Church of the Great God

By COGwriter

Church of the Great God (CGG) is ran by John Ritenbaugh. Like most of those not affiliated with the Living Church of God (LCG), he does not place his group's top priority on proclaiming the Gospel. Unlike some of the other groups, he originally seemed to consider that to be one of the best things about his group.

This article includes quotes from CGG as well as comments which show that CGG has departed from "the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints' (Jude 3).

It should be pointed out that CGG changed a little, so some of the quotes here seem outdated as CGG has decided to place a bit more emphasis on gospel proclamation now than it did its first decade or so of existence.

CGG's Original Statement of Purpose

"Feeding the flock was always the first function of the priesthood of the Old Covenant church, and continues as the first function of the ministry of the New Covenant church...

A subtle danger lurks when preaching the gospel to the world is the main focus. Though the individual member may feel good that he is doing something as part of a visible work, he may in reality be lured into neglecting his most important responsibilities: overcoming and presenting a godly personal witness to the world. The busyness of doing an external work subtly becomes equated with righteousness. Improving statistics become the measure of growth. As the body "grows," the need to eradicate sin seems to disappear. It seems as though "saving" other people is easier than working on the self. But we need to work hard at casting the beam out of our own eye before we start telling others of their problems (Matthew 7:1-5)...

Most of us have our spiritual heritage firmly anchored in the ministry of Herbert W. Armstrong. We owe very much of what we know and what we have become to God’s working through him. But he claimed that no man taught him. In a long letter to brethren and co-workers he states, "No man taught me these truths. As the original apostles were taught by Jesus in person, so was I taught by Jesus Christ in writing. It is the same word—the same teaching" (March 19, 1981, p. 5). He did not mean that he did not read or research into other men’s writings on biblical topics, but that spiritual truth and understanding always came out of God’s Word. A little later in the letter he adds, "He used me in building the Philadelphia era of His church—and in proclaiming His gospel in all the world! . . . God has never removed a man called to a specific leadership or assignment or commission until his mission is completed." Mark well his last statement. Mr. Armstrong’s mission is completed—it cannot be revived. The church’s mission has taken a turn...

I have repeatedly said that I am not against preaching the gospel to the world. However, apart from brief historical spurts, it has always been secondary to feeding the flock. It must be...

We are doing a work none of the major groups who have left the WCG in recent years is doing. In producing sermons, articles and booklets to feed converted people, we are teaching Christian living principles in a more detailed, specific and deeper way than others have attempted. Far from being self-centered, we are sharing what we have with others. The booklets and tapes are finding worldwide distribution. We are preaching the gospel!...

The term "evangelist" gradually changed from a function directed toward the world to a high office within the church. In this modern era, Herbert Armstrong, an apostle, did the public preaching, and evangelists administered internal church functions...

God does not seem to be blessing the attempts of others to preach to the world. Maybe the next effective public preaching will be that of the Two Witnesses" (Ritenbaugh J. Statement of Purpose. Forerunner magazine, June 1993).

"What makes the CGG different from other churches of God? Primarily our emphasis on "feeding the flock" (rather than preaching the gospel to the public)" (Frequently Asked Questions, 1st Question, CGG Web Site).

How Does CGG Claim to Differ from the Old WCG?

From CGG's website circa 1996,

"How do CGG’s beliefs and practices differ from what Herbert Armstrong taught and practiced?"

CGG's answer,"Very little, although we have made a few refinements, which are listed below:
We seek more input from the membership than was the practice of the WCG in times past.
We count Pentecost differently one year in nine, on average.
We teach that, at the least, the individual should mark the passages of the new moons, though no specific service for this festival is outlined in the Bible.
On the issue of divorce, we define porneia to be sexual immorality, that is, fornication as well as adultery and other sex sins.
Our perception of prophecy, though based on the model given to us by Herbert Armstrong, is slowly changing as events add details to what we know. The details and types will come clear in ways we cannot expect him to have imagined."

I disagree with the 'very little' comment. Not only does CGG do new moons and count Pentecost differently, as mentioned before CGG has changed the emphasis from proclaiming the Gospel to "feeding the flock". Thus, CGG is very different from WCG under Herbert Armstong.

But in 2008, its answer is a bit different than what it had before:

How do CGG’s beliefs and practices differ from what Herbert Armstrong taught and practiced?

