AOG and Four-Square: How are they different?

[ralangley]

My husband and I are considering joining an AOG church. We had been attending a Four-Square for a while. On paper, they seem to share similar doctrinal positions, but something feels different to me about them.

Does anyone know how they differ? Something about AOG feels a little more constrained or guarded to me. I don't want a debate over their relative merits, I'm just curious.

 

[lilmissmontana]

I would, also, love to know this! There is a Four Square church here. I belong to the Assembly of God. I have heard many good things about the Four Square. I know they are very active here helping young mothers in need. I didn't realize there were any similarities. Good question!

 

[247youth]

I know they are the same doctrinally. Some foursquare churches even have masters commissions. I think the differences are in how the church is run-basically administrative differences.

 

[ralangley]

Here's a curious question. AOG's doctrine holds that Christians can not be possessed by demons. How does Four Square address this? If I disagree with AOG on this, how important is this issue to the church hierarchy?

 

[bithiah2]

Here's a curious question. AOG's doctrine holds that Christians can not be possessed by demons. How does Four Square address this? If I disagree with AOG on this, how important is this issue to the church hierarchy?

we don't believe that a christian can be demon possesed, but if you stop listening to God, then who are you following? we either obey God, or we don't.
i don't know if it has anything to do with the hierarchy of the church.
but we believe the same thing. it is just a matter or where God is leading you.
i do know that the foursqaure church allows women to pastor, i don't think the assembly of God does. the foursquare organization was started by a woman. so they can't say anything!
i think the the assembly of God has a website, you can google them.
the foursquare church is www.foursquare.org.
blessings
bithiah2

 

[Nikos7]

The AoG also allows women pastors and minister. In fact they have quite a number of them. Although they are predominately male in their leadership.

There really is no difference in the basic doctrines of either group. They are structured in different ways and have different programs, etc. If there are differences they would be minor.

The problem with these different denominations is that they become competitive with each other and thus do not normally fellowship with one another on the local level.

 

[ralangley]

Yeah, one thing I have noticed is that men seem to run the show at our church. Women serve coffee and sing, they also greet, but its always the men that lead the prayer......Interesting. I assumed it was a function of our church and a lack of interest among the women.

Thanks for all the replies!

 

[lilmissmontana]

Thanks Nikos! I knew you'd have a good answer.

ralangley, I see that as further evidence people are no different on the inside of a church than on the out ... the men running show part ... my point being there are no perfect churches, friends, or relatives. It's a relationship like any other. It takes deciding what you are willing to live with. Give and take. And if you can't live with it ... then you have to make a choice. The church I belong to's doctrine has something huge in it I completely disagree with. Actually several things. But aside from those I love my church ... I guess it's kind of like the serenity prayer. A very wise lady, Sister Bernadette, told me. "Honey, you can't leave that church until you know why God put you there and if you're supposed to leave. So, I'm still waiting ... it's been four years ...apparently I was supposed to have been there for at least these four years... lol! My sister and I have a motto ... when you don't know what to do, don't do anything until you do know what to do.

God bless, ralangley! ... belle

 

[Nikos7]

I have found that among the AoG and 4 Square there are some differences on non-essentials. However, like most denominations, they have essential doctrines that they stand together on. You might find differences on demon possession. To find out what a denomination is strong on and will not change, you must get hold of their Articles of Faith. This will tell you what they consider important and what they look for agreement on. Some times local congregations will add to those articles things which apply only to that local congregation. As long as they don't get too far out, they have freedom to do so. If they go too far, denominational "heads" will deal with it.
I do not agree with everything preached and taught in my church. As long as I don't create a problem over it nothing is said.

 

[liketotalk]

I attend AoG and I know they won't allow someone to pastor a church if they've been divorced. Not sure how Four Square is on this? I know for some in ministry or wanting to go into ministry this is a topic that comes up from time to time.

I'm not sure what the difference is between the two churches.

I hope you have your answer soon.

