Assemblies of God USA

==Worship==
{{See also|Contemporary worship}}
[[File:Crossroads_Omaha.jpg|thumb|Crossroads Fellowship Church, Omaha, Nebraska]]
Because of the congregational nature of the Assemblies of God, it is difficult to define a typical local church. Church identity is influenced by members' social class, ethnicity, and musical or worship style preferences. Sociologists Margaret Poloma and John Green have categorized AG congregations into four types: traditional, evangelical, renewalist, and alternative. Traditional congregations are those that strongly identify with the AG (and Pentecostalism in general), while encouraging "more intense experiences of the ''charismata'', or gifts of the Holy Spirit" such as Spirit baptism and speaking in tongues. Evangelical AG congregations, the most common type, identify with the AG and Pentecostalism but "are moving (in varying degrees) away from the unique experiences that were once important markers of Pentecostal identity". Renewalist or charismatic AG churches are those that encourage supernatural gifts of the Spirit but weakly identify with the AG or Pentecostalism. Alternative churches are those where both identity with the AG and occurrence of unique Pentecostal experiences are low; these include churches adopting [[seeker-sensitive]] and [[emerging church]] models.<ref name="Poloma2010p19-20,25-26">{{harvnb|Poloma|Green|2010|pp=19–20, 25–26}}</ref>
Despite the diversity found in the AG, shared beliefs and values are reflected in local churches. The Assemblies of God is "experience-oriented", and the local church is where experience of the activity of the Holy Spirit will primarily occur.<ref name="churchidchangep103,100">{{harvnb|Roozen|Nieman|2005|pp=100, 103}}</ref> Regular services are usually held on Sunday mornings and Sunday and Wednesday evenings. There is no formal [[liturgy]] or order of service; though, many churches have a familiar routine: opening prayer, congregational and special singing, an [[tithe|offering]], a time of [[intercessory prayer]], a [[sermon]], and an [[altar call]]. In the traditional and charismatic AG churches, this routine is subject to change spontaneously within a service—possibly being interrupted by an [[interpretation of tongues|interpretation of a message in tongues]], a [[prophecy]], a [[word of wisdom]], or a [[word of knowledge]]—and this change is believed to be directed by the Holy Spirit. In addition, evening services may incorporate a time of prayer for those who are seeking something from God either around the [[Altar#Protestant churches|altar]] or in an adjacent prayer room.<ref name="churchidchangep100">{{harvnb|Roozen|Nieman|2005|p=100}}</ref>

During praise and worship, participants may [[Orans|raise their hands]] as an act of worship. Congregational singing is usually led by a choir or worship team. Full drum sets, a piano, an organ, and various other instruments are frequently used. The type of music sung is generally [[Contemporary worship music|popular worship choruses]], such as those by [[Calvary Chapel]] and [[Hillsong Music Australia|Hillsong]]. Worship is often characterized as intense and enthusiastic.<ref name="churchidchangep101,2">{{harvnb|Roozen|Nieman|2005|pp=101–102}}</ref>

Prayer features prominently in services. Services may feature moments where special prayer is offered, often with [[Laity|laypersons]] leading the prayer and the rest of the congregation audibly participating. During these corporate prayers, some may pray in tongues. While not in every service, the pastor will pray for the sick. This prayer may include the pastor [[Anointing of the Sick|anointing the sick]] with olive oil and with the assistance of church elders along with pastoral associates [[Laying on of hands|laying hands]] on the one seeking healing.<ref name="churchidchangep101">{{harvnb|Roozen|Nieman|2005|p=101}}</ref><ref>[http://ag.org/top/Beliefs/topics/gendoct_12_sick.cfm "Healing: Laying on of Hands and Anointing the Sick"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130514175804/http://ag.org/top/Beliefs/topics/gendoct_12_sick.cfm |date=2013-05-14 }}, a paper endorsed by the Assemblies of God's Commission on Doctrinal Purity and the Executive Presbytery. Accessed August 1, 2010.</ref>

[[Church architecture|Architecturally]], smaller churches will feature bright lighting, large windows, a simple platform with a [[pulpit]] in the center, and an altar ("a bench across the front of the church below the platform"). Larger churches will have direct access from the balcony to the main sanctuary near the platform so that respondents to altar calls can easily come forward, a large open area in front of the platform to accommodate altar call gatherings, and the platform itself is usually large to accommodate a large choir and musical instruments. Because the Assemblies of God practice baptism by immersion, many churches will include a [[baptistry]] at the rear of the platform.<ref name="churchidchangep102">{{harvnb|Roozen|Nieman|2005|p=102}}</ref>