Church of God (Cleveland, Tennessee)

{{Short description|Pentecostal Christian denomination}}
{{Use American English|date=January 2023}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2023}}
{{Infobox Christian denomination
|name = Church of God
|image = Church of God Emblem.svg
|imagewidth = 140px
|caption =Cross with wave of the Holy Spirit
|main_classification = [[Protestant]]
|orientation = [[Holiness Pentecostal]]<ref name="Fahlbusch1999"/><br />[[Evangelical]] 
|polity = [[Episcopal polity|Episcopal]]
|founder = Elder Richard Spurling and several others
|founded_date = August 1886
|founded_place = [[Monroe County, Tennessee]]<br>[[Cherokee County, North Carolina]]
|separated_from =
|headquarters = [[Cleveland, Tennessee]],
|parent =
|merger =
|separations = [[Church of God of Prophecy]],<br>[[Church of God with Signs Following]],<br>[[The (Original) Church of God]]
|associations = [[National Association of Evangelicals]]<br>[[Pentecostal/Charismatic Churches of North America]]<br>[[Wesleyan Holiness Consortium]]
|area = 
|congregations =
|members = 
|website = {{url|churchofgod.org}}
|logo=
|footnotes = 
}}

The '''Church of God''', with headquarters in [[Cleveland, Tennessee]], United States, is an international [[Holiness-Pentecostal]] [[Christian denomination]].<ref name="Fahlbusch1999">{{cite book |last1=Fahlbusch |first1=Erwin |last2=Lochman |first2=Jan Milic |last3=Bromiley |first3=Geoffrey William |last4=Barrett |first4=David B. |last5=Mbiti |first5=John |last6=Pelikan |first6=Jaroslav |last7=Vischer |first7=Lukas |title=The Encyclopedia of Christianity |date=1999 |publisher=Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing |isbn=978-0-8028-2416-5 |page=139 |language=English}}</ref> The Church of God's [[publishing house]] is Pathway Press.

==Name==
The precise legal name of this body is "'''Church of God'''". After a protracted court case involving donations intended for the use of its orphanages being received by other groups using the same name, the [[Supreme Court of Tennessee]] determined that it alone was entitled to use the simple name Church of God in 1953.<ref>Stephen C. Finley, Torin Alexander, ''African American Religious Cultures'', ABC-CLIO, USA, 2009, p. 151</ref> The group however uses '''Church of God (Cleveland, Tennessee)''' in order to distinguish it from other bodies that use "Church of God" in their titles.

==History==

===Origins (1886–1902)===
[[R. G. Spurling]] (1857–1935), a [[Missionary Baptist]] minister, and his father [[Richard Spurling]] (1810–91), an ordained [[Elder (Christianity)|elder]], rejected some of the views of the [[Baptists]] in his area as not being in accord with [[New Testament]] Christianity. R. G. Spurling disagreed with [[Landmarkism]], an [[ecclesiology]] which held that only churches descending from churches with Baptist doctrine were part of the true Church, and that they should not associate with Christians of other traditions. Spurling felt that there needed to be another reformation of the Church that went beyond the [[Protestant Reformation]] so that Christians would be united together by love and not by [[creed]]s, which he believed were divisive. As long as something was not contrary to the New Testament, believers should be able to practice their faith in the form they chose.{{Sfn | Roebuck | 1999 | p = 2}}

Even though not intending to form a new church or denomination, their rejection of Landmarkist values placed them in conflict with traditional churches in that area. Within a short period of time it became clear that they would not be allowed to remain as members of their churches. On August 19, 1886, after being barred from his local Baptist church, R.G. Spurling and eight others organized the Christian Union at the Barney Creek Meeting House in [[Monroe County, Tennessee]]. They agreed to free themselves from man-made creeds and unite upon the principles of the New Testament.  Between 1889 and 1895, Spurling organized three other congregations, all with the name Christian Union, each functioning independently under Baptist polity.{{Sfn | Roebuck | 1999 | p = 3}}  While this group would later disband and its members return to their original churches, the Church of God traces its origins to this 1886 meeting.{{Sfn | Synan | 1997 | p = 73}}

