The Church of God, a Worldwide Association is one of several Sabbatarian Christian associations that evolved from the teachings of Herbert W. Armstrong and his Worldwide Church of God.
Organized by more than half of the pastors of the United Church of God, and International Association, who resigned in 2010 to reorganize as the Church of God, a Worldwide Association, COGWA was officially formed in 2011.
The Church of God, a Worldwide Association bases its doctrine on both the Old and New Testaments.
Its distinctive doctrines include the belief that God the Father and Jesus Christ are separate entities who make up the family of God, and that the Holy Spirit represents the power of God, and is not an actual entity. Therefore, COGWA is considered a non-Trinitiarian Christian church.
COGWA also holds that Christians are obligated to keep the Ten Commandments, including the Fourth Commandment, which requires the observance of the seventh-day Sabbath. Members are not to work or take part in recreational activities from sunset on Friday to sunset on Saturday, but are to assemble for church services.
Members of the Church of God, a Worldwide Association observe the seven annual festivals described in Leviticus 23, and also set aside a festival tithe of 10% of their income on top of the regular tithe. COGWA members do not observe the traditional holidays of Easter and Christmas, holding that these have pagan origins.
The church holds that meats that are considered unclean in the Bible are not to be eaten today. The Bible specifies those meats that are to be considered clean or unclean.
The Church of God, a Worldwide Association practices baptism by immersion in water after repentence. This symbolizes the forgiveness of sin, the burial of the old man, and the beginning of a new life in Christ. Repentent believers receive the gift of the Holy Spirit through prayer and the laying on of hands, becoming part of the spiritual Body of Jesus Christ. Those who have repented, been baptized, and have yielded to the lead of the Holy Spirit, experience a tangible change in their life, attitude, and way of thinking.
Members believe that people do not go to heaven or hell upon death, but that they remain in an unconscious state awaiting a future resurrection. They believe that this will occur after a visible, pre-millennial return of Jesus Christ, which will begin the establishment of His kingdom on earth, beginning with a thousand-year reign of Jesus Christ on earth.
They believe that there will be three future resurrection periods for those who have died. Upon the return of Christ, the faithful will rise from their graves and, along with the living faithful, they will be changed into immortal, spirit beings. After the thousand-year reign of Christ on earth, a second resurrection will include the majority of those who have ever lived. These people will be given an opportunity to hear, understand, and respond to the call of God. If converted, they will enjoy eternal life. A third resurrection will be for the incorrigible, who will experience a brief moment of consciousness, in which they will receive the judgment of God, which will be destruction in a lake of fire. This resurrection will be for those who have rejected God's offer of salvation.
Members of COGWA do not serve in the military of any nation, or to take part in any other activities that allow human issues and concerns to distract them from their role as ambassadors for the coming Kingdom of God. Taking the life of a human being through military service is deemed murder.
The corporate headquarters of the Church of God, a Worldwide Association is in Allen, Texas.
The primary responsibilities of the church are believed to be twofold: to evangelize, or preach the gospel to the world, and to teach and serve its membership.
The focus of websites listed in this category should be on the Church of God, a Worldwide Association, as defined here. Appropriate topics include denominational websites or independent sites that focus on the COGWA organization, including those that might be critical of its doctrines or teachings. Sites representing local churches should be listed in the appropriate Local & Global category.
Recommended Resources
Church of God, A Worldwide Association
COGWA is one of several Sabbatarian Churches of God that was formed through the ministry of Herbert W. Armstrong. Formed in 2010, it broke away from the United Church of God, an International Association. Headquartered in Allen, Texas, the governing body’s website offers an overview of the church, its fundamental beliefs, organizational structure and leadership, congregations, and press releases.
https://cogwa.org/
Presented in English, Spanish, and French, the site is intended for members of the Church of God, a Worldwide Association, offering sermons, study papers, booklets, a Bible reading program, schedules and a calendar of events, as well as member news, announcements, blogs, organizational contacts, a directory of congregations, and a membership application. Links to other resource sites are included.
http://members.cogwa.org/
Operated through Foundation Outreach International, and associated with the Church of God, a Worldwide Association, the Embark Program is for high school seniors, college students, and young people beginning their first careers who would like to have a personal travel guide, taking them on seven journeys of travel, as well as ideas and advice from leaders from top universities, corporations, and others.
http://www.embarkprogram.org/
Affiliated with the Church of God, a Worldwide Association, the institute is a nine-month Bible study program, including discussion of how to incorporate Bible truths into everyday life. Courses include the Book of Acts, Daniel and Revelation, the Epistles of Paul, the General Epistles, Major and Minor Prophets, and a survey of the Gospels, as well as explaining the faith, the fundamental beliefs of the Church of God, and the principles of Christianity.
http://foundationinstitute.org/
Foundation Outreach International
The non-profit organization is affiliated with the Church of God, a Worldwide Association. Established in 2010 as International Ambassador Outreach, the organization takes on a number of projects, domestic and international, all of its work accomplished through volunteers. Its projects, scholarship programs, and information about becoming involved in its work are set forth, including volunteer opportunities, contributions, or fundraising.
http://www.foundationoutreachintl.org/
Sponsored by the Church of God, a Worldwide Association, Life, Hope & Truth publishes Discern, a bi-monthly magazine that offers articles and other features promoting the doctrine of the church, as well as Bible topics, relationships, and other features. Readers may subscribe to the magazine or download the current issue in PDF format. Other resources include shareable images, blogs, and featured articles from the magazine.
https://lifehopeandtruth.com/
