An Interview with Thomas
Trask
Where Is THE
SPIRIT Leading The Assemblies of God?
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.
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