assemblies god usa assemblies god usa officially christian united_states founded meeting ministers arkansas branch world largest body constituency million ninth largest united_states assemblies god holds conservative evangelical theology expressed position papers emphasize core doctrines baptism holy spirit speaking divine healing second coming christ defines mission worship god disciple believers compassion fellowship hybrid presbyterian models tension local independence national authority seen historical reluctance refer preferring terms fellowship movement national headquarters springfield missouri administrative executive offices located maintains relationships groups regional national levels north_america world fellowship member beliefs fundamental doctrines central beliefs assemblies god summarized following summary non truths bible inspired god authoritative rule faith conduct true god exists trinity jesus christ son god second person trinity god man created good god separated god original sin salvation received god faith lord jesus christ believer baptism declaration world believer died raised christ new creation lord supper symbol expressing believer sharing divine nature christ memorial christ suffering death prophecy christ second coming baptism holy spirit separate subsequent experience following conversion spirit baptism brings empowerment live overcoming christian life effective witness speaking initial physical evidence baptism holy spirit act separation evil dedication unto god occurs believer identifies faith christ death resurrection believed second definite work grace finished work denominations understood process requires continual yielding holy spirit church mission seek save lost sin church body christ consists people accept christ regardless christian called ordained ministers serve church divine healing sick provided imminent blessed hope church preceding return christ earth church followed visible return christ reign earth thousand years final judgment eternal wicked dead future new heavens new earth core beliefs considers salvation baptism holy spirit evidence speaking divine healing second coming christ core beliefs salvation states man hope redemption shed blood jesus christ son god assemblies god holds position salvation agrees position god sovereign time believes mankind free free accept reject god gift salvation eternal life assemblies god doctrines double security believer holds saved impossible person lost instead assemblies god believes salvation received kept faith faith christ lost salvation lost baptism holy spirit according believers entitled expect seek baptism spirit states normal experience early christian church separate experience occurs salvation baptism gives receiver power life service gifts uses work ministry experiences listed result spirit baptism spirit deepened reverence god intensified dedication god work active love christ word lost addition experience believer use spiritual gifts initial physical sign having received baptism speaking spirit god gives baptism holy spirit evidence speaking requirement ministerial licensing spirit baptism speaking requirement membership participation assembly god church increasing minority expressed concern lack biblical support claim spirit baptism accompanied speaking concern corresponds decrease number adherents reporting baptism holy spirit according percent adherents experience challenges traditional position noted report distinctive doctrine united circles point contention lament increasing rarity gifts spirit worship setting wonder busy church schedules people opportunity transforming experience despite challenges 53rd passed resolution doctrine initial physical evidence divine healing assemblies god understands divine healing provided looking scripture believes christians pray healing believes scripture gives elders church responsibility pray prayer faith sick believes god heal believes god sovereign healed person trust god sees conflict god healing receiving medical care healing regularly appear official publication prayer healing testimony commonly occur church services adamant divine healing reality subject healed summarized view stating physical healing certain automatic subject formula time remains practice officially rejects view healing caused influenced positive confession belief found prosperity theology word faith teachings teachings influenced congregations christ second coming articles articulate assemblies god official teaching return christ earth includes pre church imminent blessed hope church followed christ visible return earth reign years reign usher salvation nation israel universal peace assemblies god specifically opposed practices universal salvation setting dates christ return position statements assemblies god released statements issues addressed position papers usually written standing committee reviews responds issues referred position papers official positions assemblies god recommended approved position statements touch biblical theological social concerns alcohol consumption alcohol calls members adherents live life styles total christianity alcohol assemblies god recognize titles offices prophet believe church exercise ministry function functions relate previously areas people groups functions occur believers speak spirit strengthen encourage comfort prophecy continuing gift holy spirit broadly distributed spirit churches prophecy proves false prophecy departs biblical truth false prophecy believes ministry gifts pastor teachers ministry notes biblical instructions appointment today assisted suicide abortion viewing human life sacred assemblies god opposes assisted suicide abortion medically confirmed mother life imminent physical danger believes scripture silent use takes position subject christian views suicide christianity abortion christian views creation assemblies god believes account creation book genesis accurately god creation heavens earth treats creation fall adam eve historical events acknowledges christians different views age earth age ways god went creative processes urges avoid theories creation god reveals scripture created order demon possession assemblies god believes possible people demon possessed delivered power spirit jesus rejects belief christians possessed evil spirits ministry disabled teaches people disabilities loved god treated dignity fully included life church divorce officially christians cause adultery circumstances exist christian divorced privilege allows question resolved believer light god word christians divorced remarried conversion recommended local churches receive members offered churches churches free determine standards membership result local churches admit divorced remarried persons members conditions met christian views divorce gambling opposes gambling believing disregard responsible involves chance gain expense