PCG’s institutional cognitive dissonance is fully on display and documented on its website for everyone to see, including members.
I’d encourage members to grab a Bible and attempt to reconcile the PCG’s mission statement with what’s written in the Bible (factual reminder that the PCG has never given out a single Bible as part of its corporate acts of service to the public).
Really quick, let’s check in with the words of Jesus as to what the instructions were to the Church:
“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;” (Matthew 18:19-20 NKJV)
The PCG version in its published Statement of Beliefs sounds good, but is not the same: “…we are to proclaim to the world, as a witness, the good news of the coming Kingdom of God.”
Completely missing: making disciples, baptizing, and teaching Christ’s commands.
Then they start deviating a little further off the trail: “The purpose of the Philadelphia Church of God is to preach, promote and advance the spiritual teachings of the Church.”
Huh? That’s weird. Wouldn’t the church promote the teachings of Jesus Christ, its Head, as taught in the Word of God?
OK, what are the teachings of the PCG? Actually they hide those behind the membership wall. You don’t get to hear the weekly teachings of the PCG unless you’re allowed to become a member of their “church.” In fact, you can’t just show up and attend a service. You have to contact a [PCG] minister, read their propaganda, agree with it, and then be invited. Hmmm, that doesn’t sound biblical.
Well, what do they DO?
They offer a 7-point bulleted list of largely vague administrative activities. What they don’t tell the reader is that virtually everything listed is exclusively for “church” members. The insular group exists to maintain itself — much like big government. (The few public-oriented activities, like its Cultural Foundation performances, are pay to play. That’s right, you have to buy tickets.)
If you think that’s a stretch, just look at this statement of belief:
“Only God can cause a person to become a member of the Church; therefore, we do not proselytize for members by any means.”
That’s why they don’t make disciples, baptize, etc. They don’t believe God is adding to the church, even though millions around the world are learning of and confessing Christ as their Lord and Savior.
The PCG also obfuscates the doctrines it purports to uphold. Just one example from its list of doctrines:
“We believe in the imminent return of Jesus Christ to rule the Earth as King of kings and Lord of lords (Revelation 19:16); that at that time He will sit upon the throne of David, restoring all things during a thousand-year reign upon Earth and establishing the Kingdom of God, forever to be headquartered on Earth.”
Sounds good, but here’s what they don’t tell you: the PCG teaches as biblical doctrine that its founder, Gerald Flurry, is the current King of England, and sits on that throne, which the PCG believes it possesses (a rock they found in a field in the northwestern U.S. and hauled to Edmond, Oklahoma). [Read: Gerald Flurry Finds Herbert Armstrong’s Prayer Rock!] That doesn’t seem biblical.
The PCG has a good-looking facade, but the realities of its actions, teachings, doctrines, and beliefs don’t at all resemble what they say. And none of it comports with what’s written in the Bible.
By Clay (former member of PCG)
May 3, 2026
Related Material:
Gerald Flurry: New King of England?
Do I need to be water baptized? by Shawn Brasseaux [offsite article]
Philadelphia Church of God Info (History, teachings, destructive methods)] Link now working.