Originally known as the Radio Church of God, and then the Worldwide Church of God, Grace Communion International is currently an evangelical Christian Protestant denomination, but it was one of the larger denominations to evolve from the Adventist Movement begun by Walter Miller in the 1930s.
As teachings about the Saturday Sabbath spread within the Adventist community, some accepted the Seventh-day Sabbatarian message but rejected the ministry of Ellen G. White. They also came to believe that the best name for a Christian church was the Church of God. The Adventist Churches of God remained small and splintered through the 1930s.
In 1934, An Adventist preacher by the name of Herbert W. Armstrong began a radio ministry that gained a large following and grew into the Radio Church of God. Armstrong retained the millennial message of the Adventist Movement, and taught a non-Trinitarian theology, a Saturday Sabbath, and the need to practice Hebrew festivals. Several meats were avoided as being unclean, and holidays like Halloween, Easter, and Christmas were not observed.
Added to his radio ministry was a television ministry, both of which had a large following, although his broadcast audience was much smaller than his church membership.
Church membership required attendance at an annual festival, the acceptance of a strict code of behavior, and tithing. Armstrong viewed himself as the apostle-messenger of the Last Days, and claimed absolute authority in matters of the church.
As the Radio Church of God became the Worldwide Church of God, it included several congregations, most of which worshipped in rented buildings or private homes rather than building worship facilities. Garner Ted Armstrong, the founder's son, became the main speaker on the radio and television shows. The church experienced significant growth from 1964 to 1974, but it encountered difficulties in the 1970s. Garner Ted Armstrong was disfellowshipped on four occasions for adultery. On top of these scandals, he took a portion of the membership with him in 1978 when he formed a rival congregation, the Church of God International, but it never flourished. The original church became more unstable when authorities took the side of former members who claimed that church finances were mismanaged.
The senior Armstrong died in 1986, leaving a church with a membership of 12,000, a $200-million budget, and a publication, Plain Truth, with a circulation of eight million copies a month. The Worldwide Church of God was an international ministry with churches in more than a hundred countries
Upon the death of Armstrong, the leadership of the church passed on to Joseph W. Tkach. He called for a review of the church's teachings, and soon began withdrawing some of the church's literature. One by one, the church abandoned all of Armstrong's unique teachings, then moved on to discard most of its Adventist theology and practices. By 1995, the church's theology was that of a mainstream evangelical Protestant church, and became a member of the National Association of Evangelicals. In keeping with its new identity, the church changed its name to Grace Communion International in 2009, although it remains the Worldwide Church of God in the United Kingdom and some other places.
The sharp changes that occurred in the church were not accepted by everyone, as might be expected. Approximately half of its membership has left, the majority joining one of three breakaway congregations: the United Church of God, the Global Church of God, or the Philadelphia Church of God. Other splinter groups include the Church of the Great God, the Living Church of God, the Church of God, the Eternal, the Restored Church of God, or the Church of God, a Worldwide Association. The United Church of God is the largest, but the Philadelphia Church of God most closely approximates the pre-1986 church.
Prior to the death of Herbert Armstrong, there were several splinter groups, the largest being those started by his son, Garner Ted Armstrong: the Church of God International and the Intercontinental Church of God.
Grace Communion International felt the effects of splintering. Hundreds of its paid staff were laid off, its radio, television and other programs were sharply cut back, and educational institution, Ambassador University, was closed in 1997, after having been in operation for more than fifty years. In 1996, Plain Truth Ministries, its publishing arm, separated and no longer has any legal connection to the church.
Topics related to the Radio Church of God, the Worldwide Church of God, or Grace Communion International are the focus of topics in this category. Websites representing individual local congregations should be listed in the appropriate Local & Global category, however. Sites offering a negative or critical view of the denomination may also be listed here.
Recommended Resources
Ambassador College of Christian Ministry
When Grace Communion International, then known as the Worldwide Church of God, was forced to close its regionally accredited Ambassador College, the church continued an educational program accredited through the denomination, offering diplomas in Christian Ministry, which includes nine courses, delivered online, with credit and non-credit options. Course outlines, student services, and contacts are featured.
http://www.ambascol.org/
Hosted by the North Central region of Grace Communion International - USA, Engage GCI is an annual four-day event held in the fall, beginning on a Thursday evening with a meet and greet, Friday and Saturday workshops and other sessions in the morning and fun and fellowship in the afternoon, a special event on Saturday evening, and a wrap-up worship service on Sunday. Event registrations, room reservations, and volunteer opportunities are put forth.
https://www.engagegci.org/
The monthly online magazine is published the first Wednesday of every month and designed to equip ministers of all types within the Grace Communion International denomination, including Revised Common Lectionary-synced sermons, challenges for church leaders, children’s ministry suggestions, and challenges for church leaders. Available through the site, the magazine may also be delivered by email. Archives are also available.
https://equipper.gci.org/
GenMin is the youth ministry arm of Grace Communion International in the United States. Its programs and services fall within three primary ministries: camps, mission trips, and leader development programs, each of which are highlighted here, along with its guiding beliefs and theological foundations. Available online are staff resources, age-related resources, study guides, testimonies, talents and ministry experiences.
http://www.generationsministries.org/
The international Christian fellowship is headquartered in North Carolina. GCI history is told, including the reasons why GCI has rejected many of the doctrines and teachings of its founder, Herbert Armstrong, and clarifies the differences between the Worldwide Church of God and Grace Communion International. A statement of faith, a directory of churches, and various church development and educational resources are included.
https://www.gci.org/
Affiliated with Grace Communion International, and located in Charlotte, North Carolina, Grace Communion Seminary offers two accredited degree, Master of Pastoral Studies and Master of Theological Studies. An academic catalog and student handbook, a description of its programs, course descriptions, schedule of courses, textbook prices, admissions policies, tuition and fees, and an online application are available.
https://www.gcs.edu/
The website for Grace Communion International in the United Kingdom and Ireland, also known as the Worldwide Church of God UK. A member of the Evangelical Alliance in the UK, CGI has several congregations in the UK and Ireland. Its mission, vision, and objectives are posted, along with a statement of beliefs, pastoral council, boards, and churches are identified, and photographs and publications are available for downloading.
http://www.gracecom.church/
