WHEREAS we believe that the triune God is the creator and the sustainer of the cosmos, and
WHEREAS according to the ancient Genesis narrative God surveyed His majestic work of creation (Genesis 2:15), a command for responsible stewardship that extends to all of God’s people, and
WHEREAS the Psalms declare that the earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof (Psalms 24:1), and
WHEREAS the gospel of Jesus Christ stands in opposition to any and all forms of gnostic spirituality that deny God’s care for the physical world, and instead declares Jesus Christ to be the Lord over the whole earth, and
WHEREAS the Spirit of God himself groans in unison with the Creation for the revealing of the sons of God, and
WHEREAS the apocalypse of John envisions the day when God will complete the work He began in Genesis, where there is no barrier between the new heaven and the new earth as a whole revealing the complete restoration of creation, and
WHEREAS the historic witness of God’s church recognizes that “This is my Father’s world,” and
WHEREAS the creation itself is an extension of the goodness and governance of God, and
WHEREAS the apathy and indifference of much of the world’s population has produced unprecedented danger to the creation through shifting climate conditions, pollution, and insufficient quality and quantity of water among the world’s poor, therefore
BE IT RESOLVED that the Church of God embrace the call once again to serve and protect God’s creation, and encourages its members to act with care, diligence, and responsibility towards the earth, and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Church of God supports any reasonable efforts to care for the earth in the name of Jesus Christ as a vital part of Christian worship and stewardship.
"WHEREAS our children live in societies troubled with high-risk problems; and
WHEREAS the world is in a period of transition that will profoundly and permanently affect the future of our children and grandchildren—a smaller world brought about by communication, political unification, and a free market; and
WHEREAS we are alarmed at the increasing rates at which children run away from home, drop out of school, experiment with drugs and alcohol, become involved in violent crimes, and suffer the dissolution of their homes by desertion and divorce;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that we strongly emphasize character development among our children—self-esteem, drug prevention education, resistance to negative peer pressure, traditional family values, self-discipline for achieving goals, and acceptance of differences in others; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the values for this emphasis focus on honesty, truthfulness, generosity, kindness, courage, justice, and responsibility; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the foundation be the Word of God, the love of Jesus Christ, the power of the Holy Spirit, and the nurture of the church (65th A., 1994, p. 96).
WHEREAS, on August 19, 2011, the 125th anniversary of the birth of the Church of God will be
observed; and,
WHEREAS, from the eight individuals who responded to Richard G. Spurling’s invitation “. . .
to take the New Testament . . . for your only rule of faith and practice . . . and to sit
together as the Church of God . . .” has increased to 6,748,354 members around the world
with 34,848 churches; and,
WHEREAS, this historical occasion provides an opportunity for the entire Church of God family
to remember the past, rejoice in the present, and to renew our commitment to the future;
therefore,
BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED that we remember our Pentecostal heritage, the faithful men
and women who sacrificed and served to shape our biblical values, and the flow of divine
grace and gifts that formed the Church of God into a worldwide evangelistic force; and,
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that we rejoice for the guiding hand of our Lord on the Church
of God, for establishing us as His blessed people, and for providing unlimited heavenly
resources through prayer; and,
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that we renew our commitment to worship God in spirit and
truth, to fulfill the missional mandate of the Great Commission, and to reflect a spirit of
trust in every aspect of ministry; and,
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED the we come together in a spirit of celebration and commitment
on this 125th anniversary, that states and local churches outline events to remember,
rejoice, and renew and reflect honor and glory to the Lord and that inspire new avenues
to support the mission and vision of the Church of God.
WHEREAS God providentially birthed the Church of God as a community of believers to assist
in fulfilling the Great Commission; and,
WHEREAS, we now face great and complex challenges that demand that we not attempt to
survive with an attitude of business as usual; and,
WHEREAS God has blessed us to become one of the leading Pentecostal denominations in the
world and part of the divine work of the Spirit in these last days; and,
WHEREAS we are not immune from the difficulties faced by other denominations, some of
which are experiencing noticeable decline in membership and financial support; and,
WHEREAS the dangers of institutionalism and bureaucratic inefficiency are ever present,
and if left unchecked will restrict our resources and limit our efforts for evangelism;
BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED THAT we reaffirm that the Church of God is committed to
remaining a movement that promotes policies and ministries that reflect an open, sincere
effort to remain relevant to each generation; and,
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT we acknowledge God’s calling upon us to do our part to
fulfill the Great Commission and to bring spiritual renewal through the power of the Holy
Spirit to a world desperate for truth and significance; and,
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED THAT we steadfastly resist those institutional trends and
behaviors that would inhibit our creativity, stifle our anointing, limit our vision, or reduce
our effectiveness in fulfilling the mission God has given us as a movement.
WHEREAS the Church of God is committed to obeying the Great Commission of Christ to make
disciples of all nations; and,
WHEREAS the international ministry of the Church of God began with the return of Edmund S.
and Rebecca Barr to their native Bahama Islands in November 1909; and,
WHEREAS the first Church of God American missionaries, R.M. and Ida Evans and Carl
Padgett departed from the United States of America on December 31, 1909, and arrived
in the Bahama Islands on January 4, 1910; and,
WHEREAS from this incipient ministry the Church of God now ministers in 181 countries and
geographical entities; and,
WHEREAS every six hours a new Church of God is planted somewhere in the world; and,
WHEREAS the membership outside the United States and Canada is approaching six million
baptized adult members with a constituency of twelve million when you include youth
and children; and,
WHEREAS this international ministry is the result of the labors of missionaries and nationals,
supported by the prayers and finances of members of the Church of God throughout the
world; and,
WHEREAS the Church of God celebrated the World Missions Centennial with special
services in January 2010 in the Bahamas, and at this General Assembly;
BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED that every Church of God office, agency, publication,
and congregation use this centennial celebration as an occasion to tell the story of our
missionary enterprise; and,
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that the Church of God enter its second hundred years of world
missions ministry looking with a renewed vision and full commitment to complete the
work of the Great Commission by sharing Christ with 70 designated unreached people
groups.
WHEREAS in our times there is an attempt to redefine all that Jesus taught and did in a
manner that other faiths are not offended or excluded and are thereby encouraged to feel
welcomed to participate in our worship; and,
WHEREAS the call to be inclusive of other faiths and the removal of doctrinal propositions so as
to be non-offensive deliberately ignores the goals of preserving orthodox Christianity and
orthodox Christian doctrine; and,
WHEREAS Christian doctrine is being marginalized and its predominance cheapened by this
diversion from absolute truth; and,
WHEREAS there are those seeking to create Christian communities in post-modern cultures, not
based on historical Christian beliefs but rather on new dogmas, philosophies, ideologies,
and radical relativism which are all diametrically opposed to the substantive teachings of
the Holy Scriptures; and,
WHEREAS we have historically practiced “believing” and then “belonging,” and there are
those who now advocate and practice “belonging” and then “believing” based on
radical relativism, ecclesiastical paradigm shifts, and an evident disregard for sound
hermeneutical and exegetical principles of interpretation that historically have guided in
the declaration of biblical doctrines and beliefs; and,
WHEREAS at the core of these salient assaults on our beliefs and doctrines at this time is the
attempt to divest Christ of His deity by identifying Him as a mere historical figure,
devaluing Him to just a moral individual to be emulated, and in some circles discrediting
Him by falsely labeling Him an amoral person, so as to erroneously expect and anticipate
avoidance of accountability for sins and the judgment of God;
BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED THAT in light of the biblically explicit teaching on the deity
of Jesus Christ, we hereby affirm that the historical, doctrinal position of the Church of
God remains irreversibly that Jesus Christ is indeed God; and,
BE IT THEREFORE FURTHER RESOLVED THAT because our position is corroborated by
Jesus’ preexistence (John 1:1), His sharing in divine purposes and activity (John 1:3), and
His possession of divine attributes and prerogatives (Revelation 1:8), we unequivocally
reaffirm our position that Jesus is God incarnate (Titus 2:13, 14); the Son of God
(Ephesians 1:3); the Second Person of the Trinity (Matthew 28:19); Savior of the World;
Redeemer; Sanctifier; Healer; Holy Ghost Baptizer; and Soon Coming King.
BE IT THEREFORE FINALLY RESOLVED THAT our ministers and lay constituents make
it a matter of urgency to reiterate, reaffirm, and proactively engage and transcend the
culture by the systematic preaching and teaching this core belief of the deity of Christ, as
clearly stated in our Declaration of Faith.
