Foursquare Church

The Foursquare Church is an international Pentecostal Christian denomination founded in 1923 by evangelist Aimee Semple McPherson. It lies within the evangelical tradition. Its headquarters are in Los Angeles, California, United States.

History

Angelus Temple, built by Aimee Semple McPherson and dedicated January 1, 1923. The temple is opposite Echo Park, near downtown Los Angeles, California.

Hicks Center, Life Pacific University in San Dimas, California, United States

The church has its origins in a vision of "Foursquare Gospel" (or "Full Gospel") during a sermon in October 1922 in Oakland, California, by the evangelist Aimee Semple McPherson<ref>Matthew Avery Sutton, Aimee Semple McPherson and the Resurrection of Christian America, Harvard University Press, USA, 2007, p. 44</ref> who was originally an ordained evangelist of the Assemblies of God where she once exerted a large influence until the split.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> According to chapter 1 of Book of Ezekiel, Ezekiel had a vision of God as revealed to be four different aspects: a man, a lion, an ox and an eagle. It also represents the four aspects of Christ: "Savior, Baptizer with the Holy Spirit, Healer and Soon and Coming King."<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> This was the vision and name she gave at Foursquare Church, founded in January 1923 in Los Angeles, during the dedication of the Angelus Temple in Echo Park, seating 5,300 people.<ref>Randall Herbert Balmer, Encyclopedia of Evangelicalism, Baylor University Press, USA, 2004, p. 295</ref><ref>Edith Waldvogel Blumhofer, Aimee Semple McPherson: everybody's sister, Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing, USA, 1993, p. 246–247</ref> Despite some affinities with Pentecostals, her beliefs are interdenominational.<ref>Edith Waldvogel Blumhofer, Aimee Semple McPherson: everybody's sister, Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing, USA, 1993, p. 250</ref> The attendance has become a megachurch with 10,000 people.<ref>Thomas, Lately Storming Heaven: The Lives and Turmoils of Minnie Kennedy and Aimee Semple McPherson, Ballantine Books, USA, 1970) page 32</ref> McPherson was a flamboyant celebrity in her day, participating in publicity events, such as weekly Sunday parades through the streets of Los Angeles, along with the mayor and movie stars, directly to Angelus Temple. She built the temple, as well as what is now known as Life Pacific University adjacent to it, on the northwest corner of land that she owned in the middle of the city.

McPherson's celebrity status continued after her death, with biopics such as the 1976 Hallmark Hall of Fame drama The Disappearance of Aimee depicting her life, as well as the 2006 independent film Aimee Semple McPherson, which particularly focused on her month-long disappearance in May–June 1926 and the legal controversy that followed.<ref>Epstein, Daniel Mark, Sister Aimee: The Life of Aimee Semple McPherson (Orlando: Harcourt Brace & Co., 1993) pp. 296, chapter "Kidnapped"</ref><ref>Matthew Avery Sutton, Aimee Semple McPherson and the Resurrection of Christian America (Cambridge: Harvard University Press, 2007)p90, chapters "Kidnapping the Bride of Christ and p119, "Unraveling the Mystery"</ref><ref>Cox, Raymond L. The Verdict is In, ( R.L. Cox and Heritage Committee, California, 1983) entire book focuses on the reported kidnapping</ref>

After Aimee Semple McPherson's death in 1944, her son Rolf K. McPherson became president and leader of the church, a position he held for 44 years.<ref>J. Gordon Melton and Martin Baumann, Religions of the World: A Comprehensive Encyclopedia of Beliefs and Practices, ABC-CLIO, USA, 2010, page 1461</ref><ref name="victoria">Template:Cite web</ref> The Foursquare Church formed the Pentecostal Fellowship of North America in 1948 in Des Moines, Iowa, in an alliance with the Assemblies of God, the Church of God, the Open Bible Standard Churches, the Pentecostal Holiness Church, and others. In 1994, 46 years after the founding of the Pentecostal Fellowship, it was reorganized as the Pentecostal/Charismatic Churches of North America after combining with African-American organizations, most significantly the Church of God in Christ.

