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For other organizations with the same name, see Church of God International (disambiguation).

For other uses, see Church of God (disambiguation).

Members Church of God International
Abbreviation	MCGI
Classification	Nontrinitarianism, Restorationism
Overall Servant (formerly "Presiding Minister")	Eliseo Soriano
Region	Philippines, International
Headquarters	ADD Convention Center, Brgy. Sampaloc, Apalit, Pampanga, Philippines
Founder	Nicolas Perez (claimed predecessor) Eliseo Soriano
Origin	April 20, 1980 Registered in the Philippines as Mga Kaanib Iglesia ng Dios kay Kristo Hesus, Haligi at Saligan ng Katotohanan sa Bansang Pilipinas (Members Church of God in Christ Jesus the Pillar and Ground of the Truth in the Philippines) Pampanga, Philippines
Separated from	Iglesia ng Dios kay Kristo Hesus Haligi at Suhay ng Katotohanan (Church of God in Christ Jesus the Pillar and Support of the Truth)
Congregations	1,360 as monitoring/coordinating centers
Aid organization	ADD Foundation International Kamanggagawa Foundation
Tertiary institutions	La Verdad Christian College
Other name(s)	Ang Dating Daan, ADD, MCGI
Publications	Bible (print) TOP Magazine (print) CX Blog (online)
Official website	www.mcgi.org

Members Church of God International, abbreviated as MCGI, is an international Christian religious organization with headquarters in the Philippines. It started as a small group with less than a hundred believers in 1977. It is popularly known in the Philippines as Ang Dating Daan (English: The Old Path; abbreviated as ADD), the title of its flagship radio and television program and currently the longest-running religious program in the Philippines with Eliseo Soriano as its "Overall Servant" (Former title: "Presiding Minister").

Members Church of God International believes that God the Father sent his son Jesus Christ, instrumental in the establishment of the Church of God, first planted in Jerusalem and preached by the Apostles. They believe that Gentile nations, including the Philippines, are partakers of the promise of eternal life, through belief in Jesus Christ and the Gospel and are not authorized by God to establish their own church, but mere members associated with the same body or the church written in the Gospel by accepting it and executing the doctrines written by the Apostles. They believe that it is the primary objective of church, as commanded by Jesus Christ, to propagate the Gospel unto all nations until the consummation of the ages, convert sinners to believe and glorify God and to make them qualify for life eternal in heaven.

Members Church of God International can be found in six inhabited continents of the world with more than 1,360established local congregations. Its flagship program Ang Dating Daan is being broadcast in more than 70 countries, in five languages over terrestrial television, radio, internet and at least seven satellites across the globe.

It has a Nontrinitarianism orientation, rejecting the traditional doctrine of Trinity mainly because of its concept that there is "one God in three co-equal persons", which for them is against the Bible. Instead, they believe that God the Father is greater than Jesus Christ as declared by Christ himself, and in fact greater than all.

MCGI is not related to the many Church of God groups that descended from the Barney Creek Meeting House revival of the late 19th century in the United States.

Church mission

Members Church of God International believes that God the Father sent his begotten son Jesus Christ, instrumental in the establishment of the Church of God (Mat 16:18, 1 Tim 3:15), first planted in the city of Jerusalem and preached by the Apostles in different places of Asia Minor (2 Thes 2:14, Acts 8:1, Gal 1:22). They believe that Gentile nations, including the Philippines, are partakers of the promise, the eternal life (1 John 2:25), through belief in Jesus Christ and the Gospel and are not authorized by God to establish their own church, but mere members associated with the same body or the church written in the Gospel by accepting it (Eph 3:6, Col 1:18, 1 Cor 12:27) and executing the doctrines written by the Apostles (1 John 1:3–4). They believe that Jesus Christ delegated the task of preaching God’s Word to his apostles on a global scale (Mat 28:19–20 and fulfilling this commandment is the primary objective of MCGI, to propagate the Gospel of Christ on earth until the consummation of the ages, for only the church can teach the wisdom of God for the salvation of mankind (Luke 8:1–3, Eph 3:10, 2 Tim 3:14–17). The church believes that this effort is geared to convert sinners to believe and glorify God (Acts 2:38), who is calling His people with determination to serve Him, bringing them in His fold (1 Pet 1:15–16, 1 Thes 1:1, 1 Cor 1:9; 1:2), teaching them righteousness and to make them qualify for life eternal in heaven (Phil 1:27, Eph 2:10, Eph 4:1; 4:10; 4:14).