WHEREAS God has called us to be a mosaic of God’s creation that enables us to embrace racial,
cultural, and linguistic differences; and,
WHEREAS Scripture explicitly states that there is no distinction between Greek and Jew,
circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, and freeman, but Christ is all,
and in all (Colossians 3:11); and,
WHEREAS God’s people are ultimately not citizens of any one nation or country but of a king--
Jesus and a kingdom—the Kingdom of God; and,
WHEREAS the word of God embraces and encourages racial reconciliation and the healing and
forgiveness of past sins and hurts; and,
WHEREAS the promise of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit was to all flesh, all races, and all
ages; and,
WHEREAS the Pentecostal experience introduced possibilities for the formation of a new
community that was to be multi-racial, multi-cultural, and multi-lingual; and,
WHEREAS every part of the body of Christ is just as important as the other parts and are
ordained by God to have a place at the table, a voice in the conversation, and a hand in
the action; and,
WHEREAS the Church of God has experienced phenomenal growth in other nations and among
other cultures both inside and outside of the United;
BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED THAT we commit ourselves globally to continue to
intentionally build cross cultural relationships and continue to seek and embrace inter-
racial inclusiveness; and,
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT we manifest multi-cultural awareness and unity in
concrete policies and behaviors that seek to provide ecclesiastical structures that reflect
multi-cultural leadership and provide multi-cultural, multi-language resources, so that the
body of Christ can participate in and be enriched by the contributions of each cultural and
ministry group.
WHEREAS the word “church” (ekklesia), by definition, primarily refers to the local
congregation of “called-out” believers; and,
WHEREAS one of the great gifts of Christ to the church is the pastor—the shepherd of the sheep
who compose the local congregation of believers; and,
WHEREAS Jesus warned that Satan, as a “ravening wolf” disguised in “sheep’s clothing”
(Matthew 7:15), will intentionally strive to destroy the work of the shepherd by coming
as a thief “to steal, and to kill, and to destroy” (John 10:10); and,
WHEREAS Jesus told His disciples, “A new commandment I give unto you, That you love one
another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another” (John 13:34); and,
WHEREAS the New Testament in several other passages specifically instructs the members of
the body of Christ, His church, to “love one another;”
BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED THAT we reaffirm our commitment to the challenge of being
a church that genuinely cares for one another and to our priority statement that, “The
Church of God recognizes the local church as the foundation of all ministry activities and
will renew efforts to acknowledge, affirm, strengthen, and support the central importance
of the ministry of the local church;” and,
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT leadership at all levels of the church encourage and teach
local congregations how to provide quality support and care for their pastor and his/her
family by providing comfortable housing, adequate compensation, periods of rest and
relaxation, and retirement security.
WHEREAS the Pastoral Covenant Group Initiative, sponsored by the Pentecostal Theological
Seminary’s Center for Pentecostal Leadership and Care, has made a significant, positive
impact on hundreds of Church of God pastors; and,
WHEREAS the excellent program of care, support, and development available to Church of
God pastors through the Pastoral Covenant Group Initiative has been described by Lilly
Endowment officers as “the shining star” of its similar grant-supported projects; and,
WHEREAS the pivotal point of the Pastoral Covenant Group Initiative is to honor and develop
the pastor by providing ongoing supportive relationships in a group context that
empowers the pastor to be open and supportive of other pastors by sharing his or her
own experience rather than always looking to “experts;” and,
WHEREAS research funded by Lilly Endowment concluded Church of God pastors involved
in the Pastoral Covenant Group Initiative lead congregations that are more missional,
more active in their communities, more participatory in nature, have more vital youth
ministries, and report 61% growth over the last five years; and,
WHEREAS Church of God pastors identified the Pastoral Covenant Group Initiative in
the recent “Listening Tour” forums as one of “the most positive programs in the
denomination;” and,
WHEREAS the Church of God has demonstrated denominational support for the Pastoral
Covenant Group Initiative by investing in the psychological health, emotional well-being,
spiritual renewal, and continued growth of Church of God pastors and their spouses; and,
WHEREAS the Pastoral Covenant Group Initiative is in its eighth year of implementation,
making it one of the longest-running Lilly Endowment-funded projects of its kind; and,
WHEREAS approximately 1,000 U.S. Church of God pastors are currently meeting monthly in
Pastoral Covenant Groups; and,
WHEREAS the first sixteen Pastoral Covenant Group Facilitators have been trained for eight
South American countries this past year;
BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED THAT we applaud the visionary leadership and creative
program development of the Pastoral Covenant Group Initiative, and offer continuing
support for the Center for Pentecostal Leadership and Care staff of the Pentecostal
Theological Seminary; and,
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the Pastoral Covenant Group Initiative be continued and
expanded to provide value for pastors, congregations, state leadership, and the mission of
the Church of God, and positive efforts made to sustain this ministry for the present and
future welfare of the church.
WHEREAS, the parting charge of Jesus Christ to the Church embodies going into all the world,
sharing the redemptive message of God’s love, baptizing converts, and guiding believers
in biblical maturity; and
WHEREAS, visionary, obedient involvement in the Great Commission represents the lifeline of
the church, the flow of supernatural manifestations, and the enriching, transforming fruit
of the Holy Spirit; and
WHEREAS, every local Church of God has the capacity to influence the life of the community,
touch the unchurched with the love of Christ, and minister with tenderness to the helpless
and hopeless; therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED, that the entire Church of God family reaffirm our total, unreserved
commitment to understanding the scope of the Great Commission and the essential
structure necessary for superior evangelism performance; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that every local church embrace a comprehensive plan to
guide adults and youth in personal soulwinning, to sponsor life-related outreach events to
impact unchurched families, and to form a love-circle to mentor believers in following in
the steps of Jesus Christ, our Savior and sustainer.
WHEREAS, prayer was a foundational pillar in the very beginning of the Church of God and
has undergirded our mission and message throughout the years; and
WHEREAS, our churches have been characterized as houses of prayer for all nations and all
peoples to experience the fullness of God’s divine favor and his protective oversight and
leadership; and
WHEREAS, through prayer we are issued the sustaining resources to be effective in fulfilling
the Great Commission, making disciples, and worshipping in spirit and truth; therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED, that we make prayer the central focus in maintaining unity and harmony in
the body of Christ to fulfill God’s perfect will for His people; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that we continue to emphasize that prayer is the power of
the Church for the advancement of the kingdom of God with compassion and authority;
prayer equips believers to live God-honoring lives, to model the virtues of Christ-
likeness, and to give effective witness to the saving grace of Jesus Christ through the
power of the Holy Spirit.is
Whereas, global poverty has reached alarming proportions, with 1.2 billion people living
on less that US $1.25 a day with little or no access to the basic services of nutrition,
health, and education; and,
Whereas, in 2000 the leaders of the governments of the world made promises to halve
extreme poverty by 2015; and,
Whereas, Holy Scripture is comprehensive and compelling in its mandate to “do justice,
love mercy and walk humbly with God” (Micah 6:8); and,
Whereas, a partnership of Evangelical and Pentecostal churches has set the goal of uniting
100 million Christians in prayer and action on global poverty;
BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED:
That we reaffirm our intention to follow the supreme example of Jesus, Lord of the Church,
who proclaimed, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me
to preach the good news to the poor…to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and
recovery of sight to the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of God’s
favor” (Luke 4:18-29); and,
Be It Further Resolved That, we call upon the governments of the nations represented by
the international constituents of the Church of God to honor their promise to halve
extreme global poverty by 2015, holding them accountable to act with integrity and
justice on behalf of the poor.
WHEREAS, the biblical injunction, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on
your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight
your paths” (Proverbs 3:4 ESV), is a lifestyle pattern to please God and to conform to His
will and purposes; and
WHEREAS, the quality of pastoral and congregational trust can be expanded through
understanding biblical roles, open dialogue about Christ-exalting ministry, and a
commitment of scriptural loyalty to each other; and
WHEREAS, a renewed emphasis on creating a stronger degree of trust in the community toward
the Church can be achieved through love-based service, social projects, and life-enriching
activities and projects; therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED, that we come together in a covenant of trust that will shape our faith and
form a foundation for new experiences in serving God, serving each other, and serving
the community; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that we make a united commitment to the formula of
Prayer—the heartbeat of the Church, the Great Commission—the solution, and the
Quest for Trust—the anchor for the future, to guide us in fulfilling our mission and
vision.