Very little, although we have made a few refinements, which are listed below:

• We place a greater emphasis on "feeding the flock," that is, instructing our members in "the whole counsel of God" (Acts 20:27). We proclaim the same gospel of the Kingdom of God that Jesus did (Mark 1:14-15), primarily through our various Internet sites.
• Though we employ a similar organizational structure, we seek more input from the membership than was the practice of the WCG in times past.
• We count Pentecost differently one year in nine, on average, when Passover falls on a weekly Sabbath.
• We acknowledge that having faith in God for healing does not preclude the use of medical expertise to return to health.
• On the issue of divorce, we define porneia broadly, as "sexual immorality" of all kinds, that is, fornication as well as adultery and other sex sins.
• We teach that a Christian should note the passage of the new moons, as they are key in determining God's Holy Days on the Hebrew calendar. The Bible outlines no specific, commanded service for this festival.
• Our perception of prophecy, though based on the model given to us by Herbert Armstrong, is slowly changing as events add to what we know. The details and types will come clear in ways we cannot expect him to have imagined due to the passage of time.

Thus, there is inclusion that gospel proclamation has become a higher priority for CGG than before, but instead of spending for media such as television, it seems to prefer the internet.

In this respect, CGG is a bit like David Pack's Restored Church of God (RCG). RCG originally did not believe that gospel proclamation should be a top priority, but now it to uses the internet. Apparently, after a while, congregations and their leaders possibly decide that perhaps a church should try to reach others.

In CGG's December 2007 ministerial conference, public proclamation seemed to be one of the main subjects, hence the emphasis of CGG seems to have changed, as did the answer to the above questions.

What About Herbert W. Armstrong?

CGG, like many in order to justify not doing the work of proclaiming the Gospel of the Kingdom as a witness, raised several arguments concerning Herbert Armstrong finishing the work.

Others have mentioned this quote, "Also a door was to be opened for this leader and/or the Philadelphia era of the Church to fulfill Matthew 24:14: 'And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached to all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then the end shall come'...These prophecies have definitely been fulfilled" (Mystery of the Ages, p.291). From this (and similar statements) CGG and others have argued that Mr. Armstrong felt that the preaching work was finished. That is simply incorrect.

If this quote, which was published in 1985, meant that Mr. Armstrong felt the preaching work was finished, one would expect that he would have gone off all television and radio stations then. Instead, he remained on them until he died. His last letter stated,

"It may be that the Work that God has given me to do is complete, but not the Work of God's Church, which will be faithfully doing God's Work till Christ, the True Head of this Church, returns...Remember brethren, this is not the work of Herbert W. Armstrong...The greatest work lies ahead...Never before in the history of the Church has it been possible to reap so great a harvest. It has only been made possible through modern technology, beginning with the printing press, radio, television...Each of you must commit yourself to support God's Work...God's work must push ahead as never before. God is opening up new doors in television" (Letter, 1/10/86). (Note: Comments about Aaron Dean and this letter are included in the article Should the Church Still Try to Place its Top Priority on the Work of Proclaiming the Gospel or Did Herbert Armstrong Change that Priority?).

And to be sure that this portion of the work would continue after he died, Herbert Armstrong insured that there were other men designated to continue to make television programs after his death. One of those men was evangelist Richard Ames, who remains faithful to this mission to this day, as he is still making television programs to proclaim the Gospel at LCG! Another evangelist who was preaching the gospel in the French language while Mr. Armstrong was alive, Dibar Apartian, continues to preach it with LCG to this day. When I asked him if Mr. Armstrong told him to stop doing this in the event of his death, Mr. Apartian responded, "To the contrary, he told me he wanted me to go on more stations". This concept is confirmed by Mr. Armstrong in his third to last letter, "I thank God that he has organized this present work of his so thoroughly that regardless of the outcome of my present illness, the work will continue right on to the Second Coming of Christ" (Letter dated 12/23/85). Thus it seems clear that Mr. Armstrong felt that he was the leader of the Philadelphia era, but that if he died prior to the time of the end, that he considered that the Church should continue to preach the gospel to the world!

Another problem with CGG and others who have taken some of Mr. Armstrong's quotes out of context, is that while it is true Mr. Armstrong seemed to feel that he personally succeeded in preaching the gospel of the kingdom to all the world as a witness, it is not true that he felt the true Church should stop placing its top priority on proclaiming. For example, in what appears to be the second to the last letter from Mr Armstrong, he wrote, "It is now true that this Gospel has been proclaimed within every nation on earth by the Worldwide Church of God" (Letter 1/86). He then listed that 90 million booklets, magazines, articles, and correspondence course lessons had been sent out in 1985 (and never mention the Worldwide News which was for members only). Instead of suggesting that the publishing portion of the work was over, he wrote (in the same letter), "Now let's keep it up in 1986!" (Letter 1/86).

