Our Beginning . . .

The Church of God (Seventh Day) grew from the efforts of dedicated followers of Christ living in western Michigan in 1858 who believed in the Second Coming. Joined by the church in Iowa in 1863, the Michigan church began to extend its influence into the eastern and central United States through a publication called The Hope of Israel. The Hope created interest in the Church’s distinctive doctrines: the authority of the Bible alone for Christian faith and practice, the second advent of Christ, and the seventh-day Sabbath.

Through these means, the General Conference of the Church of God (Seventh Day) was organized in 1884 and incorporated in Missouri in 1899. Its offices were located in Stanberry, Missouri, until 1950, when they were transferred to Denver, Colorado.

Over the years, The Hope of Israel moved from Michigan to Iowa, to Missouri, and eventually to Colorado. After several name changes, it is now known as the Bible Advocate. After 137 consecutive years, this flagship publication of the Church continues to be published, ten issues per year.

. . . And Our Present

As of the year 2000, approximately 190 congregations in the United States and Canada are recognized by the General Conference. Affiliated conferences and churches in more than twenty-six countries have a worldwide fellowship of more than 150,000 members. Each national church is considered autonomous and is regarded as a sister-conference. The International Ministerial Congress facilitates ongoing fellowship, dialogue, and doctrinal unity among the worldwide membership.

Our Beliefs

As a church, we believe that:

• Jesus Christ is the absolute Head of the church, in total charge of nurturing His spiritual body, which consists of all Christian believers. Apart from the divine Son of God, we look to no human being, living or dead, as the church’s founder, ruler, prophet, apostle, or spiritual director.
  
  
• The Holy Bible is divinely inspired, preserved, and transmitted. As God’s word, it clearly illuminates the way of Jesus Christ and ever remains the only standard for Christian faith and practice. We recognize no other writing as an infallible interpretation or supplement to Holy Scripture.
  
  
• Salvation is a gift of God’s grace, and comes to us solely by our faith in Jesus, the Savior. Saving faith, however, is more than mental assent; it involves active trust and repentance from sin. We also believe that Christians, out of gratitude, will give evidence of saving faith by a lifestyle that conforms to God’s commandments, including the seventh-day Sabbath, which we observe as a tangible expression of our faith and rest in God as our Creator and Redeemer. We extend an open invitation to penitent seekers to accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, to be baptized in His name, and to live according to His will. To this end we conduct open worship services and Bible studies that glorify God, substantiate His Word, and strengthen Christian faith.
  
  
• The second coming of Christ is imminent. We look forward to the climax of world history when Christ will establish His kingdom on earth in fulfillment of all that God has promised. We also believe in the resurrection of the dead, the judgment of all persons, the destruction of the wicked, and the reward of the saints who will live forever in the presence of God.
  
  
• Doctrinal beliefs should be established through Bible study and under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Consequently, our beliefs do not constitute a closed creed. We encourage growth in scriptural knowledge, understanding, and wisdom throughout the Church.

Our Fellowship

As servants of Christ, we believe in . . .

• local church attendance that provides warm and lasting friendship with fellow Christians;
  
  
• opportunities for worship, preaching, and Bible study to strengthen the Church in living for Christ;
  
  
• wholesome social and recreational activities, with emphasis on the family;
  
  
• educational instruction for children and youth;
  
  
• national and international association through conventions, district conferences, and summer youth camps;
  
  
• financial stewardship on a personal level;
  
  
• member participation in the ministry of the Church, through the exercise of personal gifts and talents.

Our Collective Work

The greatest ministry of the Church is performed by members serving others in Christ’s name, while scattered within their workplaces, schools, markets, and communities. To assist the members and congregations in accomplishing this mission, the Church’s General Conference coordinates the following ministries:

• The Bible Advocate Press produces and distributes a wide range of literature, including the Bible Advocate, the Mensajero Hispano, Bible study lessons for adults and youth, tracts and booklets on various topics, a church hymnal, and a church newsletter. Many of these publications are provided in both English and Spanish.
  
  
• Summit School of Theology, located in Denver, Colorado, offers educational programs to equip ministers and lay workers for Christian service. The school also offers summer, extension, and audio-video programs.
  
  
• Missions Abroad assists in establishing and maintaining sister churches and missions outside North America. It provides literature, training, and salaries for workers in several foreign countries, and assists with the construction of churches and medical clinics. The missions department is expanding to include a Home Missions division to promote and equip members to more effectively do evangelism at home, and a Church Planting division to lead the way in planting new congregations to facilitate growth.
  
  
• Other services of the Church through its General Conference include the National Youth Ministry (National Faithful Youth Challengers), Young Adult Ministry (SWORD — Sharing the Word and Offering a Real Difference), the North American Women’s Ministries, and Spring Vale Academy, a boarding high school near Owosso, Michigan.
  
  
• The North American Ministerial Council is an association of ordained ministers of the Church in the United States and Canada. It has responsibility for studying and formulating the Church’s official doctrines, and for maintaining standards, qualifications, and a code of ethics for the church’s professional ministry.

For hard copies, send your address and quantities to bap.orders@cog7.org.