The Church of God (Anderson) is a non-denominational, Holiness movement believing group of Christians with roots in Wesleyan pietism and also in the restorationist and (arguably) anabaptist traditions. Perhaps its most distinctive feature is that there is no formal membership, since the movement believes that belief in Christ makes one a member. Similarly, there is no formal creed other than the Bible. Accordingly, there is much official room for disagreement, even though the movement's culture is strongly rooted in Wesleyan holiness theology.

It was started in 1881¹ by Daniel Sidney Warner and several others. Warner had been a member of the General Eldership of the Church of God. He differed with the Winebrennerians on the doctrine of sanctification, which he held to be a second definite work of grace, and on the nature of the church. The desire of Warner and the others was to forsake denominationalism and creeds. To this end, they determined to trust in the Holy Spirit as their guide and the Bible as their creed. This church movement is not historically related to other Church of God bodies such as the Church of God (Cleveland) or Church of God (Charleston, Tennessee). Though these bodies are also holiness in outlook, the Church of God (Anderson) does not share their Pentecostal practices.

The church's doctrinal beliefs include:²

• The divine inspiration of Scripture
• Forgiveness of sin through the atonement of Jesus Christ and repentance of the believer
• The experience of holiness
• That the kingdom of God has been established here and now
• The resurrection of the dead, culmulating with a final judgment (or the second judgment) in which there will be reward for the righteous and punishment for the wicked

The church observes baptism by total immersion, the Lord's supper (commonly known as communion), and foot washing as symbolic acts, recognizing them as the ordinances of God. According to the church's official web site, "None of these practices, termed ordinances, are considered mandatory conditions of Christian experience or fellowship."³ Church polity is autonomous and congregational, with various state and regional assemblies offering some basic support for pastors and congregations. In North America cooperative work is coordinated through Church of God Ministries with offices in Anderson, Indiana. Currently the General Director is Ronald Duncan.

There are about 2,276 congregations in the United States and Canada which are affiliated with the Church of God (Anderson), with an average attendance of 255,771 (2006 Yearbook of the Church of God). Worldwide "membership" is more than 817,572 in about 7,375 congregations spread over nearly ninety countries. The church does not have traditional formal membership. Personal conversion and Christian conduct, coupled with attendance, are sufficient for participation in a local Church of God congregation.

The church's seminary is Anderson School of Theology in Anderson, Indiana. It is also affiliated with several colleges across North America.

• Anderson University
• Azusa Pacific University
• Bay Ridge Christian College
• Gardner College
• Mid-America Christian University
• Warner Pacific College
• Warner Southern College

For other Christian denominations in the Holiness/Pietist tradition, see Church of God.

See also

External links

• Church of God Ministries, Inc. - official Web Site
• Freikirchlicher Bund Gemeinde Gottes (Germany) - official Web Site
• Church of God Reformation Movement - Unofficial Web Site

Footnote

• 1, 2 & 3, see History of the Church of God

Church of God (Anderson) | Churches in the United States

Freikirchlicher Bund der Gemeinde Gottes | Gemeinde Gottes (Anderson)