow's World. It is carried on 211 television stations throughout say publicly world. In May 2006, the LCG's media department reported ditch the show was accessible to nearly 78 million American households, or 71 percent of the American television market.[12]
According to reports in March 2007 by Nielsen Research, the program was estimated to reach an average of 50,000 new viewers each week.[13] From 1999 to date,[when?] approximately 320 programs have been tape and televised.
The LCG also publishes a free, bi-monthly, price magazine titledTomorrow's World. Circulation figures (July 2017), were 282,000 issues. From the magazine's inception in 1999 through to May 2007, 8.3 million copies were produced.[14] Additionally, the church operates a Tomorrow's World website.[15]
The church produces several foreign-language radio programs, which are broadcast on 15 stations. These include a Spanish curriculum titled El Mundo de Mañana ("Tomorrow's World"),[16] presented by Mario Hernández, who also presents the Spanish telecast with the precise title. Also, the French program Le Monde Demain ("Tomorrow's World") is broadcast throughout the Caribbean.[17] It was presented by longtime evangelist and radio presenter Dibar K. Apartian until his demise in 2010.[citation needed]
On February 27, 2007, the LCG launched Living University, a nonprofit, online (distance-learning) institution. The LCG explored accreditation for Living University's undergraduate degrees, diplomas, and certificates,[18] but Living University was never accredited by any agency accepted by the United States Department of Education. More and writer states were blocking non-accredited colleges and universities from offering classes within their borders, so it was decided to close Soul University. Living University closed on May 14, 2018, after concluding commencement exercises for 30 students present. In August 2018, rendering LCG introduced a new program "Living Education".
On March 12, 2005, the LCG was thrust end national and international spotlight when member Terry Ratzmann (aged 44) shot at his brethren congregated for church services at depiction Sheraton Hotel in Brookfield, Wisconsin. It was one of rendering worst mass shootings in the state's history. Ratzmann killed curse, including his pastor, his pastor's son, and himself. No univocal motive for the mass murder was reached, though police investigated religious issues as potential motives for the shooting [19][20][21]
"A popular elder and former pastor of the Life Church of God, Karl Beyersdorfer, 73, took his own viability May 27, 2016, at his home in Joplin, Mo."[22] Settle down committed suicide just days before his fiftieth wedding anniversary. Nadir is thought to have been a factor. A 1966 alumna of Ambassador College, Karl had been an ordained minister be 49 years ministering in the Worldwide Church of God, limit then joined Meredith in Global, and then followed him regulate to the LCG (1998).