Origins of the Church of God in North America

Around 1880 in Midwestern North America a grassroots movement arose among those concerned about the disunity within the church and a general drift from Biblical moorings. These people took for themselves the simple New Testament name, "Church of God," not to become another denomination, but to identify as a part of the universal church of God to which all true Christians belong.

The emphases of this fledgling, loosely organized movement was:

Since those early days, the Church of God has grown into a multi-national community of faith that is carrying the Gospel to nearly ninety countries around the globe. Our worldwide family now consists of about three-quarters of a million believers and nearly 7,300 churches. Congregations associate voluntarily within countries and those indigenous churches maintain fraternal ties. There is no hierarchy or head office. There are, however, some organizations established for cooperative work in publishing, education, missions, etc. The name "Church of God (Anderson, Indiana)" is sometimes used to distinguish our body from others with a similar title, but no connection.

General Assembly in Western Canada

Thirty congregations in the four western provinces have formed an assembly for cooperative ministry. A coordinating staff functions from the office in Camrose, Alberta, but all officers serve as volunteers.

Gardner College, A Centre for Christian Studies has served as a training institution for the Movement in Canada for over 65 years. It is also located in Camrose.

Deer Valley Meadows, a retreat center near Alix, Alberta is owned and operated for the benefit of many groups in the Christian community.

Western Canada Assembly is an independent, federally chartered entity, but maintains fraternal working relationships with Eastern Canada and U.S. assemblies. A parallel association of a dozen German language congregations is also active across Canada.

Congregations are locally controlled and associate with the Assembly on a voluntary basis.

What kind of Church are we?

There is variety from congregation to congregation and culture to culture (as most church bodies have). The objective has been to simply be an up-to-date version of the church found in the New Testament.

In methodology, style of worship and church programs, Church of God congregations function much as other evangelical groups. Effort is made to concentrate on what Christians have in common, building bridges instead of walls. We don't ask that others come to us –– we say "meet us at the cross of Jesus."

With roots in the "holiness movement" there has always been a strong emphasis on the work of the Holy Spirit in the lives of believers and in the body of the church. Through the Spirit we experience God's active presence in our lives:

Important Teachings

As affirmed in condensations such as "The Apostles Creed," the Church of God holds to the teachings of historical Christianity:

Orthodox Christians may hold varying opinions on secondary or peripheral doctrines. Within the Church of God there is no insistence that everyone conform their ideas on minute points.

People with honest hearts and minds to search the Scriptures and led by the Holy Spirit have enjoyed an amazing consensus. Experience has shown that formation of the great historic creeds of the church served a purpose in delineating truth from false teachings. Experience has also shown that creed formation has created divisions between Christians when it was not necessary. For this reason, in the interest of unity, the Church of God Movement has shied away from the drafting of an official statement of beliefs. Static doctrinal statements have severe human limitations and tend to become dated. The Movement has preferred to confine itself to the Spirit-inspired Scripture, treating our own interpretations of it with humility and those of others who differ with charity.

Membership

The Church of God has not adopted a formal membership. This reflects the view that the church is a spiritual body, to which membership is added by the Lord. Any believer who chooses to become a part of a local congregation is accepted as a member of that body without any organizational hurdles.

Obviously, a local congregation of any size has to order it's business life to some extent. There are legal requirements and practical necessities in prudently carrying on some facets of the church's corporate life. Therefore, the Church of God opts for the "minimalist" approach. Thus, typically, the by-laws of a local congregation will require that a person participating in business decisions of the church be over sixteen years of age, a believer in fellowship with the congregation, and having attended regularly for at least six months.

The Association (national) is made up of pastors and elected delegates from each affiliated congregation. Financial support is voluntary at all levels.

In order to affirm the New Testament teaching that the church is, essentially, a spiritual organism and not an organization, we have made this practical delineation: "We do not organize the church; we do organize the work of the church." It is not an easy road to walk. Sometimes it produces organizational "weaknesses" because the Movement is not highly regimented. On the other hand, this vulnerability is a strength in that it preserves an ideal about the church of God described in the New Testament.

Special Observances

"Believers baptism" by immersion is practiced. In our view this was clearly the New Testament practice. It is the rite of obedience whereby a convert gives witness to his new birth in Christ and identification with His body, the church. It is not seen as an act of salvation. Baptism is in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, no more and no less.