WHEREAS there is a critical need to plant churches within the Church of God because it honors
God and spreads His fame among the nations; and
WHEREAS one of the urgent needs of today within the Church of God is to reach the harvest
and our periods of greatest numerical growth have corresponded with direct efforts in
church planting; and
WHEREAS church planting translates God’s love into the heart language of people groups all
over the world and we must rise to the challenge and establish new, vibrant congregations
among all cultural groups; and
WHEREAS new churches are essential to God’s strategy to reach unreached people who have no
near-neighbor to tell them the story of Jesus’ love; and
WHEREAS the goal of church planting is to extend the Kingdom of God into territory
previously occupied by the enemy; and
WHEREAS in order for a new church to survive and flourish it is essential that the church
planter receives supervision, support, and accountability.
BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED:
THAT the Church of God focus its efforts on the task of planting new churches.
Our commission has never been clearer, more urgent, or more hopeful.
WHEREAS, the women of the Church of God have been a major influence on the stability and
growth of the church worldwide; and
WHEREAS, today women are a mighty force in fulfilling the Great Commission through prayer,
teaching, making disciples, and setting a godly example for the youth of the church; and
WHEREAS, the role women in the ministry of the Kingdom of God, the local church, and the
General Assembly has been discolored by the remarks of some speakers during general
council sessions; therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED, that we reaffirm the value and the historical contribution of women in the
life of the Church of God; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that more leadership opportunities be offered for women in
leadership in light of their spiritual gifts and to establish a foundation for the future
involvement, training and recognition of young women growing up in the church; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that we commend them for their crucial involvement in the total
scope of the ministry in the Church of God today; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that we set in motion methods to highlight their dedication and
to honor them for their loyalty, leadership, and love for the Lord and the Church of God.
WHEREAS, on September 11, 2001, four hijacked planes -- American Airlines Flight 11, United Airlines Flight 175, American Airlines Flight 77, and United Airlines Flight 93 -- in a time span of only one hour and 25 minutes, crashed into the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center, the West Section of the Pentagon, and a rural section of Somerset County, Pennsylvania, taking the lives of more than 3,000 individuals; and
WHEREAS this violent act of unprecedented terrorism took the lives of individuals from all walks of life, including many different nationalities and religions, and through death touched the hearts of people in more than 60 countries worldwide; and
WHEREAS the events of this one day have forever changed our lives by impacting our personal sense of security and well-being, by challenging us to recognize the ever-present dangers that surround us, and revealing to us the end-time realities that are set before us; and
WHEREAS the Church of God, with ministries reaching more than 160 nations around the world, has in point of fact strategically felt the impact of the horrors of this unimaginable act of terrorism; and
WHEREAS the Church of God has responded through various denominational ministries under the guidance of our General Overseer, and facilitated through the office of our Division of Care Ministries, to assist those who have been most affected by these tragic events; and
WHEREAS we, the Church of God, remain committed to a worldwide ministry of evangelization, benevolent care, and ministry outreach, even in the face of the current threat of global terrorism;
BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED that we, the Church of God, support President George W. Bush and the numerous world leaders who have joined with him in determined resolve to end the threat of terrorism throughout the world; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that we pray for all victims of terrorism around the world and those who continue to feel the pain and peril resulting from intentional harm by others, and that we follow the Scriptural admonition to pray for the salvation of those who themselves are committed to be agents of terror; and
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, that in this 69th General Assembly of the Church of God, we commit ourselves to be agents of positive change by our manner of life, through example, testimony, prayer, and appropriate spiritual demeanor, that we may be living witnesses of the testimony of Jesus Christ and His message of peace and hope to a lost and dying world.
WHEREAS life originated in the creative work of Almighty God; and
WHEREAS man himself is created in the image and likeness of God; and
WHEREAS God assigned special value to human life; and
WHEREAS divine law forbids the indiscriminate taking of human life, exacting heavy penalties of those who violate this commandment; and
WHEREAS contemporary society demonstrates a low esteem for the sacredness of life; and
WHEREAS abortion-on-demand now receives serious consideration as a means of birth and population control; and
WHEREAS abortion is a vicious attack on the weakest and most helpless form of human life; and
WHEREAS the unborn are unable to speak in their own defense; and
WHEREAS intense pressure is being brought upon state and nation-al legislative bodies to liberalize abortion laws; and
WHEREAS it is the duty of the church to raise an authoritative moral voice concerning this vital issue;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that we, the General Assembly of the Church of God, reaffirm our historic commitment to the sacredness of human life; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that we stand opposed to the use of abortion as a means of birth or population control; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that we urge our entire constituency to actively oppose any liberalization of abortion laws by state leg-islatures and by the Congress of the United States; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that no individual should ever consid-er abortion as an option except in the gravest circumstances, after medical and religious consultation of the most serious nature (56th A., 1976, pp. 35, 36).
WHEREAS the problem of spouse/child abuse now is recognized as a pervasive and growing societal problem; and
WHEREAS God’s Word clearly teaches the duty of husbands and wives to relate to one another in the context of godly love (Ephesians 5:25; Colossians 3:19); and
WHEREAS God’s Word further teaches the requirement of proper parenting that is both nurturing and loving on the part of Christian parents (Ephesians 5: 21; 6:4; Colossians 3:21); and
WHEREAS abuse toward a spouse or child, whether physical, verbal, emotional or otherwise, is totally inconsistent with the principles outlined in God’s Word for relationships between spouses and between parents and children; and
WHEREAS all Church of God ministers and laity should be exhorted to model and practice appropriate family living, consistent with Scriptural principles:
BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED that we as a church unequivocally oppose any form of spousal, child or other abuse, whether physical, verbal, emotional, mental, or of any other kind; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that ministers and laity of the Church of God refrain from any actions violating the lofty ideals and principles of Scripture regarding treatment of spouses and children; and
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that we encourage the adoption of policies and procedures, in accordance with governmental laws and Christian principles, to prevent and correct all forms of abuse (66th A., 1996, p. 65).
WHEREAS statistical data confirms that the average age of people in the United States of America and our world is steadily rising; and
WHEREAS today, according to the United States Department of Labor statistics, 1980, of every 100 people who reach age 65, only two of them are financially independent; and
WHEREAS many of the elderly in our world are forced to cope with old age and sickness by themselves, without aid from family, friends, church, or government; and
WHEREAS more than half of the oldest Americans, one in every 10 of those over 85 years of age, live alone and by themselves, often in spite of physical handicaps; and
WHEREAS demographic forecasters tell us this aging of America will continue well into the next century;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Church of God give added attention to this segment of our population; that we structure programs to help minister to the needs of the aged; and that we encourage all local congregations to be especially aware of the plight of those saints who have contributed so much to us during the past years (61st A., 1986, p. 56).
WHEREAS there is now an increasing epidemic of AIDS in our world, and this disease is becoming the number one health concern of peoples of the world; and
WHEREAS there is much fear, confusion, and prejudice concerning AIDS, and a great need for more research in the treatment of this mysterious virus; and
WHEREAS we see the need for educating young people in sexual morality and in drug-free living; and
WHEREAS it is the desire of the Church of God to demonstrate com-passion, to encourage medical research, and to show courage in helping to make a difference in this epidemic;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Church of God maintain a positive approach of ministry to these sick and suffering victims, and their families, with godly care and compassion; and convey to them that both spiritual and physical healing are available through the power of the blood of Jesus Christ our Lord (63rd A., 1990, p. 64).
See Supplement, pages 119-121.
WHEREAS the church exists in the form of a family with family relationships, rights, privileges, and responsibilities extended to every member; and
WHEREAS all unsaved persons are loved by God who desires their reconciliation into His family; and
WHEREAS all children and youth are a heritage of the Lord (Psalm 127:3, NKJV), to be cherished, protected, defended, redeemed, and discipled; and
WHEREAS the social, physical, cognitive, psychological, and spiritual development of children and youth leave them vulnerable to harm for an increasing period of time; and
WHEREAS the current culture displays a degenerating appreciation, concern, and accountability for our children and youth, and
WHEREAS we have experienced a pervasive rise in violence to and by children and youth; and
WHEREAS the probability of physical injury or death or long-term, life-altering social, psychological, cognitive, and spiritual harm are increasing dramatically for all children and youth;
BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED that the Church of God declares as a high priority the reconciliation, care, protection and discipline of all children and Youth within the scope of our influence, whether or not they are participants in our specific fellowship; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that each Church of God congregation be strongly encouraged to develop and implement sound policies and strategies for the protection of children and youth while participating in our various ministries; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that we intensify our efforts to support and equip parents for their role as the primary care givers and teachers of children and youth; and
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that the Church of God, in any of its expressions from local to international, become an effective advocate for the protection and nurture of children and youth and that such advocacy be exercised in a positive, pro-active fashion designed to provide guidance and solutions beyond rhetoric and protest, resulting in substantive impact on our hurting world. (67th A., 1998, pp. 57, 58).
