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How to Start an Assembly of God Church
Opening an Assembly Of God church is a rewarding experience if you have the creativity and tenacity necessary to be a successful religious entrepreneur. We provide a few secrets to improve your startup process.
Want to start an Assemblies of God church? Here are a few things you need to know.
Background on the Assemblies of God
Founded in 1914 in Hot Springs, Arkansas, the Assemblies of God comprises more than 12,300 churches in the U.S. with nearly 3 million members and adherents. There are more than 63 million Assemblies of God members worldwide, making the Assemblies of God the world's largest Pentecostal denomination.
Follow the Rules When Starting an Assembly of God Church
To start an Assemblies of God church, it's imperative that you work within the governmental structures that have been established and that you fully understand the leadership hierarchy. In other words, you cannot simply hang a sign on a building and declare yourself to be running an Assemblies of God church.
The Assemblies of God is a cooperative fellowship, not a denomination per se. Among other things, the national coordinating body defines the fellowship's educational curriculum, organizes mission programs, credentials ministers and oversees the church's colleges and seminary.
In the Assemblies of God, the national church is called "The General Council of the Assemblies of God." Beneath this level of governance, there are 58 districts, which correspond to state boundaries or ethnic focus. Districts oversee each ministry in their respective areas. The districts also submit ministers for national credentialing.
Within the fellowship of the Assemblies of God, a church can either be associated with the General Council or it can be district affiliated. General Council affiliated churches and district affiliated churches. General Council affiliated churches enjoy full autonomy. District affiliated churches are those which have not yet developed to the point where they qualify for full autonomy. All assemblies are required to adhere to the Statement of Fundamental Truths and a biblical pattern of conduct.
At the individual church level, each pastor is elected by the local congregation. The pastor is responsible for much of the public ministry and day-to-day operation of the local church.
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