Church of God of Prophecy

Church of God of Prophecy

P.O. Box 2910
Cleveland, TN 37320-2910
United States

Attesting Officer
Rev. James Kilgore
Gen. Secretary-Treas.


35.1596081, -84.8767992


The Church of God of Prophecy is one of the churches that grew out of the work of A. J. Tomlinson in the first half of the twentieth century. Historically it shares a common heritage with the Church of God (Cleveland Tennessee) and is in the mainstream of the classical Pentecostal-Holiness tradition.
At the death of A.J. Tomlinson in 1943, M.A. Tomlinson was named General Overseer and served until his retirement in 1990. He emphasized unity and fellowship unlimited by racial, social, or political differences. The next General Overseer, Billy D. Murray, Sr., who served from 1990 until his retirement in 2000, emphasized a commitment to the promotion of Christian unity and world evangelization. In July 2000, Fred S. Fisher, Sr. was duly selected to serve as the fourth General Overseer of the Church of God of Prophecy until his retirement in September 2006. In August 2006, Bishop Randall E. Howard, then Global Outreach Ministries Director, was selected as the fifth General Overseer of the Church.
From its beginnings, the Church has based its beliefs on "the whole Bible, rightly divided," and has accepted the Bible as God's Holy Word, inspired, inerrant and infallible. The church is firm in its commitment to orthodox Christian belief. The Church affirms that there is one God, eternally existing in three persons, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. It believes in the deity of Christ, His virgin birth, His sinless life, the physical miracles He performed, His atoning death on the cross, His bodily resurrection, His ascension to the right hand of the Father and his Second coming. The church professes that salvation results from grace alone through faith in Christ, that regeneration by the Holy Spirit is essential for the salvation of sinful men, and that sanctification by the blood of Christ makes possible personal holiness. It affirms the present ministry of the Holy Spirit by Whose indwelling believers are able to live godly lives and have power for service. The church believes in, and promotes, the ultimate unity of believers as prayed for by Christ in John 17. The church stresses the sanctity of human life and is committed to the sanctity of the marriage bond and the importance of strong, loving Christian families. Other official teachings include Holy Spirit baptism with tongues as initial evidence; manifestation of the spiritual gifts; divine healing; premillenial second-coming of Christ; total abstinence from the use of tobacco, alcohol and narcotics; water baptism by immersion; the Lord's supper and washing of the saints' feet; and a concern for moderation and holiness in all dimensions of lifestyle.
The Church is racially integrated on all levels, including top leadership. Women play a prominent role in church affairs, serving in pastoral roles and other leadership positions. The church presbytery has recently adopted plurality of leadership in the selection of a General Oversight Group. This group consists of eight bishops located around the world who, along with the General Overseer, are responsible for inspirational leadership and vision casting for the church body.
The Church has local congregations in all 50 states and more than 120 nations worldwide. Organizationally there is a strong emphasis on international missions, evangelism, youth and children's ministries, women's and men's ministries, stewardship, communications, publishing, leadership development and discipleship.


Full Communicants Average Attendance Other Members Total Inclusive Members Total Churches Membership Calculation Method
2007
89,674
89,674
1,860
2006
84,762
84,762
1,871
2004
86,476
0
28,000
114,476
1,901
2003
80,976
105,976
1,879
2002
77,609
0
0
77,609
1,876
1999
75,112
75,112
1,862
1997
76,531
76,531
1,908
1996
69,974
69,974
1,910
1995
72,859
72,859
1,961
1994
70,570
70,570
2,005
1993
72,370
72,370
2,044
1992
72,465
72,465
2,072
1991
72,904
72,904
2,096
1990
73,430
73,430
2,119
1989
73,977
73,977
2,111
1987
74,588
74,588
2,085
1986
74,122
74,122
2,062
1985
73,952
73,952
2,051
1984
74,430
74,430
2,040
1983
74,384
74,384
2,040
1982
74,084
74,084
2,026
1981
72,977
72,977
1,977
1979
69,285
227,850
1,930
1975
0
65,801
1,791
1974
62,743
62,743
1,755
Serving Churches Retired Other Service to the Church Total Clergy
2007
4,340
4,340
2006
2,905
4,509
2004
3,100
0
2,050
0
2003
2,500
5,047
2002
2,476
0
2,200
5,220
1999
2,000
42
2,042
1997
2,000
2,049
1996
5,155
5,155
1995
8,636
8,636
1994
8,791
8,743
1993
6,908
6,957
1992
7,911
7,964
1991
7,015
10,151
1990
4,262
6,772
1987
3,002
7,573
1986
5,517
7,573
1985
5,976
7,920
1984
0
8,051
1983
0
5,358
1982
0
5,548
1979
2,295
2,370
1975
0
5,679
1974
3,694
5,475
1973
3,557
5,195
1970
0
0
Total Schools Staff Pupils Total Individuals
2007
1,860
64,000
64,000
2006
1,871
59,000
59,000
2004
1,901
56,500
63,000
119,500
2003
1,730
114,000
2002
1,715
13,886
69,433
83,319
1999
1,725
8,000
47,524
55,524
1997
1,880
81,608
1996
2,285
115,704
1995
1,900
76,050
1994
2,036
63,292
1993
1,500
67,000
1992
1,592
67,421
1991
1,824
90,357
1990
2,267
85,578
1989
2,308
88,432
1987
2,103
98,247
1986
2,094
95,312
1985
1,982
91,585
1984
2,204
93,763
1983
2,168
99,760
1982
1,856
99,760
1979
3,659
232,284
1974
1,808
95,137
1973
2,149
86,276
1969
1,546
80,119
Total Benevolences Total Financials Total Giving Local Expenses Method
2007
$2,308,000
2006
$1,961,000
2004
$1,961,000
$0
$0