History

Perez started preaching

The Members Church of God International in the Philippines rooted from a similar denomination, the Iglesia ng Dios kay Kristo Hesus, Haligi at Suhay ng Katotohanan (Church of God in Christ Jesus, Pillar and Support of the Truth) which was first led by Nicolas Antiporda Perez in Pulilan, Bulacan, Philippines in 1928. It was formally registered with the Philippine Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on December 10, 1936 by Nicolas Perez as the pioneer "Presiding Minister" with a central office in Natividad St., Pasay, Rizal (now Pasay City). Since the year the church was established, church workers were being sent to the nearby provinces around Manila. In 1963, Triunfo Soriano and Catalina Fernando, both members of the church led by Perez, brought their child Eliseo in a worship service in the locale of Pasay. The young Soriano was enlightened by the preaching of Perez and became very interested in the Bible. Three months before his high school graduation, he decided to stop attending classes to dedicate his time in reading the Bible. He pleaded Perez to baptize him as the latter deemed him too young.

Soriano became a minister

On April 7, 1964, at the age of 17, Soriano was baptized in Sineguelasan, Bacoor, Cavite. He attended ministerial classes with Perez as instructor and became a minister. He conducted his first Bible study in Guagua, Pampanga and bore 33 new brethren, thus establishing the first locale in Pampanga, the Locale of Sto. Cristo. He also supervised the Pampanga Division, the first Division in the church consisting of several local churches in the province. Soriano was the one being assigned by Perez to represent the church in doctrinal debates with pastors and ministers of other religious denominations. He was also Perez' assistant in making outlines of topics being taught in ministerial classes of church workers. In 1972, Soriano was given an identification card bearing the title "Minister" by Perez. No other worker in the church was given this proof of being a minister.

Absence of successor

In May 1975, Perez died without appointing a successor to preside over the church, a small group with less than hundred congregations during that time. In the coming months, Soriano continue preparing the outline of Biblical topics being preached to the brethren in order for them not to lose hope. Members thought it was Perez who outlined those topics before his death. Workers knew, however, that it was Soriano's work. According to the policies of SEC for corporations and religious organizations, the General Secretary of an organization shall succeed as temporary presiding officer until a new presiding officer is elected. On July 11, 1975, members of the church's Board of Trustees, including Soriano, signed an agreement that Levita Gugulan as the General Secretary, shall succeed Perez as "temporary" presiding officer until election of a new presiding officer, as the law states. However, the election did not happen. Instead, Gugulan desired to lead over the church permanently as presiding minister. Soriano countered the authority of Gugulan, a woman, based on the Biblical prohibition for women to rule over the people of God (1 Tim 2:12).

Soriano's schism

In their belief that the group formerly led by Bro. Perez already went astray in the teachings of God, Eliseo Soriano, as the only ordained minister by Perez, together with 16 other members created a schism and left the group led by Gugulan in February 21, 1976. Most of the elders who left Gugulan personally testified that they have heard Perez preach that it is strictly prohibited in the Bible for a woman to rule over the Church of God. The group was formally registered the organization called "Mga Kaanib Iglesia ng Dios kay Kristo Hesus Haligi at Saligan ng Katotohanan sa Bansang Pilipinas" (English: Members Church of God in Christ Jesus, Pillar and Ground of Truth in the Philippines) with the Philippine government in 1977. Soriano claims to continue the work started by Perez and until today, he believes that Perez is an "introducer" and was used as an instrument of God to start the preaching in the Philippines. ===The rise of In 1980, missionary works started and was first done in the towns of Pampanga and then, the neighboring provinces of Bulacan, Rizal, Nueva Ecija, Bataan, and Metro Manila. In the last quarter of 1980, the church launched the radio program Ang Dating Daan (ADD). Through the local radio station DWWA 1206 kHz, ADD was heard in many parts of the Philippine Archipelago. The program became popular in the Philippines because of its live question and answer portion. In 1983, the program kicked off its national television appearance through Intercontinental Broadcasting Channel 13. Ang Dating Daan as a program in radio made its stint in RJTV 29, PTV 4, SBN 21, and now UNTV.

