THE FIRST COLLECTIVE

a collection of churches collaborating as one for the good of our city.

A Brief History:

In 1914, shortly after the Azusa Street revival (1906-1915), a group of 3 men, Frank Gray, Thomas L. Nunn, and William Rhoads, formed a Pentecostal church in Spokane. After forming in 1914, the Assemblies of God incorporated this group of Pentecostal believers in 1918 to establish what was then known as Spokane’s First Assembly of God Church. In 1919, Spokane First merged with another Pentecostal group on the South Hill of Spokane to more effectively reach people for Jesus. In 2015, nearly one hundred years later, Spokane First welcomed an existing Marshallese congregation meeting in Spokane to become a part of our family, and in 2019, we merged with what was Ridgeview Christian Center to become one church in multiple locations. The history of Spokane First is one of Jesus being faithful to sustain and accomplish his mission. It is also a story of individuals, communities, and congregations working together to gain ground for the Kingdom of God in Spokane. 
Over the last 10 years, we have gone from one church in one location to multiple churches that meet multiple times in multiple locations. Currently, we have one board, one staff, and one budget. While we have seen incredible growth, investment, and engagement with this model, we recognize it is time for clarity. The hope is for the First. Collective is a collection of churches collaborating as one church. Committed to meaningful partnerships that are mutually beneficial to one another. While we realize we have work to do to achieve this goal, we are committed to making this dream a reality.

Theological Considerations:

In the New Testament, local churches voluntarily participated in mutual accountability and dependency for the sake of mission. In Acts 8:14, the Jerusalem church sent Peter and John to inspect Phillip’s work in Samaria. In Acts 13:1-3 and 14:27, missionaries sent out by the church in Antioch sent mission reports back to their sending church. In Acts 15, several churches gathered to settle a doctrinal dispute. After deliberating together, they rendered a decision in the form of a letter (Acts. 16:4). This decision was sent to several churches (Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia), assuming that these churches would abide by the group’s decision. The point is simply this; New Testament congregations voluntarily connected to one another for missions, accountability, and mutual help. This view of church governance is called connectionalism, and it provides the foundation for a model of ministry moving forward.

Guiding Values:

1.Scripture will Lead the Way and Set the Limits
2.The Collective Exists for its Churches.
3.Mission(s) and Multiplication are Nonnegotiable.
4.The Goal is Harmony, not Uniformity.

A Framework for the Future:

Connectionalism maintains that local deacon boards are solely responsible for the spiritual health and vitality of their congregations. Yet, they voluntarily partner with a shared board of Elders/Overseers for missions, accountability, and mutual help. Our family of churches will be defined by connectionalism; churches voluntarily enter formal partnerships with each other while maintaining a certain level of autonomy. Churches within the First. Collective will share…

  • First. Collective churches will operate as one membership under one set of bylaws. Each church will be led by a local Deacon Board while submitting to the oversight and authority of a shared board of Elders/Overseers.

  • First. Collective churches will share one budget. Each local Deacon Board will be responsible for creating an annual ministry budget, providing accountability, and assisting with administering church resources, with ultimate authority belonging to the shared board of Elders/Overseers. First. Collective churches will contribute 5% of their previous year's budget to central services.

  • First. Collective churches will periodically join for events, meetings, services, and initiatives while occasionally offering similar programming and content.