Explore the dramatic schism within the Worldwide Church of God following the death of founder Herbert W. Armstrong in 1986. “The Fragmentation of a Sect” by David V. Barrett meticulously details how the successor’s doctrinal revisions fractured the 100,000-member organization, creating profound cognitive dissonance and leading to the formation of over 400 offshoot churches within a decade. This comprehensive study examines the processes of schism, the legitimation of authority, and offers a new typological model for understanding religious movement change after a founder’s demise. Barrett applies rational choice theory to complex religious decisions, making this book essential reading for understanding this pivotal moment in religious history and applicable to various religious movements. Discover the forces that shaped this major denomination’s fragmentation and its lasting impact.