In 1968, the Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa congregation of the International Church of the Foursquare Gospel (under pastor Chuck Smith) broke from the denomination and later formed an association of autonomous Charismatic Evangelical churches, today making up the Charismatic but non-Pentecostal denomination, Calvary Chapel.<ref>Ron Rhodes, The Complete Guide to Christian Denominations: Understanding the History, Beliefs, and Differences, Harvest House Publishers, USA, 2015, p. 340</ref><ref>Douglas A. Sweeney, The American Evangelical Story: A History of the Movement, Baker Academic, USA, 2005, page 1</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

On May 31, 1988, John R. Holland became the Church's third president and held the position until July 1997.<ref name="victoria" />

Harold Helms served as interim president from July 1997 to July 1998 and was followed by Paul C. Risser, who became the president on April 16, 1998, at the church's 75th annual convention.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

In October 2003, under Risser's tenure, the church sold the Los Angeles radio station KFSG-FM to the Spanish Broadcasting System for $250 million.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Risser's leadership led to another high-profile controversy for the church, when, without the involvement of the denomination's board of directors and finance council, church funds were invested in firms that targeted the "close-knit evangelical community" but turned out to be Ponzi schemes.<ref> Template:Cite news</ref> Risser resigned his leadership position under fire in March 2004.

Jack W. Hayford, the founder of The Church On The Way in Van Nuys, California, served as the president of the Foursquare Church from 2004 to 2009. Hayford, along with Pastors Roy Hicks Jr. in Eugene, Oregon, Jerry Cook in Gresham, Oregon, Ronald D. Mehl of the Beaverton Foursquare Church in Beaverton, Oregon, and John Holland in Vancouver, British Columbia, have been credited by the church with setting a plan for the denomination's continued survival despite its staggering financial losses estimated at $15 million under the failed leadership of Paul Risser.<ref> Template:Cite web</ref>

In 2020, Randy Remington became the President of The Foursquare Church.<ref>The Foursquare Church, FoursquareLeader, foursquare.org, USA, retrieved May 30, 2020</ref>

Statistics

According to a census published by the association in 2022, it had 67,500 churches, with 8.8 million members in 150 countries.<ref>The Foursquare Church, History, foursquare.org, USA, retrieved November 5, 2022.</ref>

According to the 2010 US Religion Census, there are over 320,000 members in the United States and 1,823 churches.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Beliefs

The beliefs of the Foursquare Church are expressed in its Declaration of Faith, compiled by its founder, Aimee Semple McPherson.<ref name=DecFaith>Declaration of Faith of the International Church of the Foursquare Gospel. Accessed January 11, 2013.</ref> McPherson also authored a shorter, more concise creedal statement.<ref name=creedal>Creedal Statements of the International Church of the Foursquare Gospel. Accessed January 11, 2013.</ref>

The church believes in the verbal inspiration of the Bible, the doctrine of the Trinity, and the deity of Jesus Christ.<ref name=creedal1-3>ICFG Creedal Statements 1–3</ref> It believes that human beings were created in the image of God but, because of the Fall, are naturally depraved and sinful.<ref name=DecFaithIII>III. The Fall of Man, ICFG Declaration of Faith.</ref> The church believes in the substitutionary atonement, accomplished by the death of Christ, and teaches that salvation is by grace through faith, not by good works.<ref name=creedal9>ICFG Creedal Statements 9.</ref> Believers are justified by faith and born again upon repentance and acceptance of Christ as Lord and king.<ref name=DecFaithVI-VII>VI. Repentance and Acceptance and VII. The New Birth, ICFG Declaration of Faith.</ref> Consistent with its belief in human free will, the Foursquare Church also teaches that it is possible for a believer to backslide or commit apostasy.<ref name=creedal24>ICFG Creedal Statements 24.</ref>

