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OUR HISTORY AND MISSION STATEMENT Flipbook PDF

OUR HISTORY AND MISSION STATEMENT

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OUR HISTORY The Church of God reformation movement, with U.S. offices in Anderson, Indiana, began in 1881 as a movement emphasizing the unity of God’s people and holy living. Daniel S. Warner and several associates sought to forsake denominational hierarchies and formal creeds, trusting solely in the Holy Spirit as their overseer and the Bible as their statement of belief. These individuals saw themselves at the forefront of a movement to restore unity and holiness to the church. Their aim was not to establish another denomination but to promote primary allegiance to Jesus Christ so as to transcend denominational loyalties. This movement is not historically related to the several Church of God bodies rooted in the holiness revival of Tennessee and the Carolinas in the late nineteenth century. Although it shares their holiness commitment, it does not emphasize the charismatic gift of speaking in tongues generally associated with Pentecostal churches. Deeply influenced by Wesleyan theology and Pietism, the church’s generally accepted teachings include the divine inspiration of Scripture; forgiveness of sin through the atonement of Jesus Christ and repentance of the believer; the experience of holiness; the personal return of Christ, unconnected with any millennial reign; the kingdom of God as established here and now; the resurrection of the dead; a final judgment in which there will be reward for the righteous and punishment for the wicked. Within the church, baptism by immersion is viewed as a witness to the new believer’s regeneration in Christ and inclusion in the family of God. The Lord’s Supper reminds participants of the grace experienced in the life of the believer. Foot washing is practiced in acknowledgement and acceptance of the servant ministry of all Christians to each other and to the world. These symbolic acts are understood to be affirmative reminders of what God has done in Christ. None of these practices, termed ordinances, are considered mandatory conditions of Christian experience or fellowship. There is no formal membership. Individuals are assumed to be members on the basis of personal conversion and conduct that supports that conversion experience. This is consistent with the church’s understanding of how Christian unity is to be achieved—a unity based on spiritual experience rather than creedal agreement. The Church of God is congregational in its government. Each local congregation is autonomous. Ministers meet in voluntary state, regional and national assemblies, and other associations. In North America, the General Assembly, composed primarily of ministers but also including lay congregational delegates, meets in connection with the movement’s annual North American Convention held in Anderson, Indiana. In 1996 and 1997 the General Assembly initiated a restructuring of the work of the national ministries of the Church of God within the U.S. The result was the formation of Church of God Ministries; Inc. Priorities for the work of this organization are identified by representatives selected from the grassroots church.

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In 1891 the movement’s first missionary was sent to Mexico. Since those early days, the Church of God has continued to grow into a multi-national community of faith. At present, the largest concentrations of U.S. churches are in the Midwest, along the Pacific Coast, and in western Pennsylvania. Average weekend attendance in the congregations of the United States and Canada totals approximately 235,000. There are approximately 2,300 congregations in the U.S. and Canada. Worldwide, the movement has work in 90 countries representing approximately 7,340 churches and over 750,000 believers. Records show that the Rev. Noah S. Duncan disembarked in Barbados three times between the years 1906-09. He had, in 1906, established a mission in Trinidad and soon after that had occasion to stop here on his way back to the United States. During this stopover he distributed literature to the people, who showed great interest. The work here was started by a Barbadian, Bro. Philip Scantlebury, who for some years lived in America. He returned to Barbados in 1912 in order to visit his mother who was ill. While here, he gathered together a small group in Mile-and-a-Quarter, where his parents lived, and started open-air services under a tamarind tree. The group increased and Bro. Scantlebury rented a small building where he continued the services. In the meantime, two (2) missionaries, the Revs. J. Frank Shaw and George A. Coplin, who had left America and gone over to Trinidad, decided to visit Barbados and see about further establishing the work here. They left Trinidad and arrived in Barbados on March 17, 1912. Bro. Scantlebury met them and took them over to Mile-and-a-Quarter. That same night they started a revival that lasted for two (2) to three (3) weeks. Bros. Shaw and Coplin rented a house near the Scantleburys and settled down to life in Barbados. Two months later, however, Bro. Coplin was recalled to Trinidad and Bro. Shaw was left in sole charge of the work. Bro. Shaw had very little previous experience, so he was rather timid about having a church, whose membership had now reached 40, in his care. He started prayer meetings, and these were held every morning at different homes in the village. In addition, a singing class was organised, with great pleasure and encouragement derived there from. Further encouragement came Bro. Shaw’s way as Miss Maude Smith who had left America for the West Indies along with Bros. Shaw and Coplin but had to remained in Trinidad now came over to Barbados to help him in the work. In 1913, the group moved from Mile-and-a-Quarter to the Reef in Bridgetown, where a tent was erected and services started. It was at this time that Bro. and Sis. Blewitt from the United States arrived on a visit. He was later to play an important part in the purchase of a property as a home for the missionaries. Services at the Reef continued for four (4) weeks. It is heartening to note that at this time Bro. Shaw really saw what it meant to pray; “Lord give us this day our daily bread.” Many mornings he awoke with nothing to eat in the house, but God always answered his prayers and people came to him bringing gifts of cassava, eggs, potatoes, chickens and many other things.

