What Is Wrong With The Assemblies Of God?

What is wrong with the Assemblies of God? And why some people are leaving Assemblies of God?

Introduction

The Assemblies of God is one of the largest Pentecostal churches, with a global presence in about 190 countries.

It was established in 1914. 

Answering the question of what is wrong with the Assemblies of God can be subjective.

It depends on who is answering the question, and the answers can be influenced by personal experience and emotions.

Therefore, what a certain person or group of persons might consider wrong might just be alright for another. 

However, there are certain doctrines and practices within the Assemblies of God Church that people generally consider extreme and not biblical.

In this article, we will discuss what some people believe is wrong with the Assembly of God, influencing them to quit worshiping in the church.

Why are people leaving the Assemblies of God?

There is no perfect church.

Many churches have their flaws or perceived flaws.

So, a church that seems perfect to one person might be the opposite of the next.

Many believers have reservations about the Assemblies of God church, especially those who have decided to cut ties with them. 

Their reasons for taking such a step might seem insignificant to some Christians, while some might see them as a big deal.

Irrespective of the case, most people and churches have left the Assemblies of God to join other churches or establish an independent church, citing doctrinal issues, governing or leadership problems, etc.

Based on research, many people cited the same observations.

This section will address the same issues. Therefore, kindly note that this article is not meant to incite people against the Assemblies of God Church, demarketing strategies, or a plan to reduce congregational membership.

Instead, consider it a report based on research and real-life experiences of past church members. 

Now that we have clarified that this is not a spite against the church, let’s discuss some of the cited reasons people and churches leave the Assemblies of God. 

The major cause of controversies surrounding this church is its doctrines.

Certain beliefs held and taught by the church do not sit well with some members. Here are some:

Highlights the importance of speaking in tongues

The Assemblies of God Church believe so much in the ministry of the Holy Spirit.

Most importantly, they believe that the evidence of being filled with the Holy Spirit is speaking in tongues. So, they emphasize it in their teachings often. 

There’s nothing wrong with this doctrine, as it is biblical.

1 Corinthians 12:9-10, speaking in tongues and interpretation of different tongues are part of the gift of the Holy Spirit, which some believers possess for the edification of the church.

However, most Christians, especially those from other denominations, are not comfortable with how Assemblies of God uphold the speaking of tongues.

One of the issues some people claim to have is that people can start speaking in an unknown tongue when a sermon is going on. They see it as a distraction from God’s Word.

According to them, they think God is not an author of confusion and might not prompt a person to hinder the delivery of the divine message wherein service is on. 

Another issue raised about the speaking of tongues is that people feel they are merely blabbing and not actually speaking any known language.

In defending this, they reference what happened in the early church after the disciples of Jesus who gathered in the Upper Room received the baptism of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:4-28).

Acts 2:9-11 says, “Utterly amazed, they asked: “Aren’t all these who are speaking Galileans? Then how is it that each of us hears them in our native language? Parthians, Medes and Elamites; residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya near Cyrene; visitors from Rome (both Jews and converts to Judaism); Cretans and Arabs—we hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues!”

The Bible passage above states that the people could understand the diverse languages the Holy Spirit inspired them to speak.

However, the case is different in the Assemblies of God Church, where what is spoken is a mysterious language that cannot be linked to any tribe or ethnicity. 

However, the argument is, what is the need for the gift of interpretation of tongues if everyone must understand the tongue inspired.

1 Corinthians 14:2 says, “For he who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God, for no one understands him; however, in the spirit he speaks mysteries.” 

Most people who regard this as an issue feel that speaking of tongues should be a special gift for certain people, but not everybody.

Viewing it as a gift everyone must have has made people force the speaking of tongues, even if they are not led to speak by the Holy Spirit.

No dance rule

This is one of the major sources of controversy surrounding the Assemblies of God.

The church does not allow dancing, clapping, raising hands, etc., during song ministrations in services.

They view them as evil or worldly, stating there is no biblically defined way to dance.

They believe that all dance steps are learned in disco houses or nightclubs, thus not holy to be offered to God. 

However, the biblical example of David dancing to the Lord contrasts with this doctrine.

The Bible states that David danced energetically as God’s Ark of Covenant was brought into the city of Jerusalem after being recaptured by the Philistines that his garment fell off (2 Samuel 6:14-22).

According to the story, David’s wife, Michal, mocked him for dancing in an undignified manner not befitting of a king.

God judged her by making her barren, meaning He was pleased with David’s worship.

All through the Bible, dancing is a major weapon for worshiping God. It is used to express deliverance and gratitude to God for a blessing or miracle.

The Psalmist in Psalm 149:3-4 says God takes pleasure in those who praise Him through songs, dance, and musical instruments.

 “Let them praise His name with the dance; Let them sing praises to Him with the timbrel and harp. For the Lord takes pleasure in His people; He will beautify the humble with salvation.”