But the fact is that Herbert W. Armstrong taught the the work of proclaiming the gospel to the world as a witness was to continue by the Church until 45 days prior to the abomination of desolation spoken of in Daniel 11:31, essentially about the time the Philadelphia portion of the church is to flee to a place of safety. Notice two quotes that prove this:

And the abomination that maketh desolate set up." What is this abomination? This refers to Daniel 11:31 and Matthew 24:15...From this time (Daniel 12:11) to Christ's coming will be 1290 days. Now, verse 12, "Blessed is he that waiteth, and comes to the 1335 days." Never before have we understood these periods of 1260, 1290. and 1335 days. But it seems evident, now, a blessing is pronounced on us--GOD"S CHURCH--who wait and endure until the 1335 days--approximately 1335 days prior to Christ's coming. But since no one can know the day or hour of His coming, we probably shall not be able to know the exact day this 1335 days begins. But apparently that is the time when OUR WORK SHALL END. That will be a time when the UNITED Europe shall appear--the revival of the medieval "Holy Roman Empire." We shall then be warned, and readied to be taken to a place of refuge and safety from the Great Tribulation. Forty-five days later "the beasts armies" will surround Jerusalem. Thirty days later the Great Tribulation will probably start with a nuclear attack on London and Britain--and possibly the same day or immediately after, on the United States and Canadian cities. The GREAT TRIBULATION, we shall fully then realize, is the time of "Jacob's Trouble," spoken of in Jeremiah 30:7. And Jacob's name was named on Joseph's sons, Ephraim and Manasseh (Gen. 48:16). At that time a third of the people in our nations will die, or shall have died, by famine and disease epidemics; another third will dies of the war--our cities being destroyed (Ezek. 6:6), and the remaining third will be carried to the land of our enemies as slaves (Ezek. 5:12). Armstrong HW. The Time We Are In, Now. Pastor General's Report-Vol 1, No. 15, November 20, 1979, Page 2).

"Revelation 3:7-13 'And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth.' The great door that God has opened to this work is the facility to go into all the world and preach the gospel; the door of radio, the door of the printing press, plus many other such doors. God has set before us an open door that no man can shut it, and He will when the work is finished and the Philadelphia Church goes to a place of safety" (What is the "Laodicean Church"? Plain Truth. August 1959, p.10).

It should be noted that biblically speaking, the great task of making the Bride ready immediately before the return of Jesus Christ will completed by the Sardisians and the Laodicean's going through the tribulation (Revelation 3:3;18-19;12-17) and the Philadelphians (Revelation 3:10) being trained at a place in the wilderness (Revelation 12:14-16; called in COG circles, The Place of Safety).

"to provide the first actual harvest of mortal human beings" (Mystery of the Ages, pp.206, 232). How can this be done if the gospel is not being proclaimed? Mr. Armstrong wrote, "God has given his Church dual responsibility: 1) 'Go ye into all the world' and proclaim the good news--announcement--of the coming kingdom of God. 2) 'Feed my sheep'. But in feeding the 'sheep', developing in them God's spiritual character, God has given them their part in supporting, backing up, the great commission: 'Go ye in into all the world' "(Mystery of the Ages, p.265).

Church of the Great God emphasizes "feeding the flock," though the ministry recognizes the responsibility of the church to preach the gospel to the world too. There are several reasons for choosing this course.

1. Those coming out of the WCG, including the ministry, have been badly damaged spiritually. Why would God want to bring people into yet another church that was also lacking His Spirit and love? Therefore, to restore people's relationship with God, feeding the flock became the top priority of the church.
2. The ministry sought to avoid being presumptuous by appointing themselves to do the preaching of the gospel to the world, suggesting that they are Herbert Armstrong's successors (Jeremiah 23:21-22). God is fully capable of letting His true ministers know when He wants them to do something in this area. (http://cgg.org/index.cfm/fuseaction/About.history 04/17/07)

Let us read what Mr. Armstrong actually wrote on this subject, "evangelists were used in carrying forth the message. Other leaders--ordained ministers--were stationary, yet even the local pastor of a church may hold evangelistic services in his area--not the 'soul-saving crusade' type, but lectures announcing and proclaiming as a witness the coming kingdom of God (the true gospel)! This entire great commission--proclaiming the good news of the coming kingdom, and 'feeding the sheep'--is a combined administration and function of the Church. The individual lay member has his vital part in proclaiming the good news (gospel) to the world...it is done also by radio and television and in print" (Mystery of the Ages, pp.265-266).