 

[ralangley]

Thanks Nikos! I knew you'd have a good answer.

ralangley, I see that as further evidence people are no different on the inside of a church than on the out ... the men running show part ... my point being there are no perfect churches, friends, or relatives. It's a relationship like any other. It takes deciding what you are willing to live with. Give and take. And if you can't live with it ... then you have to make a choice. The church I belong to's doctrine has something huge in it I completely disagree with. Actually several things. But aside from those I love my church ... I guess it's kind of like the serenity prayer. A very wise lady, Sister Bernadette, told me. "Honey, you can't leave that church until you know why God put you there and if you're supposed to leave. So, I'm still waiting ... it's been four years ...apparently I was supposed to have been there for at least these four years... lol! My sister and I have a motto ... when you don't know what to do, don't do anything until you do know what to do.

God bless, ralangley! ... belle

Yes, that sounds prudent.

I am curious what doctrine you are uncomfortable with. I read through the church's doctrinal statement and it seems rather generic to me. If you'd rather not share, that's okay too (sometime's its best not to go there on forums). I guess I found nothing that I couldn't support.

I have found that among the AoG and 4 Square there are some differences on non-essentials. However, like most denominations, they have essential doctrines that they stand together on. You might find differences on demon possession. To find out what a denomination is strong on and will not change, you must get hold of their Articles of Faith. This will tell you what they consider important and what they look for agreement on. Some times local congregations will add to those articles things which apply only to that local congregation. As long as they don't get too far out, they have freedom to do so. If they go too far, denominational "heads" will deal with it.
I do not agree with everything preached and taught in my church. As long as I don't create a problem over it nothing is said.

Thanks. Good advice!

I attend AoG and I know they won't allow someone to pastor a church if they've been divorced. Not sure how Four Square is on this? I know for some in ministry or wanting to go into ministry this is a topic that comes up from time to time.

I'm not sure what the difference is between the two churches.

I hope you have your answer soon.

Yes, now that you mention it, I have heard of this issue. I think its being re-visited by church leadership and I'm not sure what the status is. The fact that it was even an issue I guess is telling. I know I'm a remarried divorcee. Maybe that could be a bigger problem in the future if I wanted to take on a pastoral position.
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[NorrinRadd]

Here is the main AG Website. You will find much info, depending on how much you wish to look around.

It is both a strength and weakness of the AG that they take the time to formulate and publish opinions on quite a variety of specific, often controversial, matters.


Edit: Added the "missing link" to AG.

 

[lilmissmontana]

Yes, what liketotalk said is true in our church, also. Divorced cannot pastor ... even if they did not want it and couldn't stop it (happened in our church). This, in answer to ralangley on another thread is one of the things I disagree with in my church. If God forgives them we have no right to make them carry a burden on it. The Lord does not place burdens and neither should we. But like I said, there are no perfect family, friends, or churches.

 

[Mark2010]

Just my observation.

It seems like AoG churches are a little more top-oragnized, with a hierachal (sp?) structure from a central office. I don't know if that is a bad thing or not, just my observation.

Someone once jokingly referred to them as "Baptists on Steroids" because they believe a lot like Baptists do with some other things added to the stew.

As for beliefs and practices, they seem pretty similar.

 

[liketotalk]

Just my observation.

It seems like AoG churches are a little more top-oragnized, with a hierachal (sp?) structure from a central office. I don't know if that is a bad thing or not, just my observation.

Someone once jokingly referred to them as "Baptists on Steroids" because they believe a lot like Baptists do with some other things added to the stew.

As for beliefs and practices, they seem pretty similar.

Seriously, I had no idea that some think AoG is like the Baptist church? I have never heard that. Usually when I meet a baptist and I tell them I'm AoG that look scared or flustered.

 

[liketotalk]

Yes, what liketotalk said is true in our church, also. Divorced cannot pastor ... even if they did not want it and couldn't stop it (happened in our church). This, in answer to ralangley on another thread is one of the things I disagree with in my church. If God forgives them we have no right to make them carry a burden on it. The Lord does not place burdens and neither should we. But like I said, there are no perfect family, friends, or churches.

It's really too bad because some people have no control over wether they are divorced or not.

