WASHINGTON -- The Assemblies of God church general council approved resolutions Friday giving more autonomy to local churches and encouraging diversity.
The 3,734 delegates attending the church's biennial convention in Washington said the Assemblies of God should be structured to "serve our local churches and ministers."
Church officials must change "bylaws, policies and programs that create obstacles" for local churches, said the 17-member Executive Presbytery, the top governing body of the church.
The resolutions will give local churches more discretion in governing themselves, including the power to choose pastors and establish new churches.
Paul Drost, who directs expansion efforts, or "planting," at the church's headquarters in Springfield, Mo., said the measure to facilitate the creation of new churches was a "watershed moment."
"This is a renewed commitment to expand the kingdom of God at home and abroad," he said. The church has 2.7 million followers in the United States and 42 million members worldwide.
Previously, local churches were required to follow bylaws recommended by the district council.
Another resolution approved by the general council allows the church's foreign ministers to preach in the United States under certain conditions.
Foreign ministers would have to obtain a letter of recommendation from the executive committee of their home church and complete a course on the history of the American church.
The general council also adopted a resolution to encourage cooperation between church members of all ethnic groups. Another resolution ensures that each group will have a voice in local district councils.
Ethnic groups, particularly Hispanics, are the fastest growing segment of the church in the United States.
The church has 1,986 Hispanic churches in the United States, accounting for 16 percent of the denomination's 12,082 U.S.-based churches. Nine of the church's 58 districts are Hispanic.
"We want to encourage, support, and embrace cultural diversity," said church spokeswoman Juleen Turnage. She said the church's members represent 47 different ethnic groups.
The general council also approved three ethnic representatives to its 17-member executive council on Friday. They are Jesse Miranda of Hacienda Heights, Calif., who is Hispanic; Nam Soo Kim of New York City, who is Korean, and Zollie Smith of Piscataway, N.J., who is black.
Charles Ess, a religion professor at Drury University in Springfield, Mo., said the Pentecostal denomination should encourage diversity if it wants to grow.
"They know that if they want to increase its members, the church has to reach out to diverse cultures," Ess said. "And if you are interested in courting people, you have to speak their language and understand their culture.