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Apostolic Church of Pentecost
File:ACOP.tif
ACOP’s logo is a woven abstract globe that illustrates interconnectedness.
ClassificationProtestant
TheologyPentecostal
GovernanceMembers attending a bi-annual General Conference elect a president to carry out the work of ACOP’s Mission, Vision, and Core Values.[1]
RegionInternational
FounderRev. Frank Small
Origin1921
Merger ofEvangelical Churches of Pentecost 1953
SeparationsPentecostal Assemblies of Canada 1921
Congregations153 in Canada[2] 3000 worldwide[3]
Members24,000 in Canada[4] worldwide unknown
Official websiteACOP.ca

The Apostolic Church of Pentecost (ACOP) is a Pentecostal Christian denomination with origins in the Pentecostal revival of the early 20th century. Although multi-national, ACOP has its strongest membership in Canada. In 2002 ACOP reported “approximately 24,000 members in Canada, with 450 ministers and 153 churches.”[5] [6] There are ACOP churches in all the provinces of Canada.[7] ACOP’s headquarters is in Calgary, Alberta.

Structure

Unlike traditional denominations that are usually based on top-down organizational structures, ACOP describes itself as a “fellowship.” The different term emphasizes that ACOP originated as a “grass-roots organization with a minimal amount of organization.”[8] This kind of organizational structure allows local churches to work autonomously, under the umbrella of ACOP’s covering but without a head office dictating what each church must do, or the programs it must offer.[9]

Mission and Vision Statements

The mission statement of ACOP reflects its grassroots focus: “To engage in community transformation by developing effective leaders and healthy churches.”[10] By focusing on training leaders, the implication is that strong leaders will in turn produce healthy churches.[11] The vision statement of ACOP is “To be a passionate people extending God’s grace and igniting hope in every community.”[12] Alongside of ACOP’s mission and vision statement are a list of Core Values, which help fill out the goals and purposes of ACOP.[13]

The vision statement above is a recent revision to ACOP’s previous vision statement: “ACOP is centered in the preaching of the gospel of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ to every nation and to live out our mission as an international network of ministers and churches providing fellowship, encouragement and accountability in the proclamation of that gospel.” [14]

Beliefs

Theologically, ACOP is in the Pentecostal tradition of Protestant Christianity, and aligns itself with the evangelical movement.

The ACOP holds to the Biblical inspiration of the Bible as the authoritative infallible written word of God. To the eternal existence of one true God who is Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. To the virgin birth of Jesus, who is humanity’s only possible savior. To the total depravity of humanity. To the need for all of humanity to hear the gospel and turn to Christ in faith for redemption. To the reality of a spiritual realm, which includes God, Heaven, Satan, the personal return of Jesus Christ, and a final judgment. To communion practiced as a memorial of Christ's death and resurrection. To baptism by immersion in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.[15]

As a Pentecostal fellowship, the ACOP believes in the Pentecostal distinctive of baptism in the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in tongues. ACOP teaches that this experience is subsequent to the experience of salvation, and leads to a “Spirit filled life.” ACOP believes that the Holy Spirit is the catalyst for sanctification and seeks to produce His fruit in the believer’s life as their minds are renewed and they are conformed to the image of Christ. In addition, it also believes in the present day use of other spiritual gifts, such as divine healing. ACOP holds a conservative view on “the sanctity of marriage, as a life long exclusive commitment between one man and one woman.”[16] In 2006, ACOP demonstrated its commitment to this stance by signing an official Joint Declaration on Marriage, which included over 40 different religious groups in Canada that hold to a definition of marriage as “the public covenanting together of a man and a woman in a loving, enduring and exclusive relationship.”[17] [18]

History

Historical Precursors (1906-1920)

Like many Pentecostal denominations, the ACOP originates from the exponential growth of the modern Pentecostal movement of the early 20th century[19] from the Azusa street revival in Los Angeles. As the early Pentecostalism movement rapidly expanded into Canada, there was an attempt in 1909 to organize Canadian Pentecostals, but it was unsuccessful since most early Pentecostals resisted formalized organization.[20] However, in 1918 a decision was made to form the Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada (PAOC), and a dominion charter was granted on May 17, 1919.