suffering inconsistent work ethic scripture tends habit forming homosexuality fellowship takes position biblical ideal marriage man woman bible sex outside marriage homosexual furthermore emphasizes believers struggle homosexual encouraged strengthened fellow christians believers hold fear reach compassion christianity homosexuality positive confession god people received faith including salvation spirit baptism divine preservation healing provision material needs motivation witness rejects teaching faith positive confession god action holds believers consider scripture consider adequately god recognize expect suffering life recognize sovereignty god stresses importance persistent prayer opposed simply claiming promises god women role ministry ministry women church allows ordained serve pastoral roles women worship nature difficult define typical local church church identity influenced members social class ethnicity musical worship style preferences categorized congregations types traditional evangelical alternative traditional congregations strongly identify general encouraging intense experiences gifts holy spirit spirit baptism speaking congregations common type identify moving varying degrees away unique experiences important markers identity charismatic churches encourage supernatural gifts spirit weakly identify alternative churches identity occurrence unique experiences low include churches adopting sensitive emerging church models despite diversity found shared beliefs values reflected local churches assemblies god experience oriented local church experience activity holy spirit primarily occur regular services usually held sunday sunday wednesday evenings formal order service churches familiar routine opening prayer special singing offering time prayer sermon altar traditional charismatic churches routine subject change spontaneously service possibly interrupted interpretation message prophecy word wisdom word knowledge change believed directed holy spirit addition evening services incorporate time prayer seeking god altar adjacent prayer room praise worship participants raise hands act worship singing usually led choir worship team drum sets piano organ instruments frequently type music sung generally popular worship choruses worship characterized intense enthusiastic prayer features prominently services services feature moments special prayer offered leading prayer rest congregation participating corporate prayers pray service pastor pray sick prayer include pastor sick olive oil assistance church elders pastoral associates laying hands seeking healing smaller churches feature bright lighting large windows simple platform pulpit center altar bench church platform larger churches direct access balcony main sanctuary near platform respondents altar calls easily come forward large open area platform accommodate altar gatherings platform usually large accommodate large choir musical instruments assemblies god practice baptism churches include rear platform structure assemblies god defined constitution cooperative fellowship churches ministers representative form government derived presbyterian organized levels administration congregations district councils elements limited powers districts license discipline ordained ministers congregations self governing churches assemblies god uses classifications congregations based level local autonomy relationship mature fully functioning congregations classified affiliated churches churches sovereign self governing matters doctrine local assemblies subordinate districts church qualified affiliated status accepts doctrines adopts standard membership active voting membership persons adopts governance model prevents pastor governing body exert ing control church adequate number qualified members fill offices church provision pastor minister good standing local church operates according calls pastor office pastor equivalent elder tasked preaching teaching word god addition conducting day day operations church elected board assist pastor affiliated church withdraw thirds vote church membership request pastor board percent voting members district officials intervene internal affairs affiliated church district leaders conclude district supervision church lose status self governing church revert status district affiliated assembly problems resolved church revert district affiliated status longer meets minimum requirements membership having voting members district affiliated cooperative churches local churches sections district councils able establish new churches church plant initially classified district affiliated meets requirements affiliation district affiliated congregations direct supervision district officials encouraged develop fully self governing churches created new category called parent affiliated churches church plants campuses multi site church supervision affiliated parent church existing churches considering affiliation request temporary status assembly term years officially joining districts churches organized sections sections middle called districts districts oversee activities jurisdiction includes recommending ministers national disputes local congregations types districts geographical districts serve areas corresponding state boundaries non geographical language ethnic districts serve particular language ethnic group hispanic churches districts governed representative bodies called district councils meet annually membership includes resident ministers lay delegate church located district district council session district led superintendent board directors members elected represent sections minister ministers model spiritual maturity leadership ministers churches section organizational framework highest governing body assemblies god ordained licensed ministers delegate assembly god church entitled attend participate size static fluctuating changing year year requirement attend churches send delegates general voting members legislation credentials ministers oversees national worldwide missions programs directs church colleges seminary general superintendent chief executive officer national organization officers assistant general superintendent general secretary general treasurer directors world missions manage day day operations work executive leadership team sessions approximately elected representatives districts foreign mission areas meet session acts official policy making body assemblies god member executive led meets functions board directors executive responsible members body general superintendent office originally known chairman changed current general superintendent wood tenure began october previous general superintendent stepped years leadership following list clergy assemblies god recognizes classifications ministers certified licensed ordained district councils examine candidates levels ministry recommend