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In 1995, 120 Church of God leaders from across North America gathered for a Visioning Retreat. After much prayer and dialogue, they embraced six vision statements to guide the movement in the twenty-first century. The following statements, now a part of the mission and vision statement of Church of God Ministries, declare what the Church of God reformation movement in North America exists to accomplish. We the Church of God reformation movement in Barbados concur and adopt. PREAMBLE The Church of God reformation movement exists to: WORSHIP THE LORD REACH THE LOST DISCIPLE BELIEVERS EQUIP FOR MINISTRY CELEBRATE UNITY LIVE OUT THE LOVE OF CHRIST The Church of God exists to ...     

Focus on New Testament meanings of corporate and private worship Provide opportunities for persons to worship in varying styles Continue to strive toward renewal in our understanding and practice of worship Prepare clergy and laity of all ages to lead the local church in worship "Worship is something that we give to God, and so it has to be the very best that we have."

The Church of God exists to ...   

Practice global evangelism with the goal of winning the world to Jesus Christ Seek the lost by equipping laity for personal evangelism and creating outreach ministries Communicate the Gospel throughout the world through o Broadcasting via radio and other media o Commissioning missionaries at home and abroad o Planting new churches o Revitalizing evangelism training and materials

"The opportunity to reach millions of souls who have never heard the gospel of Jesus is a tremendous responsibility, challenge and blessing."

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The Church of God exists to ...        

Preach, teach, and practice biblical holiness Provide continuing discipleship opportunities for believers of all ages Develop small groups and small group leaders with a focus on discipleship Provide discipleship materials to guide believers into Christian maturity Prepare young people for a life of faith and service through Church of God colleges Provide periodicals, curriculum, and other materials that challenge believers to Christian growth and biblical holiness Equip clergy and laity to develop discipling programs in the local church Sponsor conferences and workshops that provide spiritual enrichment and indepth Bible study

"Discipleship is the fulfilment of the great commission -- making disciples." The Church of God exists to ... Focus on six aspects of leadership development: 1. Biblical and theological foundations 2. Ethical and relational awareness 3. Leadership and organizational principles 4. Enabling and equipping others for ministry 5. Providing opportunities for practical experience 6. Support seminary education as an effective means in preparation for ministry   

Provide scholarships for persons preparing for the pastoral ministry and entering continuing education programs Provide training programs and materials to equip laity for ministry Strive to empower people of all ages for works of service by: o developing seminars, symposiums, and training materials o providing workshops to help believers discover their spiritual giftedness o publishing books that offer doctrine, theology, Christian training, and inspiration

"We have to get to the point where we are constantly looking for those who can come and continue or create ministry."

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The Church of God exists to...    

Preach, teach, and practice the oneness of the Body of Christ Celebrate the unity and diversity of the Body of Christ Embrace ethnic diversity and unity in practical and visible forms Seek out dialogue and partnerships among congregations, agencies, para-church organizations, and other church bodies to multiply the work and effectiveness of the Church

"We have one Saviour and He has one church and He has given us one commission." The Church of God exists to ...       

Demonstrate the tangible love of Christ in our communities Nurture, heal, and strengthen families Provide for and enable those who need shelter, food, medicine Care for the "least of these" (children, the poor, the imprisoned, the physically and mentally ill, the oppressed, etc.) Proclaim and practice prayer for divine healing Seek justice in local, national, and international communities Seek to discover and minister to current needs in our churches and communities

"We believe that Christ’s love compels us to be active in our community and to spread that love to those we meet." COMMON VALUES/CORE BELIEFS The Church of God movement holds the firm conviction that the Bible is the inspired and authoritative Word of God. In this context we accept all that is central and enduring in the faith of historic, orthodox Christianity as these essentials often have been stated in widely accepted faith affirmations. In declaring our present understandings of Christian faith, experience, discipline, and fellowship, we gratefully acknowledge our particular indebtedness to the Protestant Reformation, to the Anabaptist free-church tradition, to the Puritan-Pietist movements, to Arminian-Wesleyan evangelicalism, and to the Holiness movement in the United States. The Church of God believes in a cluster of biblical teachings that form a vision of the church. Specifically: 1. God’s church is the community of redeemed persons. 2. God’s church is a community of divine-human partnership with Christ as Head. 3. God’s church is a holy community. 4. God’s church is intended to be a unified community.

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The Church of God believes that God calls his people to mission. All Christians are mandated to bear witness to God’s saving activity in Jesus Christ and to "make disciples of all nations. The Church of God believes in the principle of openness to all affirmations of the Christian faith that are expressions of the biblical revelation. The intended unity among Christians is not based on the achievement of full agreement on all theological questions. Rather, it is based on a common membership in the church through the grace of God and is anchored by a common commitment to the centrality of Christ and the authority of the Word of God.

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