About

In the vast diversity of Christian congregations worshiping in the United States, a church such as Goodwill Church of God, though once more mainstream, is now somewhat less common than it used to be.

At a glance, the Goodwill congregation is an active congregation uniting in worship, prayer and fellowship every Sunday morning, Sunday evening, Wednesday evenings and any other time we feel so moved to do so.  A medium sized congregation, Sunday services generally consist of approximately 130 to 150 worshipers.  Our worship is decidedly traditional, in that we still cherish and sing the traditional hymns of English speaking Christianity, the hymns of John Newton, Martin Luther, and Fanny Crosby, as well as hymns more closely associated with the Church of God Reformation movement, and more recent American hymns such as those from Bill and Gloria Gaither among others.

As previously alluded to, Goodwill is a congregation of Christian believers traditionally associated with the Church of God Reformation Movement, itself nominally headquartered in Anderson, Indiana.  Firmly holding to the belief that there is only one Church and it having been founded by the Son, at the command of the Father, who can deny membership in His church based on rules devised by man, or votes taken by men?  As such, it is a church without elaborate man made membership requirements.  The only prerequisite for membership being the possession of a saving faith in Jesus as the one and only Son of God the Father.  This same Jesus, being a member of the Trinity consisting of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost who gave himself as an atoning sacrifice for man’s sins, providing the only path to eternal salvation and eternal life with Him in Paradise.  For those of a more theological inclination, the doctrine of the Church of God Reformation movement is most accurately described as Wesleyan Arminism, a belief system shared by the Nazarene Church and some other  churches often described as “holiness” churches.  If any of the Church of God Reformation Movements beliefs could be described as salient in the worldview of most members, it would likely be these:

  1. Salvation and forgiveness of sin are a free gift from God that is available for the asking by those sincerely repentant.
  2. It is further believed that God expects his children to strive toward a sinless life of holiness which is only achievable with personal commitment and the promised help of the Holy Spirit.
  3. Denominations, not being described in the Bible, and serving as they do to separate God’s people into smaller dispersed elements, are considered counterproductive to His purposes.
  4. Since the Church of God Reformation Movement is not a denomination, all are welcome to attend and participate as full members in all worship services, including Holy Communion, assuming they are born again Christians as Jesus describes in John 3.   There is no formal process to become a “member”.  If one is a Christian and lives a life that is outwardly in harmony with His Word, you are already a member of the Goodwill Congregation and welcome to be a full participant.  It is expected however that members be in regular attendance for a short span before voting in business meetings simply to insure that they have gained some practical familiarity with the congregation and its members before seeking to influence its day to day operations through voting.  Salvation makes you a member.

All are welcome.  It is the mission of God’s Church to take his Word into all the world to seek, save, and baptize those that are lost.  Come join His Church founded by His Son and be apart of the Goodwill Church of God as we strive to carry out this mission.