I would state that it is NOT presumptuous for evangelists like Richard Ames and Dibar Apartian would continue to publicly proclaim the gospel the same way Herbert Armstrong had them do. Sadly, CGG, and many other groups simply wish to reason around the truth here.

But What Did Jesus Teach?

While it is clear that Herbert Armstrong thought the Church should place its highest priority on proclaiming the Gospel, Christians are to be followers of Jesus Christ. As Mr. Armstrong mentioned, Jesus said to get the Gospel out.

In the parable of the talents (Matthew 25:14-30), talents were given to the servants "according to his own ability" (vs. 15). The one with the least ability reasoned that the best thing he could do was to hide the talent and return it when the master returned. Instead of praising him, the master, "answered and said to him, 'You wicked and lazy servant...Therefore take the talent from him, and give it to him who has ten talents. For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away. And cast the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth' " (vs. 26, 28-30). Jesus does not want us to be unprofitable servants, even if we have the least amount of talents He expects us to do our part in supporting the work.

Another interesting view is the story which immediately follows the one about the talents (Matthew 25:31-46). "When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory. All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats. And He will set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left...Then they also will answer Him, saying, 'Lord, when did we see You hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to You?' Then He will answer them, saying, 'Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me' " (vs. 31-33, 44-46). These are people who said they would have done the work if they understood that is what Jesus wanted, however they did not minister to those Jesus wanted them to minister to.

"And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached to all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then the end shall come" (Matthew 24:14). The end has not yet come. Jesus also does not want us to give up early, "Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect. Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his master made ruler over his household, to give them food in due season? Blessed is that servant whom his master, when he comes, will find so doing" (Matthew 24:44-46).

There is another place in the Bible I found where people felt they needed to take care of themselves as first priority instead of doing the work. It is in the book of Haggai: "Then the word of the LORD came by Haggai saying, 'Is it time for you yourselves to dwell in paneled houses, and this temple to lie in ruins?' " (Hag 1:3-4). God felt they should do His work first, " 'You looked for much, but indeed it came to little; and when you brought it home, I blew it away. Why?' says the LORD of hosts. 'Because my house is in ruins, while every one of you runs his own house' " (Hag 1:9-10). This second temple may be analagous for the need to do the work of proclaiming the Gospel to the world as a witness after the dismantling of the prior efforts. It appears that God says He will not bless those who take care of themselves instead of doing God's work.

Lack of high rank is not an excuse. God used a deacon (Stephen), one who was only supposed to serve tables, to get His message out and even get a vision from God (Acts 6-7).

What About 'Feeding the Flock'?

CGG, like some others, claim that they do not need to place a priority on proclaiming the Gospel of the kingdom to the world as witness, they claim they are tasked primarily with 'feeding the flock'. It would seem, however, that to attempt to get the bride ready with an inward focus, instead of an outward focus to proclaim the Gospel, leads to a somewhat selfish bride.

Jesus, said, "And as you go, preach, saying, 'The kingdom of heaven is at hand.' Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons. Freely you have received, freely give" (Matthew 10:7-8). He did not say to stop giving after He died, to the contrary He taught, "And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, 'All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, Teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you and lo, I am with you always even to the end of the age' " (Matthew 28:18-20). Notice that Jesus told the disciples to do both, as Mr. Armstrong also wrote, but to first go to all the nations.

Those who do not believe that proclaiming the gospel should be an extremely high priority would do well to read these passages from James, "But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves" (James 1:22) and "Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. But someone will say, 'You have faith, and I have works.' Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe--and tremble! But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead?" (James 2:17-20).

Some who do not believe the preaching work is necessary often focus on this verse, "Let us be glad and rejoice and give Him glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His wife has made herself ready" (Rev 19:7). They seem to feel that making themselves ready should now be the goal of the Church. But, when Jesus was asked about the sign of His coming, His focus was to preach to the nations, then the end would come (Matthew 24:14)--He did not say to stop doing the work after any man died and then just take care of one's self. Jesus also said, "For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel's will save it" (Mark 8:35).

