Church Polity Flashcards
1
Q
The Church of God stands for the____________rightly divided.
A
Whole Bible
2
Q
The__________is the only rule for government and discipline in the Church of God.
A
New Testament
3
Q
The foundation of the Church of God is laid upon the principle of______________________.
A
biblical holiness
4
Q
The usage of feminine titles or feminine pronouns for God in reference to the Father, Son, or Holy Spirit is a violation of _____________________________.
A
Declaration of Faith
5
Q
The mission of the Church of God is to communicate the power of Jesus Christ in the_______of Pentecost.
A
Spirit and power
6
Q
The Church of God’s core value of_________________ is the process of exchanging information, imparting ideas, and sharing the message so it is understood by others.
A
communication
7
Q
The Church of God’s core value of discipleship states that making disciples must be__________for all believers upon their acceptance of Jesus Christ as their personal Savior.
A
intentional
8
Q
The Church’s core value of____________is committed to providing curriculum and materials which affirm the practices, mission, vision, and commitments of the Church of God.
A
education
9
Q
The ten core values of the Church of God are___________.
A
prayer,
Pentecostal worship,
world evangelization,
church planting,
leadership development,
care,
interdependence,
communication,
discipleship, and
education
10
Q
The Church of God demonstrates prayer as a high priority by every church becoming___________for all nations.
A
a house of prayer
11
Q
In its commitment to Pentecostal worship, the Church of God emphasizes the importance of biblical stewardship and the _______________as elements of worship.
A
centrality of God’s Word
12
Q
Starting the number of church plants equal to a minimum of __________of the total number of churches in a state/nation annually is part of the denomination’s core values.
A
3 percent
13
Q
In emphasizing world evangelization, the Church of God encourages every local church to increase a minimum of ___________per year through conversion growth.
A
10 percent
14
Q
The Church of God demonstrates its commitment to caring for others by obeying the Care Commission of Christ in ____________.
A
Matthew 25
15
Q
Equipping, empowering, and releasing_____________to serve as ministry partners is part of the denomination’s core values.
A
lay leaders
16
Q
The Church of God commits itself to the___________, acknowledging our interconnectedness and dependence on all the members of the body of Christ.
A
principles of interdependence
17
Q
The Church of God recognizes the_____________as the foundation of all ministry activities.
A
local church
18
Q
The denomination recognizes the_____________as God’s primary force for evangelization of the world and discipling of believers.
A
local church
19
Q
The five divisions in the Church of God are____________.
A
Division of World
Evangelization,
Division of Education,
Division of Discipleship Ministries,
Division of Care Ministries, and
Division of Support
Services
20
Q
The Church of God is a __________ body.
A
judicial
21
Q
A local church__________withdraw from the International General Assembly.
A
cannot
22
Q
The official name of the church is____________.
A
Church of God
22
Q
The membership of the Church of God is composed of Christians who have accepted the __________of the Church of God.
A
teachings, doctrines, and government
23
Q
The International _____________is composed of all members and ministers of the Church of God, 16 years of age and above.
A
General Assembly
24
The purpose of the International General Assembly is to
advance the ____________of the Church of God.
mission, vision, and commitments
25
The International General Assembly meets____________.
biennially
26
__________serves as the official guide for the business of the International General Assembly.
Robert’s Rules of Order, Newly Revised
27
The International General Assembly elects the__________.
general overseer,
assistant general overseers,
secretary general,
director of Youth and Discipleship,
assistant director Youth and Discipleship,
director of World Missions, and
assistant director of World Missions
28
The officers of the International General Assembly consist of the___________and a secretary.
moderator
29
The___________serves the International General Assembly as secretary.
secretary general
30
The International General Council is composed of all ______ of the Church of God.
ordained bishops
31
The International ______________ shall elect the Council of Eighteen.
General Council
32
The general overseer, his assistants, the secretary-general, and ______________shall constitute the International Executive Council.
Council of Eighteen
33
Standing boards are appointed by the_____________.
International Executive
Committee
34
_________________________serves as the official parliamentary guide for conducting the business of the church.
Robert’s Rules of Order, Newly Revised
35
The International General Assembly grants to its_________ the same voice that it affords all credentialed ministers in the International General Assembly.
laity
36
_____________are approved to sit in the International ,
General Council.
ordained ministers, exhorters, and laity
37
The International General Council meets_______________ to consider recommendations that are to be presented to the International General Assembly.
biennially
38
The_______________is comprised of the International Executive Committee and eighteen (18) elected members.
International Executive Council
39
The largest group that comprises the International Executive Council is_____________.
pastors
40
The International General Council shall convene in
conjunction with the __________________________.
International General Assembly
41
All measures designed to change or alter any teaching of the Church of God shall first be submitted to the____________.