In 2005, the church changed its name to "Members Church of God International". On January 7, 2006, the first live Bible exposition in the United States was held in Los Angeles, California. In 2008, Bible Expositions were conducted in the continent of Oceania bringing forth the first congregation in Papua New Guinea. In the same year, congregations were established in Ghana, West Africa as a result of a series of Bible studies in Africa. The early months of 2009 saw the Church introduced in Latin America.

International expansion

A schism in MCGI happened in 2009 when Willy Santiago, a long-time

one of the bible readers of Eliseo Soriano in his radio and TV programs had a dispute over the church leadership succession and "erratic" changes in church doctrines (such as prostrating towards the east in prayer and Sabbath). This resulted twelve MCGI members including Willy Santiago to split from the group on October 2009 and established a new religion, the Members Church of God in Jesus Christ Worldwide or MCGJCW, with membership now consists mostly of former MCGI followers.

Online publications

MCGI's foray in the internet began in 1999 when www.angdatingdaan.org was launched. It was a six-time winner in the Philippine Web Awards as the "Most Popular Website of Year" from 2002 to 2007. In 2009, MCGI launched its international website www.MCGI.org. On April 2007, esoriano.wordpress.com was opened. In 2009, it was awarded as “Most Educational to Follow” by Mashable.com in its annual Open Web Awards on December 16, 2009. On December 2009, Eliseo Soriano opened his personal Twitter account (@broelisoriano). On January 2010, online channel "The Truthcaster" had its pilot appearance in Livestream.com which allows internet users to ask questions.

International expansion

In 2009, its membership in South America, Papua New Guinea and Africa grew by the hundreds.

Television

In 2009, MCGI launched TV Verdade which carries the 24-hour broadcast of "O Caminho Antigo" in Portuguese-speaking countries in Central and South America.

Organization and administration

The organization is managed by the MCGI Central Administration. It is composed of the Overall Servants (Tagalog: Aliping Pangkalahatan), Council of Assistants to the Administration (Tagalog: Katulong ng Pangangasiwa or KNP) and Church Workers (Tagalog: Manggagawa). Currently, Eliseo Soriano is the Overall Servant to MCGI (formerly called as Presiding Minister or Tagapangasiwang Pangkalahatan in Tagalog) and his deputy, Daniel Razon is the Assistant to the Overall Servant (formerly called as Vice Presiding Minister or Pangalawang Tagapangasiwang Pangkalahatan in Tagalog). They supervise the entire organization, implement policies and projects, teach the Assistants to the Administration (formerly called as Ministers-in-Charge or MIC and Officers-in-Charge or OIC) and Church Workers all the doctrines of Christ and oversee rightful execution of duties and responsibilities assigned to them, including other officials in various church ministries and organizations.

The Overall Servant prepares the outline of Biblical topics (Tagalog: paksa) and preach sermons. A part of it will be delivered and discussed by his deputy. Preaching will be aired simultaneously either live or recorded in all MCGI local congregations to maintain consistency in communicating the topic to the brethren. They also personally take time to resolve spiritual and personal problems of members every Thanksgiving gathering, during the consultation period.

Assistants to the Administration supervise a church Division (Tagalog: Dibisyon) referring to a region in the Philippines while Area Servants (Tagalog: Tagapangasiwang Pampook or TP) oversee a church District (Tagalog: Distrito) referring to one Philippine province.

Workers administer various church services such as Prayer Meetings, Worship Services, Indoctrination Sessions, Bible Studies, Bible Expositions, and Thanksgiving in local congregations. They are allowed to communicate official memorandum signed by the Overall Servants and preside over matters and activities concerning the local church. Brethren can personally seek spiritual or personal advice from Workers, who were trained in giving Biblical advice and recommendations when necessary. Depending on the gravity and sensitivity of the concern, a Worker may refer the issue to an elder Worker, escalate to a TP or KNP for further resolution, or may reach the level of the Overall Servant for urgent decision-making.

Propagation and evangelism

MCGI believes that important duty and obligation of the members of the church is to propagate the Gospel of Christ on earth until the consummation of the ages, for only the church can teach the wisdom of God for the salvation of mankind (Luke 8:1-3; Ephesians 3:10; 2 Timothy 3:14-17).

