[3] Over the next 50 years, the church developed an international presence through The Plain Truth magazine, The World Tomorrow radio and television programs, and three campuses of Ambassador College in the U.S. and England.
During that period of change, many members left WCG, including many ministers who began their own churches in an effort to remain loyal to Armstrong's teachings.
Similar in fashion to Armstrong's approach, Meredith and the GCG established a magazine and television program, both under the name The World Ahead.
[5] More information about that upheaval, which resulted in a major split in the CGC, can be understood from "An Open Letter From The Council of Elders" (dated 4 Dec., 1998).
In that letter, (signed by Roderick C. Meredith, Carl McNair, Richard Ames, Dibar Apartian, Charles Bryce and John Ogwyn) it stated that in late Nov. 1998, "the Board of Directors made the most far-reaching decisions since the inception of Global.
It was a dramatic action which, that letter stated, was taken totally apart from any counsel, or advice, from Global's Council of Elders.
"In the bylaws of the Church it is stated that the purpose of the Council of Elders is to give advice to the Board and to the Presiding Evangelist and to help guide the overall direction of the Work in all spiritual and administration matters.
Prior to its Wednesday adjournment the Council decided, with ten members concurring and two abstaining, to suspend Mr.
If there was a genuine desire to abide by the spirit and intent of the bylaws, why was the Council totally bypassed and left out of the loop in this most important and far reaching of decisions?"
As that was never done, Meredith found it necessary to leave and went on to form the Living Church of God, based in San Diego, California (which in 2003 was moved to Charlotte, North Carolina).