The PAOC organization held to three distinctive beliefs: to William Durham's Finished Work of Calvary doctrine, to the Oneness doctrine of the Godhead, and to water baptism in Jesus' Name.[21] However, due to doctrinal diversity on these issues, the early unity of the PAOC did not last long. Shortly after the charter was granted, a group of ministers and churches withdrew their support because of doctrinal disagreement, especially over the oneness doctrine and baptism in Jesus' name. This group aligned itself instead with the US organization, the Assemblies of God. By 1920, the PAOC itself merged with the AOG, shifting its theological stance toward a more Trinitarian viewpoint.[22]

Origins of ACOP (1920-1950)

Not everyone was pleased with the shift away from the Oneness perspective on the Godhead. On 1 January 1920, Rev. Frank Small, a member of PAOC wrote a letter to his organization stating “if you feel that I am unworthy of your further fellowship owing to my doctrinal stand, I shall leave my further fellowship to your judgment as to whether I am recognized as one of you” (the doctrinal differences are later clarified in Small’s private correspondence as his belief in the finished work and the oneness doctrine).[23] This letter was not recognized in any formal capacity by the PAOC, but Frank Small’s name was removed from the next PAOC ministerial list.[24]

As a result of these things, Small founded a new Pentecostal denomination, called the Apostolic Church of Pentecost, which was granted Dominion charter on 25 October 1921.[25] “With the doctrinal break in fellowship, he founded an organization that for many years endured as the only native Canadian Oneness organization.”[26] Small was a charismatic leader and believed strongly that organization should never take precedence over God’s revealed word in Scripture or the progressive truth revealed by the Holy Spirit.[27] A big part of Small’s focus was a belief that “God was bypassing the ‘old denominations’ and restoring the pure apostolic truth and practice to the church in the last days before the return of Christ.”[28]

One of the most important truths that was being revealed was the doctrine of the oneness of the Godhead. He published a paper called Living Waters[29] in which he said that the Trinitarians had given Christ an “inferiority complex in the eyes of the world” by “separating Christ from his fatherhood.”[30] He also claimed that “Any teaching that minimizes the Lord Jesus Christ to second place in the Godhead in authority or power, is to be laid at the door of the enemy.”[31]

The first ACOP conference took place in Winnipeg, Manitoba in 1921, where Frank Small was elected the first moderator.[32] Early in its history, the ACOP focused on three main things: missions work, a small publication called Living Waters (produced by Small), and the need for Bible training.[33] During its early years, ACOP saw tremendous growth, including: “new churches planted, missionaries thrust out into the work of God, Bible Schools established, denominational material published and Camp ministries started.”[34]

The Merger Years (1950-1953)

In 1950, an interfellowship meeting was held in Calgary, Alberta between the ACOP and another Pentecostal denomination called the Evangelical Churches of Pentecost (ECP). At this meeting it was determined that an amalgamation should take place between the two groups. One possible motive for the merger is described by ACOP historian Linda Wegner as “the realization that by blending two structures into one, they could expand their spheres of influence and hopefully, their effectiveness of ministry would increase proportionally.”[35] The merger process took some time to work itself out, as a variety of questions had to be answered. Both denominations had their own camps, bible schools, policies on how to support missions, and consequently, much discussion was necessary before the merger could become a reality. Nevertheless, on May 29 1953 the merger was officially in place.[36] Despite the fact that almost all members of the ECP switched their membership over to the ACOP, the ECP charter was never dissolved, and is currently employed by a group called the Christian Ministers' Association.

Post-Merger Years (1954-Present)

Before the merger with ECP, there were approximately 80 churches in the ACOP. After the merger, the ACOP experienced an increase in churches. In the decade from 1951-1961 ACOP had a growth spurt of about 40 new churches (compared to only about 20 in each of the previous three decades).[37] From 1960 to 1980, growth went down but this trend was reversed in the late 1970s and early 1980’s. Since that time there has been positive growth, and there are now about 150 churches a part of ACOP.[38]

After the merger, ACOP’s growth prompted a desire to organize various departments to help stimulate further growth. Some of these include: Apostolic Women’s Ministries (AWM), Apostolic Youth Ministries (AYM), and the Apostolic Missions Division. More recently, there has been a shift away from providing departmental direction, toward making the departments into “resource centers” designed to empower people in their own churches to serve in individualized contexts.[39] The main ACOP ministries that serve in this way are described in the section below on Divisional Ministries.

Divisional Ministries

Apostolic Women’s Ministries

The role of women in ACOP has always been important. Officially, women can hold leadership roles within ACOP,[40] and several have been ordained into the pastorate.[41] There is also a formal organization within ACOP that provides venues for women within ACOP to work together to support each other and work on common projects. This organization is called Apostolic Women’s Ministries (AWM).