The Foursquare Church, a Finished Work Pentecostal denomination, teaches that sanctification is a continual process of spiritual growth.<ref name=DecFaithVIII>VIII. Daily Christian Life, ICFG Declaration of Faith.</ref> Spiritual growth is believed to be promoted by Bible study and prayer.<ref name=creedal25-27>ICFG Creedal Statements 25–27.</ref> The Foursquare Church believes in the baptism with the Holy Spirit as an event separate from conversion that empowers the individual and the wider church to fulfill the church's mission of evangelization. The Foursquare Church believes Holy Spirit baptism is received in the same manner as recorded in the Book of Acts: the believer can expect to speak in tongues.<ref name=DecFaithX>X. The Baptism of the Holy Spirit, ICFG Declaration of Faith.</ref> The church believes that spiritual gifts continue in operation for the edification of the church.<ref name=DecFaithXII>XII. The Gifts and Fruit of the Spirit, ICFG Declaration of Faith.</ref>

The Foursquare Church believes that divine healing is a part of Christ's atonement and teaches that the sick can be healed in response to prayer.<ref name=DecFaithXIV>XIV. Divine Healing, ICFG Declaration of Faith.</ref> The Foursquare Church anticipates a premillennial return of Christ to earth.<ref name=creedal36>ICFG Creedal Statements 36.</ref> It believes that there will be a future final judgment where the righteous will receive everlasting life and the wicked everlasting punishment. The Foursquare Church observes believer's baptism by immersion and the Lord's Supper, or Holy Communion, as ordinances.<ref name=DecFaithIX>IX. Water Baptism and the Lord's Supper, ICFG Declaration of Faith.</ref> Open communion is practiced.<ref name=creedal14,23>ICFG Creedal Statements 14 and 23.</ref> Anointing of the sick and tithing are practiced as well.<ref name=creedal10-11>ICFG Creedal Statements 10, 11, 21.</ref>

Structure

The denomination's church government has an "episcopal character" that dates back to its founder. McPherson had veto power over church decisions, appointed all officers, and hired all employees.<ref>Template:Cite encyclopedia</ref>

The Foursquare Convention is the chief decision making body of the Foursquare Church. Meeting regularly every year, the convention's voting membership includes international officers and licensed ministers. Each Foursquare church located in the United States has the right to send one voting delegate per every 50 church members.<ref name=BylawsV5.5p.7>Foursquare Church Bylaws 2012 edition, Article V 5.5, p. 7.</ref> National Foursquare Churches outside of the United States may send one official delegate to the convention.<ref name=BylawsXVIIIIp.46>Foursquare Church Bylaws, Article XVIIII, p. 46.</ref>

A board of 12 to 24 directors manages the Foursquare Church. In addition to overseeing the Church's activities, the board of directors appoints officers and is responsible for licensing and ordaining ministers. Members of the board include the president, vice presidents, and at least nine ministers representing geographic regions. Church members in good standing may also be appointed to the board.<ref name=BylawsVIp.9-12>Foursquare Church Bylaws, Article VI, pp. 9–12.</ref>

Local Foursquare churches are subordinate parts of the International Church of the Foursquare Gospel and are operated according to the bylaws of the international church. There are two categories of Foursquare churches.<ref name=BylawsIII3.3p.3>Foursquare Church Bylaws, Article III 3.3, p. 3.</ref> A "charter member church" is a member church that has no legal existence apart from the international church and whose property is owned by the international church. The second category is "covenant member church", which include "pioneer churches" and previously non-member churches. Pioneer churches are recently established church plants that have not been upgraded to charter member status. Covenant member churches might also be previously non-member churches that join the Foursquare Church but choose not to transfer their real property to the international church.<ref name=BylawsIII3.8A-Bp.4>Foursquare Church Bylaws, Article III 3.8 A–B, p. 4.</ref> Non-member churches may choose to affiliate with the International Church of the Foursquare Gospel without becoming a full member of the international church. These "community member churches" retain their separate legal identities and autonomy.<ref name=BylawsIII3.8Cp.5>Foursquare Church Bylaws, Article III 3.8 C, p. 5.</ref>

North America

Three colleges are affiliated with the Foursquare Church: Life Pacific University, formerly "L. I. F. E. Bible College," in San Dimas, California, Life Pacific College Virginia in Christiansburg, Virginia, and Pacific Life Bible College in Surrey, British Columbia.

