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Denominations Not Needed Anymore

There was a time when denominations were a great resource for all kinds of ministry, but they are not needed any longer. At one time they were needed for publishing curriculum, youth camp facilities, camp-meeting facilities, missionaries, structure etc. Now there are plenty of Christian publishers who do a much better job, Christian camps and meeting centers are everywhere, and missions organizations abound outside denominational structures. I have heard the argument that denominations provide great fellowship for laity and ministers. Not as much as you would think. I am much closer to other pastors in town than I ever was with COG pastors. In fact, once you are no longer a pastor in the COG, you are persona non grata. My uncle had to retire early from a COG pastorate after an accident. He was part of the in crowd before the accident. After the accident, only two ministers even called him to check on him. All those relationships were surface-only. One more story. I pastored a COG congregation that had money in the bank. When I arrived as their new pastor, they said we want to build another bathroom onto the parsonage - it will cost $11,000. I said do you have the money and the plans? Yes, they said. So we voted to build it. After the bathroom was built, my District Overseer drove by and saw it. He asked me if I had received approval from the state office. I said no, I didn't know I had to since we weren't borrowing any money. He said he was reporting me to the overseer and he did. He then called me and told me that the overseer wanted a letter from me apologizing for not getting his approval and to assure him I was on his team. I did just that and never heard anything else. I knew then - this is nuts!

In most denomination (at least Pentecostal), the DO has become an un-welcomed intruder in other local churches affairs. A fellow pastor in the same area who as no power, but reports you to your supervisor is your advisory.You should have received a letter of commendation from you State Overseer for making improvements to the church property instead of you having to explain yourself and swear you allegiance.

This is the present reality.When we left back in 1989, we were told by our former DO that we would never make it.He was wrong.We have everything and more than any denomination could offer.Over the years we have politely refused invitations to join up with more than one denomination.It;s a strange situation, Church of God folks who will not bow to Cleveland (cenralized government).You can make it, without Cleveland and her overseers. Charles A. HutchinsSenior Pastor SPWCCongregational Church of Godwww.spwc.church

I 'teethed on COG benches' was at one time a saying indicating that you were raised in the COG. My dad was an early pioneer COG preacher from the 1930's. I grew up loving, admiring and proud of the COG. (Although many times I wished dad had been Baptist, I personally did not like being 'That Holiness Preacher's boy.) YES that is a big contradiction, but that was me.In my dad's 50+ years as COG pastor I know of only one 'problem' he ever had with administrators. That was personal, a promise not kept, not a church problem.I pastored a very short time also. I NEVER had anything but good to say about my leaders while I was 'on the job.'Times have changed, even the OTCP would have to admit the pastoral fellowship among pastors has all but disappeared. District meetings used to be crowded 'pep rallies'. Preachers went to Camp Meetings and the GA for the fellowship as much as business. My Florida pastor who became a lifelong friend could not say ENOUGH GOOD about the (can't think of the name?????) 'pastor's care groups' that met monthly on his district here. He felt like it was a life saver.I am conservative by nature. I never had an office down town. I considered it a waste of money. My pickup and basement were good enough. I remember visiting the new AG HQ in Missouri. As a young COG preacher I thought 'the money could have been better spent.' Our COG offices, General and State were much more logical.THEN years later as a friend and successful business man I was given a tour of the NEW COG HQ & Missions complex. WOWThen our NC state office I have seen pictures, know the location, worked on the Overseer house. WOW!I am still conservative and think of much more logical space and use for the finances. BUT we must compete evidently. Less interacting between churches and ministers and more overhead expenses. That leads to the rise of a desire for congregational or independent churches.Yes, there will be more and more independent churches. There are many reasons, some good some bad, but the situation is still there.Just my thoughts Some facts but mostly just my [email protected]/

Where are some ...

Where are some of the former Church of God congregations that are now independent? Maybe an informal list of churches over the last 20 years.

If the General offices don't hold the title deed

Then there is nothing to hold them save denominational loyalty

Or a local church sees value in the relationship. With so many resources available in ministry - as was mentioned (missionary networks, publishers, training conferences, etc) and with denominational identity taking on a more generic approach in hopes of being all things to all people, there are less reasons to stick. Many local church members do not even know who they are affiliated with and have no since of church history.What's funny to me, is often when I meet an independent pastor he launches into an explanation of the network and covering their church is part of. When I meet a denominational pastor, he's slow to reveal what denomination he's in.There has to be a workable balance between the two.