The Assembly of God I know

[llewksgood]

It would be hard for me to define the AOG as it appears to be today, which sometimes seems in conflict with the one I grew up in. I have no quarrel with today's church, it's just not the administration I learned, nor believe in. That may seem difficult to understand since there are so many AOG churches today practising things that are not necessarily in its mode of operation.

It will take much time to tell you everything, so I'll start with a little background on the influences in my life.

I come from Zimbabwe [Rhodesia, and maybe even Southern in those days] where the AOG church was founded by brothers Jim, and Fred Mullen. The influence on the movement was largely Brittish, and possibly Elim in nature. Willie Burton, missionary to the Congo was well respected, and an influence in the days my dad got saved. I was born after his salvation.

The Welsh revival most likely played an important part in the influences of that day, rather than the influences of Seymour, and others. Idris Davis was a welshman in our local assembly.

I think that will give you some idea of the influences on the AOG I came to know, and was saved in.

More later.

[llewksgood]

One of the stand out decisions made in those early days was the autonomy of the local church, thus defining the AOG as a fellowship of churches, rather than a denomination having a central government. I was a little young to define to you what this actually meant, in terms of the decision passed at conference, but the autonomy of the local church was an important issue in the running of the churches.

My understanding of this is that the local church best represents the body of Christ, since it is there that the actions of the body are most readily manifested. It is within the local church that the 9 gifts of the Spirit can be menifested as Paul reveals in 1 Corinthians 12. Body ministry became the term used to explain how the local church should appear.

It became clear that Christ gave apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers; who were presiding gifts to help the church function properly, and that everything may be done decently, and in order. They were not there primarily to do the work of the ministry, which was the work the body should be doing.

Such men, of course, were given understanding, and wisdom of Christ, through the Holy Ghost, and were held as prestigious, though not greater than any other within the body. For this reason they were called "brother", along with every other member of the body [brother, or sister were the terms used to show we are all equal in Christ.]

Although it is true that such men preached the doctrine, as did the apostles in the Acts, it was the wisdom, and understanding they had received from Christ that bade the assembly to listen to them, not merely the appointment by others. Therefore, when such wisdom, and faithfulness was recognised in any they were encouraged to use that which had been given them.

All members of the body were strongly encouraged to participate in line with Paul's declaration, "When you come together every one of you has a tongue, a psalm, a doctrine," so, come and share what you have been given. More than this, we encourage you to ask God to give you something whereby you may bless the church. The breaking of bread service, known as the believer's meeting was set aside for this on Saturday night, every week.

Sunday night was the gospel service [outreach meeting] where the gospel invitation was always preached. If you showed any inclination to the gift of evangelising [said evengelastically], you may be encouraged to share from time to time, or to hold outreach meetings in other places. Every believer was encouraged to be involved in street witnessing [usually Saturday morning], and door-to-door evangelism [Friday Evening], besides being a witness in their work place.

Sunday School was 9 am, and Bible teaching at 11am. there were home Bible Studies during the week in homes opened for this purpose. Youth church was Friday evenings, and much of this was spent with the youth doing door-to-door. Church was a lifestyle, not just somewhere you went once a week. Just as in the days of Acts where they met daily, rather than weekly [or, weakly]. Prayer meeting was Thursday night. We grew together, because we were together.

I think showing the common practice of the church is more revealing that the doctrine behind it, but the behavior came from a belief system.

[llewksgood]

Every local assembly had an oversight with, at least one of the 5-fold ministries being provided for every church.

The basis of the providing of a 5-fold ministry was modeled after Paul's actions revealed in the Acts, and his epistles.

Paul developed a team of ministers, examples are Timothy, and Silas, whom he would send to the churches he had planted that he might know of their state, and upkeep their care. These men did not come to own the local church [as appears in so many independent churches these days], but were sent that they might impart some ability for the church to continue ministering in its local setting.

Every church goes through a period of growth, and requires different direction at different stages of its growth.

The prophet, or exhorter calls the people into a closer relationship with God, encouraging them to holiness and vision. He was not so much a man with a word for individuals [as the charismatic scene went], but a word for the church. He challenged complacency, and encouraged action. He was a man full of the Spirit.

The teacher was the discipler, who led the congregation to a greater understanding, and was full of the word [the Bible]. There are times when we all need to learn, that we may understand, and pass truth to others. When thirsty people needed to drink of the word a teacher may be sent to bring them into a greater understanding of God's purposes and will.

If the church, a living organism, is to maintain healthy growth, it requires action. Action that brings new birth into the church. This was the work of the evangelist. Not so much to evangelise, but to prompt the church to evangelise. It was interesting to me to note that evangelists were more concerned with everyone being saved, than with holiness, or understanding [not that they were not these things, just the importance lay in saving souls].

And, of course, there are times when the church simply needs caring for. When broken relationships need to be restored, when the sheep need to be fed. This was the time a pastor may be of most benefit. A man with a firm, but gentle spirit who, thorugh his ministry, brings rest to the body. If you wished an example for this I would recomend you read Corinthians 1 & 2. Paul speaks harshly in 1 Corinthians, challenging holiness, the love of the brethren, and order in the church. Yet in 2 Corinthians he suggests that he would come to them with all gentleness, and humility, and encourage them all in Jesus Christ.

To see the church with its different needs one need only look at the 7 churches in Asia, and the encouragement Jesus gives to each of them. The ministry gifts help us to attain this excellence.

For this reason "pastors [as we call them today]" were often moved between the churches according to the needs percieved by the AOG fellowship's oversight [it may not have been perfect, but it did a lot more good than these long-term ministries that are continually failing around us today]. There was no desire to create mega-churches, just growing, and multiplying ones, where fellowship was close, and friendships real.

Within each local church were nominated elders. Once again, this was not perfect, but it helped to maintain order in the assemblies as the policy was to adhere to Scriptural guidelines as closely as possible.

Deacons were also appointed to take care of the natural things in each local church. It was not their function to determine "church policy", but to ensure the smooth running of the church. Today, I believe, if the ministry to the poor and widows is not being taken care of, the fault is with the deacons, who often seek more power [which is sad]. Can deacons preach? Yes, just as everyone can, and each one is judged by the congregation whether their word is from God, or not [although the ministry gifts would preside here, simply because of the wisdom and understanding they had obviously received].

The important philosophy to remember here is that "every one of you has a tongue, a psalm, a doctrine." Bring what God has given you, and share it with us.