In 2006, membership in the United States was 353,995 in 1,875 churches.<ref name="Yearbook">Template:Cite web</ref> In 2023, the number of churches in the U.S. was reported at 2,021.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> While congregations are concentrated along the West Coast, the denomination is well distributed across the United States.<ref name="RCMS">Template:Cite web</ref> The states with the highest membership rates are Oregon, Hawaii, Montana, Washington, and California.<ref name="RCMS"/>

South America

Ecuador

The Foursquare Church arrived in Ecuador in 1956 with the arrival of a couple by the name of Gadberry. Acting as missionaries under the auspices of the Los Angeles congregation, they began by founding churches in Guayaquil. They remained in Ecuador until 1960, but returned a year later to found the first Foursquare church in Quito. As of 2012, there were 200 Foursquare churches in Ecuador, with 32 in Guayaquil alone.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Controversies

Failed investments

In 2004, the denomination's president and treasurer resigned after losing $14 million of the denomination for approving two financial investment projects that were in fact a scam.<ref>E. Scott Reckard, "2 Church Officials Resign", Los Angeles Times, March 18, 2004</ref>

In 2013, under Glenn Burris Jr.'s leadership, the church lost $2 million in a failed investment of a Broadway play based on the life of Aimee Semple McPherson.<ref>David Ng and Mike Boehm, "Broadway flop 'Scandalous' a costly investment for Foursquare Church", Los Angeles Times, February 14, 2013</ref>

Sexual abuse allegations

Over the years Foursquare church has been accused sexual abuse numerous times which has resulted in many lawsuits against the church.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

In the 1990s in Beaverton, Oregon, Matt Davis, a teenager alleged he was sexually molested at a Foursquare Church by Raymond Martin Johnson, a former doctor and Foursquare member. Previously in 1971 Johnson had served 6 years probation for having sex with a underage boy. Despite the church being aware of Johnson's prior charges he was still allowed by the church to work as a volunteer and Foursquare youth events at his home. In 2012, Davis sued the church for $1 million in damages for mental, emotion and psychical distress. The suit was later settled out of court.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

In 2007, two men and a woman filed a lawsuit against Foursquare pastor Darrell Roberts and his 2 sons alleging that Robert’s sons had sexually abused them when they were children. The suit sought $8.4 million in damages against foursquare alleging that Roberts and his superiors failed to supervise his sons contact with children, report the crimes or express any concern to church members. However, the suit was dismissed.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In 2017, Mary Ellen Wright alleged in a lawsuit that in 2000 youth minister Charles Price had repeatedly sexually abused her including inappropriate touching her and forcing her to perform oral sex.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

In March, 2019, Godly Response to Abuse in the Christian Environment, a Christian organization that combats sexual abuse received a complaint directed against executive pastor Mike Larkin. Heidi Cooper, a pastor and member of foursquare church alleged in the complaint that he had repeatedly sent her sexually explicit on Facebook Messenger over the course of 3 years. Another women accused Larkin of gazing at women’s breasts and discussing sex and masturbation. In December 2019, Larkin resigned and was given $99,000 severance pay.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In 2022, Barry Buzza, a former President of the Foursquare Church in Canada, was sued for sexual abuse by a former Foursquare member. The former member also alleged that Buzza subjected her to “psychological, spiritual, and sexual grooming, abuse and exploitation".<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

See also

• Church of the Foursquare Gospel in the Philippines
• List of the largest Protestant bodies
• World Evangelical Alliance
• Believers' Church
• Worship service (evangelicalism)

Further reading

• Epstein, Daniel Mark. Sister Aimee
• Foursquare Gospel Publications. The Foursquare Church Annual Report 2006.
• Glenmary Research Center. Religious Congregations & Membership in the United States (2000).
• Mead, Frank S., Samuel S. Hill, and Craig D. Atwood. Handbook of Denominations in the United States.
• Melton, J. Gordon (ed.). Encyclopedia of American Religions.
• Van Cleave, Nathaniel M. The Vine and the Branches: A History of the International Church of the Foursquare Gospel.

External links

• The Foursquare Church
• Foursquare Church Canada
• Foursquare Church Great Britain
• Iglesia del Evangelio Cuadrangular de España
• Iglesia Cuadrangular de Argentina
• Iglesia Cristiana Carismática Cuadrángular