The Churches of God, General Conference (Winebrenner) is a baptistic Christian organization that originated in the revivalism and evangelistic efforts of John Winebrenner. Topics in Christianity Movements · Denominations Ecumenism · Preaching · Prayer Music · Liturgy · Calendar Symbols · Art · Criticism Important figures Apostle Paul · Church Fathers Constantine · Athanasius · Augustine Anselm · Aquinas · Palamas · Wycliffe Tyndale · Luther · Calvin · Wesley Arius · Marcion of Sinope Pope · Patriarch of Constantinople Christianity Portal This box:      Baptist is a term describing individuals belonging... Topics in Christianity Movements · Denominations Ecumenism · Preaching · Prayer Music · Liturgy · Calendar Symbols · Art · Criticism Important figures Apostle Paul · Church Fathers Constantine · Athanasius · Augustine Anselm · Aquinas · Palamas · Luther Calvin · Wesley Arius · Marcion of Sinope Pope · Archbishop of Canterbury Patriarch of Constantinople Christianity Portal This box:      A Christian () is a person who... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... John Winebrenner (March 25, 1797 - September 12, 1860), American clergyman, founder of the Church of God, was born in Glade Valley, Frederick County, Maryland. ...

The CoGGC might best be described as a fundamentalist Bible church, though it has often been categorized as German Baptist or Arminian Baptist (e.g., see Rays of Light from All Lands, by George J. Hagar and A General History of the Baptist Denomination in America and Other Parts of the World, by David Benedict). Fundamentalism is a movement to maintain strict adherence to founding principles. ... Arminianism is a Protestant Christian theology founded by the Dutch theologian Jacobus Arminius. ...

The Churches of God, General Conference began in 1830. John Winebrenner (1797-1860) was ordained on September 28, 1820 as a minister of the German Reformed Church, a generally Calvinist body; he was given charge of the congregation in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Winebrenner labored extensively in revival meetings, but some of the older members opposed what they considered "unusual efforts for the conversion of sinners." In 1828 the General Synod of the German Reformed Church dropped him from its roster of ministers, in response to such complaints. In July of 1830, Winebrenner was rebaptized by immersion by Jacob Erb. That year, he and co-laborers sympathetic with his efforts met and organized the General Eldership of the Church of God. Representatives from various denominations were present, and the new organization reflected that diversity. Liberty Leading the People by Eugène Delacroix commemorates the July Revolution 1830 (MDCCCXXX) was a common year starting on Friday (see link for calendar). ... is the 271st day of the year (272nd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1820 was a leap year starting on Saturday (see link for calendar). ... The Evangelical and Reformed Church was an American Protestant denomination formed by the merger (1934) of the Reformed Church in the United States and the Evangelical Synod of North America. ... In an unadorned church, the 17th century congregation stands to hear the sermon. ... Location in Dauphin County and state of Pennsylvania Coordinates: , Country United States Commonwealth Pennsylvania County Dauphin Incorporated 1791 Charter 1860 Government  - Mayor Stephen R. Reed (D) Area  - City  11. ... Year 1828 (MDCCCXXVIII) was a leap year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian Calendar (or a leap year starting on Thursday of the 12-day slower Julian calendar). ... Liberty Leading the People by Eugène Delacroix commemorates the July Revolution 1830 (MDCCCXXX) was a common year starting on Friday (see link for calendar). ...

In the early years of the Church of God, its members were popularly called Winebrennerians, after their founder. The official name was changed to the General Eldership of the Churches of God in North America in 1845, and to its present title in 1975. 1845 was a common year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar). ... Year 1975 (MCMLXXV) was a common year starting on Wednesday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ...

The basic theology of the Churches of God, General Conference is Arminian, conservative and evangelical. The church holds three positive ordinances: baptism by immersion, the Lord's supper, and feet washing. Church government is presbyterial in nature; the Bible is the church's only rule of faith and practice. The CoGGC is divided into regional conferences, with headquarters in Findlay, Ohio, where the church operates Winebrenner Theological Seminary on the University of Findlay campus. The Church Advocate is the CoGGC's official periodical, published quarterly by the church. The church reported 336 congregations with 32,208 members in 2000, principally in Pennsylvania and the Midwest. Topics in Christianity Movements · Denominations Ecumenism · Preaching · Prayer Music · Liturgy · Calendar Symbols · Art · Criticism Important figures Apostle Paul · Church Fathers Constantine · Athanasius · Augustine Anselm · Aquinas · Palamas · Luther Calvin · Wesley Arius · Marcion of Sinope Pope · Archbishop of Canterbury Patriarch of Constantinople Christianity Portal This box:      The word evangelicalism often refers to... Baptism in early Christian art. ... The Lords Supper is a variation of the name and the service of The Last Supper or Eucharist. ... Feet washing is a religious rite observed as an ordinance by several Christian denominations. ... Findlays position within Hancock County (foreset) and Ohio (background) Findlay is a city in Hancock County, Ohio, United States. ... The University of Findlay is a private university located in the City of Findlay in northwest Ohio. ... 2000 (MM) was a leap year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Capital Harrisburg Largest city Philadelphia Area  Ranked 33rd  - Total 46,055 sq mi (119,283 km²)  - Width 280 miles (455 km)  - Length 160 miles (255 km)  - % water 2. ... Regional definitions vary from source to source. ...

Statistics

The denomination in 1906 numbered 518 organizations and 24,356 communicants, in the following states:

• Pennsylvania (11,157)
• Ohio (2980)
• Indiana (1999)
• Illinois (1555)
• Maryland (1204)
• Missouri (1053)
• Iowa
• West Virginia
• Arkansas
• Kansas
• Oklahoma
• Nebraska
• Michigan
• Washington
• Oregon
• Minnesota

Under the general eldership are:

• University of Findlay, Findlay, Ohio

The University of Findlay is a private university located in the City of Findlay in northwest Ohio. ... Findlays position within Hancock County (foreset) and Ohio (background) Findlay is a city in Hancock County, Ohio, United States. ...

External links

• Churches of God General Conference - official Web Site
• Articles on the Churches of God, General Conference
• Winebrenner Theological Seminary - official Web Site
• Emerging CGGC - conversation blog for CGGC members interested in the emerging church
• Christian Church Library from A.D. 30-2007

The emerging church is a controversial[1] 21st-century Protestant Christian movement whose participants seek to be like the christians mentioned in Revelation 3:16 and to engage postmodern people, especially the unchurched and post-churched. ...

References

• History of the Churches of God in the U. S. A., by C. H. Forney
• Religious Congregations & Membership in the United States, 2000, Glenmary Research Center