Douglas E. Woolley
Steven M. Fettke
History and Polity of the Assemblies of God
26 June 1994
Note: To view the current official Constitution and Bylaws of the General Council of the Assemblies of God in the United States of America and Selected Territories, please see:
The following is an outline of the Constitution and Bylaws that were available in June of 1994:
I. CONSTITUTIONAL DECLARATION
A. God's purpose concerning man
1. to seek and to save that which is lost
2. to be worshiped by man
3. to build a body of believers in the image of His Son
B. The priority reason for being of the Assemblies of God
1. to be an agency of God for evangelizing the world
2. to be a corporate body in which man may worship God
3. to be a channel of God's purpose to build a body of saints being perfected in the image of His Son
II. NAME of corporation shall be The General Council of the Assemblies of God
III. NATURE is cooperative fellowship based upon mutual agreements voluntarily entered into by its membership
IV. PREROGATIVES of the Assemblies
A. Evangelization of the world
B. Worship of God
C. Edification of believers
D. Fellowship
E. Establish and maintain departments and institutions for the propagation of the gospel
F. Approve all scriptural teachings, methods, and conduct
G. Right to own, hold in trust, use, or sell property
V. PRINCIPLES FOR FELLOWSHIP - unity, cooperation, and equality
VI. STATEMENTS OF FUNDAMENTAL TRUTHS - basis of fellowship
A. The Scriptures Inspired - both Old and New Testaments
B. The One True God - Father, Son, and Holy Ghost
1. Definition of trinity and persons
2. Distinction of persons and relationship in the Godhead as Father, Son, and Holy Ghost
3. Identity and cooperation in the Godhead
4. The title, Lord Jesus Christ
5. The Lord Jesus Christ, God with us
6. The title, Son of God
7. Transgression of the doctrine of Christ
8. Exaltation of Jesus Christ as Lord
9. Equal honor to the Father and to the Son
C. The Deity of the Lord Jesus Christ
D. The Fall of Man - created good then voluntarily fell
E. The Salvation of Man
1. Conditions to salvation - repentance and faith
2. Evidences of salvation - inner witness and life
F. The Ordinances of the Church
1. Baptism in water
2. Holy Communion
G. The Baptism in the Holy Ghost
H. The Initial Physical Evidence of the Baptism in the Holy Ghost - speaking with other tongues
I. Sanctification - separated from evil and dedicated unto God
J. The Church and Its Mission
1. Evangelize the world
2. Worship God
3. Build a body of saints being perfected in the image of His Son
K. The Ministry
1. Evangelize the world
2. Worship God
3. Build a body of saints being perfected in the image of His Son
L. Divine Healing - provided in the Atonement and the privilege of all believers
M. The Blessed Hope - the rapture of the saints
N. The Millennial Reign of Christ
O. The Final Judgment - of the wicked
P. The New Heavens and the New Earth
VII. RELATIONSHIPS - the Assemblies shall prosecute its activities through its general offices and district councils
VIII. MEMBERSHIP
A. The General Council of the Assemblies of God - ordained ministers and churches
B. Assemblies of God - ministers and all other persons
C. Voting constituency - members present and registered
IX. MEETINGS
A. Regular sessions - held biennially
B. Special sessions - arranged by Executive Presbytery
C. Right of initiative - called by ordained minister
X. OFFICERS
A. Executive officers
1. Officers and terms of office
2. Board of administration
B. Executive presbytery
1. Composition and terms of office
2. A board of directors
C. General presbytery
1. Representation, qualifications, and responsibilities
2. Executive presbyters ex officio members
3. Foreign missions representation
4. College representation - by 3 college presidents
5. Honorary general presbyters
6. Auditors - may attend sessions if qualified
XI. DISTRICT COUNCILS
A. Membership - ordained and licensed ministers
B. Area of supervision - in its prescribed field
C. Language districts
D. Credentialing authority
E. Areas of authority
F. Amenability to General Council
XII. LOCAL ASSEMBLIES
A. General Council affiliated Assemblies
1. Requirements for affiliation
2. Relationship to and support of the General Council and district councils
3. Right of self-government (sovereign rights)
4. Subordinate in matters of doctrine and conduct
5. Right of appeal
B. District Council affiliated Assemblies
C. World ministries participation
XIII. DISSOLUTION - assets distributed to nonprofit organization
XIV. AMENDMENTS - requires two-thirds vote of members present and voting
XV. PARLIAMENTARY ORDER - work governed by parliamentary procedure as set forth in Roberts' Rules of Order Newly Revised
XVI. ELECTION OF OFFICERS
A. Officers - elected at one of the regular meetings and chosen from the membership of the General Council
B. Nominations and Elections - General superintendent, assistant general superintendent, general secretary, general treasurer, executive director of foreign missions, executive director of home missions, nonresident executive presbyters, general presbyters, board of Christian higher education
C. Vacancies - through death or other cause for executive officers, nonresident executive presbyters, and general presbyters
XVII. DUTIES OF OFFICERS - General superintendent, assistant general superintendent, general secretary, general treasurer, executive director of foreign missions, executive director of home missions, executive presbytery, board of administration, general presbytery
XVIII. COMMITTEES - Standing, Credentials, Roster, Resolutions, Spiritual Life, and others
XIX. DISTRICT COUNCILS
A. Formation of New Districts
B. Officers - superintendent, secretary-treasurer, presbyters, and others
C. Voting Constituency - accredited members present
D. Language Districts - minimum of 40 churches required
E. Dissolution of District - when less than 40 churches
XX. ASSEMBLIES
A. Procedure for Affiliation - of a church with a minimum of 20 active voting members