WHEREAS in the light of the rapid growth of Christian School Ministries (day-care centers, kindergartens, elementary and high schools); and
WHEREAS there is the ever-growing attempt of federal and state governments to infringe upon the rights of churches to establish and maintain these ministries; and
WHEREAS there seems to be an attempt by some government agen- cies to declare that the Christian School Ministries are not an integral part of the church; and
WHEREAS Christian School Ministries in the Church of God are governed under the jurisdiction of the state overseers, the state boards of education, and the local sponsoring churches;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Church of God, meeting in the 58th General Assembly in Dallas, Texas, affirms that the Christian School Ministries (day-care centers, kindergartens, elementary and high schools) are an integral arm of the local Church of God ministry in their organization, function, and goals (58th A., 1980, p. 51).
WHEREAS the local church has been commissioned by God as the primary agency for communicating the gospel and establishing communities of the Kingdom; and
WHEREAS the urgent need of today’s troubled cities cries out for the transforming influence of local congregations in every neighborhood; and
WHEREAS the Church of God in this 64th General Assembly has endorsed visionary and far-reaching plans for evangelistic expansion; and
WHEREAS the Church of God has demonstrated a commitment to the aggressive establishment of new congregations through- out its history, and our periods of greatest numerical growth have coincided with concentrated efforts in church planting;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Church of God dedicate its efforts in prayer to the Lord of the harvest to send forth laborers into the harvest (Matthew 9:38), concentrate its attention upon the identification of fertile fields (Acts 18:9-11), and commit itself to a determined plan of establishing churches (Matthew 28:19, 20); and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that we seek creative ways of celebrating successes and breakthroughs in church planting (64th A.,1992, pp. 78, 79).
WHEREAS there is a deluge of allegations of clerical sexual misconduct; and
WHEREAS there are very heavy pressures and temptations facing our clergy that are unique to our age and culture; and
WHEREAS we align our concerns with Church father St. Gregory the Great’s dictum: “It is better that scandals arise than that truth be silenced;” and
WHEREAS the first concern of the Church of God is to offer immediate and appropriate care to victims and their families, and
WHEREAS the Church of God values open communication and dialogue with the community concerning clergy sexual abuse within the confines of respect for the privacy of the individuals involved;
BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED that we reaffirm our commitment to be concerned for the rights, reputation, healing, and spiritual welfare of all victims; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED when there is substantial evidence of sexual misconduct of a Church of God minister involving minors, the minister will be placed on administrative leave and the Church of God will comply with the obligations of civil law as regards reporting of the incident to legal authorities and cooperating with the investigation; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a minister who has engaged in sexual misconduct with a child will not be returned to ministry in accordance with our polity; and
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that we sincerely pray for both the victim and the abuser, believing each to be God’s unique and loved creation; and, that we be careful to avoid any spirit of pharisaism in keeping with the expectations stated in Galatians 6:1.
WHEREAS secular humanism and anti-God philosophies are being taught in our public educational systems; and
WHEREAS there is a need for God’s people to unite against the teaching of evolution as a scientific fact;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that we give our full support to the principle that where evolution is taught in our public schools, provision be made for teaching the Biblical alternative of creation (58th A., 1980, p. 51).
WHEREAS the frequency of corporate scandals are being highly publicized; and
WHEREAS there is the strong tendency in many businesses toward short-term thinking, planning, and commitment, which can lead to morally questionable decisions and practices; and
WHEREAS it is arguable that the long-term survival of even very large businesses will depend increasingly on the permission of society rather than on short-term financial statistics; and
WHEREAS people in business need to be sensitized to the issues of ethical dimensions heretofore ignored; and
WHEREAS increasingly there is a recognition that areas of business policy about the treatment of employees, customers, shareholders, and others, as well as corporate impact on the environment and indeed the world, are not such discrete and isolated issues as may have been thought; and
WHEREAS integrity calls for business leaders to assume full accountability for their actions, responsibility for the outcome of their actions, and for respecting codes of conduct, rules of business, and laws of countries, abiding by both the letter and the spirit; and
WHEREAS continuing attention to ethics in the workplace sensitizes leaders and staff to how they want to act—consistently; and
WHEREAS managing ethical values in the workplace legitimizes managerial actions, strengthens the coherence and balance of the organization’s culture, improves trust in relationships between individuals and groups, supports greater consistency in standards and qualities of products, and cultivates greater sensitivity to the impact of the enterprise’s values and messages; and
WHEREAS the marketplace is to reflect a work environment on the foundation of integrity; and
WHEREAS high standards reward business with the solid reputation of integrity, honesty, and trustworthiness;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Church of God reaffirms our commitment to encouraging business leaders to meet the high expectations of Biblical integrity and commitment; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the public trust of business be preserved by following Biblical principles and guidelines; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that we model right behavior in all business dealings and fiduciary responsibilities; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that we expect business leaders to commit to making a positive difference in their business dealings with one another, their communities, and society; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that business leaders seek to understand, value, and leverage diverse cultural differences and perspectives; and
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that we expect leaders to adopt business ethics for the improvement of society, to develop a code of practice and a statement of ethical principles, and act according to these values.
WHEREAS, the family is the foundational unit of human society, established by the creational intent of God; and
WHEREAS, the family is rooted in God’s good gift of marriage, which the Creator defines as the lifelong union of one man and one woman (Genesis 1:26–27; Genesis 2:18–25); and
WHEREAS, scripture affirms that such a family unit is God’s design for the nurturing of children (Deuteronomy 6:4–9; Psalm 127:1–5; Ephesians 6:1-4); and
WHEREAS, the biblical vision of the family is obscured by current attempts to redefine marriage itself and to marginalize the importance of the nuclear family; and
WHEREAS, the biblical model of the family increasingly is undermined by a divorce culture that sees marriage as a temporary social arrangement; and
WHEREAS, the biblical vision of the family is eclipsed even more scandalously by domestic violence, marital infidelity, abandonment, and divorce, sometimes within our own churches; and
WHEREAS, a disproportionately large number of children reared in evangelical/Pentecostal churches are growing up to leave the faith of their fathers"; now,
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Church of God General Assembly meeting in San Antonio, Texas, August 2 - 7, 2004, renew our commitment to building Kingdom families, by the recovery of the biblical understanding of the family and the acknowledgment of the permanence and responsibilities of the marriage covenant; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Church of God unequivocally affirms that marriage is a covenant relationship between a man and woman and rejects all attempts to redefine marriage in terms of same-sex unions and behavior; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that we call on Church of God parents to assume their responsibility as the primary protectors and instructors of their children and to devote themselves to inculcate godly disciplines in their own lives and the lives of their children; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that we call on Church of God ministers to proclaim the witness of Scripture to the biblical pattern of the family and its responsibilities and permanence; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that we encourage every Church of God congregation to be intentionally involved in strengthening marriages and families through such activities as faithful preaching and teaching, biblical premarital and family counseling, and restorative church discipline; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that we encourage Church of God congregations to pursue intentional ministry to single parent families as a non-negotiable biblical mandate, affirming that God Himself is the Father to the fatherless (Psalm 68:5) and that the church is God’s spiritual family (Matthew 12:47–50); and
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, that we call on our churches to model before our culture family structures that reflect the biblical vision of the Kingdom of God and the love of Christ for His church.
"WHEREAS the family is under constant attack from all areas of life and families are being destroyed at a rapid rate; and
WHEREAS presently one of every two marriages ends in divorce and many others fail to produce happiness and purpose;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that we reaffirm our position that marriage is sacred and holy and that our ministers prayerfully and Scripturally counsel engaged couples prior to performing the marriage ceremony; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that we urge our families to return to the Scriptural pattern for families, and that they emphasize family love, concern, and communication; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that each local church emphasize fami-ly devotions and further, that they allow in their schedules for a weekly family night at home; and that ministers set the example of meaningful family life; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that ministers and members strive to reunite divided homes and salvage troubled marriages for the cause of Christ (56th A., 1976, p. 35).
