Expert: Elder Greg Madden - 1/30/2009

Question
I was told by a former Pastor the the asseblies of God denomination would not allow him to be a pastor because he never spoke in tongues.  Is this true? and where does the Bible say this ?

Answer
Ned,

Thank you for your question, and the opportunity to help.

This is true. The reason being is that the AG (and myself) believe that the "initial physical evidence" of having received the Holy Spirit baptism is speaking in tongues. Here is a direct quote from the constitution and bylaws on ministry basic qualifications...

ARTICLE VII. MINISTRY
Section 1. Ministry Described
Christ’s gifts to the Church include apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers (Ephesians 4:11), exhorters, administrators, leaders, and helpers (Romans 12:7,8). We understand God’s call to these ministry gifts is totally within His sovereign discretion without regard to gender, race, disability, or national origin.
Three classifications of ministry are recognized and transferable among all Assemblies of God districts: the ordained minister, the licensed minister, and the certified minister.
All ordained, licensed, and certified ministers holding current ministerial credentials are authorized to perform the ordinances and ceremonies (sacerdotal functions) of the church, and those holding a local church credential as provided below.
A fourth classification of ministry, a local church credential, may be provided by a local General Council affiliated church under basic guidelines adopted by the General Presbytery and such additional guidelines adopted by the district council. The local church credential shall be non-transferable (limited to the issuing local church) and shall be limited to 2 years, unless the credential is solely required for active and ongoing local ministry in a prison, hospital, or institution. A person holding a local church credential can perform the ordinances and ceremonies (sacerdotal functions) of the church if authorized in writing by the senior pastor of the local church issuing the credential.
Section 2. Basic Qualifications
The following qualifications pertain to all applicants for ministerial recognition:
a. Salvation. Testimony to having experienced the new birth (John 3:5).
b. Baptism in the Holy Spirit. Testimony to having received the baptism in the Holy Spirit with the initial physical evidence of speaking in other tongues according to Acts 2:4. The Spirit-filled life will enable a minister to fulfill the threefold mission of the church (Constitution, Article V, paragraph 10).
c. Evidence of call. Clear evidence of a divine call to the ministry, evidenced by a personal conviction, confirmed by the work of the Spirit and the testimony of fellow ministers.
d. Christian character. A blameless Christian life and a good report of those who are without (Titus 1:7; 1 Timothy 3:7).
e. Doctrinal position. A thorough understanding of and agreement with our doctrinal position as contained in the Statement of Fundamental Truths.
f. Assemblies of God polity. A satisfactory working knowledge of the principles, practices, and purposes of the Fellowship through a study of the General Council and district council Constitution and Bylaws.
g. Voluntary cooperation and commitment to the Fellowship. An active loyalty to our constitutional agreements, a cooperative spirit, and a readiness to seek and receive the counsel of older mature Christians and those in positions of authority.
By voluntary it is meant that, upon learning the principles, doctrines, and practices of the Assemblies of God, and by seeing the benefits to be derived from being associated with such an organization, persons of their own free choice decide to become members, thus subscribing to all that for which the organization stands.
For the minister, by cooperation, it is meant, to the best of one’s ability, complying with all decisions setting forth and defining duties and responsibilities incumbent upon members of the organization. It includes active participation and respect for the will of the majority expressed through constitutional processes.
ARTICLE VII
31
Hence, for the minister, voluntary cooperation means that when the minister decides to become a cooperating member of the Assemblies of God, this cooperation and participation thereby becomes obligatory and not optional.

Ned, please let me know if this helps, or if you have any further questions.

Elder Greg Madden