Worldwide satellite broadcast

MCGI is using the modern satellite technology in propagating the Word of God and to reach more souls in every nation possible. MCGI's Ang Dating Daan (ADD) television program that started in the Philippines is translated in different languages via The Old Path (TOP) Channel for English-speaking countries, TV Verdade for Portuguese-speaking countries and TV La Verdad for Spanish-speaking population aired via satellite in almost 70 countries 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Funding

Much of their funding is provided by voluntary contributions from members, including donations from the church's Overall Servants. There is no tithing or collection. The church believes that giving tithes, or 10 percent, is only for the Israelites and was replaced by voluntary contributions in the time of Jesus Christ as written by Apostle Paul in 2 Corinthians 9:7 which says that "each should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver."

Draft

MCGI believes in the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost as mentioned in Matt 28:19 and 2 Cor 13:14 and that they are not perfectly equal with each other. It adopts a Nontrinitarianism orientation, rejecting the traditional doctrine of Trinity for it is not written in the Bible and mainly on its concept that there is "one God in three co-equal persons", which for them, is against the Bible. They believe that God the Father is greater than Jesus Christ (John 14:28, 1 Corinthians 11:3) and in fact greater than all (John 10:29).

Beliefs and fundamental doctrines

We believe in the Almighty God, the Father, the Creator of the universe, in Christ Jesus, the Father’s Begotten Son, a true and Mighty God, the only Savior of mankind and the only way to the Kingdom of God in heaven (Acts 14:15, 1 Corinthians 8:5–7, John 14:6, John 14:1). We believe that Christ descended on earth from the bosom of the Father, suffered for the redemption of sin, died on the cross, resurrected after three days, ascended to heaven and sat on the right side of God.

— Section 1 & 6 of MCGI General Church Declaration and Doctrines

Prayer

Prayer is a basic doctrine in MCGI. All church gatherings, either spiritual or socio-civic, begin and end with prayers. The church believes that it is a commandment of God to live a prayerful life (1 Thessalonians 5:17). To encourage its members to pray, MCGI launched its 24/7 prayer service website in 2011, enabling access to continuous singing of praises and hourly community prayer to God.

Bible

MCGI believes that only the Bible or the Holy Scriptures, composed of 66 inspired books, teaches the full wisdom of God for the salvation of man and that no other books should be used as basis for serving God and Jesus Christ.

God the Father, Jesus Christ and Holy Ghost

MCGI believes in God the Father, the Son (Jesus Christ) and the Holy Ghost (Holy Spirit) of God as mentioned in the Matthew 28:19 and 2 Corinthians 13:14.

MCGI rejects the traditional doctrine of Trinity. MCGI maintains that the word "Trinity" or "Holy Trinity" is not written in the Bible and its concept that there is "one God in three co-equal persons" is against the Bible. The church believes that the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost are not perfectly equal with each other. The God the Father is greater than Jesus Christ (John 14:28, 1 Corinthians 11:3) and in fact greater than all (John 10:29) as declared by Christ himself. The Father and Jesus Christ is greater than the Holy Ghost which came from the Father and part of the Godhead.

The God the Father, also called as "God of Israel" (Exodus 5:1) is the creator of the universe (Acts 14:15) with the Son of God (John 1:1–14), the Lord Jesus Christ.

Jesus Christ is God the Father's only begotten son (in Romanized Greek: monogenestheos) as mentioned in (John 1:18). He is the Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Prince of Peace referred in (Isaiah 9:6). He is recognized as the Apostle, High Priest (Hebrews 3:1) and Mediator (1 Timothy 2:5) of the church. He is the sent savior of mankind and the way, the truth and the life (John 14:6).

The church believes that the

There are three persons but they are not perfectly equal with each other. God the Father is greater than Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit and Jesus Christ is greater than the Holy Spirit based on John 13:16 which says that the one being sent is not greater than the one that sent him.

One is sending is greater than someone who sent 13: God of Israel or God the Father who is the Creator of the universe with Christ, the Son of God, the Lord Jesus Christ. God cannot lie, God is not omniscient (he does not know ahead of time all future human actions and choices), and God is not omnipresent (he created hell but is not there).

MCGI believes that Jesus Christ already existed in spirit before he was born in flesh and already teaching the prophets by his spirit.

Death

The MCGI believes that upon death, physical body of a dead man can do nothing. Body made of dust will perish and will return to dust. They believe that the soul is not the spirit and the spirit is not the soul. MCGI considers the union of the flesh or dust from the ground with the breath of life as the "living soul." The entire being including emotions, memory and faculties is the soul. If someone dies, the soul will be in the hands of God and will remain under God's power until the resurrection to face judgment. The spirit of a godly man will return to God while spirit of wicked man will be imprisoned until judgment day.