qualified authority issue ministerial credentials constitution guarantees formal academic achievement diploma degree shall requirement credentials mandate courses examinations preparation receiving credentials applicants complete correspondence courses distance education program receive training institution college seminary approved recommended district credentials committee qualifying credentials based self study ministerial experience substantial duration addition applicants pass standardized exam tests knowledge bible doctrines ministerial practices passing exam interviewed district credentials committee judged qualified district recommend credentials committee assemblies god grant credentials divorced remarried persons partner living specific exceptions exceptions include divorce occurred prior conversion causes marital abandonment christian non christian partner privilege authority issue ecclesiastical cases involving conditions prevent creation valid marriage union fraud clergy barred membership secret societies assemblies recognize local church issued affiliated church engaged local ministry prison hospital ministry local church holders perform church authorization issuing church senior pastor total assemblies god ministers excluding local church credentials senior female activities missions primary reason formed create cooperation missionary work missions remained central focus time assemblies god churches countries territories world missionary work outside united_states overseen assemblies god world missions december reporting personnel worldwide agency provides medical founded ministry provides free optical dental medical care operated countries founding missions united_states overseen assemblies seven departments include church planting maps youth alive maps offers volunteers opportunity contribute missions ways church construction short long term missions summer missionary associate programs youth alive oversees missionary outreach elementary high schools reported appointed missionaries candidates year reported endorsed following programs assemblies god usa boys girls missionary challenge convoy hope marriage encounter royal rangers teen junior bible education united_states assemblies god bible colleges universities enrollment endorsed colleges universities assemblies god churches operate christian schools membership schools acts incorporated students enrolled schools publishing assemblies god operates located springfield missouri publishes books curriculum church ministry resources primarily general evangelical market assemblies god publishes official weekly magazine resource ministers demographics assemblies god united states grown steadily 20th century members churches early 1970s membership reached million rapid growth occurred grew constituency million million year period average sunday morning worship attendance churches people year inclusive membership includes persons age identify people attending churches increase percent ethnic diversity increasing constituency largely white slight decline white churches ethnic churches mainly hispanic responsible numerical growth reported percent adherents white percent hispanic percent black percent percent native american remaining percent listed mixed created non geographical language districts serve immigrant communities primary language english spanish korean language districts addition brazilian german speakers language districts oversaw churches combined membership members fairly distributed united_states california largest number members followed texas florida states highest membership rates oklahoma arkansas alaska montana hawaii congregations tend located suburban areas opposed urban rural ones history origin assemblies god roots revival early 20th century aspects revival generally welcomed established churches participants movement soon found outside existing religious bodies forced seek places worship soon hundreds distinctly congregations began promoting idea speaking initial evidence baptism spirit began attract considerable following organized loosely rise los_angeles california accusation lost recovered influence severely weakened later joined previously southern baptist minister strength rural areas kansas texas arkansas oklahoma missouri early years organizational affiliation fluid ministers white organization licensed predominantly christ received license preach mason group claimed mason given permission issue ministerial credentials churches god christ white work churches god christ seen biblical began preferred faith played leading role organizing midwest southwest absorbed smaller groups established relationships missions midwest movement centered chicago illinois durham lead promoter finished work doctrine time adopt view second work grace message spread christian missionary alliance churches conferences greeted positively leadership doctrine initial evidence divided organization congregations midwest northeast left oversight began chicago missions early history white ministers nominally affiliated christ dissatisfied arrangement leaders issued general council churches god christ faith assemblies resulted merger chicago arkansas 1st attended predominantly white representatives states missions egypt south_africa fellowship emerged incorporated bell elected general superintendent major reasons given calling meeting create unity doctrine identifying congregations develop ways conserve work home abroad develop system support missionaries charter local churches bible discuss possibility bible training school actions taken 1st addressed women ministry founded assemblies god objections women engaged ministry belief personal experience spirit baptism empowerment service need missionaries encouraged women active types ministry concerned leaders bell women exercising independent authority men council approved granting credentials female missionaries restricting office pastor men female vote meetings fall holders female missionaries christ predominantly black assemblies god remain predominantly white african americans involved early years assemblies god african american pastor example largest churches influential voice fellowship withdrew new issue clarity founders fellowship intend create originally creed statement response issues important teaching felt need agreement central doctrines evangelical christians adherence orthodox belief rejected theology instead identifying old testament christ new furthermore adherents believed christians regardless previous baptism baptized jesus trinity adhered fellowship including founders influential leaders adopted doctrine 4th met resolve new issue caused little anxiety committee introduced proponents saw attack authority bible adopted recommendation ministers use formula old preaching credentials recalled new ones issued included believers including fellowship ministers forced