Acts20.com

This subject came up in a previous thread and I didn't want to hijack it. Over the years, I've heard people say things like, I owe a debt of gratitude to the Church of God, for licencing me, educating me, and giving me the chance to pastor.I wonder how many here feel that way and why.I don't and was looking for some perspective. When I started in COG ministry:I paid for a background check.I completed the ministry training programs.I paid for the licencing study guides.I passed the exams.I volunteered to pastor a church, that NOBODY wanted.Some might say, Well, the COG approved you, trained you, licenced you and gave you the chance to preach.My response to that is, Baptist churches would have done that too. I was recruited to minister, by more than one of those congregationsI had numerous chances to

I was at an AG and an independent church before I came into the COG, and neither would give me any direction as to how to become involved in ministry. The COG opened pulpits, credentialed, trained, and ultimately provided more than one church for me to pastor. So, my story is, while I don't say I owe them anything, I do hold a debt of gratitude to the COG

I'm thankful for the

Agree wholeheartedly

The happiest moments in my life would almost certainly not have taken place had I not been part of the COG.Traveling with my dad to revivals.Getting saved, baptized, and filled with the Holy Ghost in Churches of God.The life-long friendships that came from connecting with people in the Church of God.My best friends were members of the same Church of God I was.I got married in the Church of God...to a Church of God girl.Incredible roadtrips, vacations, etc., courtesy of the friendships I developed in the Church of God.The wondrous years of attending the Florida State Camp Meeting--the music, the preaching, the glory, the joy!And as far as pastoring in the Church of God, I owe that to them, too. (Yes, it's one of the smallest ones in the state, but it fits me.)And all you scoundrels on here--I wouldn't have know of you, been able to educate you, been able to rebuke you and cast you out...without the Church of God.

Thanks Aaron. I don't see things quite like that, but I respect the point of view

According

As a member now, I still migrate to the COG. That is all I ever knew. Most of my childhood my dad pastored churches that paid a salary from offerings and tithe, so I do owe a debt of gratitude for that. My dad did not call me to preach, I think I did that my own self. But I just loved COG people because they were like minded. I am grateful I was allowed to pastor. I disappointed a lot of folks when I quit. But I would not stay and hurt these wonderful folk.Now that I am back in the church, I migrate to the COG because I consider them my family. /We attend many different denominations and independent. Mega churches and churches of 10 people, I feel at home. I do not feel Quite at home at an AG or other Pentecostals, I have met wonderful friendly folk at other churches. But at a COG I feel at home.I know a big part of that is because for 17 years that was all I knew, I cannot change that. So yes, I sorta feel I owe the COG for a worldwide family. Had I been raised AG I would probably feel the same toward them. I am speaking for me of course, history makes a lot of difference.. PS: When I would receive orders in the military and my dad found out, his first call was to pastor or pastors in the area. I have been so blessed because of that network. COG pastors have BLESSED my life. Even the ones I have met on ACTS. Aaron even invited us to to dinner. Truman did in Indiana. Great food and Great company.... Family Some facts but mostly just my [email protected]/

it is not fair, but in fact you are right in many cases, but not all. I know one young man who was preaching at a very small church and when an official visited the church and heard him, he went from a non paying church to a full salaried church; within 6 months of being recognized as having potential. He eventually was picked for state youth director of a large state. He had NO name recog. nor family ties.It happens in business, church and politics. It is easy to recognize it in our church. Look at the names on the general council and it is obvious. Most of the men/women promoted because of name were talented. Some not so much. Some facts but mostly just my [email protected]/

The picture seem to be coming into focus. From the responses so far, it seems that entire existences were/are connected to the COG. As a result, people feel grateful, or indebted to the denomination. I attended a COG from the time I was born, until I was 8. Then a Methodist Church, from 8-15. We moved to another town when I was 15, and attended a Disciples of Christ Church. I started attending a COG, by myself, when I was 17. In college, I attended an Assembly of God church, but went to the COG, when I came home. I never went to youth camp. Never went to camp meeting