International Council Presents Recommendations
Cleveland, TN–The International Council of the Church of God concluded their biennial gathering earlier this week and presented five recommendations to the International Executive Council. All five were discussed and referred to committee for further study for either implementation or possible presentation to the General Council of the Church of God next summer.
Proposal #1 recommended that the process of examination for the first two levels of credentialing be changed to reflect the international nature of the Church of God. It was explained that the introductory level of credentialing, especially in pioneer countries for the Church of God, could be expedited without compromising integrity of the process. Further, it is vital that ministers seeking credentials outside the USA have a history and polity section that deepens their sense of identity with the national Church of God movement where they (country) will serve. Testing for the level of ordained bishop would be unchanged as all leaders with access to the General Council and eligible for election and appointment to international leadership positions would need knowledge of USA national church history and the polity of the international offices.
A second recommendation stated that the maturity of Church of God movements outside the USA be affirmed, encouraged and recognized through establishing measurable maturity goals and officially certifying the obtaining of such goals. Currently, the Church of God does not have a means of recognizing and giving greater voice to those strong national movements outside the USA who exhibit clear fidelity to Church of God and have fully developed structures of education, finances, and missions. Recognizing the maturity level of a national Church of God movement in an official “credentialed” form would affirm development, “disincentivize” dependency, and mobilize interdependent participation in Great Commission initiatives.
A third recommendation addressed increased international synergy. Other Pentecostal movements have modeled greater global voice, particularly in regard to initiating common Great Commission initiatives. Ensuring that especially those national movements that are mature and aligned with the Church of God have voice and input will bring a new level of missional synergy as an international movement.
A fourth recommendation to the IEC suggested that a theological study group be appointed to engage in deep biblical inquiry and dialogue on relevant topics, and present its work to the International General Assembly. The early Church of God established a regular gathering for the purpose of examining the scriptures and verifying alignment with “the whole Bible, rightly divided.” The smaller, early General Assembly gatherings were logistically suited to hold these dialogues, but with more than 7 million members worldwide, the fulfillment of the original function and purpose of searching the scriptures at an Assembly is limited, at best. Participation does not include the entire church. Meanwhile, the rise of theological challenges make the need of focused theological inquiry as great as ever. Therefore, it is recommended that a theological study group be appointed to engage in deep biblical inquiry and dialogue on relevant topics, and present its work to the General Assembly.
A final recommendation addressed the supernatural gifts of the Holy Spirit, stating that in alignment with our doctrine and the Church of God emphasis on Pentecostal doctrinal affirmation, this 2018 General Assembly urges every Church of God congregation around the globe to renew its commitment to preach, teach and practice the baptism of the Holy Spirt and to emphasize the operation of the Pentecostal belief on the supernatural gifts of the Holy Spirit.
The International Council adjourned on September 26 following the joint session between the two bodies.
