Gospel Assembly Churches are non-denominational Christian Churches based in the United States. The churches were founded in 1914 by minister William Sowders (1879-1952).
| Gospel Assembly churches | |
|---|---|
| Classification | Non-Denominational |
| Orientation | Pentecostal |
| Polity | Congregational |
| Distinct fellowships | Gospel Kingdom church in Louisville, Ky |
| Associations | Names of churches may include Gospel Assembly, Gospel Kingdom, Body of Christ |
| Region | Worldwide |
| Headquarters | USA |
| Founder | William Sowders |
| Origin | 1914 Paducah, Kentucky |
| Congregations | 10s of thousands |
| Missionaries | Haiti, Dominican Republic, India, Kenya, Burundi |
Origins
editThe beginnings of Gospel Assemblies may be traced to Paducah, Kentucky in 1914 during the early American Pentecostal movement. Sowders, a former Louisville policeman,[1] evangelized primarily in the lower Ohio River valley region, settling in Louisville, where he established a congregation and ministered there until his death in 1952.[1] Sowders' designated successor, T. M. Jolly,Brother Thomas Miles Jolly ministered in St. Louis until 1991.[2]
Doctrine
editLike other evangelical denominations, Gospel Assembly churches believe the Bible to be the pure Word of God. Members utilize the term 'the Body of Christ' to refer to their fellowship exclusively, and 'Babylon' to refer to the remainder of the church world. They consider their movement to represent a restoration of the early church.[3]
No formal doctrinal statement is published because they consider themselves to be continually growing in the grace and knowledge of the Lord. However, they are distinctly nontrinitarian. Like most churches, primary worship services are traditionally held on Sundays, however, most often they are in the early afternoon, in a departure from standard practice.[4][5]
They believe in spiritual communion, meaning that their communion takes place over the fellowship of the Word of God, and also do practice the literal Lord's Supper with the elements. The churches practice literal water baptism as an outward ritual, but also emphasize the spiritual aspects of the ordinances.
Order and practice
editGospel Assemblies is Pentecostal by experience. They ascribe to holiness as the result of a sanctified heart, expressed in standards of speech and demeanor, modest dress, and a lifestyle of humility and moderation.[6] Music is orchestral-based, with many of their published hymns and choruses written by church members.[7][8] Their worship services are conducted in 'open-order' fashion, somewhat similar to Quaker worship services, encouraging active participation by the congregation in music and in the ministry of the Word, as led by the Spirit of God.
Constituency
editGospel Assembly churches are located in 17 nations, including some in western Europe, southern Africa, Mexico, and the Caribbean region. While centered in the lower Midwest, Gospel Assemblies can be found in 40 U.S. states and four Canadian provinces, with 150,000 to 200,000 members in several thousand congregations internationally.[9] A schism from the group, founded by Lloyd Goodwin and based in Des Moines, Iowa, is almost identical in faith and practice but differs on issues of polity and leadership.[10] That group publishes a quarterly magazine, The Gospel of Peace.
Facilities
editIn 1935, Sowders established the Gospel of the Kingdom campground at Shepherdsville, Kentucky for camp meetings, which still remains in use.[11] Ministerial meetings for doctrinal discussion are held at the campground which are known as "the threshing floor." The fellowship's largest church, a 3000-seat building in Louisville on Stone Street Road known as “The Convention Center”, is also used for conventions. Another very large congregation is in Houston.Glenn Goodwin’s account of the meeting in Houston, Texas
Cult accusations and cult-like practices
editFormer and current members feel that Gospel Assemblies possesses several characteristics of a sociological cult.[12][13] Former and current adherents cite spiritual abuse and "heavy shepherding," including control of activities, finances, time, possessions and relationships. The church has, however, refuted these claims.[14]
Former St. Louis minister Thomas Jolly, Sowders' handpicked successor, was convicted in 1993 of child sexual abuse, receiving probation for molesting girls who sought counseling.[15][16]
References
edit- ^ a b "Watchman Fellowship Profile: Gospel Assembly Church" (PDF).
- ^ Kirkland, Stephen (August 16, 1993). "Church Attracts Protest Shelter For Minister In Sex Case Criticized". St. Louis Post Dispatch.
- ^ "Watchman Profiles - Gospel Assembly Church" (PDF).
- ^ "Events". gacindy.
- ^ "Gospel Tabernacle - Godfrey, Illinois". Godfrey Church.
- ^ "Gospel Assembly Church - Photos".
- ^ Voices of Praise. Gospel Assembly Music Staff, St. Louis, Missouri. 1982.
- ^ New Voices of Praise. Gospel Assembly Music Staff, St. Louis, Missouri. 1988.
- ^ "Church Directory".
- ^ "About".
- ^ "All of God's People Welcome | Gospel of the Kingdom Campground | Shepherdsville, KY". Gospel Kingdom.
- ^ "Gospel Assembly Church - Info on cults".
- ^ "Gospel Assembly Visitor Comments".
- ^ "Gospel Assembly Church - This church is not a cult, pastor says". www.gospelassemblyfree.com.
- ^ "Police/Courts: Sexual Abuse". St. Louis Post Dispatch. September 26, 1992.
- ^ "Probation for Abuser Stirs Anger Minister Molested Girls Who Sought Counseling - HiddenMysteries Spiritual Studies". Archived from the original on 2019-04-17. Retrieved 2019-04-17.