In 1896, three Tennessee evangelists (William Martin, Joe M. Tipton, and Milton McNabb) with links to Benjamin H. Irwin's [[Fire-Baptized Holiness Church]] brought the message of [[entire sanctification]] to the western [[North Carolina]] countryside when they held a revival in the Shearer Schoolhouse near Camp Creek in [[Cherokee County, North Carolina|Cherokee County]]. A feature of this revival was that some participants, including children, spoke in tongues when they experienced sanctification (this was later understood to be the baptism of the Holy Ghost, as spoken of in Acts 2). This phenomenon caused great excitement and controversy in the community, and leading Baptist and Methodist leaders soon denounced the revival. Several of the worshiper's homes, as well as a provisional meeting house were burned by mobs opposing the new revival.{{Sfn | Synan | 1997 | p = 72}}

The worshipers began to meet in the house of [[William F. Bryant]] (1863–1949), a Baptist [[deacon]] prior to his joining the holiness movement, who assumed leadership of the group. R.G. Spurling often worshiped with the small fellowship and was the driving force behind its 1902 decision to organize into a church, called the Holiness Church at Camp Creek.{{Sfn | Roebuck | 1999 | pp = 4–5}}  Organization was made necessary because Irwin's more fanatical teachings were influencing the movement, and there was a need for authority to discipline erring members.{{Sfn | Synan | 1997 | p = 74}}

===Tomlinson era (1903–1923)===
It would be [[Ambrose Jessup Tomlinson]] and his organizational skills, however, that would be responsible for the growth of the Camp Creek Holiness Church into a national denomination. A [[Quaker]] and [[colporteur]] (the publishing and distribution of religious materials) for the [[American Bible Society]], Tomlinson had received the sanctification experience (but had not spoken in tongues) and had connections with [[Frank Sandford]]'s Shiloh church in [[Durham, Maine]]. While not an ordained minister, churches often invited him to preach. The church at Camp Creek had known Tomlinson for seven years before they asked him to join their church in 1903. After climbing what is now known as Prayer Mountain in [[Murphy, North Carolina]] (located within the [[Fields of the Wood]] park), and reportedly being divinely assured that this fledgling church was indeed God's reestablishment of the New Testament church, Tomlinson joined the church and was soon elected its pastor.{{Sfn | Synan | 1997 | pp = 74–75}}  This allowed Spurling and Bryant to pursue evangelism. Fourteen new members were added to the church in the first year of Tomlinson's pastorate, and other churches were soon established in Georgia and Tennessee.{{Sfn | Roebuck | 1999 | p = 6}}

By 1905, there was a desire for greater organization among the churches. Delegates from four churches met at Camp Creek (approximately a mile northwest of Fields of the Wood) in January 1906 to conduct the 1st General Assembly of the "Churches of East Tennessee, North Georgia, and Western North Carolina." Though the intention was still to avoid the creation of a creed and denomination, the members' consensus on certain endeavors and standards laid the groundwork for the future denomination. The Assembly declared, "We hope and trust that no person or body of people will ever use these minutes, or any part of them, as articles of faith upon which to establish a sect or denomination," and that the General Assembly was not "a legislative or executive body, [but] judicial only."{{Sfn | Roebuck | 1999 | p = 7}}  The 1st Assembly decided that [[Maundy (foot washing)|foot washing]] was on the same level as the [[sacrament]] of [[Eucharist|communion]] and, like other holiness groups, condemned the use of [[tobacco]]. Tomlinson served as moderator and secretary.{{Sfn | Synan | 1997 | pp = 77–78}}  The name "Church of God" was adopted in 1907, and Tomlinson was elected general overseer in 1909.<ref name="Synan1997p.79">Synan, ''The Holiness–Pentecostal Tradition'', p. 79.</ref>

The Church of God was a part of the [[holiness movement]] and believed in [[entire sanctification]] as a definite experience occurring after salvation. While individuals had spoken in tongues in the 1896 revival, tongues were not yet understood by the Church of God to be the initial evidence of [[baptism in the Holy Spirit]]. As news of the [[Azusa Street Revival]] began to spread and reach the Southeast, Church of God adherents began, more and more, to seek and obtain Spirit baptism. Tomlinson was one of these seekers. In June 1907, he traveled to [[Birmingham, Alabama]], to attend a meeting of [[M. M. Pinson]] and [[Gaston B. Cashwell]]. After being baptized in the Spirit at Azusa Street, Cashwell had returned to the South, spreading the revival and bringing many holiness groups into the Pentecostal fold. Tomlinson invited Cashwell to preach in Cleveland, Tennessee.  It was there, under Cashwell's preaching, that Tomlinson received the Pentecostal blessing. After Tomlinson's experience, the Church of God's emphasis changed from being mainly holiness in nature, to being both holiness and Pentecostal, and it has identified that way ever since.{{Sfn | Roebuck |1999| pp = 9–10}}