Many other Bible verses show that dancing and singing go hand-in-hand in God’s worship. So, stopping it is like going against God’s Word.

Although, understandably, some Christians can take things too far when given a chance or some sense of liberty.

So, they can dance disorderly, distracting people and causing unnecessary scenes during service.

Also, considering that the church consists of a mixed crowd, including people not yet saved, certain ungodly dance steps might be promoted within the church. 

So, when asked about what is wrong with the Assemblies of God Church, many cite this, emphasizing that they believe quietness at all times is more accepted. 

Women in ministry

Another group believes having women minister in church or becoming pastors, deaconesses, and holding key positions in the church is not biblical.

Women are well represented in the Assemblies of God Church. 

But this idea seems not to be welcomed by certain people who reference 1 Timothy 2:11-14 where women are expected to be silent and submissive in church.

“Let a woman learn in silence with all submission. And I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man, but to be in silence.” (1 Timothy 2:11-12)

One way to understand the Bible is to know God’s Word from the words of men.

God’s Word is the direct words of God, like a promise, decrees, judgments, instructions, punishments, pronouncements, etc.

For example, in the creation story in Genesis, the Bible says, “And God said.”

These are God’s Words because they come directly from Him.

Also, Jesus’ Words are God’s Word because God and Jesus are one (John 10:30).

So, Jesus’ teachings, parables, etc., are God’s Word. However, the words of men are what the prophets, disciples, kings, and other godly people said in the Bible. 

The fact that they are in the bible does not mean they are imperfect.

David committed adultery, Peter denied Jesus and disobeyed God, etc. Therefore, the idea that women should not preach or teach the Bible was Paul’s personal opinion and not God’s design.

The Bible passage emphasized the first person pronoun “I” Paul used to show that it was his own idea and not God’s instruction. 

Miriam, Deborah, etc., were all prophetesses God used in the Old Testament, not minding their gender.

The issue of tithe

Tithe is a topic of many years of controversy in the church.

Many people believe it is an Old Testament tradition that ended with the time of priests.

In contrast, others believe it is a timeless command we must all obey to give back to God as a sign of gratitude for His financial blessings and to ensure the church lacks nothing to propagate the Gospel. 

Though there is no unity on this matter, people who attend or have attended Assemblies of God feel uncomfortable about the emphasis on tithing.

They feel other issues like salvation, evangelism, etc., should be focused on as tithe is not a New Testament command the church should still practice.

Many people hold on to the scripture, which encourages cheerful giving and is not given under compulsion or coercion. 

“So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.” (2 Corinthians 9:7). They consistently hammering on giving ten percent might stop people from giving liberally. 

Also, another issue with the tithe is how the church monitors the giving to know who gives and defaulters.

It is said that the church harasses those who, for any reason, could not pay their tithes.

This is not biblical.

Giving that does not come from the heart is not acceptable before God.

This scripture encourages believers to examine how much they can spare from their purses before giving. 

Evangelism style

Members of the Assemblies of God are known for their aggressive mode of evangelism.

They are persistent and consistent in ways people consider annoying.

They are not known for giving their members the mandate to convert their family members.

So, to fulfill that obligation, they go the extra mile to win their loved ones to their side, putting people under undue pressure. Friends and neighbors also have to battle the same issue. 

There is nothing wrong with evangelism. But we must be able to respect boundaries and privacy.

Certain people are genuinely uninterested in whatever you are saying, while others have not yet understood the concept of Christianity.

As believers, patience is a virtue we must desire as we share the Gospel. 

We must also know that we are not responsible for converting anybody. Instead, the Holy Spirit ministers to them through you.

Therefore, it does not matter if you preach using all the passages in the Bible or only a few sentences; God can convict and convert anybody.

He did it for Paul even without anyone preaching to him. Many feel this approach is wrong. So they avoid them altogether.

Church attendance and activities

Another concern raised by present and past members of the Assemblies of God is the strict rule on church attendance.

Church attendance is voluntary, but it is not handled as such.

Those who miss a church service are bombarded with calls, visitation, and questions to guilt-trip them.

Some also claim the church has a sign-in sheet, so one absence must be noticed.

Another issue surrounding attendance is that becoming inconsistent or not showing up again might cause enmity among you and your church friends.

Those who you were close to might start treating you like an outcast because you are perceived as a backslidden Christian.

Church activities are said to be too long, lasting long hours.

To catch young children, they organize Summer Bible Camps that last weeks.

Young children are taught that the church comes first, then other things.

What is wrong with this idea is that it reduces children’s active participation in other crucial activities necessary for their development. So they grow up having poor social skills.

The Assemblies of God is not evil or a cult, as some people believe it to be.

Most of their doctrines are based on the Bible and the desire to raise godly people. However, going to the extreme to achieve one’s purpose can create a false perception about your goals and taint your image.

It can also make people leave your church to a place where their souls are at peace and can find expression.

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