A Sabbatarian Adventist denomination emphasizing the observance of Saturday Sabbath, the imminent Second Coming of Christ, and the authority of the Bible in Christian faith and practice.
The Church of God (Seventh Day) (COG7) is a Christian denomination that emerged in the mid-19th century from the Adventist movement, with its earliest followers gathering in western Michigan in 1858. The movement grew after merging with a group in Marion, Iowa, in 1863. The denomination officially organized as the General Conference in 1884 and incorporated in Missouri in 1899. Its early expansion was driven by its publication, “The Hope of Israel,” which later became known as the Bible Advocate, pivotal in promoting its distinct doctrines.
Initially headquartered in Stanberry, Missouri, the central office relocated to Denver, Colorado, in 1950. The Church experienced significant organizational changes, including a division in 1933 that resulted in two separate organizations based in Stanberry, Missouri, and Salem, West Virginia, due to doctrinal disagreements and organizational structure debates. Attempts at reunification in the 1940s culminated in a partial merger in 1949, though several groups within the denomination remained distinct.
Today, the General Conference of the Church of God (Seventh Day) includes about 235 congregations in the United States and Canada, with a broader international presence involving over 200,000 members across more than 40 countries. Each national church maintains autonomy but strives for doctrinal unity and shared evangelistic efforts through the International Ministerial Congress.
COG7 holds the Bible as the inerrant and inspired Word of God, forming the foundation for its teachings. It emphasizes the deity of God as comprising the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, with Jesus Christ acknowledged as the divine yet subordinate Son of God. Salvation is seen as available solely through faith in Jesus Christ, independent of human merit. The denomination underscores the importance of observing the seventh-day Sabbath, the Ten Commandments, and two ordinances instituted by Christ: baptism and the Lord’s Supper, which includes footwashing.
The organizational structure of COG7 is congregational, with each local church governing independently while cooperating on regional, national, and international levels. Leadership roles range from local church leaders to district leaders and include a president and board of directors, who provide vision and support to the congregations.
The church’s mission focuses on evangelism, nurturing spiritual growth, and transforming communities through the teachings of Jesus Christ. This mission is supported by publications like the Bible Advocate and outreach efforts, including those coordinated through the International Ministerial Congress, aiming to educate and spread their message globally. The denomination’s core values emphasize a Christ-centered, grace-oriented, and Sabbath-celebrating fellowship, aiming to transform lives into the image of Christ through the Holy Spirit.
image via Church of God (Seventh Day)