In 1910, the official publication, "The Church of God Evangel," was founded, and it remains the oldest continuous Pentecostal publication. Growth followed in the years after organization. In 1902, there was one church with 20 members. By 1910, there were 1,005 members in 31 churches throughout the Southeastern United States.{{Sfn | Synan | 1997 | p = 79}}

==Statistics==
The denomination reported that in 2022, they had 36,000 churches and 7 million members in 178 countries.<ref>Church of God (Cleveland), [https://churchofgod.org/about/a-brief-history-of-the-church-of-god/ A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF GOD], churchofgod.org, USA, retrieved November 5, 2022</ref>

==Clergy==
The Church of God recognizes three ranks of credentialed ministers: Exhorter (initial level), Ordained [[Minister (Christianity)|Minister]] (intermediate level), and Ordained [[Bishop]] (highest level). Exhorters are authorized to preach, serve as [[Evangelism|evangelists]], and serve as pastor of a church.<ref name=2012MinS58.II>In emergencies, Exhorters may be authorized by their state overseer to baptize converts and receive new church members. When serving as pastors, if state laws allow, the Exhorter may solemnize marriages. 2012 COG Minutes S58.II, pp. 155.</ref> Ordained Ministers are further authorized to baptize converts, receive new church members, administer [[sacraments]] or [[Ordinance (Christianity)|ordinances]], solemnize marriages, and establish churches. In addition to the rights and privileges held by Exhorters and Ordained Ministers, Ordained Bishops are authorized to assist in [[ordination]] ceremonies. State/regional overseers are designated "Administrative Bishops," International Executive Committee members as "Executive Bishops," and the General Overseer as "[[Presiding Bishop]]." Women are eligible to be Exhorters and Ordained Ministers; however, only men can become Ordained Bishops. There are also categories of Licensed Minister of Christian Education and Licensed Minister of Music.{{Sfn | Roebuck | 1999 | p = 8}}

==Beliefs==
{{Expand section|date=February 2023}}
The church has a [[Pentecostal]] [[confession of faith]].<ref>Church of God (Cleveland), [https://churchofgod.org/beliefs/declaration-of-faith/ WE BELIEVE], churchofgod.org, USA, retrieved November 5, 2022</ref>

==Structure==

===International===
The Church of God is a [[Hierarchical organization|hierarchical church]] with an [[episcopal polity]].<ref name=2012MinS35.1>2012 COG Minutes S35.1, p. 115.</ref><ref name="Synan1997p.79"/> The Church of God's highest judicial body is the International General Assembly.<ref name=2012MinS1.4.A>2012 COG Minutes S1.IV.A, p. 58.</ref> This body has "full power and authority to designate the teaching, government, principles, and practices" of the Church of God.<ref name=2012MinS3.I.1>2012 COG Minutes S3.I.1, pp. 65–67.</ref> Meeting every two years, the General Assembly's voting membership includes all [[laity|lay]] members, credentialed ministers of the Church of God, and members 16 years of age or older, but to vote one must be present and registered. The General Assembly is responsible for electing the church's executive officers. These are the general overseer, the three assistant general overseers, and the secretary general. In addition, it elects the directors of the church's missionary and Christian education ministries.<ref name=2012MinS2.VI.1>2012 COG Minutes S2.VI.1, pp. 59–61.</ref>

==Higher education==
The Church of God operates [[Lee University]], a Christian Liberal Arts university in Cleveland, Tennessee, established in 1918.<ref>{{cite web|title=Facts in Brief|url=http://web1.patten.edu/AboutUniversity_History.htm|access-date=December 5, 2012|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130213020822/http://web1.patten.edu/AboutUniversity_History.htm|archive-date=February 13, 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref> In response to the need for a graduate seminary, the Church of God Graduate School of Christian Ministries opened in 1975. Its name was changed to the Church of God School of Theology, Church of God Theological Seminary, and most recently to the [[Pentecostal Theological Seminary]] (PTS) with the hopes of appealing to a broader student base.{{Cn|date=January 2024}}

