General council membership and governance principles

• A. Consists of all ordained and licensed ministers holding a current fellowship certificate and churches holding a Certificate of Affiliation issued by the General Council of the AG
• B. Consists of only ordained ministers.
• C. Consists of churches with no affiliation.
• D. Consists of lay leaders without credentials.

Answer: (A)

The general council’s membership brings together two key groups: credentialed ministers and affiliated churches. Ministers must hold a current fellowship certificate, and churches must possess a Certificate of Affiliation issued by the General Council of the Assemblies of God. This dual membership structure ensures both clergy leadership and church accountability are represented under the same governing body, providing standard governance, oversight, and uniform alignment with the denomination’s missions and policies. Choices that omit either credentialed ministers or affiliated churches don’t fit this governance model, and relying on lay leaders without credentials would lack the recognized ministry authority and institutional connection that the council requires.