International Executive Council
42
The distribution of tithes sent to the International Offices is
the responsibility of the_______________________.
general overseer and the International Executive Council
43
The International Executive Council shall meet every two
years with the_______________to discuss and project
international ministries (Proverbs 11:14).
International Council
44
State and provincial overseers are appointed by the_______.
International Executive Committee
45
After an International Executive Committee member has served eight years, he is ineligible to serve in that role for _________year(s).
two
46
A________________shall be implemented by the International Executive Committee, in conjunction with the administrative bishop, for increasing the effectiveness
of local churches through a plan to involve lay leadership with pastoral oversight.
Local Church Development Plan
47
The general overseer will be elected for a_______-year term.
four
48
The__________signs and issues credentials to ministers.
general overseer
49
The assistant general overseers are elected for a______-year term.
four
50
Furnishing the International General Assembly with financial reports is a primary responsibility of the ________________.
secretary general
51
The director of Youth and Discipleship will not be able to succeed himself beyond_____________.
one four-year term
52
The______________develops and sets forth the policy of the World Missions ministry and its operation.
World Missions Board
53
The_____________determines the eligibility of prospective missionaries.
World Missions Board
54
The________________provides diverse involvement in order to support an international perspective in fulfilling the mission of the Church of God.
International Council
55
The_______________advises the International Executive Council on issues of international concern.
International Council
56
____________________recommends all prospective area superintendents.
Director of World Missions
57
The_____________recommends prospective missionaries to the director of World Missions.
assistant director of World Missions
58
The______________is the official journal of the Church of God.
Church of God Evangel
59
The local church or churches should refrain from taking action on setting forth applicants for the ministry until the ___________________has conferred with the state.
district overseer
60
All applicants for the ministry must have______________.
the baptism in the Holy Spirit
61
All ministers are required to pay__________to retain their license.
tithes
62
All applicants for the ministry, including those advancing in rank, must give consent to the state/regional office to conduct a_________________check.
criminal background
63
The offices of the church are ordained offices placed by ______.
Christ
64
The individuals placed in office are placed by the _________ and equipped by the Holy Spirit.
calling of God
65
Ministerial leadership offices include________________
(also called elders and stewards) and____________.
bishops; deacons
66
Leadership is always related to the_____________________.
ministry of the Word,
the grace of God, and
the power of the Holy Spirit
67
The act of ordination in the activity of the church is represented by such acts as______________________.
the laying on of hands and sending ministers forth by the Holy Spirit in response to divine calling
68
It seems that the passage in_______________is a paradigm of ordination that consists of (1) the call of God, (2) the approval of Christ represented in the laying on of hands,
and sending the ministers forth under the power of the Holy Spirit.
Acts 13:1-4
69
_______________________________are foundational texts that identify church ministries.
Romans 12:4-8;
1 Corinthians 12:4-12, 28-30; and
Ephesians 4:11, 12
70
In terms of the current polity of the Church of God, _______ district overseer,
are designations that have been recognized.
district overseer, administrative bishop,
and presiding bishop
71
There is an implied hierarchy in a system that arranges biblically equal titles, but there is no__________________.
biblical order
72
The applicant for ordination as bishop must meet the biblical requirements found in__________________.
1 Timothy 3:1-7
73
An applicant for ordination as bishop may be ordained when he is twenty-five years of age, provided he has had at least __________years of active ministry, or he has three (3) years
of active ministry accompanied by a ministry-related degree or its equivalency from an accredited institution or one certified by the Church of God Division of Education, or
when he is thirty (30) years of age, provided he has had at least five (5) years of active ministry, if he is otherwise qualified.
In those cases in which a ministerial applicant has had verifiable active ministerial experience prior to receiving credentials, exceptions to the age qualifications can be made
upon recommendation by the ministerial applicant’s administrative bishop and with the approval of the Executive Council.
## Footnote
(72nd A., 2008; 76h A., 2016, pp. 183-184)
eight
74
The ordained bishop has the full right and authority to ________.
preach, publish, teach and defend the gospel of Jesus Christ; serve as pastor and/or district overseer, or in other official capacities or appointments; baptize converts; receive believers into fellowship of church membership; administer Holy Sacraments(ordinances); solemnize rites of matrimony; assist in ordination ceremonies of fellow ministers; establish and organize churches; use the following titles while holding these specific positions:
State/Territorial overseer—administrative bishop,
International Executive Committee members— executive bishop, general overseer—presiding bishop
75
Church of God ministers shall maintain a______________ attitude of love, mercy, and grace, when counseling or dealing with individuals in same-gender relationships.
Christlike
76
Church of God ministers (either ordained ministers or ordained bishops) shall only perform marriages between ___________________as marriage is defined in the Bible.
one man and one woman
77
The qualifications to become an ordained bishop are ________.
