Answers | To Your Questions About the Bible, Theology and Christian Living

I have heard that AG churches should not have religious sounding names. Is this true,and if so, why are we doing this? Should we rename the Assemblies Of God?

Editor’s note: This is an editorial response since there is no straight biblical answer on the topic.

One of the goals of the church is to reach the unsaved and the unchurched. To this end, many pastors and congregations have opted for names that they feel are more inviting to the general populace. In the ’60s and ’70s, there was a movement away from the then typical names: “First Assembly of God,” etc. Many churches became “Christian Center” or something similar. AG churches used to use the word “Temple” a lot. That gave way to “Community Church,” etc. Today, even many of the biggest seeker-sensitive churches use the word “Church” in their name, along with a descriptive word of the location. A few churches have gone to names that do not incorporate anything religious.

I don’t have a beef with anybody’s name. What I do have a problem with is when a church is trying to “trick” people with their name or lack of full disclosure. I don’t believe the name “Assemblies of God” needs to be in the title of a local AG church. But I have seen AG churches that try to keep people from knowing they are AG or Pentecostal. They have the philosophy that people are more likely to attend a church that is not tied to a large fellowship or denomination. I believe this is inherently dishonest.

And, no, we shouldn’t rename the AG. “Assemblies of God” is just fine, and all our churches, while they don’t need to include it in their name, should make it clear they are Assemblies of God. If they don’t … then why are they (AG)?

Ken Horn

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What are the qualifications to be a pastor according to the Bible and with the Assemblies of God?

The Assemblies of God holds to the straightforward biblical requirements for ministers: “The qualifications for bishops, as set forth in 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:5-9, are the norm for all ministers today.”

“In addition, the following groups of attributes are recommended for the ordained minister.”

Spiritual Attributes

The following spiritual attributes are essential to a most productive ministry: A devotional spirit; love (for God, the ministry, people, 1 Thessalonians 1:3; 1 Timothy 6:11, 12; 1 John 3:16); faith (Romans 12:3-8; 2 Corinthians 3:5, 6; 5:18-20; Ephesians 3:7;4:11; Colossians 1:23-29; 1 Thessalonians 1:3) humility (Proverbs 15:33; Romans 12:3); convictions (Jude 3); dedication (total commitment to God’s will); a ministerial spirit (an aptitude to give service; to be solicitous over the well-being and growth of people spiritually, morally, socially, etc.); and faithfulness (1 Corinthians 4:1,2 in stewardship of time, spiritual preparation, business matters, etc.).

Moral Attributes

The following moral attributes are essential to a most productive ministry: integrity (basic honesty and wholeness of character, spiritual honesty (Psalm 51:6), intellectual honesty, honesty in preaching, and in everyday dealings) and moral purity (Isaiah 52:11; Galatians 1:10; 2:11-14; 1 Timothy 6:11-14; 2 Timothy 1:7, 9).

Emotional Attributes

It is quite likely that more inefficiency and failure in the ministry are caused by emotional and personality deficiencies than by ill health, moral defection, and lack of training, education, or talent. Because of this it is most important that the preacher be very mature in self-understanding and healthy emotionally. If he has unresolved emotional problems, violent mood swings, personality conflicts, or fails under duress it will greatly affect his attitudes in the pulpit as well as determine his attitudes in all of his interpersonal relationships. At least the following seven emotional attributes of character are important to the minister: A sanctified temperament (Galatians 5:22, 23); a sense of proportion (balance of humor and seriousness); enthusiasm; realism; a sense of the beautiful (Philippians 4:8; Titus 1:15); sympathy (Romans 12:15; Hebrews 5:1); and patience (Romans 5:1-5; 2 Peter 1:5-8).

Intellectual Attributes

The following intellectual attributes are important for the minister: Studiousness; regimentation (reasonably well-organized); moderation (in views rather than radical extremes, 1 Corinthians 9:25; Galatians 5:23; Philippians 4:5; Titus 1:8; 2 Peter 1:6); logic; imagination; power of concentration; memory (John 14:26); and wisdom (James 1:5).

Social Attributes

Among the social attributes which are essential to the minister are the following: Sociability, knowledge of human nature, lack of prejudice, a cooperative attitude, a conciliatory disposition, respect for authority, teachability, and loyalty (to family, church, the Movement, associates, and friends).

Practical Attributes

It is essential to a productive ministry that the minister develop his practical ability to perform the functions of the ministry with skill. It is important that ministers study Bible and theology in order to educate their heads, but is important that they study practical theology in order to educate their mouths and hands as well. The minister should cultivate the spiritual and practical abilities requisite to the functions of preaching/teaching, worship, administering the ordinances, pastoral care, and administration.

Read the full official Assemblies of God position here.

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