Apostolic Youth Ministries International

The Apostolic Youth Ministries International (AYMI) ministry was founded in 1959 to serve the youth of ACOP. One of the earliest activities it organized for youth was Bible quizzing, but this is no longer a part of AYMI.[42] Today, AYMI describes itself as “dedicated to spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ to the youth of the nation of Canada.” AYMI is committed to developing ministries to accomplish this goal.[43] Some of the ministries that AYMI currently oversees are: Street Invaders[44] and Life Force.[45] Both of these programs are designed to train young people to do modern-day street evangelism and other forms of ministry specifically designed to reach young people with the gospel. Street Invaders is a summer program for young people between the ages of 13-20, and runs for approximately three weeks of the summer. Life Force is a longer program, running for about 8 months of the year, and only applicants who are 18 years or over and who have finished high school are eligible.[46]

AYMI publishes a quarterly publication called Up, which can be viewed at: http://www.aymi.ca/up/.

Missions Division

The Apostolic Missions Division finds its origins early in ACOP’s history, and its stated purpose is “to evangelize people throughout the world with the goal of establishing indigenous local churches, to train national leadership, and to support any aspect of missionary work.”[47] Supporting missionaries has been at the heart of ACOP’s interests from the fellowship’s earliest years. [48]Although it is hard to know for certain how many missionaries have been sent out by ACOP over the years, ACOP historian, Linda Wegner reports that from 1921 to 2001, there were at least 226 missionaries sent out to many different nations.[49] As a result of ACOP’s missionary activity “there are 18 national organizations in 16 countries that are affiliated with the Apostolic Church of Pentecost of Canada”, and “there are approximately 3000 ACOP churches worldwide.”[50]

Orphan Care

Orphan Care is a partnership between ACOP and its affiliated churches in Africa. The goal of the partnership is to care for orphans who have lost their parents due to the AIDS/HIV crises. Since there are “many Christian families in Africa who are willing to take orphans into their homes but are prevented from doing so because they are financially unable” ACOP is trying to find donors who will provide the funds necessary for these families to care for orphans in their own homes. The cost for the program is “between $1.00 and $1.50 per day” which provides “food, clothing, education and basic medical care in a Christian home for an orphan in Africa.”[51] Every donor receives a picture of one of the African children being cared for in this program as a prayer reminder.[52]

One of the reasons the program is set up this way is because the philosophy behind Orphan Care is “that Christian homes provide a more stable and favorable atmosphere than orphanages.”[53]

Currently, the program is in operation in both Zimbabwe and Malawi, and approval has been granted to extend the program into Zambia as well.[54]

Global Harvest Fund

In 1997, ACOP’s dream of creating a professionally managed fund to support missionaries became a reality. The fund was specifically designed to help new missionaries get established, but is also intended “to assist missionaries who are supported through the ACOP office to help cover costs such as vehicles for the field, upgrades to computer equipment, airfare, conference fees, etc.”[55]

The fund is called the Global Harvest Fund (GHF), and it has two main components: an Endowment Fund and an Operating Fund. All donations to the GHF are divided equally between these two components. All returns on investment in the Endowment Fund are channeled into the Operating Fund. [56]

2020 Vision

The 2020 Vision is the name of ACOP’s initiative to plant 50 church planting churches in Canada by 2020, which is ACOP’s centennial year.[57] In order to accomplish this goal, in 2008 ACOP established an endowment fund called the “Daniel and Helen Breen Memorial Church Planting Endowment Fund.” The fund is made up of 2 million dollars. The first million was raised by ACOP churches, districts, and individual members, and the second million was a matching gift from Canadian entrepreneur Jim Pattison.[58]

Associated Ministries

Organizations

ACOP Camps

National Groups

The following are national groups affiliated with ACOP Canada:

===Publications===asdf

  • FellowshipFOCUS, internet newsletter, discontinued May 2009. Archives available from http://www.acop.ca/general/fellowshipfocus.asp.
  • This Week In ACOP, a weekly communication from the Apostolic Church of Pentecost of Canada, recapping prayer requests, current events and news items of specific interest to ACOP members & churches. Available from http://www.acop.ca/.

Moderators/Presidents

ACOP originally called the head of the fellowship its “moderator.” Recently, this was changed to reflect the more modern term “president.”

