Grace Communion International

[WillSingForCake]

One of my friends has recently got heavily involved in Grace Communion International, which appears to be quite an evangelical branch of Christianity. She is dedicating more and more of her time to them, and is losing touch with old friends, which made me feel a bit sceptical. Have done a bit of reading on the Internet and found they were the renamed Worldwide Church of God which had a bad reputation for cult-like behaviour?

Does anyone have any experience of Grace Communion International? I don't mean to offend anyone, just a bit worried for my friend.

Many thanks.

[MaryBS]

You could try asking on the website Ship of Fools. Someone there I think would be able to help. Is this in the UK or elsewhere?

[JeanBodel]

Just seen your post.

Worldwide Church of God was a very unhealthy sect.

Some changes have been made but not enough, imo, for them to be a good option for your friend. I would do everything in your power to detach her. You would probably find it useful to read up on cults & how they operate because you may notice this happening to your friend. Losing touch with friends outside the cult is one of the first symptoms.

[CaptainHoratioWragge]

I have no experience of Grace Communion International, but do have some of the Wordwide Church of God, ( a friend joined and was sucked in for several years).
It is NOT a denomintion of Christianity but a cult.
You sound like a very nice friend- if she will nto listen to your concerns, just try hard to keep the lines of comunication open so you can support her when she wants to get out.
I also agree posting on ship of fools might get you some more help.

[WillSingForCake]

Sorry for the slow reply, only just seen your replies. Very interesting, and also very worrying. Thank you for your help, will post on Ship of Fools too.

[redlady60]

You'll pardon me, please, as I only recently found this website. I am personally very familiar with Grace Communion International. This church is an evangelical, grace based congregation. GCI is a proud member of mainstream Evangelical Christianity through the NAE. The GCI fellowship preaches the gospel of Christ crucified, and risen to save all mankind. Their focus is on Christ's love, mercy and forgiveness, with a solid belief in the trinity. In the late 90's, the former Worlwide Church of God's leadership was brought to repentance from observing many Old Covenant teachings toward observance of New Covenant teachings of Christ, through repentence. The repentance of a church from the leadership down is historical in itself and speaks to God's power to change the hearts of man. Repentance was brought about through conviction of scripture and prayers of other concerned Christians. The name change to Grace Communion International was given in order to better reflect it's strong Christ focused ministry. GCI is a loving congregation with compassionate leadership. Don't worry, your friend is safe!

[redlady60]

Grace Communion International is a member of the NAE. GCI's focus is on Christ's love, mercy and forgiveness of sins. This congregation was brought to repentence in the late 90's from Old Covenant teachings to the new Covenant teachings of Christ and the acceptance of the trinity. Formerly know as Worldwide Church of God, GCI is firmly established as a warm, caring evangelical fellowship. Don't worry, your friend is safe!

[bigbluestars]

Thanks for that redlady.

OP- Yup- definitely sounds like a cult.

[redlady60]

to big blue stars: What is your definition of a cult? If anything in the above message reflects a cult, then I fear that all evangelical, Christ preaching churches are doomed to bear the title of "cult". That would include Baptist, Foursquare, Methodist, Lutheran and many other mainstream Christian churches. To judge Grace Communion (GCI) only by it's roots is unfair in the extreme. Factual info on the very real doctrinal changes toward evangelical Christianity may be found on the Grace Communion International site. The doctrinal changes toward the simple gospel of Jesus Christ is nothing short of miraculous. These doctrinal changes may be researched in the revised and updated edition of the "The Kingdom of the Cults" by Walter Martin. Assuming you are a fair minded individual, you will research the facts for yourself.

[Allthingsloving]

Can I please share my personal experience. I grew up in the world wide church of god, they were a cult who encouraged you not go have any contact with people who were outwith the church. I left aged 20 and swore that I would never go to another church or bring my children up in a church. 20 years later I came across a few people from church and after a few life events was asked if I wanted to go along to the new Grace communion . As I still had a faith I decided to go. The changes are so dramatic ( and changes are still happening) with a focus on grace and love and are properly regulated. I have now been going for 4 years and I have to say that because of the harsh past and living through such drastic changes it has created a very empathetic and loving congregation. You have nothing to fear for your friend but do find out why she’s moving away from her friends because grace communion do not endorse this. Maybe ask your friend if you can go with her to support her choice....you know what we are like in the western world talking about a relationship with God is not always an easy thing to discuss and she might be feeling awkward.