The "Lord's Supper" or "Communion" is observed with varying frequencies as a symbolic meal. The bread and cup are reminders to us of the broken body and shed blood of Christ, which is the basis for our salvation. Our partaking is an act of remembering what He did on our behalf and a "proclaiming" of His death as God's provision for all of mankind. It is the Lord's table and therefore always open to all present who wish to partake as an act of worship.

Another ordinance practiced by many Christians, though not as universally as baptism or communion, is that of "Footwashing." Its precedent is in the Last Supper example and command of Jesus found in John 13. The Church of God has found it to be a meaningful reminder of servanthood.

Child dedication or child blessing is observed rather than infant baptism or "christening." There may or may not be godparents depending on the wishes of the parents. It is usually a part of the regular worship service with the congregation participating in their accepting a responsibility in the nurture of the young life. It is a time of parental dedication and seeking the grace to carry out their stewardship. As well, it acknowledges God's prior claim by dedicating the child to Him. Babies are seen as innocent and in God's grace.

Questions and Answers

No. We are ecumenical in spirit and practice, but have not felt that joining these organizations was the best way to give witness to the unity of Christians or the most effective way to expand world ministries. Some actions of these groups are commendable and some would not be so perceived by many Christians. Our congregations and pastors are typically very active in cooperative, inter-church endeavors in their communities.

How do you support your church?

Without being legalistic, the Church of God tries to teach a Biblical view of stewardship –– the faithful management of all assets God entrusts, individually and collectively. All giving to the church is voluntary. Many members are tithers based on the Biblical practice of giving to God ten percent of one's earnings. This has been found to be a personally enriching spiritual discipline, motivating most to go beyond in offerings of gratitude, even sacrificial giving. Local churches support the cooperative work of the General Assembly and other causes in a similar spirit.

Do you believe in divine healing?

Yes. We believe that in a broader sense all healing is divine. God is the author of so-called natural healing and uses medical science and its practitioners to assist in restoring wholeness –– physically and emotionally.

We also believe that, in addition to natural processes, God at times intervenes directly to effect miraculous healing. We believe the Bible instructs us to pray for healing and often follow James' injunction to ""call for elders,"" anoint with oil, and pray for recovery.

We do not demand of God or arrogantly instruct Him about the way healing should take place. We submit our petitions and await His gracious action, accepting with trust that the outcome is in His loving will for everyone's highest good. We are especially concerned that persons are not disillusioned or demoralized if healing does not take place in ways expected or hoped.

Advocating a healthy life-style is in harmony with a comprehensive teaching on God's power to heal and preserve body and mind.

What do you teach about Jesus' Second Coming?

We believe that Jesus will come again as He promised, but have no idea about the date and time. We do believe that when Jesus comes to receive his bride, the church, all things of this world will end, and those who have believed on Jesus Christ as Saviour and Lord will go to live with Him eternally. Our view of the Kingdom of God is that of present reality launched when Jesus came to earth –– existing in the hearts of men and women who give Him their allegiance.

We acknowledge that Christians hold a wide range in this area of Biblical interpretation. Our consensus is that, in our investigation of Scripture, we do not discover a sound basis for such concepts of a "secret rapture," "tribulation," or an earthly millennial reign. This makes us "amillennial."

It is felt that details in this area can be speculative and unhelpful. The essential concern is to be about His work now and ready when He comes. Christians agree on this.

Do you have certain standards?

Yes. We believe the Bible is clear on many points of morality and ethics and we expect those who are part of our Movement to live accordingly. There may be conscience-questions where Christians differ in their conclusions as to what Scripture teaches in specific applications.

In life-style, the Church of God tends to be conservative. Believing that our bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit and should not be defiled, we urge abstinence from use of alcoholic beverages, tobacco, drugs for pleasure or psychological escape, and indulgence in sexual immorality.

We do not feel that it is necessary to be legalistic with a catalogue of do's and don'ts. The call of Scripture is to positive, holy living that honours the Lord.

Summary

The Church of God Movement gladly acknowledges that it is only a part of the "church of God" in the Biblical sense and does not use the name in a denominational way. We are a movement within the greater body of God's family. As one of our hymnists wrote: "We reach our hands in fellowship to every Christ-washed one; while love entwines about each heart in which God's will is done."

We hope this article of introduction has been helpful and informative.

(Some wording taken from ""Meet Us At The Cross"" by Oral Withrow.)