The Vision for Transformation

The Vision for Transformation--
an interview with the general superintendent

   An in-depth interview with Assemblies of God General
   Superintendent Thomas E. Trask concerning the Vision for
   Transformation of the Assemblies of God originally sent to all
   A/G ministers. Covers a wide variety of topics, from defining the
   vision to how it may affect areas of the church at the local,
   sectional, district and national levels.

   "A/G News" has obtained permission to reprint the interview in its
   entirety. It is our hope that this will assist in providing
   laypeople and ministers (who may have missed the supplement)
   insight into what lies ahead for the Assemblies of God.

   --Dan Van Veen
   Editor, "A/G News"

   Q: What is the Vision for Transformation?

   TRASK: Over a year ago, I approached the Executive Presbytery and
   said, "Let's take an honest look at ourselves, put everything
   except our doctrine on the table, and ask, 'Are there ways we can
   be more effective in reaching our rapidly changing culture?'"
   That's the question behind the Vision for Transformation. It's a
   comprehensive examination of our structure, operation and
   outreach. It is not, however, a reevaluation of our doctrine,
   which this church has held dear for 89 years.

   Through the Vision for Transformation process, we are asking the
   grassroots where the Spirit is leading this Fellowship. The
   Assemblies of God was the third-fastest growing religious body in
   the United States during the '90s. The growth overseas has been
   even more dramatic. But we can't be satisfied with past successes.
   To whom much is given, much is required. God has certainly had His
   hand on this Fellowship, but we can't be content with where we
   are. Millions of people still don't know Jesus as their Savior.

   Q: What distinguishes the Vision for Transformation from the
   Decade of Harvest?

   TRASK: The Decade of Harvest was a program, a set of goals
   established by this church in the '90s. Goals were set for
   planting churches, adding ministers, and more. The goals were
   certainly good for this Fellowship, but we can't be driven by a
   program; we must be led by the Spirit. We would be fooling
   ourselves if we thought the Vision for Transformation alone could
   change the spiritual climate of this church. It can't. It won't.
   Four words characterize what I believe needs to happen: renew,
   release, resource, and realign. Most importantly, we must have
   renewal--a passion for the things of God: prayer, evangelism,
   discipleship, worship, missions, and more.

   Our message will never change, but we must pursue the most
   effective methods possible to propagate that message. That's where
   the Vision for Transformation comes in. My prayer is that it will
   help bring fresh vision to the Assemblies of God so more people
   can be reached for Christ. That is God's desire for this church,
   that we would follow the example of the New Testament church and
   have a greater burden for our communities.

   Q: What have you seen or heard thus far that indicates the Spirit
   is leading the Vision for Transformation process?

   TRASK: We've had more than 250 meetings across the nation and
   heard from thousands of ministers and leaders. Repeatedly they
   spoke of their support for changes that would increase the
   effectiveness of the local church and our district and national
   offices. At these meetings we also had marvelous times of prayer
   and seeking the mind of the Lord. We sensed God's presence
   and guidance.

   I also believe the Lord is pleased by our renewed focus on the
   local church. It would be easy to follow the path taken by others
   and become a hierarchical denomination, but we have to realize
   that one of the reasons God has blessed this Fellowship is it has
   given priority to serving the ministries of the local church.

   One of the strengths of the Assemblies of God is that it is a
   grassroots movement. Significant changes can't be made to the
   Fellowship unless voted upon by the General Council and those who
   represent the local churches. It's comforting to know that the
   Spirit is leading this Fellowship and speaking to the hearts of
   those who make up the General Council.

   Q: Is there a biblical basis for the Vision for Transformation?

   TRASK: Proverbs 29:18 says, "Where there is no vision, the people
   perish." The NIV puts it this way: "Where there is no revelation,
   the people cast off restraint." Our goal should be nothing more or
   less than seeing God's vision for this church and fulfilling His
   desire for it. This is mostly done through patterning our lives
   and ministries after the New Testament church--which was
   characterized by a love for God's Word, prayer, unity, sacrifice,
   and evangelism. They loved one another. They sold their
   possessions and distributed them to people in need. They were in
   love with Jesus and in love with His followers. And they loved the
   lost--devoting themselves to personal evangelism.

   It's my prayer that the Vision for Transformation will help us
   sharpen our focus and eliminate anything that would hinder vision
   and curtail passion. It would have been easier not to pursue the
   Vision for Transformation. Change is painful, but it can also
   bring results that will benefit the kingdom of God.

   Q: Was the Vision for Transformation launched due to a concern for
   the Fellowship's survival or was it prompted by a sense of urgency
   to reach a changing culture for Christ?

   TRASK: The Assemblies of God will exist until the Lord returns.
   That's not the question. The question is will it exist for the
   purpose for which God raised it up? Many denominations have
   drifted from their original purpose. This church, empowered by the
   Holy Spirit, was birthed to proclaim the message of Christ to a
   desperate world. If we devote ourselves to building an
   organization or fraternity, then we've drifted from our mission
   and become elitists. First and foremost, we must commit ourselves
   to seeing lives transformed and the kingdom of God built. I'm
   convinced that if we will focus our attention on building the
   kingdom of God, God will take care of the Assemblies of God.

