Assemblies of God Polity – Detailed Study Notes

Polity = the organizational structure or system of governance that shapes how a denomination/fellowship functions.
- Southern Baptist example: Congregational polity (each local church is completely autonomous and disconnected from other churches in an authoritative sense).
- Assemblies of God (AG) example: a mixed model
- Congregational governance for General Council Affiliated (GCA) churches.
- Episcopal‐style governance for District Affiliated (DA) churches.

Who it is
- All ordained ministers.
- All licensed ministers.
- Delegates from every GCA church (each church chooses whether to send a delegate).
Authority & Function
- Supreme legislative body for the AG.
- Adopts/changes the Constitution & Bylaws.
Meeting rhythm: once every $2$ years (biennial).
Headship: Chaired by the General Superintendent (Doug Clay).

Composition (≈ $>100$ ministers)
- District Superintendents (a.k.a. District Resource Leaders).
- District Secretaries/Treasurers.
- Presidents of AG‐endorsed colleges/universities.
- Executive Director of World Missions & Executive Director of U.S. Missions.
- Members of the Executive Presbytery (EP) are automatically part of GP.
Meeting rhythm: once per year.
- In GC years, GP meets the week prior to the General Council session.
Function
- Provides counsel, policy input, and oversight between GC sessions.
Chair: General Superintendent.

Composition (17 voting members)
- Board of Administration (4 national officers).
- Executive Director of World Missions.
- Executive Director of U.S. Missions.
- 11 Regionally elected ministers (to represent various geographic areas).
Election: at each General Council.
Meeting rhythm: normally every $1$ – $2$ months.
Function
- Handles day-to-day national business & policy implementation for the Fellowship between GP meetings.
Chair: General Superintendent.

General Superintendent – Doug Clay (chairs every governing body listed above).
Assistant Superintendent – Alton Garrison.
General Secretary – Donna Barrett.
General Treasurer – Rick DuBose.
Location of headquarters: Springfield, Missouri.
Unique trait: same person (General Superintendent) presides over GC, GP, EP, and Board meetings—looks “pope-like,” but not a pope (no lifetime/absolute authority; he is elected).

1. General Council Affiliated (GCA) Churches
- Autonomous; governed congregationally.
- Own their property, manage finances, hire/fire staff.
- May voluntarily withdraw from the AG or hire non-AG ministers.
- District Superintendent cannot dictate giving levels, real-estate decisions, staffing, etc.
- In lawsuits or liabilities, the local church itself is sued—no legal tie to district.
2. District Affiliated (DA) Churches
- Owned and governed by the District Council.
- Some congregational privileges may be granted if/when the district deems the church ready.
- Purpose: a “developmental stage” on the way to becoming a GCA church.
3. PAC Churches (Parent Affiliated Churches)
- A newer category.
- Owned/overseen by a GCA “parent” church.
- Can transition later to DA or GCA status as appropriate.

GC members = all ordained + licensed ministers plus GCA churches (through delegates).
GP members = leadership of District Councils + EP + other designated leaders.
EP is a subset of GP.
Board of Administration = national officers who simultaneously sit on/lead EP & GP.

Local Church Credential
- Issued by a local church (in partnership with its district).
- After $1$ year → qualifies the person to apply for Certified Minister status.
Certified Minister
- Application through the Sectional Committee.
- Requirements:
  - Written exam on Doctrine & Polity.
  - Interview with sectional leaders.
- Credentials physically held by the Section, then GC.
- Earns the legal title “Reverend.”
- Financial responsibility: begin paying tithes to district/general council.
- Some candidates may skip this step and apply directly for License to Preach.
License to Preach
- Normally after $1$ year as Certified (or immediately for approved exceptions).
- Another exam on Doctrine & Polity.
- Interview involves the minister and spouse (if married).
- Credentials held at the General Council level.
Ordination
- Requires $2$ years as a Licensed minister.
- Exam + interview (spouse included).
- Must participate in an Ordination Service.
- Required for:
  - Military & institutional chaplaincy.
  - Most lead pastorates.
  - World/U.S. missionaries.
  - Bible college/university teaching in Bible & theology.
  - District & national AG officials.

Autonomy vs. oversight: GCA churches have full legal & fiduciary responsibility; DA churches transfer that to the district.
Example/Hypothetical: If a GCA pastor loses credentials for misconduct, only the local church constitution determines employment status. If bylaws require an AG-credentialed pastor, termination is automatic; if not, the church could retain the pastor despite lost credentials.
Lawsuits: A civil suit targets the corporate entity that owns the property (GCA church itself vs. district for DA churches).
Financial stewardship: District officers cannot mandate GCA giving levels (e.g., to missions).
Transitional goal: DA churches are “coached” into self-sustaining, autonomous status (move to GCA).

Southern Baptists: entirely congregational; no binding authority beyond the local church.
Anglican/Episcopal: fully episcopal (bishops appoint pastors & own property).
AG: Hybrid—allows local church freedom while retaining district/national oversight where churches are immature or newly planted.
Avoids the extreme centralization perceived in a “pope” model while still providing national identity and accountability.

GC meets every $2$ years.
GP meets annually.
EP = $17$ regional reps + Board of Administration + 2 missions directors.
>100 members in GP.
Credential timeline: $1$ year → Certified; $1$ year → Licensed; $2$ years → Ordained.

Difference between GC, GP, and EP:
- GC = entire fellowship (ministers + delegates) → changes Constitution/Bylaws.
- GP = ≈ $100$ district leaders + EP → meets yearly → advisory/oversight.
- EP = $17$ regional reps + national officers → meets monthly/bi-monthly → executive actions.
General Superintendent chairs all major bodies but is an elected facilitator, not a pope.
Two church types: GCA (autonomous) vs. DA (district owned). PAC = special sub-category under GCA parent.
Credential ladder: Local → Certified → Licensed → Ordained.
Headquarters: Springfield, MO.

Understanding polity protects ministers from overstepping authority (e.g., district vs. local church boundaries).
Clarifies legal liability in property, employment, and civil issues.
Provides a framework for healthy church planting and leadership development (DA/PAC to GCA pathway).
Ensures doctrinal integrity through tiered credentialing with exams & interviews.