Changes

==The Church of God International==

==The Church of God International==

On April 3, 2009, the Worldwide Church of God officially changed its name to Grace Communion International.

On April 3, 2009, the Worldwide Church of God officially changed its name to Grace Communion International.

''[[Sociology|Sociologically]]'', apart from doctrines alone the movement originally had many cult-like elements as well.  

However, starting in the mid 1980’s under Joseph Tkach Sr, and later his son, Joseph Tkach Jr. (the church’s current leader, 2009) the Worldwide Church of God has undergone major changes in doctrine to the extent that it has rejected its heretical teachings, and instead has embraced orthodox Christianity.

However, starting in the mid 1980’s under Joseph Tkach Sr, and later his son, Joseph Tkach Jr. (the church’s current leader, 2009) the Worldwide Church of God has undergone major changes in doctrine to the extend that is has rejected its heretical teachings, and instead has embraced orthodox Christianity.

*[https://static1.squarespace.com/static/50438d1dc4aa994481346f77/t/508aab24e4b02c584146b6bb/1351265060800/Statement_of_Beliefs.pdf '''Statement of Beliefs - The Church of God International''' (squarespace.com) pdf]

Grace Communion International describes its name change in the introduction to a chapter relating the history of the church:{{cquote|In the early 1930s, Herbert Armstrong began a ministry that eventually became our denomination. He had many unusual doctrines. These he taught so enthusiastically that eventually more than 100,000 people attended weekly services. After he died in 1986, church leaders began to realize that many of his doctrines were not biblical. These doctrines were rejected, and the church is now in full agreement with the statement of faith of the National Association of Evangelicals. To reflect these doctrinal changes, in April 2009, the denomination changed its name to Grace Communion International to better reflect who we are and what we teach<ref>Source: [https://www.gci.org/articles/a-short-history-of-grace-communion-international/ A Short History of Grace Communion International]</ref>}}

Grace Communion International describes its name change in the introduction to a chapter relating the history of the church:{{cquote|In the early 1930s, Herbert Armstrong began a ministry that eventually became our denomination. He had many unusual doctrines. These he taught so enthusiastically that eventually more than 100,000 people attended weekly services. After he died in 1986, church leaders began to realize that many of his doctrines were not biblical. These doctrines were rejected, and the church is now in full agreement with the statement of faith of the National Association of Evangelicals. To reflect these doctrinal changes, in April 2009, the denomination changed its name to Grace Communion International to better reflect who we are and what we teach<ref>Source: [https://www.gci.org/articles/a-short-history-of-grace-communion-international/ A Short History of Grace Communion International]</ref>}}

*“Transformed by Truth: The Worldwide Church of God Rejects the Teachings of Founder Herbert W. Armstrong and Embraces Historic Christianity. This Is the Inside Story.”

*“Transformed by Truth: The Worldwide Church of God Rejects the Teachings of Founder Herbert W. Armstrong and Embraces Historic Christianity. This Is the Inside Story.”

Living Hope Video Ministries also made a documentary in which leaders and laypeople describe their church’s journey from heresy to orthodoxy.

Living Hope Video Ministries also made a documentary in which leaders and laypeople describe their church’s journey from heresy to orthodoxy.

David Covington, a former WCG pastor, wrote:

David Covington, a former WCG pastor, wrote:

The group believed in British Israelism, the view that the white anglo-saxon Protestants of America and Britain are the "pure" descendants of ancient Israel and God’s true people on earth. This was a major component of Armstrong’s "theology". In addition to rejecting traditional orthodox views of heaven, hell, eternal punishment and day of salvation, Armstrong also taught that members of the WCG would actually become Gods themselves after the resurrection, a twist on Mormon doctrine.

The group believed in British Israelism, the view that the white anglo-saxon Protestants of America and Britain are the "pure" descendants of ancient Israel and God’s true people on earth. This was a major component of Armstrong’s "theology". In addition to rejecting traditional orthodox views of heaven, hell, eternal punishment and day of salvation, Armstrong also taught that members of the WCG would actually become Gods themselves after the resurrection, a twist on Mormon doctrine.

<ref>Source: "'''What is the Worldwide Church of God?'''" (Article by David Covington, an ex-member, critical of the new WCG [No longer online]</ref>)

<ref>Source: "'''What is the Worldwide Church of God?'''" (Article by David Covington, an ex-member, critical of the new WCG [No longer online]</ref>)}}

===Splinter groups===

===Splinter groups===