Foursquare ChurchFoursquare Church

BY CONOR LYDONBY CONOR LYDON

Place visitedPlace visited

• On October 12, 2009 I visited the On October 12, 2009 I visited the Lighthouse Church in Santa Monica.Lighthouse Church in Santa Monica.

• The Lighthouse Church is part of the The Lighthouse Church is part of the Foursquare Church which is Foursquare Church which is Protestant. Protestant.

• The person that I interviewed was The person that I interviewed was Pastor Rob Scribner, the senior Pastor Pastor Rob Scribner, the senior Pastor at that church.at that church.

Why I chose this church? Why I chose this church?

• I chose the Lighthouse Church I chose the Lighthouse Church because it seemed an interesting because it seemed an interesting church to do my project on.church to do my project on.

• I chose a Protestant church because I I chose a Protestant church because I never really understood the never really understood the difference between Protestants and difference between Protestants and Catholics.Catholics.

• Another reason was that some of the Another reason was that some of the people on my rugby team are people on my rugby team are members of this church.members of this church.

My Questions and AnswersMy Questions and Answers

Q What are the basic Q What are the basic beliefs of the Foursquare beliefs of the Foursquare Church? Church?

A They believe in Jesus A They believe in Jesus and that he died on the and that he died on the cross to save us.cross to save us.

Q How is this faith different from Q How is this faith different from Catholicism? Catholicism?

A A Foursquare Church Foursquare Church believes that when believes that when you are baptized you are not saved. you are baptized you are not saved. They believe that you must be born They believe that you must be born again. They also believe that you don’t again. They also believe that you don’t have to confess your sins to a priest or have to confess your sins to a priest or pastor. Finally, they believe that Mary pastor. Finally, they believe that Mary was not without sin.was not without sin.

Q Is there a “higher power” Q Is there a “higher power” as part of as part of Foursquare Foursquare Church Church faith/belief system?faith/belief system?

A They believe that only A They believe that only God is the higher powerGod is the higher power

Q Does the Foursquare Q Does the Foursquare Church believe that Church believe that Jesus is the Savior? Jesus is the Savior?

A Yes, they do believe A Yes, they do believe that Jesus died on the that Jesus died on the cross to save us.cross to save us.

Q What are the Foursquare Church Q What are the Foursquare Church beliefs about the Eucharist? beliefs about the Eucharist?

A They believe that the Eucharist A They believe that the Eucharist isn’t turned into the body and blood isn’t turned into the body and blood of Jesus. Protestants believe that of Jesus. Protestants believe that the Eucharist is only a memorial or the Eucharist is only a memorial or a symbol of Jesus. Protestants do a symbol of Jesus. Protestants do notnot worship the Eucharist, because worship the Eucharist, because they do not believe it is God.  they do not believe it is God.  

Q What is forbidden by the Q What is forbidden by the Foursquare Church, for example is Foursquare Church, for example is alcohol consumption considered alcohol consumption considered sinful?sinful?

A Nothing is forbidden but alcohol A Nothing is forbidden but alcohol and drugs, such as pot, are strongly and drugs, such as pot, are strongly discouraged.discouraged.

Q Does the Foursquare Church follow the Ten Commandments if Q Does the Foursquare Church follow the Ten Commandments if not what do they follow?not what do they follow?

A Yes, the Foursquare Church does follow Ten Commandments A Yes, the Foursquare Church does follow Ten Commandments but theirs is a little different, theirs is: but theirs is a little different, theirs is:

1. You shall have no other gods before me 1. You shall have no other gods before me 2. You shall not make for yourself an idol2. You shall not make for yourself an idol 3. You shall not make wrongful use of the name of your God3. You shall not make wrongful use of the name of your God 4. Remember the Sabbath and keep it holy4. Remember the Sabbath and keep it holy 5. Honor your father and mother, 5. Honor your father and mother, 6. You shall not murder 6. You shall not murder

7. You shall not commit adultery7. You shall not commit adultery 8. You shall not steal8. You shall not steal 9. You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor9. You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor 10. You shall not covet your neighbor's wife, and You shall not 10. You shall not covet your neighbor's wife, and You shall not

covet anything that belongs to your neighbor covet anything that belongs to your neighbor

Q What is the main difference between Q What is the main difference between Foursquare Church and other protestant Foursquare Church and other protestant churches? churches?

A The Foursquare Church is one of four A The Foursquare Church is one of four protestant churches that are Pentecostal. protestant churches that are Pentecostal. The Foursquare Church and other The Foursquare Church and other Pentecostal Churches believe in Pentecostal Churches believe in supernatural powers received from the Holy supernatural powers received from the Holy Spirit which allows us to speak in tongues. Spirit which allows us to speak in tongues. This church is also plays more music than in This church is also plays more music than in your church, and we wave our hands in the your church, and we wave our hands in the air. The Foursquare Church also does a lot air. The Foursquare Church also does a lot of work outside our community like the AIDS of work outside our community like the AIDS walk and help build schools in Africa.walk and help build schools in Africa.

Q How do you join the Q How do you join the church? church?

A Anyone can join the A Anyone can join the Foursquare Church. You Foursquare Church. You join the church by letting join the church by letting God into your life. God into your life.

Q What training is required to Q What training is required to become a pastor at the become a pastor at the Foursquare Church?Foursquare Church?

