Church of God Restoration Overview

Group Name: Church of God Restoration

Founder: Daniel (Danny) Layne

Current Leader: Three main Apostles (Ray Tinsman, Stephen Hargrave, Randall Hargrave) and 9 lesser Apostles.

Date Founded: 1989

Locations: Primarily in the United States and Canada, with congregations in several other countries, including Mexico, Germany, and several African nations.

Characteristics:

• Group endorses non-orthodox theology: Yes, the group teaches that it is the one true church, restored to its original purity, which deviates from mainstream Christian beliefs. Their view of Jesus is murky with Jesus melding with the church.

• The Leader is an infallible authority: Yes, Daniel Layne was regarded as an infallible authority, and his teachings continue to influence the group. The current leadership is also viewed with similar reverence and authority.

• Leadership seeks control over members’ activities, behaviors, and finances: Yes, there are reports of the leadership exerting extensive control over members’ daily lives, including their activities, behaviors, and finances.

• Requires unquestioning faith and allegiance to the leader or group: Yes, members are expected to show complete loyalty and faith in the group’s leadership and teachings.

• Suppression of Critical Thinking: Yes, questioning the leader’s teachings or the group’s practices is discouraged, and critical thinking is suppressed.

• Intimidation, fear, and shame are used to control members: Yes, former members and critics have reported that intimidation, fear, and shame are used to maintain control over the group.

• Isolates or shuns former members, leading to loss of family connections and support: Yes, former members often face shunning and isolation from their families and support networks after leaving the group.

• Allegations of financial abuse and lack of transparency: Yes, there have been numerous allegations of financial exploitation and a lack of transparency regarding the group’s finances.

• Allegations of sexual misconduct: There have been some allegations of sexual misconduct involving members and leadership, though details and substantiation of these claims can vary.

Narrative:

The Church of God Restoration was founded in 1989 by Daniel (Danny) Layne, who believed he was divinely appointed to restore the church to its original purity. Layne’s teachings and leadership style quickly attracted a dedicated following, and the group expanded primarily in North America with international extensions.

The group’s theology is considered non-orthodox due to its exclusive claim of being the one true church and its unique interpretations of scripture. Members are expected to adhere strictly to the teachings and directives of the leadership, who are regarded as infallible authorities. This authoritarian structure discourages questioning and critical thinking, reinforcing control over the members.

Leadership within the Church of God Restoration is reported to exert extensive control over various aspects of members’ lives, including their activities, behaviors, and finances. Allegations of financial abuse and lack of transparency have been a significant concern. Furthermore, intimidation, fear, and shame are reportedly used as tools to maintain control, and former members often experience shunning and loss of connections with their families and support networks.

There have also been some allegations of sexual misconduct, although these claims vary in detail and substantiation. Overall, the Church of God Restoration displays many characteristics commonly associated with high-control religious groups, leading to significant controversy and concern among former members and external observers.