The Church of God (Anderson) is a non-denominational, Holiness believing group of Christians with roots in Wesleyan pietism and also in the anabaptist tradition. It was started in 1880¹ by Daniel Sidney Warner and several others. Warner had been a member of the General Eldership of the Church of God. He differed with the Winebrennerians on the doctrine of sanctification, which he held to be a second definite work of grace, and on the nature of the church. The desire of Warner and the others was to forsake denominationalism and creeds. To this end, they determined to trust in the Holy Spirit as their guide and the Bible as their creed. This church movement is not historically related to other Church of God bodies such as the Church of God (Cleveland) or Church of God (Charleston, Tennessee). Though these bodies are also holiness in outlook, the Church of God (Anderson) does not share their Pentecostal emphasis; although this movement does believe in the gift of tongues. This movement currently has its central offices in Anderson, Indiana, hence its name, Church of God (Anderson).

The church's doctrinal beliefs include "the divine inspiration of Scripture; forgiveness of sin through the atonement of Jesus Christ and repentance of the believer; the experience of holiness; that the kingdom of God has been established here and now, the resurrection of the dead, culmulating with a final judgment (or the second judgement,) in which there will be reward for the righteous and punishment for the wicked."²

Also the church observes baptism by total immersion, the Lord's supper (commonly known as communion), and feet washing as symbolic acts, recognizing them as the ordinances of God. According to the church's official web site, "None of these practices, termed ordinances, are considered mandatory conditions of Christian experience or fellowship."³ Church government structure is local and autonomous, and follows a congregational form of worship.

There are about 2300 congregations in the United States and Canada which are affiliated with the Church of God (Anderson), with an average attendance of 235,000. Worldwide "membership" is more than 750,000 in about 7340 congregations. The church does not have traditional formal membership. Personal conversion and Christian conduct, coupled with attendance, are sufficient for participation in a local Church of God congregation.

The church's seminary is Anderson School of Theology in Anderson, Indiana. It is also affiliated with several colleges across North America: Anderson University, Azusa Pacific University, Bay Ridge Christian College, Gardner College, Mid-America Christian University, Warner Pacific College, and Warner Southern College.

External link

• Church of God Ministries, Inc. (http://www.chog.org/) - official Web Site

Footnote

• 1, 2 & 3, see History of the Church of God (http://churchofgod.chog.org/ME2/Audiences/dirsect.asp?sid=D6384FB8CD884976BB7825A9F1B49078&nm=Our+History)