=== Related bodies ===
*[[Church of God (Chattanooga)]] (org. 1917)
*[[Church of God with Signs Following]] (org. circa 1922)
*[[Church of God of Prophecy]] (org. 1923)
*[[Church of God, House of Prayer]] (org. 1939)
*[[Church of God (Huntsville, Alabama)]] (org. 1943)
*[[The Church of God (Jerusalem Acres)]] (org. 1957)
*[[The Church of God for All Nations]] (org. 1981)
*[[Church of God (Charleston, Tennessee)]] (org. 1993)

===Recent history===
In 2007, the denomination had 6 million members worldwide.
<ref>Eric Patterson, Edmund Rybarczyk, ''The Future of Pentecostalism in the United States'', Lexington Books, USA, 2007, p. 139</ref>

==Notable ministers==
*[[Charles Paul Conn]] – Chancellor of [[Lee University]]
*[[Raymond Culpepper|Raymond F. Culpepper]] – First Assistant General Overseer
*[[Marcus Lamb]] – Founder of [[Daystar Television Network]]
*[[G. Dennis McGuire]] – Former General Overseer
*[[Perry Stone (minister)|Perry Stone]] –  Evangelist, author, host of ''Manna-fest''
*[[Jentezen Franklin]] - Pastor, Free Chapel

==See also==

*[[Church of God (Anderson, Indiana)]]
*[[Church of God (Guthrie, Oklahoma)]]
*[[Church of God (Huntsville, Alabama)]]
*[[The Church of God (Charleston, Tennessee)]]
*[[Protestantism in the United States]]
*[[List of the largest Protestant bodies]]
*[[Christianity in the United States]]

==Notes==
{{Reflist}}

==References==

*{{Citation | editor1-first = Daniel L. | editor1-last = Black | title = Minutes 2012: Church of God Book of Discipline, Church Order, and Governance | place = Cleveland, Tennessee | publisher = Church of God Publishing House | year = 2012 }}.
*{{Citation | author-link = Charles W. Conn| last = Conn | first = Charles W | title = Like a Mighty Army | year = 2008 | orig-year = 1955}}.
*Crew, Michael. ''The Church of God: A Social History''. University of Tennessee Press, 1990.
*{{Citation | last = Roebuck | first = David G | year = 1999 | url = http://www.pctii.org/cyberj/cyberj5/roebuck1.pdf | title = Restorationism and a Vision for World Harvest: A Brief History of the Church of God (Cleveland, Tennessee) | journal = Cyberjournal for Pentecostal-Charismatic Research | volume = 5 | access-date = June 12, 2011}}.
*{{Citation |author1-link=H. Vinson Synan | first = Vinson | last = Synan | title = The Holiness–Pentecostal Tradition: Charismatic Movements in the Twentieth Century | place = Grand Rapids, MI, USA | publisher = William B. Eerdmans | year = 1997 | isbn = 978-0-8028-4103-2}}.

==Bibliography==

*Conn, Charles W. ''Where the Saints Have Trod: A History of Church of God Missions''. Cleveland: Pathway Press, 1957.
*Robins, R.G. ''Tomlinson. Plainfolk Modernist.'' Oxford: University Press, 2004.

==External links==
*{{Official website|www.churchofgod.org}}

{{Pentecostal World Fellowship}}
{{Evangelical Protestantism in the United States}}
{{National Association of Evangelicals}}
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[[Category:Cleveland, Tennessee]]
[[Category:Religious organizations established in 1886]]
[[Category:Pentecostalism in Tennessee]]
[[Category:Pentecostalism in the United States]]
[[Category:Church of God denominations]]
[[Category:Pentecostal denominations in North America]]
[[Category:Christian denominations established in the 19th century]]
[[Category:1886 establishments in Tennessee]]
[[Category:Members of the National Association of Evangelicals]]
[[Category:Evangelical denominations in North America]]
[[Category:Holiness Pentecostals]]