Charities and outreach

MCGI believes that it is a responsibility of the church to reach out to people and provide humanitarian assistance to those in need (Galatians 6:10). The church established the Kamanggagawa Foundation in 2007 and Ang Dating Daan (ADD) Foundation International (ADDFI) in 2012 to provide various forms of support to the needy regardless of their religious affiliation. These non-sectarian and non-profit organizations are registered with the DSWD and SEC in the Philippines.

• Free education - In March 2005, MCGI established La Verdad Christian College (LVCC) in Apalit, Pampanga and another branch in Caloocan City, Metro Manila in June 2010. In 2011, La Verdad Schools in Ghana, Africa and Liberia were established with pioneer 115 kindergarten and grade school students. It is the only educational institution that provides its scholars with free tuition fee, meals, uniforms, books, school supplies and has no miscellaneous fees from kindergarten to tertiary levels to date. Unlike other schools, poor yet deserving students, even without high scholastic records, may qualify for the scholarship grant. In 2010, the church sponsored Dunong-Gulong (English: Wisdom on Wheels) project, a mobile classroom in a bus in partnership with UNTV and the DepEd which provides basic literacy to remote communities where access to formal educational systems is difficult. Also in partnership with UNTV and TESDA, the Manibela Academy (steering wheel or manibela in Tagalog) was launched, which provides training to competent public vehicle drivers as well as educating public utility vehicle (PUV) drivers so they can acquire the government-required proficiency standard certification. On Junuary 31, 2010, MCGI held Isang Araw Lang: Takbo para sa Libreng Kolehiyo at SM Mall of Asia, a marathon-for-a-cause attended by 50,000 participants for the benefit of Kamanggagawa Foundation's free education project.
• News and rescue - Tulong Muna Bago Balita (English: Assist First, Report Later) was launched in July 2010 in partnership with UNTV. Reporters and correspondents were trained to assist during emergency and rescue cases and prioritize saving lives and giving first aid to victims. Currently, there are 15 news and rescue mobile units on call.
• Free medical and dental services - Clinic ni Kuya (Big Brother's Clinic) and Botika ni Kuya (Big Brother's Pharmacy) provides daily medical and dental services in partnership with UNTV in 12 permanent locations in the Philippines. With the help of volunteer doctors and medical staff, the clinic provides free medical services ranging from general medicine consultation, optometry, dental, ENT, gynecology, pediatrics, dermatology, dental and orthopedic. It also provides free medicines, prescription eyeglasses, dentures and free ambulance service during emergency cases. A total of 110,000 patients were served in 2014 and more than 126,000 in 2015.
• Regular medical missions - the church conducts regular medical missions in local communities and remote provinces through Mobile Health Clinics. These mobile clinics are equipped with medical instruments and x-ray machine. In February 2014, a total of 20,000 indigents were served during a one day simultaneous medical mission in 15 locations in partnership with the Rotary Club of the Philippines.
• Free legal services - Law Center ni Kuya (Big Brother's Law Center) provides free legal assistance with the help of volunteer lawyers and paralegals. Mobile "Justice on Wheels" program was also launched to bring the attorneys closer to the indigents' reach.
• Free transportation and communication - In 2007, Libreng Sakay (Free Ride) program was launched initially with two (2) buses and free MRT-3 rides for senior citizens. Later, it was expanded by offering free rides on jeepneys, minibus and sea crafts in the provinces and free airfare for distressed overseas workers returning to the Philippines.
• Transient Home - located inside the church headquarters in Apalit, the transient home provides temporary shelter for church members coming from provinces to attend church services
• Centers for youth and the elderly - orphanages were established in Pampanga, Laguna and Novaliches, Quezon City for senior citizens, disabled persons and children abandoned by their immediate family or has no capacity to take care of them. Their day-to-day necessities are provided for free such as food, shelter, medical service and assistance by social workers.
• Infant Care Center - inaugurated last November 4, 2012 in Apalit, Pampanga to take care of infants deliberately turned away by their parents due to financial, physical or psychological incapacities.
• Livelihood programs - Munting Pangarap (Simple Wish) Munting Pangarap (Small Wish) is a gift-giving project to poor members of the church requesting for capital in cash and/or kind to start a small business.
• Bloodletting programs - since the 1990s, MCGI actively participates in mass bloodletting initiatives in partnership with the Philippine Red Cross and Philippine Blood Center. MCGI posts a record of 11,930 units of blood donations in 2012.
• Programs for the elderly - the church partnered with major Philippine government agencies such as GSIS, SSS, DOH and PNP to give free services to the elderly held last June 25-26, 2014 at the World Trade Center. On July 2014, MCGI also relocated an adoption home for the elderly gays and lesbians from Pasay City to a bigger space in Brgy. Talipapa, Novaliches in partnership with Home for the Golden Gays and UNTV. Feeding programs are also
• Environment programs - volunteer members conduct regular clean-up drives in their local communities and tree-planting activities in various locations. On October 10, 2010, the MCGI launched "ADD-a-Tree" project, a global tree-planting drive in partnership with UNTV and DENR that aims to restore a greener earth by planting 50,000 fruit-bearing trees. Planters and volunteers will take care of these seedlings and monitor their growth.
• Fund-raising concerts -