  • Rev. Franklin Small (1921-1952)
  • Rev. G. A. Batke (1952- 1960)
  • Rev. G. S. Mclean (1960-1961)
  • Rev. G. A. Batke (1961-1964)
  • Rev. E. L. McRae (1964-1968)
  • Rev. Lorne Pritchard (1968-1969)
  • Rev. Dan Breen (1969-1984)
  • Rev. Wes Schindel (1984-1990)
  • Rev. G. O. B. Killam (1990-2004)
  • Rev. Wes Mills (2004-)

Educational Institutions

References

  1. ^ "About Us". ACOP. Retrieved 14 February 2011.
  2. ^ "White Trinitarian Pentecostals". Melton's Encyclopedia of American Religions. Gale. 2009. Retrieved 14 February 2011.
  3. ^ "The ACOP Missions Division". ACOP. Retrieved 27 February 2011.
  4. ^ "White Trinitarian Pentecostals". Melton's Encyclopedia of American Religions. Gale. 2009. Retrieved 14 February 2011.
  5. ^ "White Trinitarian Pentecostals". Melton's Encyclopedia of American Religions. Gale. 2009. Retrieved 14 February 2011.
  6. ^ For further information regarding membership statistics see "Apostolic Christian Churches of America". Adherent Statistic Citations: Membership and Geography Data for 4,300+ Religions, Churches, Tribes, Etc. Preston Hunter. 2009. Retrieved 21 February 2011.
  7. ^ "Find an ACOP Church in Your Area". ACOP. Retrieved 14 February 2011.
  8. ^ Wegner, Linda (2006). Streams of Grace. Edmonton, Alberta: New Leaf Works. p. 300. ISBN 0-9734043-5-3.
  9. ^ Wegner, Linda (2006). Streams of Grace. Edmonton, Alberta: New Leaf Works. p. 302. ISBN 0-9734043-5-3.
  10. ^ "About Us". ACOP. Retrieved 14 February 2011.
  11. ^ Wegner, Linda (2006). Streams of Grace. Edmonton, Alberta: New Leaf Works. p. 301-302. ISBN 0-9734043-5-3.
  12. ^ "About Us". ACOP. Retrieved 14 February 2011.
  13. ^ "ACOP's Official Statement of Faith". ACOP. Retrieved 27 February 2011.
  14. ^ Wegner, Linda (2006). Streams of Grace. Edmonton, Alberta: New Leaf Works. p. 298. ISBN 0-9734043-5-3.
  15. ^ "ACOP's Official Statement of Faith". ACOP. Retrieved 21 February 2011.
  16. ^ "ACOP's Official Statement of Faith". ACOP. Retrieved 21 February 2011.
  17. ^ "Joint Declaration on Marriage" (PDF). 9 November 2006. Retrieved 21 February 2011.
  18. ^ "Religious Leaders Sign Declaration on Marriage". Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops. 9 November 2006. Retrieved 21 February 2011.
  19. ^ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Pentecostal_denominations_and_unions_established_in_the_20th_century
  20. ^ Wegner, Linda (2006). Streams of Grace. Edmonton, Alberta: New Leaf Works. p. 47. ISBN 0-9734043-5-3.
  21. ^ Wegner, Linda (2006). Streams of Grace. Edmonton, Alberta: New Leaf Works. p. 48. ISBN 0-9734043-5-3.
  22. ^ Wilkinson, Michael (2010). Winds from the North: Canadian Contributions to the Pentecostal Movement. Brill. p. 208. ISBN 9004185747. {{cite book}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help); More than one of |pages= and |page= specified (help); Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  23. ^ Larden, Robert (1971). Our Apostolic Heritage – An Official History of the Apostolic Churchof Pentecost of Canada Incorporated. Saskatoon, SK: Kyle Printing. p. 90.
  24. ^ Larden, Robert (1971). Our Apostolic Heritage – An Official History of the Apostolic Churchof Pentecost of Canada Incorporated. Saskatoon, SK: Kyle Printing. p. 93.
  25. ^ Larden, Robert (1971). Our Apostolic Heritage – An Official History of the Apostolic Churchof Pentecost of Canada Incorporated. Saskatoon, SK: Kyle Printing. p. 92.
  26. ^ Wilkinson, Michael (2010). Winds from the North: Canadian Contributions to the Pentecostal Movement. Brill. p. 211. ISBN 9004185747. {{cite book}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help); More than one of |pages= and |page= specified (help); Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  27. ^ Wegner, Linda (2006). Streams of Grace. Edmonton, Alberta: New Leaf Works. p. 51-52. ISBN 0-9734043-5-3.
