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One of the early indications that a movement is in plateau or in decline is a shift to an inward focus. We use the cliche of “maintenance mode “. I have no animosity towards any local, state, or international official. But I’m convinced if the state office(s) closed today, there would be very little negative net impact on the COG. In my mind, the state office and staff should be a tremendous

I think you hit the nail on the head. We really like to think our structure is almost in the Bible. But in fact for many years we have been a corporation. A poorly run corp to be sure. I had a friend in COG ADmin for years. He confided in me When I retire I will spend my life visiting small churches just to let them know that someone who has been 'up the ladder' does care for the small churches. He remembered like many who serve as a small church as pastor, your members never saw an 'official' much less shook hands and hugged necks. Sadly he passed away months into retirement.We are a corporation whether we like it or not. People paid to master the 'leading jobs' are supposed to see and learn new ways to hold people. the upper echelon is supposed to have their finger on the pulse of the church and supply innovative ideas, or you are like the once mighty Sears Roebuck on your way out! so far it doesn't look like the new staff can save her Some facts but mostly just my [email protected]/

So....no campmeeting, no Youth Camps, no special events all year, no one to handle the churches that need financial support, no one to handle churches that are fighting their pastors or churches/pastors that need a transition. Some of that could probably be handled by a pastor, but I think there is value in having an AB and his team.If a person isn't called to do it or doesn't have a passion for it, they should have enough integrity to go back to pastoring or get another job More of Him...less of me.twitter.com/camiracle77www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=691241499&ref=name

Its interesting to me that the Church of God points to Spurling and the 1886 Christian Union congregation as its genesis. The beginnings were much more a congregational focus with a rejection of the denominational system. Yes, Restorationist in the since of mirroring the Early/Apostolic Church. The message of Church Government as in a hierarchical since seems to be more a Tomlinson message. So the Church of God embraces the illusion of the Spruling's Christian Union, while being Tomlinson's vision of the Church of God with hierarchical structure (on steroids). That is an interesting dichotomy of self-image. It produces an empty message of the local church being the most important expression of the Church of God, that is preached my those who are totally embedded and committed to the hierarchical structure.

The AG does these things - and yet their leaders also pastor churches at the same time

You are in error NBFAG does not have Campmeeting. They do have district councils and General Council but they are nothing like our events in the COG.

Really??? A/G campmeetings are district gatherings. They are much like our regional campmeetings in the cog states that have sold there campgrounds. In my humble opinion I think holding regional campmeetings in local church’s allow smaller churches to see what the larger churches are doing. It models what is working in an area instead of showing off a campground and what that state overseer thinks the Excutive council wants to see. I also felt there was a more fellowship focus because of the inclusion of local church membership in the events. Due to the fact it was in a local church. Yes there are full time people in the A/G but it is more of a partnership then a dictatorship. I use to buy the whole cog oversight thing until there were grievous issues I have seen sidestep because of relationship. . Yes this is more accurate. They don't call it campmeeting, bit it is the same type gathering...just without all the expense. Only pastors can attend campmeetings, as they are no longer held on weekends. District gatherings allow most to attend

The main calendar events each year are camp meetings, youth camps, and maybe a few seminars. It does not require a fully funded state office staff to plan those things. I'm not trying to brag, but our church has organized events much larger than the average COG camp meeting in far less time and with the majority of the work done by volunteers. I'm not Chicken Little and I don't prophesy that the sky is falling. But the current model the COG is following is not sustainable. The great myth that Cleveland wants you to believe is that if the structures were decentralized then local and world missions would crumble.

I hate to differ with you but with all due respect you're response is tainted somewhat.I was A/G in the Southern Calif. District for about 15 years. We had District Council in Anaheim, CA every year & they strongly reflected any CoG Camp Meeting we ever had & in fact almost exactly the way we have camp meeting nowadays here in Calif. I came back to the CoG to pastor a church & the two systems are almost exactly the same. We had good ole fashion, Holy Ghost gully washers at DC when I was with the A/G & enjoyed the leadership of Sup. Ray Rachels very much. I went to General Council last year as a visitor & it was awesome! Haven't been blessed in such a powerful way in years. Now most of the Presbyters & some Exec. Presbyters were also pastors & you're right, they have a tendency to stay in those elected/appointed positions long term. The youth director was always swamped with numerous camps (even more so now) all Summer. In addition there were multiple youth events all throughout the year. In fact today our local church often times still supports the A/G youth events because the quality of the event, price & the locations are often times better. Empty nest syndrome is for the birds!Email me at: [email protected] planters are focused on just one thing ...introducing people to Jesus!

I am enjoying your comments and inputs. I am very ignorant as to the AG. I remember as a young (ignorant) COG pastor I visited the AG HQ. I was given a tour and over all view, but it was too much to take in at the time.I also was seeing our HQ in Cleveland (conservative and relatively small) the AG was opulent and expensively impressive. (in my mind wasteful!!!!). I left proud my 'Denomination' was more financially conservative. Then a few years ago I was given a guided tour,even met the General. WOW, Unless the AG has done some remodeling, we are more showy than they!I walked out, I love the COG, it has been my whole life PK, member, preacher, pastor now member. My mindset, is no longer the mindset of the church leadership. Somehow I do not agree blindly. When I see our denomination dying in the smaller churches I know something needs to be done. I do not know what, but our leadership is headed the way of Kmart, Grants and Roses.But when assigned to the super jobs, you are supposed to be forward looking, someone isn't! Some facts but mostly just my [email protected]/