Relevance of the church

The MCGI believes that God the Father sent his son Jesus Christ, instrumental in the establishment of the Church of God International (Mat 16:18, 1 Tim 3:15), the congregation of the apostles, prophets, teachers, etc. , first planted in the city of Jerusalem, and later on scattered and preached by the apostles in different places of Asia Minor(2 Thessalonians 2:14, Acts 8:1, Gal 1:22). They also believe that Gentile nations including the Philippines, are partakers of the promise, the eternal life (1 John 2:25), through belief in Jesus Christ and the gospel and are not authorized by God to establish their own church, but are members associated with the same body or church (Eph 3:6, Collosians 1:18, 1 Corinthians 12:27) written in the gospel by accepting and executing the doctrines written by the apostles (1 John 1:3–4).

Facts: 1. The Lord Jesus Christ established a church. (Matt.16:18) 2. He taught the apostles His teachings. (Matt.28:20) 3. His teachings came from the Father (John.7:16) 4. Rejecting His teachings is rejecting Christ himself and the Father. (John.12:48)

Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; In human terms, Christ can be said to be the Church’s better half! It will grossly be against common sense and logic if one says that the church is not important to salvation. While Jesus Christ is the Savior, He is going to save the church. EPHESIANS 5:23 For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the savior of the body. COLOSSIANS 1:18 And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.

Ethics and morality

Members were taught to follow religiously and conscientiously the fundamental doctrines for Christians and righteousness as a way of life, to be law-abiding citizens recognizing the fundamental laws of the land they live in (Eph 2:12–13, Acts 26:18; 14:15; 17:29, Rom 13:1–7, 1 Pet 2:13, Prov 8:15–16). Officials of the organization should be loyal to their duties, set the whole church examples of true Christian living, in all the ways as in faith, in speaking, in livelihood, in love, in cleanliness and not self-willed. Members are required to be modest in dress and grooming. Women are prohibited from cutting their hair and wearing expensive jewelry and tight pants, and men are prohibited from having long hair. They are strictly prohibited from drinking alcohol, smoking cigarettes, using drugs, gambling and idolatry which includes eating foods that were offered to other Gods.

Married couple is commanded to live under God's law and keep marriage undefiled until death and intentional divorce is prohibited.

Suicide including euthanasia or mercy killing is considered to be murder and a sin against God.

Membership

Baptism is a key part in their doctrines. Membership is conferred through immersion baptism of adults. They believe that baptism is the way for the sinners to be covered by the sacrifice of Jesus Christ when he offered his body as ransom for sins and part of his commandment (Acts 2:38)

To join the organization, completion of indoctrination sessions is required. It is composed of seven sessions where lessons concerning church doctrines are being discussed in a pre-recorded video by the Overall Servants of the church. Beginning February 2010, indoctrination sessions which used to last for a month were shortened to two weeks.

Indoctrinees must fully accept the doctrines taught during the indoctrination before they can be baptized. The church rejects infant baptism and believes that little children belongs to heaven.

Visitors and guests who are not yet baptized in the church are allowed to attend regular church services and listen to the Biblical topics but are strictly prohibited from giving monetary contributions.

