The Advent Christian Church, also known as the Advent Christian General Conference (ACGC), is a "first-day" body of Adventist Christians founded on the teachings of William Miller in 1860. The organization's Executive Director is Reverend Steve Lawson, and its President is Reverend John Gallagher.
Headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, the functions of its central offices include global missions, leadership development, church health, church planting and management of organizational publications and media. These ministries are under the leadership of the organization's Executive Director, Rev. Steve Lawson, who is accountable to the organization's executive council. This council, a governing board made up of elected representatives from Advent Christian Churches, is chaired by the organization's president, Rev. John Gallagher.
In addition to the work of the central offices, more localized work is done in five regions of the U.S. and Canada under the direction of five regional superintendents, as well as in several state conference bodies and in 30 countries around the world.
The organization holds to a congregational structure, in which each of its member churches and their members has input into the overall direction of the organization.
Early history
William Miller
The first Advent Christian Association was founded in Salem, Massachusetts, in 1860. The church's formation is rooted in the Adventist teachings begun by Baptist preacher William Miller of Pittsfield, Massachusetts. For many years, Miller studied the prophecies recorded in the Old Testament, especially the book of Daniel, and the book of Revelation from the New Testament. After many calculations, he announced in 1831 that the Second Advent would occur in 1844. Thousands of people believed him and sold their possessions. His followers, called Millerites, waited for the coming of Christ and the end of the world and were greatly disappointed when his predictions proved incorrect.
Albany Conference
The Albany Conference, formed in the aftermath of Miller's failed predictions, was held in 1845. The conference included many major Millerite leaders, such as Miller himself. The Advent Christian Church has its roots in this group.
Jonathan Cummings
Jonathan Cummings (1817–1894), a disciple of Miller who reset Miller's prediction of Christ's coming to 1854, also influenced individuals who founded the Advent Christian Association. A third root of the Advent Christians is found in the rise of the doctrine of conditional immortality among Adventist preachers such as Charles F. Hudson (1795–1881) and George Storrs (1796–1879). Rejecting what they believed was a component of Greek philosophy (immortality of the soul), they taught that though man was created for immortality, that immortality had been forfeited in the fall of Adam. They believed that only the redeemed would receive eternal life; the dead unconsciously would await the resurrection and final judgement. At the time of judgement, the wicked would suffer extinction. These teachings separated them from some within the Millerite movement.
Beliefs
Statement of faith
The Advent Christian statement of faith is as follows:
Declaration of principles
The Advent Christian declaration of principles is as follows: