Apostolic Faith Mission [AGS] Birchleigh, Kempton PArk. 28 December 1983 (4_3258)

David Goldblatt
Apostolic Faith Mission [AGS] Birchleigh, Kempton PArk. 28 December 1983 (4_3258), 1983
Silver gelatin hand print
Image: 27.5 x 35 cm

The AFM or AGS (Apostoliese Geloof Sending) had its origins in the revival of Christian fundamentalism and Pentecostalism that occurred in several parts of the world in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Its growth in South Africa into a major denomination has had much to do with discontent among ordinary members of the Afrikaner Protestant Churches with the churchiness of those institutions and the remoteness of many of their dominees. The AGS encouraged spontaneity in its services and belief in the accessiblity of the gifts of the Holy Ghost to believers as manifested, for example, in speaking in tongues. When the AGS built their own places of worship they were deliberately simple, spartan halls. This had as much to do with rejection of everything 'Church' as with cost, and with stress on evangelism rather than luxurious buildings. After the Second World War, however, the architecture of the AGS became increasingly substantial and churchlike. This, together with a tendency towards a more structured liturgy, meant for some that the AGS was losing its 'Pinkster' (Pentecostal) character. In 1958 a breakaway group formed the Pinkster Protestante Kerk The AGS started as a non-racial church, but this became a problem ... as boer culture began to take hold'. A 1917 statement of the Workers' Council (synod) said: [We] preach the gospel equally to all peoples making no distinctions. We wish it to be known ... that our White, Coloured, and Native peoples have their separate places of worship. We further recommend that in the Central Tabernacle, and other assemblies, if desirable, certain seats be reserved for coloured persons who may attend there. Further, that in the case of certain worthy coloured families attending at the Central Tabernacle the matter be left in the hands of the Spiritual Committee. A 1985 meeting of the Indian, Coloured, Black, and White sections of the church rejected apartheid, accepted the unity of the church, and agreed that membership should be based on the 'spontaneous grouping of believers'. In 1994 the Indian, Coloured, and Black groups united and in 1996 the White section joined them in the complete unification of the church. - David Goldblatt