Membership in the Assemblies of God is based on the principle of cooperative fellowship. A cooperative fellowship provides certain benefits and invokes responsibilities upon its members.
This working relationship can be described in terms of “voluntary cooperation.” By “voluntary,” it is meant that a commitment is voluntarily made on the part of individual members for the benefits that come from working together in a common effort.
By “cooperation,” it is meant that to the best of each member’s ability, he or she will comply with and support the decisions of the body which set forth and define the duties and responsibilities incumbent upon each member of the fellowship.
Hence, “voluntary cooperation” means that when a person of his or her own free will decides to become a cooperating member of the Assemblies of God, his or her cooperation is committed to the fellowship and is no longer optional.
Or:
Every applicant ought to feel that the organization of the Assemblies of God is the Fellowship into which God has called them. They are to be one with these people and adhere to the same tenets of faith, principles, purposes and practices as those they now join. They must be one who is committed to the fellowship, willing to not only share in its privilege and blessing, but to cooperate with its ministries. They must be guided by, and when necessary, accept the discipline and direction of its leadership.