WHEREAS gambling is a vice which is growing in popularity, having been legalized by almost every state and becoming one of America’s largest industries, with an annual income of 500 billion dollars; and
WHEREAS, cities, states and Native American reservations are turning to gambling as a profitable source of public income; and
WHEREAS gambling is the most regressive and unfair form of taxation, since research has shown that a disproportionate number of gamblers are poor and uneducated, who can least afford to suffer the losses; and
WHEREAS the odds of winning are heavily stacked against the gambler, in favor of “the house,” assuring always that the vast majority of participants will lose; and
WHEREAS gambling is a violation of the golden rule, resting on a scheme that the few winners will receive their profits from losses suffered by the many losers (Exodus 20:15; Matthew 7:12; Philippians 2:3,4; Romans 12:10; 13:10; 1 Corinthians 10:31-33; Galatians 6:2; James 2:8); and
WHEREAS Scripture commands love for God and our neighbor (Matthew 23:36-40; Mark 12:28-33), teaching us to do all for the glory of God (1 Corinthians 10:31), and in friendship (John 15:13) to seek our neighbor’s good (Romans 14:19-21; 1 Thessalonians 5:15), while gambling seeks personal profit at the expense of others; and
WHEREAS Scripture emphasizes the sovereignty of God (1 Chronicles 29:11-13; Matthew 10:29-30); Philippians 4:19) while gambling encourages reliance on luck and chance; and
WHEREAS Scripture emphasizes the virtues of work (Exodus 20:9; Ephesians 4:28; 2 Thessalonians 3:6-12; Genesis 3:19; 1 Timothy 5:8) thrift and saving (Proverbs 6:6-11), contentment and virtue (Philippians 4:11) and peace (I Corinthians 14:33), while gambling encourages risk-taking and a something-for-nothing attitude; and
WHEREAS Scripture teaches Christian stewardship of resources, which holds that all things belong to God and that we are to use all earthly possessions as His agents in accordance with His will (Psalms 24:1; 50:10-12; Luke 12:42-48; 1 Corinthians 10:26; 2 Corinthians 8:5) while gambling encourages selfishness and reckless abandon; and
WHEREAS proper use of money does not include gambling, but instead: provides basic needs (2 Thessalonians 3:10); supports the family (1 Timothy 5:8); contributes to God’s work (1 Corinthians 16:1-3); meets human needs and gives to the poor (Ephesians 4:28; 1 Corinthians 9:6-15); and pays taxes (Matthew 22:21—Romans 13:7); and
WHEREAS Scripture condemns greed, covetousness and materialism (Exodus 20:17; Matthew 6:24-34; Philippians 3:18, 19; Colossians 3:5,6), while gambling encourages these sins of the flesh, lusting after unearned and undeserved prize money in clear violation of God’s law (1 Timothy 6:10; Luke 12:15); and
WHEREAS Scripture teaches us to avoid all appearance of evil (1 Thessalonians 5:22) and to hate what is evil (Romans 12:9), while gambling is a major source of income for organized crime, attracting criminal elements and encouraging participation in other vices and illegal activities; and
WHEREAS Scripture encourages saving with the hope of secure return (Matthew 25:27) and invites us to lay up our treasures in heaven (Matthew 6:19-21), which is very different from risking them for almost certain loss in gambling; and
WHEREAS Scripture condemns the exploitation of employees (James 5:1-4) and emphasizes their right to earned wages (Luke 10:7); and gambling is a threat to the economy, to legitimate industries and businesses, and to positive forms of entertainment and recreation; and
WHEREAS gambling produces an increase in unpaid bills, embezzlement, bankruptcy, and job absenteeism; and
WHEREAS gambling produces nothing and adds nothing to the economy; and
WHEREAS gambling is an addictive behavior which enslaves its victims, robbing them of their personal dignity and financial well-being (1 Corinthians 8:13; 2 Corinthians 6:3); and
WHEREAS gambling is injurious to its addicts, to their families, to other innocent persons and to society (Romans 14:19-21); and
WHEREAS gambling is personally selfish, morally irresponsible and socially destructive; and
WHEREAS gambling interests often corrupt police and government officials. undermining the welfare of society and their respect for law enforcement;
BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED that the Church of God strongly affirms its opposition to Gambling in every form as a violation of God’s perfect will for His people; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that our preachers and Bible teachers urge our people to practice the virtues of labor, thrift and saving as God’s chosen means of supplying their material needs and bestowing His financial blessings upon them; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that we urge our members to express their opposition to any government proposals that promote and/or legalize any form of gambling in their states and communities; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that we widely proclaim the power of the gospel to deliver believers from the grip and guilt of all vices and addictions; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that we will refuse to seek personal profit at the expense of other persons and families; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that we do encourage our ministers and churches to inform themselves concerning existing gambling laws and the state of law enforcement in their states and communities; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that we support laws, lawmakers and law enforcement officials who oppose gambling; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that we will work within civic, community and business organizations to prevent their sponsorship of gambling in the community; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that we actively oppose any government efforts to expand and/or promote the legalization of gambling; and
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that we commend legislators and government officials who oppose the legalization of gambling and support them in the defense of morality (67th A., 1998, pp. 54-57).
WHEREAS the year 2002 is the centennial anniversary of the Holiness Church at Camp Creek, which was organized on May 15, 1902, and which established the name Holiness Church as our name until we adopted the name Church of God in 1907, and which established the Church of God movement in the broader Holiness Movement; and
WHEREAS the 2002 evaluation of the Church of God (by INJOY denominational consultants) noted that holiness defines our character, and that this character must be passed on to the next generation with a specific recommendation to establish a plan of education in order to influence the next generation; and
WHEREAS the Scriptures compel us to live holy lives conformed to the image and character of a holy God; and
WHEREAS the Church of God is firmly rooted in both the Pentecostal and Holiness Movements; and
WHEREAS the Church of God is historically, doctrinally, and practically a holiness church;
BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED that we accept holiness as the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit and humbly recognize the Scriptural mandate to be a holy people; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that we thankfully praise the Lord for His holiness and His call for us to be holy; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that we joyfully and decisively affirm our holiness character as a people of God; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that we reaffirm our commitment to holiness as expressed in the “Resolution Relative to Principles of Holiness” adopted in 1960 and published in the Supplement to the Minutes of the International General Assembly; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that we continually remind our ministers and laity of the importance of love in the preaching, teaching, and practice of holiness, so that our God-given character of holiness flows out of a spirit of compassion rather than a spirit of legalism; and
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that we call upon all Church of God educational programs to intentionally develop and maintain a curriculum that emphasizes the Biblical call to holiness, our history as a church rooted in the Holiness Movement, and the ongoing necessity to live a life pleasing to God in an increasingly sinful and secular world.
WHEREAS natural calamities, disease, wars, and political expressions are working against international stability, peaceful coexistence, and hopes for a Christ-centered world; and
WHEREAS governments and humanitarian resources are being challenged to meet the growing demands for food, clothing, medicine, shelter, and so forth, of people in crisis;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Church of God calls for universal restoration of the godly virtues inherent in the commandment “Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself” (Matthew 19:19), thus repudiating sin, but demonstrating compassion, reconciliation, and restoration in the spirit of Christ (2 Corinthians 5:18); and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Church of God reaffirms that the Good Samaritan principle of helping the wounded, frightened, lonely, and dying is a necessary, expedient, and functional part of the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19), whereby we are to occupy until Christ comes, and to pray, “Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done” (Matthew 6:10) (64th A., 1992, p. 79)
WHEREAS most statistical surveys list the U.S.A. as having the third largest pre Christian population in the world; and,
WHEREAS we need to develop and implement strategies that view the U.S.A. as a mission field; and,
WHEREAS the World Missions department has been incredibly successful in its mission efforts and offers multiple methods by which the U.S.A. can be reached for Christ;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED That we recognize the U.S.A. as a mission field; and,
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED That the Evangelism and Home Missions Department develop and deploy home missionaries and request missionaries from other ethnic and language groups from the international body who make up the Church of God; and,
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED That we continue to develop means by which the departments of World Missions and Evangelism and Home Missions work together in developing strategies and training workers for the world harvest.
WHEREAS the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ is relevant to the problem of human rights; and,
WHEREAS the issue of human rights focuses upon the integrity of our democracy; and,
WHEREAS Christian obedience to the law of love requires a concern for one’s neighbor is plainly enjoined in Scripture; and,
WHEREAS no Christian can manifest a passive attitude when the rights of others are jeopardized;
BE IT RESOLVED that the Church of God continue to create a climate of informed and spiritual opinion, and,
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that we identify a basic premise on which concerned opinion must rest. That premise, undergirded by the dignity and worth of every individual, assures all Americans the right to full citizenship. In particular this means that no American should, because of his race, or religion, be deprived of his right to worship, vote, rest, eat, sleep, be educated, live, and work on the same basis as other citizens; and,
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that Christian love and tolerance are incompatible with race prejudice and hatred; and,
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Church of God—recognizing that moral problems are ultimately solved by changing the heart of the individual by the power of the Holy Ghost, resulting in a love for all men—supports that which assures all people those freedoms guaranteed in our Constitution; and,
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the church be urged to continue to practice the love and brotherhood it preaches (50th A., 1964, pp. 67, 68).
