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Corin I do understand why you landed where you did. That was not really in my head in the discussion with xzings though. My thought has been more on how far a teacher /pastor can go in having a different doctrine or teaching something other than the written standards of the church. (This did grow out of one of your statements..but it is not unique to your present church)

If there is a doctrine that is unique to a denomination than can a member church just change it and still call themselves whatever.?

The years that I attended tie AOG I never believed that tongues marked salvation or the baptism .but I was not a Pastor:>)

Corine in basic Christian doctrine we agree..we say Amen to the same creeds..( Of course we differ on the soteriology...that is about the main difference in the Arminian/calvinist stands.)

On tongues ..it would be easy enough to find out the requirements for ordination.

In all the years that I attend the AOG (15) I never saw or heard the pastors pray or sing in tongues (nor display any of the gifts publicly) . As you well know the AOG 's tend to be middle to upper middle class..the services are orderly and restrained. I suspect it is a considered decision for them not to pray in tongues publicly . I would be very surprised if Tongues were not required for ordination.(As I mentioned in the Nazarene Church you had to have a testimony of your salvation and of Sanctification (Baptism in the Holy Spirit) in your packet. With out them there could be no ordination

I can not believe that would not also be true of the AOG

It might be interesting for you to ask a pastor.BTW I am not sure but I think we had gotten off on a tangent..does the AOG require tongues as a mark of salvation or Baptism in the Holy Spirit ?? I am thinking it is that later..but I would not agree with that either , because it would imply that 80 or 90% of the christian church is deficient in the indwelling Holy Spirit

If there is a doctrine that is unique to a denomination than can a member church just change it and still call themselves whatever.?

I would say no, and I think (hopefully) I explained where my church is no that.

No, tongues are not a requirement for salvation. From the website you posted. ;-)

Receiving eternal life does not depend on being baptized in the Holy Spirit; for salvation is by grace through faith alone (Habakkuk 2:4; John 6:28, 29; Galatians 3:6; 5:6; Ephesians 2:8). It is a gift purchased for us by Christ when He was crucified. All we have to do is accept the gift. Just as the repentant thief on the cross next to Jesus was assured of entering paradise that very day we too are assured a place in heaven with the Father if we believe in Jesus Christ. It is most unfortunate that some have said, "Unless you have spoken in tongues you will not go to heaven." This is not true. It is contrary to the Scriptures.

Interesting site. I think if you choose to read further, you will find what I have said about our congregation is consistent with the overall teaching of the AOG.