faith mission south africa classical christian south_africa million adherents south_africa largest church fifth largest religious grouping south_africa representing percent population led president white black branches church united member fellowship national churches member oldest movement south_africa roots teachings teachings character started american cooperation short lived decades 1950s 1980s marked implementation white moved rapidly unification black churches churches united single multi racial church constitution blends national level elements presbyterian episcopal major feature constitution allows local churches develop policies displays variety identities ministry including sensitive word faith presbyterian classical history early history founded brought south_africa american missionaries factors helped create favorable climate movement spread country south_africa characterized deep conviction sin followed conversion prayer phenomenon older members familiar open second dutch reformed minister prominent teacher helped create climate revival factor churches led illinois united_states american missionaries wives arrived south_africa indianapolis lake links baptized holy spirit los_angeles despite influences missionaries organizational affiliation arriving lake felt holy spirit leading found doors open met invited stay house witnessed holy spirit sent train station meet american missionaries began ministry rental hall suburb services consisted mixed racial group attended services missionaries moved street young movement grew developed initially committee meeting september registered legal entity spread colony south_africa street movement initially multi racial appealing blacks expanded rapidly african farm workers colony beliefs divine healing prayer attractive alternative traditional medical treatment lake contact led joined influence seen practice baptism triple father son holy spirit interaction churches movement resulted individuals congregations joining converts came dutch reformed churches self movement early successful boer african converts lake wrote upper room american journal missionaries needed men far superior come america speak english dutch towns mining compounds prime areas missionary activity reflected fact percent members lived urban areas urban centers spread rural areas returning labor migrants native character like american short lived explanation shift tensions economic competition poorer whites blacks july decided whites blacks separate lake addressed advised adopt policy racial segregation similar policy native americans united_states white executive council controlled movement separate committee white controlled responsible coordinating black work situation lead black resulting formation church continue large black constituency continued exercise considerable autonomy local churches adopted daughter churches approach missions dutch reformed churches eventually divided main white parent church large black daughter church coloured daughter church indian daughter church according analysis missionary career shows initial spread southern africa facilitated systematic use fraud deception cites examples funds staging divisions accommodation return lake america important turning point elected president role filled leadership distanced black movement distinctive dress began looking dutch reformed heritage leadership large portion african constituency withdrew occurred led number members withdraw form followers known blue dresses dresses worn female adherents emphasized holy spirit inspired prophecy degree seen excessive dangerous officials movement contribute emphasis work presence holy spirit church ministry general secretary oversaw process strong bureaucracy developed directed increasingly educated leadership effect decreasing role governance seen father new order called respectable church services 1940s simple halls housed congregations replaced buildings modeled dutch reformed architecture elders introduced 1960s relations churches improved advocated closer ties churches 1950s 60s accommodated south_africa system nationalist support led vice president senator time despite large black coloured english indian membership began spoken fourth church south_africa reformed churches satisfied new political directions political ties led younger black loss majority english membership major division members share political views disagreed politically broke formed recent history black coloured indian sections developed separate daughter churches mission churches dependent white church missions superintendent chairman daughter churches workers executive councils white black churches remained separate blacks legal members time sections came operational unit church newly elected president apologized past treatment non whites growing church church planting growth spread towns villages south_africa assemblies branch assemblies established beliefs local churches display variety identities ministry including sensitive word faith presbyterian classical beliefs articulated eternal god father author creation salvation jesus christ son god father sake humanity salvation flesh lived earth died buried rose dead ascended heaven seated right hand father holy spirit proceeds father son world sin judgement leads truth bible word god written men inspired holy spirit god teaches necessary salvation human beings created image god sin image marred god people receive salvation faith jesus christ baptism holy spirit initial evidence speaking promised believers gifts fruit spirit manifested life christian christian disciple jesus christ living consecrated holy life jesus christ head church constituted holy spirit consists born believers church responsible proclamation demonstration gospel god people charismatic community fellowship believer baptism lord supper instituted jesus christ observed church time appointed god jesus christ come away church jesus christ judge living dead resurrection body eternal life eternal punishment wicked new heaven new earth god reign glory worship church reflects practices found similar churches world wide shouting singing simultaneous spontaneous prayer dance commonly found worship services order service similar churches example assemblies god formal order service churches follow routine singing offering collection prayer sermon altar service operate spiritual gifts message prophecy words wisdom knowledge inspired holy spirit singing service believer attitude worship expressed raising hands posture regular services generally held sunday evenings week prayer small group meetings types gatherings organization adopted new constitution national level blends elements presbyterian moved episcopal according philosophy successful proven christian leaders fulfill role local level major effect new constitution allows local churches develop policies adoption new constitution looked assemblies god australia model local regional qualifications membership born baptized recognized member local assembly church adhere local assemblies led pastor governing body pastor member addition member governing body pastor assembly leader vision carrier governing body local assemblies organized geographical regions regional leadership forums representative bodies consisting delegates local assembly years forum regional committee members regional leader committee acts executive advisory body regional leadership forum region represented leader non geographical regions form networks local churches share peculiar ministry philosophy exist normally led senior urban mega churches network number local assemblies nationwide look leadership national national representative body general business meeting main function election national officers president deputy president general secretary general treasurer national officers represent significant ethnic groups church local assembly entitled send pastor delegate voting members additional voting members members members standing committees additional member representing church department additional representative church theological training institutions known met annually possessed greater power adoption new constitution body power transferred national leadership forum national leadership forum known policy making body guardian ethical matters church licenses sets standards ministerial training disputes annual national leadership conference power create implement regulations percent regional leadership forums veto regulation days passage members national officers regional leaders leaders church departments representative theological training institutions appoint additional members discretion administrative affairs national church oversight national officers theological training theological training presently campuses pastor rector north pastor rector pastor principal theological college cape_town rector seminary training institutions process united decided general business meeting partnership
Apostolic Faith Mission of South Africa