WHEREAS acts of terrorism against innocent people are on the increase worldwide; and
WHEREAS the destruction of property and the taking of lives are against basic Christian principles; and
WHEREAS Scripture forbids the unlawful taking of human life and exacts heavy penalties to those who violate this commandment;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that we, the General Assembly of the Church of God, reaffirm our historic commitment to the sacredness of human life; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that we stand opposed to all acts of international terrorism (58th A., 1980, p. 50).
WHEREAS communication, industrialization and expanding tech-nology make it obvious that peoples of our world are drawing closer together; and
WHEREAS this church has experienced phenomenal growth, especially in other nations and among other cultures of our world; and
WHEREAS there seems an obvious need for strengthening ties between the Church of God, U.S.A., and those congregations, missions, and fellow laborers in more than one hundred nations of our world; and
WHEREAS it has never been the will or the intent of this church to segment or in any way differentiate between bodies of believers since Jesus Christ taught and emphasized the brotherhood of all believers through divine grace;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that this General Assembly recog-nizes and accepts its responsibility for promoting the inter-nationalization of the Church of God and that we herewith dedicate ourselves anew to the designing of programs and to the initiating of steps which will accomplish this purpose; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that our department heads and those who set policies and give emphasis to our education programs be encouraged to promote this concept; and that henceforth in all our publications and in all our official and private correspondence, we endeavor to recognize and to emphasize the international character of the Church of God as opposed to any national, regional, or sectional image (58th A., 1980, p. 50)
WHEREAS we have come to an era of history when anarchy raises its evil head to give expression in resentment, strife, hatred, rebellion, riots, and wars; and
WHEREAS this nefarious, incorrigible spirit does not restrict its operation to street lawlessness, college disruptions and government upheavals, but seductively laces its poisonous tentacles into pulpits and pews where should abound the glory of order and peace;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that we express to our government leaders our support and prayers for all righteous effort on their part to curb this lawlessness. But more importantly;
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that we pledge to ourselves and to each other that we shall strive to thwart this pernicious evil by personally manifesting holy reverence to God, respect for law and order, and Christian regard for the rights of all men (52nd A., 1968, pp.40-42).
WHEREAS certain elements of our culture equate Christian morality with backwardness and ignorance; and
WHEREAS others tag morality to changing times and perspectives, arguing for relativity rather than any sure and certain foundation; and
WHEREAS such views so dominate the news that sin steps boldly from closet to main street and prophetic voices are labeled as bigotry and intolerance; and
WHEREAS the message of church leadership is too often muted from failures of its own or else silenced by expediency in the face of the new god, political correctness; and
WHEREAS the Bible explicitly condemns sin, while forgiving the sinner who repents; and
WHEREAS the Church of God has always based its belief and doctrine on “the whole Bible rightly divided,” and
WHEREAS the church has always insisted its leaders walk worthy of God’s calling (Ephesians 4: 1), and the Lord (Colossians 1:10), and present themselves as an “example of the believers in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity” (1 Timothy 4:12);
BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED that the Church of God reaffirm its commitment to Biblical morality; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that every leader of this church (national and international, departmental, state, and local) renew personal commitment to holy living and moral integrity in every aspect of personal and public life; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that every member of this church, young and old, recall that Christian living is truly defined only in terms of Christlikeness; and
BE IF FINALLY RESOLVED that we will each and all stand up together and trumpet forth a sure and certain message (1 Corinthians 14:8) of hope and deliverance for a world in darkness through the light and loveliness of Jesus Christ our Lord (67th A., 1998, pp. 58, 59).
THE CHURCH OF GOD is an international church, transcending culture, race, nationalism, and politics. It is a community of believers from every nation around the world. These times call for leadership to have a worldview of the church. There is no place for colonialism or provincialism.
THEREFORE WE RESOLVE
To cultivate a world perspective among all church leaders
To develop an awareness and understanding among leaders of the need for keeping pace with rapid change
To educate leadership in reaching the needs of all cultures
To initiate strategies for developing leaders within each cul- ture served by the church
To strengthen leadership through special seminars on leadership conferences
To recognize that existing leaders have world responsibilities and are therefore internationally accountable
To involve as many leaders as possible in the decision-
making processes of the church
To confirm again our role as an international church whose primary mission is to win and disciple souls for Jesus Christ (63rd A., 1990, pp. 65, 66).
WHEREAS American society historically has recognized the sanctity of marriage between man and woman as central to the stability of our nation and its moral posture; and
WHEREAS this rational moral view is now threatened by current trends that seek to distort this view toward acceptance of unions that stand directly opposed to Scriptural directives; and
WHEREAS many state and national leaders presently are seeking to reaffirm through legislative decrees and public statements our historic stand on the sanctity of marriage between man and woman; and
WHEREAS the Church of God from its beginning has understood the Biblical model of marriage to be a sacred union between man and woman; and
WHEREAS the Church of God has continued to affirm this basic belief through a practical commitment regarding moral purity which condemns homosexuality as a fleshly behavior and sinful practice; and
WHEREAS the Church of God has further affirmed the sanctity of marriage between man and woman through a practical commitment addressing family responsibility by declaring, “Marriage is ordained of God and is a spiritual union in which man and woman are joined by God to live together as one”; and
WHEREAS it is imperative that the Church of God now enter the arena of public debate concerning this ever-increasing threat to the sanctity of marriage between man and woman;
BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED that we, the 66th General Assembly of the Church of God, do reaffirm our commitment to the Word of God and its ever-present defense of marriage as a holy and sacred union between one man and one woman; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that we do hereby state our opposition to the rising trend toward legitimizing homosexual unions; and
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that we encourage our members to help preserve marriage as a sacred union between man and woman by living lives that model commitment to the Word of God, exemplify devotion to moral purity, and celebrate family responsibility (66th A., 1996, pp. 64, 65).
WHEREAS the American people enjoy unparalleled freedoms of communication and expression; and
WHEREAS the responsible exercise of these freedoms is necessary to vital democracy; and
WHEREAS those who control and use the media are uniquely situated to influence the thoughts, opinions, values, and conduct of others; and
WHEREAS the lack of accountability by the media in exercising this privilege not to impinge upon the rights of others; and
WHEREAS there is an obvious lack of objectivity, truthfulness, and responsibility on the part of many who control and use the media in presenting morality in American life; and
WHEREAS the Judeo-Christian values of the American majority are often ignored or ridiculed;
BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED THAT the Church of God does hereby call upon all who control or use the media to be objective, truthful, and morally responsible in the exercise of their freedoms of communication and expression;
AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT we call upon those who control and use the media to respect the rights of all Americans and to desist from ignoring or ridiculing the Judeo-Christian moral and ethical values held by a majority of Americans (60th A., 1984, p. 57).
WHEREAS the home has come under attack on many fronts and the family is struggling against forces greater than those faced by previous generations; and
WHEREAS by age 19, 80 percent of today’s males and 67 percent of today’s females are sexually active; and
WHEREAS many parents lack knowledge for teaching Scriptural principles concerning sexuality, marriage, and a proper self-image; and
WHEREAS most parents and teenagers desire better communication with one another but lack the basic skills to accomplish this; and
WHEREAS the local church, as the basic support group for the fami-ly, is called to minister to these needs;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Church of God seek to train parents for effectively communicating Biblical principles relating to sexuality, marriage, and a proper self-image to young people; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Church of God seek to develop among parents and their teenagers improved relational skills and an atmosphere of love and acceptance and that these goals be accomplished through research and the development of an aggressive awareness and training program for parents (61st A., 1986, p. 56).
WHEREAS a new light of freedom and opportunity for evangeliza- tion shines across the world today; and
WHEREAS a new cry for trained, spiritual leadership is being heard throughout the world because of church growth and evangelism in new fields of labor; and
WHEREAS God is raising up a mighty army of new warriors and champions who are entering ministry in record numbers;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Church of God support, promote, and encourage the accessibility of ministerial training and development throughout the world (64th A., 1992, p.78).