A To become a pastor you must A To become a pastor you must go to Bible College and you go to Bible College and you have to spend many years have to spend many years studying the Bible.studying the Bible.

Q What is the decision-making process at Q What is the decision-making process at Foursquare Church versus approval in Foursquare Church versus approval in Catholic Church?Catholic Church?

A The people in the Foursquare Church A The people in the Foursquare Church don’t have to get permission from anyone don’t have to get permission from anyone to do projects, such as to build a new to do projects, such as to build a new building, unlike the Catholic Church where building, unlike the Catholic Church where the Priest has to get permission from the the Priest has to get permission from the Bishop in the Diocese.Bishop in the Diocese.

What I learnedWhat I learned• I learned that the Foursquare Church was founded by I learned that the Foursquare Church was founded by

Aimee Semple McPherson in 1922.Aimee Semple McPherson in 1922.• There are over 7 million members worldwide.There are over 7 million members worldwide.• They work with over 144 countries.They work with over 144 countries.• There are approximately 59,620 Foursquare churches.There are approximately 59,620 Foursquare churches.• I learned that protestant churches and catholic churches have I learned that protestant churches and catholic churches have

some same Major doctrines such as The Trinity and Man some same Major doctrines such as The Trinity and Man Sinfulness.Sinfulness.

• Also there are some differences such as, the Catholic Church Also there are some differences such as, the Catholic Church believes that the Eucharist is the body of Christ, but the believes that the Eucharist is the body of Christ, but the Foursquare Church doesn’t believe this.Foursquare Church doesn’t believe this.

• I learned how Foursquare Church differs from other protestant I learned how Foursquare Church differs from other protestant churches. churches.

http://www.foursquare.org/landing_pages/8,3.html

THE THE ENDEND

APPENDICESAPPENDICES

History History

• The Foursquare church was founded in 1922 during an The Foursquare church was founded in 1922 during an intense revival in the city of Oakland, Calif. intense revival in the city of Oakland, Calif.

• It was founded by Aimee Semple McPhersonIt was founded by Aimee Semple McPherson

• When Aimee Semple McPherson died her son, Rolf K. When Aimee Semple McPherson died her son, Rolf K. McPherson, took over as president and chairman McPherson, took over as president and chairman

• By 1949, the number of churches had increased from By 1949, the number of churches had increased from 355 to 521 and two states were added, from 33 to 35. 355 to 521 and two states were added, from 33 to 35.

• In 1948, The Foursquare Church joined with the In 1948, The Foursquare Church joined with the Assemblies of God, the Church of God, the Open Bible Assemblies of God, the Church of God, the Open Bible Standard Church, and the Pentecostal Holiness Church Standard Church, and the Pentecostal Holiness Church to form the "Pentecostal Fellowship of North Americato form the "Pentecostal Fellowship of North America

What they do What they do

• This church is like the catholic churchThis church is like the catholic church

• This church tries to follow in the footsteps of JesusThis church tries to follow in the footsteps of Jesus

• This church also does a lot of work in and out of the United StatesThis church also does a lot of work in and out of the United States

• Have converted more than 120,770 people in the united states Have converted more than 120,770 people in the united states

• They have also converted over 1,470,219 people outside AmericaThey have also converted over 1,470,219 people outside America

• Have baptized over 27,099 people in America Have baptized over 27,099 people in America

• Have baptized over 1,422,365 people outside the U.S.Have baptized over 1,422,365 people outside the U.S.

• The Foursquare church works with 144 countries The Foursquare church works with 144 countries

• There are about 59, 620 Foursquare churchesThere are about 59, 620 Foursquare churches

Similarities between the Similarities between the Catholic Church and Catholic Church and Foursquare ChurchFoursquare Church Major doctrines we have in common:Major doctrines we have in common:• Inspiration of scripture. Inspiration of scripture. • The Trinity.The Trinity.• Man's sinfulness.Man's sinfulness.• Christ's atonement.Christ's atonement.• Salvation in Christ aloneSalvation in Christ alone• Good works are irrelevant to our Good works are irrelevant to our

reconciliation to God. reconciliation to God.

Difference between the Difference between the catholic church and Foursquare catholic church and Foursquare church church Foursquare ChurchFoursquare Church• Salvation is received upon Salvation is received upon

"whole-hearted acceptance "whole-hearted acceptance of Christ of Christ

• Baptism is a symbolic act Baptism is a symbolic act identifying one's self with identifying one's self with the body of Christ the body of Christ

• Christians are called to Christians are called to sanctification with the help sanctification with the help of the Holy Spirit, of the Holy Spirit, especially aided by the especially aided by the Baptism in the Holy Spirit Baptism in the Holy Spirit

Catholic ChurchCatholic Church• Salvation is received in Baptism Salvation is received in Baptism

and the preaching of God's Word, and the preaching of God's Word, not contingent upon any positive not contingent upon any positive action on the part of the recipient action on the part of the recipient

• Baptism is a sacrament in Baptism is a sacrament in which salvation is given to the which salvation is given to the recipient recipient

• The call to sanctification daily The call to sanctification daily condemns the Christian to condemns the Christian to death in his sin, and death in his sin, and Christians are called to Christians are called to regular repentance and are regular repentance and are granted absolution by the granted absolution by the pastor in his ministerial officepastor in his ministerial office