  28. ^ Wilkinson, Michael (2010). Winds from the North: Canadian Contributions to the Pentecostal Movement. Brill. p. 201. ISBN 9004185747. {{cite book}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help); More than one of |pages= and |page= specified (help); Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  29. ^ Small, Franklin (n. d.). Living Waters: A Sure Guide for Your Faith. Winnipeg. Retrieved 22 February 2011. {{cite book}}: Check date values in: |year= (help)CS1 maint: year (link)
  30. ^ Wilkinson, Michael (2010). Winds from the North: Canadian Contributions to the Pentecostal Movement. Brill. p. 204. ISBN 9004185747. {{cite book}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help); More than one of |pages= and |page= specified (help); Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  31. ^ Wilkinson, Michael (2010). Winds from the North: Canadian Contributions to the Pentecostal Movement. Brill. p. 204. ISBN 9004185747. {{cite book}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help); More than one of |pages= and |page= specified (help); Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  32. ^ Wegner, Linda (2006). Streams of Grace. Edmonton, Alberta: New Leaf Works. p. 54. ISBN 0-9734043-5-3.
  33. ^ Wegner, Linda (2006). Streams of Grace. Edmonton, Alberta: New Leaf Works. p. 51-54. ISBN 0-9734043-5-3.
  34. ^ Wegner, Linda (2006). Streams of Grace. Edmonton, Alberta: New Leaf Works. p. 89. ISBN 0-9734043-5-3.
  35. ^ Wegner, Linda (2006). Streams of Grace. Edmonton, Alberta: New Leaf Works. p. 89. ISBN 0-9734043-5-3.
  36. ^ Wegner, Linda (2006). Streams of Grace. Edmonton, Alberta: New Leaf Works. p. 121. ISBN 0-9734043-5-3.
  37. ^ Wegner, Linda (2006). Streams of Grace. Edmonton, Alberta: New Leaf Works. p. 311. ISBN 0-9734043-5-3.
  38. ^ "White Trinitarian Pentecostals". Melton's Encyclopedia of American Religions. Gale. 2009. Retrieved 14 February 2011.
  39. ^ Wegner, Linda (2006). Streams of Grace. Edmonton, Alberta: New Leaf Works. p. 302. ISBN 0-9734043-5-3.
  40. ^ "Becoming a Member of the Apostolic Church of Pentecost" (PDF). ACOP. 27 Feburary 2011. Retrieved 27 February 2011. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  41. ^ For some examples of women who have been ordained in ACOP see Wegner’s book: Wegner, Linda (2006). Streams of Grace. Edmonton, Alberta: New Leaf Works. p. 257. ISBN 0-9734043-5-3.
  42. ^ Wegner, Linda (2006). Streams of Grace. Edmonton, Alberta: New Leaf Works. p. 257. ISBN 0-9734043-5-3.
  43. ^ "AYMI Home Page". AYMI. Retrieved 27 February 2011.
  44. ^ "Street Invaders Home Page". Street Invaders. Retrieved 27 February 2011.
  45. ^ "Life Force Home Page". Life Force. Retrieved 27 February 2011.
  46. ^ Wegner, Linda (2006). Streams of Grace. Edmonton, Alberta: New Leaf Works. p. 257-259. ISBN 0-9734043-5-3.
  47. ^ "Biblical Mandate". ACOP. Retrieved 27 February 2011.
  48. ^ As early as the second ACOP conference (date unknown), a missions secretary was already appointed to facilitate missionary endeavors. see: Wegner, Linda (2006). Streams of Grace. Edmonton, Alberta: New Leaf Works. p. 54. ISBN 0-9734043-5-3.
  49. ^ Wegner, Linda (2006). Streams of Grace. Edmonton, Alberta: New Leaf Works. p. 268-275. ISBN 0-9734043-5-3.
  50. ^ "The ACOP Missions Division". ACOP. Retrieved 27 February 2011.
  51. ^ "Orphan Care Brochure" (PDF). ACOP. June 2006. Retrieved 27 February 2011.
  52. ^ "Orphan Care Brochure" (PDF). ACOP. June 2006. Retrieved 27 February 2011.
  53. ^ "Orphan Care Brochure" (PDF). ACOP. June 2006. Retrieved 27 February 2011.
  54. ^ "Orphan Care Update". FellowshipFOCUS. ACOP. December 2007. Retrieved 27 February 2011.
  55. ^ "Global Harvest Fund". ACOP. Retrieved 27 February 2011.
  56. ^ Wegner, Linda (2006). Streams of Grace. Edmonton, Alberta: New Leaf Works. p. 278. ISBN 0-9734043-5-3.
  57. ^ Mills, Wes (July 2010). "2010 President's Report for ACOP's Biennial Conference" (PDF). ACOP. Retrieved 27 February 2011.
  58. ^ Mills, Wes (July 2010). "2020 Vision Launched with $2 Million Fund" (PDF). FellowshipFOCUS. ACOP. Retrieved 27 February 2011.

Further reading

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