WHEREAS nearly one of every two adults in the United States of America is single; and
WHEREAS six of every ten children born in the 1980’s will spend part of their childhood in a single-parent home; and
WHEREAS more than 50 percent of commercial advertising is geared to the singles market; and
WHEREAS these statistics are continually on the increase as the result of lengthened lifespan, marriage mortality and marriage postponement; and
WHEREAS all these statistics represent human beings with eternal souls who are potential members of the household of God; and
WHEREAS the Bible teaches forgiveness, reconciliation, and restoration; and
WHEREAS it is the responsibility of the local church to provide opportunities for the single person to be involved in fellowship and ministry;
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the Church of God recognizes the need of specific and special ministries for single adults; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the church responds to the har-vest opportunities provided by the Holy Spirit in the lives of individuals in single-parent households by providing a fellowship of love, acceptance, and healing; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT loving security and a sense of belonging be provided to the children of the divorced and the deceased; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT singles be an accepted and contributing part of the total church fellowship and ministry; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT a positive and loving climate be provided so that single Christians can discover and fulfill their potential (60th A., 1984, p. 58).
- Family Life Commission
WHEREAS the Bible directs us to go into all the world and preach the gospel to all nations, and there is a way that seems right to man but the end thereof are the ways of death; and
WHEREAS Islam has become the fastest growing religion in the world, and has attracted an attrition from Christianity among our ethnic communities (ABC News), and has more than 6 million members in the United States alone (US News and World Report), with 1.6 billion Muslims worldwide (Islamic Web); and
WHEREAS there has been A Wave of Conversion to Islam in the United States (and worldwide) following the events of September 11, 2001," with more than 35,000 converts in the United States during the year following (Islamic Web); and
WHEREAS Christianity and Islam are antithetical, stemming from centuries of historical conflict; and
WHEREAS we are sympathetic to human rights and individual beliefs but cannot compromise our position on the gospel that Jesus Christ is the only agent by whom one may possess eternal life; and
WHEREAS Muslims are actively and aggressively involved in Islamic "evangelism," and it is stated in the second surah (chapter) of the Qur’an (Al-Bagarah) that Allah encourages the Muslims to "fight them until there is no persecution and the religion is Allah’s" (2:193), and that recently, international terrorists have quoted the Qur’an and the Hadith, saying, "I was ordered to fight the people until there is no god but Allah, and his Prophet Muhammad," and that their resolve is seen when stated, "We will defend the Holy Land with our blood and with our spirit;" and
WHEREAS we recognize the "Farrakhanization" of American Islam to the personal end of further division, separation, and animosity between the races, along with a strong anti-Semitic doctrine; and
WHEREAS Elijah Muhammad told his followers, "the greatest hindrance to the truth of our people [members of the Nation of Islam] is the preacher of Christianity;"
BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED that the international Church of God, as a denomination, do aggressively seek to understand Islam more clearly, so we may present Christ more effectively, and love Muslims to the cross; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED to take a sympathetic yet uncompromising position toward the entire scope of the Islamic religion, and in so doing, we recognize that all faiths are not the same, but that Jesus Christ is "the way, the truth, and the life" (John 14:6), and that no man comes to the Father but through Him, and that although there is only one way, the path is opened by the blood of Jesus for all who will believe; and
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that the Church of God clergy and membership display the compelling love of God (John 3:16), His Son Jesus (John 13:35), and the Holy Spirit (John 16:7-11), and that our churches be filled with a bold and gracious witness to the returning Christ, "Which in His times He shall show, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords" (1 Timothy 6:15).
"WHEREAS we reaffirm the tenets of the Resolution for Prayer for Peace" adopted by the 59th General Assembly in 1982, and the Resolution of the 58th General Assembly stating the opposition of the Church of God to "International Terrorism;" and
WHEREAS we also recognize that even though there are ever changing centers of crisis, need, and human suffering in all parts of the world, that throughout the Bible, the condition of Jerusalem has been of special interest to our Lord - from Psalm 122:6 where we are instructed to pray for the peace of Jerusalem, to the sentiment expressed by Jesus himself as he wept over the city as told in Luke 19:41; and
WHEREAS the restoration of Israel as a nation, and particularly Jerusalem, is of prophetic importance as a sign to the unbeliever and a portent of the "last days;" and
WHEREAS Jerusalem is a Holy City for three of the world’s most important religions: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam; and
WHEREAS the international nature and history of Jerusalem has made it the center of political, economic, religious, and spiritual struggles and tensions of many peoples, nations, and tongues; and
WHEREAS prayer for the peace of Jerusalem transcends any kind of national or ethnic favoritism on our part, but is the fulfillment of a "divine directive," and is a prayer for the peace of all people, regardless of race, ethnicity or religion; and
WHEREAS the promise of God to Abraham was, "I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed" (Genesis 12:30);
BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED that the Church of God calls on the entirety of our membership to continually "pray for the peace of Jerusalem" and the well-being of the international diversity of people who reside there.
"WHEREAS the Church of God gives priority to fulfilling family responsibilities, to preserving the sanctity of marriage, and to maintaining divine order in the home; and
WHEREAS the Church of God believes marriage should be a lifelong commitment; and
WHEREAS God has ordained the husband to be head of the home; and
WHEREAS parents are to provide substance, care, and guidance for their children; and
WHEREAS children are to obey and honor their parents; and
WHEREAS the family is the foundation of society as well as the church, we recognize the responsibility to provide family-centered ministries that promote and preserve the natural family as ordained by God;
BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED that we challenge national, state, and local leaders to pledge their dedication and support to the families we serve; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that in accordance with Biblical principles, we pledge our prayerful support and love for those who are faced with alternative family arrangements, broken homes, blended families, and single-parent families, as we strive to provide ministry, which will bring salvation, restoration, and hope for a brighter future.
WHEREAS the Church of God believes in the verbal inspiration of the Bible, and in one God eternally existing; namely, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit; and
WHEREAS we, the anointed body of representatives charged with the divine calling to fulfill the role of guidance and direction to our members; and
WHEREAS we recognize that as our nation’s forefathers proclaimed that we are a nation founded on Christian principles ordained by the Almighty; and
WHEREAS Christians once again must face the challenge of preserving those principles as set forth in President Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address, which concluded with the words, that this nation under God shall have a new birth of freedom, and that government of the people, by the people, and for the people shall not perish from the earth;" and
WHEREAS the phrase proclaimed by President Lincoln was added to the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag of the United States by President Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1954, as a message that America was truly a nation established, empowered, and enabled by Almighty God; and WHEREAS the United States Supreme Court has considered the words "One Nation under God" as an acknowledgement of our religious heritage; and
WHEREAS strife and peril have once again sparked a renewed sense of patriotism among Americans, following the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, which brought Americans to their knees as members of Congress stood hand in hand on the steps of the United States capitol and raised their voices and asked God to bless America;
BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED that the Church of God and Christians of all denominations do hereby commend the United States Congress and President George W. Bush for the decision to embrace the convictions of Christians and the divine will of God in the decision made to preserve the words that have sustained America as a free nation under God.
"WHEREAS the Church of God as a member of the National Association of Evangelicals has endorsed and agreed to support “Christian Citizenship Campaign” (CCC); and
WHEREAS the two main objectives of the NAE resolution are to encourage Christians to pray for their leaders and to exercise their liberties to register and vote as a part of the democratic process; and
WHEREAS the Church of God is an international organization which has historically encouraged Christians to seek godly means to improve standards of their respective societies;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that in cooperation with the National Association of Evangelicals, the Church of God encourages all constituents to avail themselves of every opportunity to peacefully and orderly register, vote, and otherwise seek to improve the health, safety, and general welfare of all mankind (1 Peter 2:12); and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that all political efforts should be thoughtfully constructed and effected with prayerful deliberation, knowing that we shall give account to God for everydeed done (Romans 2:12), or not done, in accordance with His divine and eternal plan for man (64th A., 1992, p. 79).
WHEREAS Scripture declares that all persons are made in the image of God and are therefore to be treated with dignity and respect, and Scripture affirms that sex is a gift from a loving Creator to be enjoyed within the sacred bonds of marriage between husband and wife; and
WHEREAS a sharp decline in moral values and beliefs continues to mark our society, resulting in increasing rates of unmarried adolescent and adult sexual activity, the birth of children to unwed mothers, the spread of sexually transmitted diseases and decreasing marital fidelity; and
WHEREAS pornography and obscenity are increasingly available through movies, television, video, print media and the internet, causing a powerfully corrosive effect within society; and
WHEREAS pornography and obscenity cause harm to those who are abused in the production of it (often women and children) as well as to those who use it, damaging healthy relationships and distorting God’s gift of loving, mutual sexuality between husband and wife;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Church of God opposes pornography and obscenity and supports efforts by Christian education, appropriate law enforcement and other means to combat it, and supports ministry to those who have been harmed by its destructive efforts; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that we encourage all pastors and youth leaders to protect youth and children from exposure to these materials by emphasizing Biblical standards of character and holiness; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that we call upon businesses, schools and libraries. as well as parents, to participate in efforts to shield children and youth from being harmed by these materials; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that we urge local, state and federal agencies to prosecute aggressively those who break the laws in producing and distributing illegal implicit sexual materials in the form of pornography and obscenity; and
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that we openly and publicly commend lawmakers, leaders of the broader faith community, and others who lead in efforts to combat pornography and obscenity (67th A., 1998, pp. 59, 60).