Disciplinary action

Members who are not living in accordance with the church's teachings may be suspended or expelled after observing due process as prescribed in the Bible. These include members who are sexually immoral, greedy, idolater, slanderer, drunkard or swindler. Members and officers should not affiliate themselves to any revolutionary movements against the church administration and teaching doctrines contrary to the official doctrines of the Church of God. Participating in any hostile or subversive movements tending to achieve downfall of the government established in any country is strictly prohibited.

A suspended member can attend church services but is temporarily prohibited in giving monetary contributions.

MCGI keeps a formal number of members but does not openly reveal it. Every baptized member should be registered in the church computer database and given an official church identification card (ID) and church ID number.

Thousands of local chapters are scattered throughout the Philippines and abroad because of increasing number of membership through mass baptisms, which gained an average of 5,000 quarterly. In 2015, more than 20,000 new members were added to the church through mass baptisms in different parts of the world.

Worship

MCGI believes that Christian believers should always attend the divine service executed by the overall servants such as prayer meetings and worship services wherein members should sing hymns and songs of praises to God, listen to Biblical topics prepared by the overall servants, offer prayers and alms which is voluntary according to his faith.

(Heb. 10:25; Acts 20:7; I Cor. 14:28: Acts 1:14; I Cor. 16:3; II Cor. 9:7-8, 12-13).

Places of worship and church gatherings

ADD Central Compound

Located in Apalit Pampanga (Central Luzon region), the 10-hectare ADD Compound is the Philippine headquarters of MCGI. It houses the ADD Convention Center, the chapel, baptistry, MCGI Central Administration Office, dormitories for Church officers and volunteers, transient home, orphanages, mini-hospital (ADD Infirmary), school building for La Verdad Christian College (LVCC) and houses for the ministers and workers.

ADD Convention Center

Main article: ADD Convention Center

Chapel

A multipurpose venue for Church services such as 24/7 community prayer and praise-singing, Mass Indoctrination sessions, prayer meetings and worship services. It also serves as extension of the ADD Convention Center during International Thanksgivings.

Locale and Coordinating Center

The Church Locales and Coordinating Centers (also known as MCGI Satellite Monitoring Centers) are established in communities in the Philippines and abroad, where brethren meet weekly to attend various Church services and host Indoctrination sessions. Most Locales are equipped with satellite dishes and broadband connection to receive real-time broadcast feeds coming from the MCGI headquarters for regular and special religious gatherings and Worldwide Bible Expositions. Officers and assigned Church workers at the Locale are ready to receive inquiries about schedules of Church services, Indoctrination sessions in their area and other concerns regarding membership in the Church. From 1,280 in 2014, the number of monitoring centers increased to 1,360 in 2015.

Mobile Coordinating Center

With the intent for all to hear God’s lessons and doctrines in the Bible, MCGI launched its Mobile Coordinating Center on November 4, 2012. Equipped with its own satellite dish for receiving live Bible Exposition feeds, the bus transforms into a cozy venue complete with a roof, chairs and a television screen. The mobile center also comes with its own kitchen for preparing food for attendees of Church services in remote areas.

Criticism

Main article: Conflicts between Iglesia ni Cristo and Members Church of God International

Since 1980, there have been conflicts between religious organizations Iglesia ni Cristo ("Church of Christ", INC) and the Members Church of God International (MCGI) when MCGI Presiding Minister Eliseo Soriano started his radio program Ang Dating Daan (ADD). Through his program, he discussed biblical issues and "exposed" what he believes are wrong doctrines of other religious groups, including those of INC. In 2001, after 21 years of reticence, the INC launched its own program, Ang Tamang Daan (English: The Right Path), as a direct response for the first time to Ang Dating Daan and to debate and rebuke the claims of Eliseo Soriano, featuring video footages and recordings of ADD hosts as issues were tackled.

Records

The Ang Dating Daan Chorale of MCGI officially broke the record of the Iglesia ni Cristo as the World's Largest Gospel Choir in the Guinness Book of World Records. Consisting of 8,688 choir members, the ADD Chorale render religious hymns during the 35th anniversary of the religious TV and radio program Ang Dating Daan at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on October 12, 2015. The original record holder was the Iglesia ni Cristo's Centennial Choir (4,745 members) during the church's centennial celebration in the Philippine Arena on July 27, 2014.

External links

• Official website of Eli Soriano
• Official website of Ang Dating Daan TV program
• Official website of Daniel Razon

Category:Christianity in the Philippines Category:Nontrinitarian denominations Category:Religious organizations established in 1977 Category:1977 establishments in the Philippines