B. Annual Report from Assemblies - record of membership
C. Safeguarding the Assemblies - allowing only mature teachers and ministers, preferably in the Assemblies
D. Relationships between churches, district councils, and the General Council - churches are sovereign, autonomous, self-governing, and self-determining bodies having cooperative fellowship among the others
E. Guidelines for Minimal Membership - 20 active members
F. New Assemblies Resulting from a Division
G. Transfer of Local Church Membership - by letter
XXI. MINISTRY
A. Ministry described - ordained, licensed, and certified
B. Basic Qualifications - salvation, baptism in the Holy Spirit, evidence of call, a blameless Christian life and a good report of those who are without, doctrinally in-line with Assemblies, knowledge of polity, commitment to fellowship, education, not divorced and remarried while either has a former companion living
C. Specific qualifications - certified, licensed, ordained
D. Action of Credentials Committee - examine and approve
E. Certificates - issued by General Council
F. Official List - of active and inactive ministers
G. Senior Ministers - age 65 or older
H. Ministerial Relations - amenable in doctrine/conduct
I. Transfer of Credential - by certificate and transcript
J. Credential Renewals and Reinstatements
K. Nondisciplinary Credential Terminations
L. Ministerial Status Changes - are to be reported
M. Privileged Communications - not to be disclosed
XXII. CHRISTIAN MARRIAGE AND FAMILY - established by God
XXIII. DOCTRINES AND PRACTICES DISAPPROVED
A. Unconditional Security - "once saved always saved"
B. Legalism - pressing personal opinions on others
C. Eschatological Errors - post-tribulation rapture
D. Membership in Secret Orders
E. Divorce and Remarriage
F. Worldliness
G. Abuses of Stewardship - in tithing, solicitation
H. Violations of Ministerial Courtesy
I. Ministry in a Non-Assemblies Church
J. Improper Attitude toward Those Removed from Fellowship
K. The Ecumenical Movement
XXIV. DISCIPLINE
A. District Action - church is responsible to discipline ministers who violate principles in order to maintain the purity and welfare of the ministry and to bring the minister to repentance and restoration
B. Trial by Jury - a disciplined minister has the right to appeal the decision through a trial with a mature ordained minister serving as the judge
XXV. GENERAL SUPERINTENDENT'S OFFICE
A. Spiritual Life--Evangelism - planning and coordinating office assists general superintendent in 3-fold mission
B. Office of Public Relations - disseminates news/info
C. The Pentecostal Evangel - official magazine
D. Advance Magazine - liaison with ministers/headquarters
XXVI. NATIONAL DIRECTORS - selected to serve as heads of various divisions for 2 years, fulfilling duties as described by Executive Presbytery
XXVII. DIVISION OF CHRISTIAN HIGHER EDUCATION - has oversight of department of Post-secondary Education, seeking to maintain a high degree of spirituality and integrity in all schools
XXVIII. DIVISION OF CHRISTIAN EDUCATION - has oversight of:
A. Sunday School Promotion and Training Department
B. Sunday School Curriculum and Literature Department
C. Sunday School Field Ministries and Literature Sales
D. Christian school representative
XXXIX.DIVISION OF CHURCH MINISTRIES - has oversight over Men’s Ministries, Music, Women's Ministries, and Youth
XXX. ELECTRONIC MEDIA BOARD - television, radio, audiovisuals
A. Media Center - provides audio and video services, acquire and maintain equipment, build and maintain a library of audiovisual resources
B. Broadcast Ministries Department - originates, produces, promotes, and funds official broadcast ministries
XXXI.DIVISION OF FOREIGN MISSIONS - spreads gospel to foreign lands--establishing self-supporting, self-governing, self-propagating national churches
A. Personnel and Family Life Department - recruits
B. U.S. Relations Department - manages foreign relations
C. Communications Department - manages promotional aspects
D. Finance Department- processes finances for missionaries
E. Research Department - collects/evaluates information
F. Missions Abroad Placement Service (MAPS) Department - coordinates laypersons' short-term activities
XXXII.DIVISION OF HOME MISSIONS - spreads gospel to the homeland
A. New Church Evangelism Department
B. Intercultural Ministries Department
C. Chaplaincy Department
D. Chi Alpha Campus Ministries Department
E. Teen Challenge Department
F. Mission America Placement Service (MAPS) Department
XXXIII.DIVISION OF PUBLICATIONS
A. Authorization and Purpose - operating the Gospel Publishing House and distributing the Pentecostal Evangel in order to fulfill the church's mission
B. Government and Organization - national director, departments, board of publication
XXXIV.DIVISION OF THE TREASURY - Finance department, Church loan department, Audit department, Benevolence department
XXXV. INSTITUTIONS - Miscellaneous institutions, Central Bible College, Evangel College, Assemblies of God Theological Seminary, Berean College, Maranatha Village
XXXVI. MILITARY SERVICE - affirm our loyalty to the government of the United States and insist on the right of each member to choose for himself as a combatant, a noncombatant, or a conscientious objector
XXXVII. ASSEMBLIES OF GOD FOUNDATION - Organization, administration, investment of funds
XXXVIII. MINSTERS BENEFIT ASSOCIATION - Organization, administration, investment of funds
XXXIX. WORLD MISSIONS PLAN
A. World Missions Offerings - divided 70%, 5%, 5%, 20%
B. Speed-the-Light Offerings - divided 72%, 18%, 10%
XL.ORDER OF BUSINESS - designated by 8 actions and prayer
XLI. QUORUM - constituted by all members registered and voting in any meeting of the General Council
XLII. AMENDMENTS - to the bylaws may be made at any regular meeting of General Council by a majority of votes cast
I, Doug Woolley, have read the Constitution and Bylaws of the Assemblies of God in their entirety.
Signed: _____________________________________ Date: 6/26/94