1. The application for ordination as bishop must meet the biblical requirements as set forth in 1 Timothy 3:1-7.
2. An applicant for ordination as bishop may be ordained when he is twenty-five (25) years of age, provided he has had at least eight (8) years of active ministry, or he has three (3) years of active ministry accompanied by a ministry-related degree or its equivalency from
an accredited institution or one certified by the Church of God Division of Education, or when he is thirty (30) years of age, provided he has had at least five (5) years of active ministry, if he is otherwise qualified. In those cases in which a ministerial applicant has had verifiable active ministerial experience prior to receiving credentials, exceptions to the age qualifications can be made upon recommendation by the ministerial applicant’s administrative bishop and with the approval of the Executive Council.
3. In the case of military chaplains, the International Executive Committee shall be empowered to waive age, time, and performance
minimums for ordination as bishop, if the applicant is otherwise qualified.
4. Must have the baptism in the Holy Ghost.
5. Must successfully pass the examination given by a duly constituted Board of Examiners for ministerial candidates. It is understood that the examination will embrace areas of church government, doctrine, and general biblical knowledge.
6. Applicants for ordination as bishop who have a living former spouse, or whose spouse has a living former spouse, shall be approved by a two-thirds majority vote of the International Executive Council before being set forth by the local church.
7. The wife of the applicant for ordained bishop’s license must be grave, not a slanderer, sober, and faithful in all things.
8. It is understood that female ministers are not eligible for ordination as bishop.
9. Candidates striving to advance from the second rank of ministry to the third rank of ministerial credentials are encouraged, where feasible, to complete level two of the Certificate In Ministerial Studies or its approved equivalency.
78
The rights of an ordained minister are________________.
1) preach, publish,
teach, and defend the
gospel of Jesus Christ;
(2) do the work of an
evangelist;
(3) serve as pastor of a
church;
(4) baptize converts;
(5) receive believers into
fellowship of church
membership;
(6) administer Holy
Sacraments(ordinances);
(7) solemnize rites of
matrimony; and
(8) establish churches
79
A minister will be notified in writing that failure to report for six
a period of _______________will subject the minister’s
credentials to revocation, after due disciplinary process.
months
80
All ministers are expected to take care of their financial
obligations________________.
promptly
81
When a minister moves to another state without assignment,
the___________and___________state overseer for the
minister must be notified immediately.
former; present
82
In order for a minister to be eligible for election or
appointment at the international and state levels,
miniser must be current on both____________ and
__________ with required finances.
personal ministerial the reports; local church reports
83
A qualification of a ________is his ability to oversee people
as well as programs.
state overseer
84
As part of his accountability, a___________is to be a model
by demonstrative, Christlike attributes in his lifestyle and
administration.
state overseer
85
The state overseer’s term of office shall be for_________
years.
four
86
The tenure of office for the state overseer is for a maximum
of______________years in nonmission states.
twelve
87
The state overseer appoints_____________when necessary.
district overseers,
pastors, and local
church officers
88
The state overseer approves the selection, purchase, and
construction of all church, parsonage, or Sunday school
properties, together with the respective_________________.
district overseer
89
Before launching large financial projects, the state overseer
must have the approval of the_________________.
International Executive Committee
90
The state overseer, with the_______________, may
authorize exhorters to pastor, baptize, and receive members
into the church.
district overseer
91
Except in national, territorial, provincial, or mission states,
all state councilmen must be_________________.
ordained bishops
92
With the state overseer, the_______________has supervision
of the state missions money, surplus tithes, state parsonage,
campground, and all other funds received and disbursed by
the state treasury.
State Council
93
Each state will have a_________________.
State Board of
Ministerial
Development, State
Youth and Discipleship
Board, State World
Missions Board
and a State Music
Board
94
The ___________are appointed biennially by the state
overseer.
State Board of Ministerial
Development, State
World Missions Board,
and State Music Board
95
The State Board of Ministerial Development is appointed by
the state overseer and approved by the__________________.
State Council
96
The__________helps stimulate and nurture continuing
education programs at all levels.
State Board of Ministerial Development
97
The___________is elected by the ministers of the state.
State Youth & Discipleship Board
98
The State Youth and Discipleship director is nominated by
the__________________.
state overseer
99
The State Youth and Discipleship director is elected by the
_________________.
State Council
100
The state overseer will submit to the______________the
names of nominees for State Evangelism and Missions
director.
State Council
101
The State Evangelism and Missions director’s term of office
is two years, with a maximum of_________consecutive
years in a nonmission state.
eight
102
The board and board chairman of the State World Missions
Board shall be appointed____________by the state overseer.
biennially
103
Evangelistic associations or other organizations of this type
cannot be organized in the Church of God without the
express approval of the_____________________.