   God has given this church enormous talent, facilities, funding and
   more, but if these gifts are not being used to reach people for
   Christ then we have no reason to exist.

   Q: Once the Vision for Transformation process is finished, what
   could the Assemblies of God look like?

   TRASK: I believe we will eliminate some speed bumps and obstacles
   that slow us down on the road to accomplishing our mission. There
   will also be a recommitment to our core values and vision. And, I
   pray, many will find it easier to articulate our mission and begin
   to seek the Spirit's guidance for new methods in fulfilling that
   mission. In addition, I pray that our national office will find
   more ways to effectively facilitate the ministries of the local
   church and create greater synergy among the local church and
   district and national offices.

   Incredible ministry is taking place in local churches and the
   district and national offices, but we must continue to seek
   excellence for the kingdom of God without extravagance.

   Q: What organizational changes could take place through this
   process?

   TRASK: The Assemblies of God has an army of wonderful, dedicated,
   godly ministers who are, frankly, more interested in relationships
   than they are organizational structure. They want relationships
   with other ministers who will sharpen them spiritually and
   vocationally. So, it's important for us to look at how we function
   at the national, district, and sectional levels--including the
   monthly sectional meetings, which in some areas of the country are
   no longer a high priority in this fast-paced world. We have to ask
   ourselves if there are better ways to achieve the goal of building
   relationships. The national headquarters must be a resource center
   that helps provide our ministers with the tools and forums that
   will strengthen their ministries.

   God raised up the Assemblies of God to be a movement--not a
   denomination. Our founding fathers never intended for this church
   to become a denomination. But over time--as more procedures,
   policies, and bylaws are put into place--a Fellowship can become a
   denomination. Without realizing it, these policies can thwart
   vision and passion. Bylaws are necessary, but it's important that
   we find a balance so God's work can move forward. The church is
   like a set of lungs--it has to be able to expand and be flexible.
   The Assemblies of God must continue to be a Fellowship--a
   Fellowship that embraces men and women of vision and allows them
   opportunity to follow the leading of the Spirit.

   Q: Could there be changes to the ministerial credentialing
   process?

   TRASK: Yes, it's entirely possible. George Bullard, a renowned
   student of denominational structure, has concluded that the
   farther credentialing is moved away from the local church, the
   fewer ministers a church like ours can expect to have. We need to
   find a way to facilitate the call of God on people's lives. If
   we're going to reach more people for Christ, we need more men and
   women serving as pastors, missionaries, associate pastors,
   evangelists and teachers. The Holy Spirit does the recruiting--not
   us. Jesus said to the Church, "Pray the Lord of the Harvest to
   send forth laborers into His harvest" (Luke 10:2, NKJV). Our
   responsibility is to pray; it's His responsibility to call. But we
   must provide opportunities for men and women to fulfill their
   calling and help provide the training they need to be effective
   for the sake of the Kingdom.

   We live in a diverse country; people from every nation live in the
   United States. We need to have flexibility for those coming to our
   shores, who have been credentialed Assemblies of God ministers
   overseas, to be ministers in this country without compromising
   essential standards. I think the Lord would have us put our arms
   around these brothers and sisters without asking them to
   completely start over in the credentialing process.

   Q: Could you see changes in our approach to planting churches?

   TRASK: Yes, I can. The New Testament church gave a priority to
   church planting. They had house churches. If we're going to reach
   the masses of people in America, we must plant churches where the
   people are. We must be serious and intentional about this. Every
   church should be either a parent or a partner in church planting.
   The best way to plant churches is to mother them or for several
   churches to work together to plant or help revitalize a church.

   We need to send a message that this church will not tolerate
   territorialism. Every denomination that has tolerated
   territorialism has experienced decline. Historically Assemblies of
   God churches were started when God called men and women to a
   community. We cannot allow obstacles to discourage ministers from
   following the leading of the Spirit.

   Q: As we approach the General Council in Washington, D.C., do you
   have any words for our ministers?

   TRASK: This entire matter of the Vision for Transformation, with
   specific resolutions, will come before the General Council in
   Washington, D.C. I would like to enlist this church to pray that
   we will capture Christ's heart and that God's will would be done.
   Our theme for the Vision for Transformation is "Pray the Way."
   Please commit yourself to prayer. We must be a Spirit-filled,
   Spirit-dependent and Spirit-driven church.

   Where is God leading the Assemblies of God? I'm confident that the
   Spirit will speak to our hearts and guide our steps as a
   Fellowship. Another question is equally important: Where is God
   leading you and me? May our answer be that He is leading us to a
   place of greater intimacy and spiritual renewal. Let's agree
   together that the 50th General Council will be remembered as a
   time we sought the face of God, heard His voice, and obeyed.