Feeding the Flock

LCG does 'feed the flock'. The Living Church News, Sabbath services, video/cassette sermons, annual Holy Day services, Living Youth Camp, maintaining a field ministry, providing 2nd and 3rd tithe assistance, member letters, weekly updates, a members' portion of its web site, contending "earnestly for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints" (Jude 3) and many other such things demonstrate that LCG is trying to 'feed the flock'. LCG's emphasis on 'servant leadership' and attempting to 'restore apostolic Christianity' also shows it is trying to 'feed the flock' as well.

The fact that LCG is on approximately 200 television and 18 radio stations in 18 countries and spends the same percentage of its income to proclaim the full gospel as HWA's WCG did. Its financial priorities prove that LCG believes "the primary function of the true Church of God is to GO to all nations and preach the same powerful message Jesus preached about the coming Kingdom of God!" (Meredith, Roderick C. Should You Be Baptized? Booklet. 1999; p. 17).

The fact that Jesus set that as the priority shows that LCG's priorities are biblical. The fact that these priorities were repeatedly confirmed in writing (and deed) by Herbert Armstrong shows that he also did not feel that the priority of proclaiming the Gospel was changed by his death.

The fact is that LCG has been effective in public proclamation shows that CGG's position on this is in error.

The fact that CGG does not accept this priority should be a warning message to all who understand their Bibles. An article of related interest may be There Are Many COGs, Why Support LCG?

"John Ritenbaugh focuses upon the precarious relationship existing between God and the modern descendants of Abraham. Sadly, modern Israel (largely composed of America and the British Commonwealth) has earned (breaking, through her spiritual fornication and idolatry, the marriage covenant with God) the label,"Babylon the Great" — the "Great Whore" of Revelation 17 and 18 - a powerful global merchandizing and economic entity. We desperately need to spiritually extricate ourselves from the Babylonish system that threatens to enslave us. No other nation fits the description of the great whore more than self-absorbed modern Israel - sitting complacently in the position of a pampered leader arrogantly holding (temporarily anyway) the Beast (consisting of multiple gentile nations) in check- unfortunately setting the standards of immorality for the entire world. At the end time, the bulk of the church is being called out of the decadent House of Joseph (Ephraim and Manasseh). " (Ritenbaugh J. Where is the Beast (part 8)? Abstract of Sermon transcript, 8/16/2003).

"Many have put forth explanations for both the early and the late methods, but this article will answer those arguments for the late method put forth by a Bible study given by John Ritenbaugh on August 26, 2000 (similar material was covered in his article in the December 2000 Forerunner magazine, published by the Church of the Great God, PO Box 471846; 800-878-8220 / 803-802-7075; www.cgg.org). In this study he explained his belief that in 2001 the majority of the Church of God will be keeping Pentecost one week too early. Mr Ritenbaugh referred to the changes that the Worldwide Church of God made in 1974 on the counting of Pentecost. While he agrees with the WCG change from Monday to Sunday, he feels that the change from the late to the early method of counting Pentecost in these unusual years was wrong. He even speculates that this later change was made without Herbert Armstrong’s knowledge and approval. Whether or not he was aware of the change, Herbert Armstrong and the WCG (including Mr Ritenbaugh) kept Pentecost using the early method in 1974, 1977 and 1981. Mr Ritenbaugh changed back to the late method in 1994. This places Mr Ritenbaugh in sync with the Roman Catholics for counting Pentecost, and at odds with the majority of Church of God groups which use the early method. I will be the first to state that the majority is not always right, and majority opinion constitutes no proof whatsoever. But in this case, I will say that the weight of Scriptural evidence shows that the early method is correct" (Beattie, Sanford. Counting Pentecost in 2001. Servant's News, Jan/Feb 2001, p.12).

CGG is small in membership, with about 400 persons attending services each week in about 50 small groups in the United States, Canada, and Port of Spain, Trinidad. Other smaller groups are located in France, the Netherlands, the Philippines, Australia, South Africa, and Zambia. Membership growth is slow, primarily due to the emphasis upon "feeding the flock" with little effort to proselytize new members, except through their websites. The church indicates it has "over 1,500 people" on their active postal mailing list, and over 30,000 subscribers to their daily email newsletter (The Berean: Daily Verse and Comment). An indeterminable number attend virtual Sabbath services at home each week by listening to the Charlotte, North Carolina, congregation's services via live Windows Media and RealAudio stream.

Laodicean Warning for God's People If you have read this far you are probably a current or former member of one of the Churches of God and may be interested in reading this warning article.

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