2.4 How ACOP Came into Existence

[Brandon]

As was mentioned in the video, I find the distinction of the singular for church used. It is something that that speaks to my heart more and more. Our purpose is driven fully in the growth of the Kingdom of God not mans individual purposes. Our singular purposes and plans are to fulfill Kingdom purpose first and foremost. All needs, desires callings will be fulfilled in fulfilling Kingdom calling.

[Nicole]

1. To solicit, collect and accept moneys or funds, or other subscriptions of money or goods for carrying on the work of the Corporation and any other Christian or benevolent purpose

This reason for forming seems really universal, going all the way back to Acts. The issue of the apostles appointing people to organize food distribution in the early church is really just about the consolidation and allocation of resources. Without good systems, most ministries will get bogged down in the daily grind of trying to make sure funds and resources get to where they need to go. This speaks to the church’s desires to carry out initiatives that are bigger than one or a few people’s ability to administrate financially and envision kingdom work on a grand scale.

[Sarah]

I think the interest in Christian literature is the most interesting to me as it seems that value has become less important in recent years. I would be curious to know why that was such a high value and what shifted the tides away from that focus. I wonder if technology and things like church livesteams and websites contributed to that shift.

[Chris]

The original purpose that stands out as the most interesting to me is #1. “To establish and carry on a church for the worship of God to be known as “Apostolic Church of Pentecost” and for this purpose to develop the work of such Church in all its branches in Canada”. As Wes mentioned in the video, this would appear more church and doctrine-focused than the PAOC at the time, which was a group of different assemblies. It would seem to me that the modern-day ACOP is now more of a fellowship of autonomous churches and I would suggest that the PAOC now works under more of a denominational structure. I find it fascinating how the two organizations seem to have changed in that way over the years. I also find it fascinating that the doctrinal differences that used to separate the two, no longer seem to exist.