COGWA Now Lists 232 Congregations

The Church of God, a Worldwide Association (COGWA) updated its website today. As of 03/06/2011, COGWA listed 232 congregations with 109 in the USA and 123 international ones. COGWA is likely the third or fourth largest COG.

The United Church of God (UCG), the group that COGWA broke away from, is still the largest. The Living Church of God (LCG) is the second largest. Gerald Flurry’s improperly named Philadelphia Church of God (PCG) was third and still may be (PCG is not always public about its attendance figures, but until I see more attendance figures from COGWA, PCG still seems to be third largest). David Hulme’s COGaIC is probably fifth.

There has been a lull in the number of elders leaving UCG for COGWA in the past couple of weeks, so it may be that both groups will be better able to determine their sizes and how they will be able to manage their congregations. The world has not gotten any smaller, yet UCG/COGWA now have two sets of congregations to handle with the about the same number of elders that it handled their congregations when they were together prior to this split.

This crisis has been a real struggle for many of those in or once part of UCG as many on both sides seem to be offended by the actions of those on the other side. This split is also seems to be causing financial and organizational tensions for the two primary groups affected.

If you are or were part of UCG and are confused about what to do, please pray, fast, and study the Bible about this.

Ask yourself what are the true priorities that the Bible indicates that the church most faithful to the words of Jesus would do and act appropriately.

Some articles of possibly related interest may include:

Polycarp, Herbert W. Armstrong, and Roderick C. Meredith on Church Government What form of governance did the early church have? Was it hierarchical? Which form of governance would one expect to have in the Philadelphia remnant? The people decide and/or committee forms, odd dictatorships, or the same type that the Philadelphia era itself had?
Unity: Which COG for You? Why so many groups? Why is there lack of unity in the Churches of God? Has it always been this way? What can/should be done about it?
Differences between the Living Church of God and United Church of God This article provides quotes information from the two largest groups which had their origins in WCG as well as commentary.
There are Many COGs: Why Support the Living Church of God? This is an article for those who wish to more easily sort out the different COGs. It really should be a MUST READ for current and former WCG/GCI members or any interested in supporting the faithful church. It also explains a lot of what the COGs are all about.
Concerns about Church of God, a Worldwide Association This seems to be the largest group that came out of the United Church of God. Here is some history and concerns about it.
Should the Church Still Try to Place its Top Priority on Proclaiming the Gospel or Did Herbert W. Armstrong Change that Priority for the Work? Some say the Church should mainly feed the flock now as that is what Herbert W. Armstrong reportedly said. Is that what he said? Is that what the Bible says? What did Paul and Herbert W. Armstrong expect from evangelists?
The Laodicean Church Era has been predominant circa 1986 A.D. to present. These are non-Philadelphians who mainly descended from the old WCG.