withdraw loss especially felt south doctrine influence effect transition leadership faith leaders accepted teaching men christian backgrounds formed general_assembly later merged group form assemblies world statement speaking initial physical evidence spirit baptism inclusion challenged executive argued speaking evidence baptism evidence issue decided september months earlier resigned damage fellowship present invited address council following debate resolutions passed assured initial evidence remain official teaching fellowship controversy led withdrawal ministers fellowship experienced growth subsequent years district councils organized regions country exist home missionary fields designated maximize efforts led southwestern arkansas district councils missionary stations established outside districts canada assemblies canada china japan japan assemblies god india assemblies god india egypt central bible college started basement god church springfield missouri fellowship claimed members churches women ethnic minorities despite origins racially inclusive revival accommodated america culture racial segregation early assemblies god different early executive wrote article segregation ordained god general enacted policy prohibiting african americans ministry districts allowed license african americans preach district license issued seeking referred colored organizations especially true christ despite fact assemblies god seen younger sibling leadership general superintendent thomas finally began issuing regard race years later adopted resolution civil rights condemning racism discrimination 1970s renewed focus inner city integrated urban efforts blacks excluded 1960s work spanish speaking people long history sanctioned explicitly hispanic outreach independent latin american district established end world war latin american constituency formed largest protestant presence united_states focused major european immigrant populations later generations american culture separate european segments absorbed regular geographic districts time african americans barred women began receive greater opportunities leadership women formed important constituency sunday school workers prominent later found issue women place movement important 1930s recognized congregations afford male relied women despite fact opposition female regularly affirmed office pastor opened women relations denominations renewal movements world wars movement kept relative isolation evangelical groups world war started groups overseas like germany australia time national denominations came affiliate fellowship partnerships later develop establishing nations began communicate churches assemblies god founding member fellowship north_america north_america 1950s challenged began members canadian counterpart quickly spread united_states known highly critical denominations taught gifts spirit church elders given laying hands assemblies god classical groups maintained personally received manifested holy spirit meeting approaching fears fellowship split rain issue end united seen movement resolution specified errors included identifying confirming gifts prophecy laying hands rejected idea church built present day rain theology pre manifested sons god teaching condemned rain late 1940s 50s major influence later renewal movements affiliation signaled alignment opposition mainline movement evangelical partners agreed issues shared similar world views spirit baptism operation spiritual gifts embraced evangelical christians response charismatic movement began 1960s cautious holy spirit urging revival judged scripture time beliefs practices largely remained confined classical denominations began impact mainline protestant roman catholic churches large scale fact occurred churches historically seen suspect nature movement owing different traditions participants came perception movement based experience biblical teaching led assemblies god relation movement charismatic movement forced assemblies god understood spirit baptism context evangelical theology 1950s emphasized certain doctrines practices spirit baptism challenged views claiming receive holy spirit baptism outside context remaining churches failing reject adopting dancing drinking smoking etc local level assemblies god churches influenced charismatic movement left original churches joined formal assemblies god congregations addition contemporary decreased emphasis traditional charismatic movement accelerated trend existence changing views behavior war movement emergence early 20th century saw peculiar people components identity particular behavior drug use gambling social dancing consuming alcohol smoking attending theaters bowling swimming public pools beaches owning television sets restrictions feminine attire fashion helped distinguish larger society starting 1950s attitudes assemblies god activities underwent dramatic change change probably occurred views women attire stance wearing jewelry giving way acceptance popular fashion standards longer adhered held smoking alcohol drug use history assemblies god officially opposed christian participation war listed america largest peace church official position church encouraged christian constrained declare participate war armed resistance involves actual destruction human life contrary view clear teachings inspired word god founders generation members held view presented official teaching world war world war official position remained unchanged affirmed right member choose declare position culmination process begun world war unpopular hold views adherents questioned stance recent history present assemblies god emerged leading terms status wealth influence global adherence 1980s assemblies god saw rapid growth years ranking fastest growing american growth mainly result hispanic outreach hispanic members percent fellowship total constituency growth asian immigrant constituency recognized decade korean district created assemblies god gained national visibility late 1980s popularity later scandals surrounding ministers launched effort increase growth 1990s called decade harvest efforts failed sustain impressive growth 1980s growth slowed average annual increase percent increased growth came increased acceptance 1980s growing number ministers educated risen leadership positions evangelical institutions fuller theological seminary assemblies god led weakening especially doctrine initial evidence traditional practices holding prayer meetings altar services faded time despite efforts leaders identity remain plus process continued churches assemblies god experienced decades featured worship practices reminiscent early prominent occurred pensacola florida early 2000s faced criticism assemblies god dramatic religious experiences participants case national leadership gave cautious approval support
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