Now I have heard if you're southern baptist and you get divorced (not sure in some or every case) and choose not to remarry, then you can still preach. I think I heard that somewhere on this board.

 

[liketotalk]

Here's a curious question. AOG's doctrine holds that Christians can not be possessed by demons. How does Four Square address this? If I disagree with AOG on this, how important is this issue to the church hierarchy?

Hello again,

My Pastor (AoG) does not believe a christian can have a demon. I am neutral in this area. Well, I don't think a christian can be possessed. I have been involved in deliverance outside this church(before I started there, and an outreach ministry not affiliated w/ them). I have been attending this church for 9 mos. and have never seen deliverance of any sort. Now mind you, this is a church "plant" and sort of new (too much to explain)... Under 50 people (including the kiddies). 99.999% say they have accepted/recieved Christ in this church and we have few visitors. It's pretty quiet in service.

 

[ralangley]

we don't believe that a christian can be demon possesed, but if you stop listening to God, then who are you following? we either obey God, or we don't.
i don't know if it has anything to do with the hierarchy of the church.
but we believe the same thing. it is just a matter or where God is leading you.
i do know that the foursqaure church allows women to pastor, i don't think the assembly of God does. the foursquare organization was started by a woman. so they can't say anything!
i think the the assembly of God has a website, you can google them.
the foursquare church is www.foursquare.org.
blessings
bithiah2

Hello again,

My Pastor (AoG) does not believe a christian can have a demon. I am neutral in this area. Well, I don't think a christian can be possessed. I have been involved in deliverance outside this church(before I started there, and an outreach ministry not affiliated w/ them). I have been attending this church for 9 mos. and have never seen deliverance of any sort. Now mind you, this is a church "plant" and sort of new (too much to explain)... Under 50 people (including the kiddies). 99.999% say they have accepted/recieved Christ in this church and we have few visitors. It's pretty quiet in service.

This is an issue for me. When I first accepted Christ, a big part of my work in the first six months was deliverance from the demonic influence of the new age. I bought a book on it and I regularly found demons to delivery myself from. (I would not recommend this approach for everyone.) Even now, whenever I start to feel sick/depressed/confused, etc. , I cast out the demon that is responsible. So yes, I do believe demons can torment, influence, and inhabit Christians. I can't imagine a healing that doesn't address demons. This is just based upon my experience. Jesus nearly always addressed demons whenever he healed.

The issue for me is that if I start a healing ministry (someday, when/if I'm ready), will I be corrected or shunned if I start binding demons? Its enough to give me pause before we sign the dotted line....

 

[ralangley]

Just my observation.

It seems like AoG churches are a little more top-oragnized, with a hierachal (sp?) structure from a central office. I don't know if that is a bad thing or not, just my observation.

Someone once jokingly referred to them as "Baptists on Steroids" because they believe a lot like Baptists do with some other things added to the stew.

As for beliefs and practices, they seem pretty similar.

"Baptists on Steriods" huh? Yeah, I see this....

 

[bithiah2]

This is an issue for me. When I first accepted Christ, a big part of my work in the first six months was deliverance from the demonic influence of the new age. I bought a book on it and I regularly found demons to delivery myself from. (I would not recommend this approach for everyone.) Even now, whenever I start to feel sick/depressed/confused, etc. , I cast out the demon that is responsible. So yes, I do believe demons can torment, influence, and inhabit Christians. I can't imagine a healing that doesn't address demons. This is just based upon my experience. Jesus nearly always addressed demons whenever he healed.

The issue for me is that if I start a healing ministry (someday, when/if I'm ready), will I be corrected or shunned if I start binding demons? Its enough to give me pause before we sign the dotted line....

i know they would not shun you in the church i attend, because the previous real pastor was a woman (because her husband was ill) and she had a serious deliverance ministry.
our pastor believes in deliverance but he does not make a show of it. he just tells the devils to go In Jesus Name and they leave. he does not argue with them. they just go. he prayed a prayer of deliverance over me twice, i did not know why he was doing it until a year later. the prayers of the righteous man avail much.
God will bless you wherever you go...as long as he is the One who is leading you.
bithiah2