International Executive Council
104
Each district is under the care and supervision of a________,
who is appointed by the state overseer.
district overseer
105
With the state overseer, the__________approves the
selection, purchase, and construction of all church properties
on the district.
district overseer
106
The____________, with the district overseer, may appoint an
assistant to serve as the Youth and Discipleship director for
the district.
State Youth and Discipleship director
107
The__________serves as the Church of God state Women’s
Ministries president.
wife of the state overseer
108
The Church of God has a___________form of government.
centralized
109
The__________, the highest authority of the Church of God,
governs the ownership of all church property.
International General Assembly
110
The International General Assembly governs the operation of international, national,
of the Church of God at the____________levels.
international, national, state/territorial, district,
and local
111
A__________holds title to, manages, and controls, at the
direction of the local church, all real estate owned by the
local congregation.
local Board of Trustees
112
The Church of God affirms the scriptural pattern of________
and deacons.
elders
113
A member’s name should remain on the membership roll
until an____________for transfer is received.
official request
114
A request for transfer of membership should be granted
within____________, providing no charges are pending.
two weeks
115
The pastor and_________shall maintain an accurate,
up-to-date membership roll.
church treasurer
116
When making formal charges against a member is necessary,
the charges are to be given to the member not less than______
prior to the time and place of the meeting.
three days
117
A________is a business meeting for the purpose of
transacting any business necessary for the operation of
the church.
church conference
118
No____________has the right to hold a conference without
permission from the district overseer.
pastor
119
No conference will be held in a district except under the
direction of the__________________.
district overseer
120
The state and district overseers should see that at least______
conference(s) is/are conducted in each local church.
one
121
The regular conference consists of the________________.
membership
122
The purpose of a church conference is to inform the church
of its_____________.
financial status
123
A regular conference should be announced at least_________
days before it occurs.
ten
124
A___________takes care of business arising between regular
conferences.
called conference
125
The usual order of business in a conference includes ______.
financial reports of
various departments
of the church; other
reports of committees,
and so forth; transfer
of membership, if any;
unfinished business, if
any; and new business
126
The authority to appoint pastors is placed with the________.
state overseer
127
When a pastor desires a pastoral change, he/she will submit
a letter of request to the_______________.
state overseer
128
Laity may contact the___________about local church issues
after they have talked with their pastor.
district overseer
129
Assistant pastors are subject to the approval and appointment
of the________________.
state overseer
130
The Church and Pastor’s Council is to be elected__________
and by ballot.
biennially
131
A local church can determine if it is practical to have a_____.
Church and Pastor’s Council
132
The_________serves as the chairman of the Church and
Pastor’s Council.
pastor
133
A Church and Pastor’s Council meeting can be called only
with the permission of the_________________.
pastor, district overseer, or state overseer
134
The Church and Pastor’s Council assists the pastor in the
___________area(s) of the church.
spiritual, financial, and physical
135
All major local church disbursements must be approved by
the church in__________________.
conference
136
A church treasurer will be appointed by the___________
and confirmed by the Council and/or body.
pastor
137
Each local church is to provide the treasurer with a copy of
the__________of the International General Assembly.
Minutes
138
The__________records and maintains accurate minutes of
all church conferences and disbursements.
church treasurer
139
The___________will furnish an itemized list of all receipts
and disbursements to the pastor each week.
church treasurer
140
The Finance Committee consists of the treasurer and
________other members.
two
141
All members and ministers of the Church of God shall pay
tithes into the church where they are______________.
members
142
___________provides a way for each local church to have a
part in contributing to the worldwide ministry of the church.
Tithing the tithe
143
No state, council, board, agency, local church, individual or
other entity of a local Church of God can financially obligate
the Church of God (Cleveland, Tennessee) without prior
written specific consent from the_____________________.
International Executive Committee
144
Title to all properties held at______________shall be held
in trust for the Church of God (Cleveland, Tennessee).
general or state/territorial level, or by a local church
145
Before a deed for local church property is recorded, it must
have the written approval of the_________________.
state or territorial overseer
146
A local church that owns any property will appoint a_______.
Local Board of Trustees
147
It is understood that an incorporated church does not lose its
_______________to the Church of God.
ecclesiastical relationship
148
All churches that request to incorporate must first be
approved in writing by the_________________.
International Executive Committee
149
A copy of the approved charter for the purposes of
incorporation must be sent to the___________________.
state office
150
Before approving a building project, a___________or his
designee will determine if the design and financial programs
have been approved by proper authorities.
state overseer
151
The____________governmental structure of the Church of
God does not provide for local church ownership of properties.
centralized
152
No church will implement a____________without
permission from the state overseer.
Christian day school
153
The local church Women’s Discipleship Committee will
consist of_______________________. and
president, vice president, secretary-treasurer
154
The chairman of the local church Women’s Discipleship
is the_____________________.
pastor
