About Us
The Church
of God, 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; and 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 United
States. 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.
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 multinational
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 250,000. There are
approximately 2,300 congregations in the United States and Canada.
Worldwide, the movement has work in eighty-nine countries and
territories representing approximately 7,300 churches and more than
750,000 believers.
We
welcome you to our website and the Church of God family!
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