WHEREAS God has created us, declared His desire for fellowship with us, and has offered us the awesome privilege of contin-ually abiding in His presence through the practice of prayer in the name of His Son Jesus; and
WHEREAS our Lord and Savior taught us to pray, commanded us to pray, and gave us His own example of a powerful life of daily prayer; and
WHEREAS the great men and women of God throughout history have, without exception, been faithful in fervent prayer; and
WHEREAS the Church of God was born in prayer and has expanded throughout the world in obedience to our Lord and in the strength of prayer; and
WHEREAS we have experienced great revival only where our peo- ple have invested themselves in earnest prayer; and
WHEREAS God has always manifested Himself to save, to heal, to sanctify, and deliver; to baptize in His Spirit, and has called His people into ministry in those times and places of great prayer; and
WHEREAS our world is in desperate trouble, and can only be helped by the message of truth, confirmed by signs following through the ministry of God’s anointed servants, in the power of prayer;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that we, the people of the Church of God, do solemnly commit to a renewed emphasis to spend time before God our Father in daily devotion to Him, and that we will stand in the gap and make up the hedge as intercessors for those in need. We pledge to obey our Lord Jesus Christ and, by following His example, be a prayer force until He returns (63rd A., 1990, p. 65).
WHEREAS a number of nations suffer the horrors of war and many others are afflicted by totalitarian political systems; and
WHEREAS we have brothers and sisters in the faith who struggle beneath the heel of political, economic, and religious oppression; and
WHEREAS we are not unmindful of their sufferings and of their need for divine intervention:
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that this 59th General Assembly of the Church of God go on record as supporting basic human rights—life, liberty, justice, freedom of speech and religion—for all people, and that we cease not to labor and pray for these rights in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the theme which has inspired us this week—Lord, Show Us Thy Glory"—burn always in our hearts, motivating us to pray without ceasing not only for the peace of Jerusalem but for the peace of Warsaw, the peace of San Salvador, the peace of Beirut, and of every other city where oppressed people cry out for mercy: in this broader sense as well, we unite our hearts and pray, "Lord Show Us Thy Glory" (59th A., 1982, pp. 53, 54).
"WHEREAS in New Jersey and Massachusetts high school students have been forbidden to meet voluntarily before school started to hear a prayer from the Congressional Record; and
WHEREAS the New Jersey Supreme Court has ruled unconstitutional a law permitting a moment of silence for prayer or meditation; and
WHEREAS no one could reasonably argue that in any of these cases religion was being established by the practices at issue or that the rights of any other person were being infringed by those who chose to participate; and
WHEREAS it is equally obvious that the provisions for the free exercise of religion needs to be strengthened by legislative action, if the courts remain adamant in regard to this issue;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that this 54th General Assembly reaffirms its advocacy of suitable legislation by the Congress that will strengthen the Constitutional provision for the free exercise of religion in our national life (54th A., 1972, p. 39).
See Supplement, pages 109, 110.
WHEREAS the Church of God from its inception has contended to be inclusive of peoples regardless of gender, cultural background or race; and
WHEREAS the 50th General Assembly in 1964 adopted a resolution on human rights affirming the worth of every individual; and
WHEREAS every race bears the image of God and has its origin in Adam who is the Father of all mankind; and
WHEREAS in Christ Jesus there is neither Jew nor Gentile, slaves nor free men, men nor women, but we are all one in Him; and
WHEREAS the Resolution on Leadership and World Vision in the 1990 General Assembly Minutes commits the church to be “international...transcending culture, race, nationalism, and politics”; and
WHEREAS we are beholden to a Christlike example and lifestyle, one of acceptance, affirmation, and unconditional love;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that this International General Assembly recognizes all members of the body of Christ as equal in function and consequence, and every race and ethnic distinction a valuable and necessary field for the winning of souls and the furtherance of the kingdom of God upon this earth; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that we commit towards the elimination of racism and bigotry, corporately identifying racism and bigotry as sinful hindrances which prevent us from truly realizing brotherhood and Christian love within and outside the body of the international church and the many peoples and races which it reaches and encompasses (68th A., 2000, p. 89).
WHEREAS many television programs are filled with scenes depict- ing violence and bloodshed; where precious human life is counted as cheap by portraying the taking of life; where many times almost nude people are presented; where language is often obscene and obnoxious; where abnormal lifestyles are portrayed as culturally accepted; and where the Biblical view of a family is disdained; and
WHEREAS children spend many hours viewing television during their formative years;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that we urge everyone to exercise control over the selection of programs viewed in their homes; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Church of God at its General Assembly go on record as protesting such questionable television programs and join with NAE and PFNA in presenting such protest to the Federal Communication Commission, insisting that all of us use our influence on producers and sponsors to present programs of higher moral quality (56th A., 1976, p. 34).
See Supplement, page 135.
WHEREAS society has become increasingly permissive; and
WHEREAS the call of the church is to lead in matters of morality rather than to be a follower of worldly patterns; and
WHEREAS the church is in constant danger of being infiltrated and otherwise influenced by the evil of our day;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the church reaffirm its position of separation from the base elements of the world and reassert that the Word of God rather than social custom is the source of its moral and ethical codes (54th A., 1972, p. 39).
BECAUSE OF social, political, and economic circumstances, people from various parts of the world are immigrating in unprecedented numbers. These immigrants provide an evangelistic and discipleship challenge which must be recognized. This is an opportunity for the church to exemplify love and compassion as the gospel is ministered to these newcomers.
THEREFORE WE RESOLVE
To receive these new arrivals with open fellowship, regardless of nationality, race, social or economic status
To create an awareness among the constituents of the Church of God of the needs of these immigrants, both physical and spiritual
To develop a liaison between sending and receiving countries, thus building bonds of respect and trust
To recognize the leaders among the immigrants and to disci-ple others to work within their own cultural group
To make existing buildings available for more than one lan-guage group
To pursue a vigorous emphasis of planting churches by every means possible
To recognize cultural differences and to allow for expressions of worship in the tradition of the immigrants
To weld the international church together by providing a systematic process for transfer of members from one country to another
To give ourselves to prayer, diligent research, and witnessing, to reap this great harvest during this last decade of the 20th century (63rd A., 1990, pp. 66, 67).
WHEREAS tithing is both a privilege of the individual and a part of God’s plan for His people; and
WHEREAS tithing is clearly supported by both the Old and New Testaments as the basic plan for giving; and
WHEREAS the Church of God from its inception has preached and practiced tithing as a Scriptural injunction;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the church urge its membership to continued faithfulness and diligence in tithing;
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that all members be urged to place their tithe in the tithe fund of the local church for the expansion of its total ministries (54th A., 1972, p. 38).
WHEREAS American society is faced with a rising tide of violence, abortion, drug abuse, child abuse, alcoholism, divorce, promiscuity, rebellion, racism and crime; and
WHEREAS secular institutions and remedies have proved powerless to resist these destructive forces; and
WHEREAS a heavy toll is being exacted by these social ills in the diminishing of human potential, the disintegration of family relationships, and the dissipation of national resources; and
WHEREAS we are threatened with the loss of that moral quality of life we have valued in this country; and
WHEREAS a sense of pessimism and hopelessness is filling the hearts of many; and
WHEREAS the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ is the transforming power that delivers humanity from the grip of sin and its social consequences;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Church of God in its 65th General Assembly does hereby declare its unflagging faith in Holy Scripture as the cure for social ills for “it is the power of God unto salvation to all them that believe;” and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that we commit ourselves to the proclamation of its redeeming and liberating message, which produces a transformed life of moral integrity, relational harmony and social responsibility; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that we determine to make our proclamation credible and persuasive by faithful adherence to Biblical principles in our daily lives; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the supreme expression of our faith in the Holy Scriptures will be in our living for God and for each other (65th A., 1994, pp. 97, 98).
For over 125 years the Church of God has been a distinctive movement focused upon communicating the gospel in the power of the Holy Spirit. Presently, the Church of God has a world-wide membership of over 7 million with a presence in nearly 180 countries.
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