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Im asking because I don't know if there is a suggested amount of weeks they should spend visiting churches? What do they teach them at overseer school? Do they recommend office hours?Im also asking because I see a lot of facebook pics of AB's who are over one state but spend lots of time in another state. It looks like some of them spend more time in cleveland than their home state.

Sadly, the thinking of the world prevails in the church as well. The nature of leadership in centralized government dictates that a man always be thinking of his next appointment. I’m a broken record falling on deaf ears I’m afraid. But the time is coming when we must rethink the strictures. The COG is making some positive strides, but we are still extremely top heavy. It’s time to invert the pyramid. So many of these administrative positions need to be phased out or their duties outsourced to pastors. But to answer your question:

What's an AB? Charles A. HutchinsSenior Pastor SPWCCongregational Church of Godwww.spwc.church

AB school can be skipped with enough 'life experiences' methinks.I like the term 'majority of his time. I knew an overseer who visited as many of his churches and pastors, starting with the smallest first. I knew a couple of the pastors and they were shocked and asked for a 'speaking date'.Some of the visits were just to have lunch and talk with the pastor, most of the time his wife accompanied him to visit with the wife.His schedule kept him in his state most of the time Some facts but mostly just my [email protected]/

With your questioning I am going to ask you, Are you a member of a local Church of God? And, Are you actively giving of your tithe and attendance at said Church of God?Yes! I am actively attending and giving my tithe and offerings!The follow up questions will be ...Are you active as a minister in the Church of God?Have you ask your present State Overseer why he schedules what he schedules and goes where he goes?Does he need your permission to take the appointments or reject the appointments he does?Just asking

With your questioning I am going to ask you, Are you a member of a local Church of God? And, Are you actively giving of your tithe and attendance at said Church of God?Yes! I am actively attending and giving my tithe and offerings!The follow up questions will be ...Are you active as a minister in the Church of God?Have you ask your present State Overseer why he schedules what he schedules and goes where he goes?Does he need your permission to take the appointments or reject the appointments he does?Just asking! I cannot recall! Some facts but mostly just my [email protected]/

First of all, there is no suggested amount of weeks any overseer should spend visiting churches. As with pastors in visiting their constiuents, that is left up to each one individually. And, like many pastors, of which I was one for 30 years, some spend more time in their churches than others.As it relates to the time they spend in Cleveland, some have homes there. And many serve on appointed boards which requires them to be in Cleveland a couple times a year. Then they are required to attend leadership training which is held, most of the time, in Cleveland.When I was the overseer of the Rocky Mountain Region, I was questioned and even criticized, at times, for being back in the Southeast quite often. But the reason for that is overseers of mission states have to raise money to support the programs where they serve. They can't raise money from where they are. They have to go into the churches and share what is going on where they are serving. Much like mission reps and missionairies do. I was blessed to have some wonderful churches and pastors that allowed me to come in for that purpose. Of course, when I went back to the southeast, we tried to see our family while there. Many overseers make a sacrifice and leave their families back home. For us, it was not as much a sacrifice as others. However, it was tough being 27 hours away from our children. We were use to being close to them and seeing them almost every day. Then that changed. Thankfully, we lived close to an airport and could be home in about 3 hours flying time. During my four year time in the RMR, my father-in-law, had a massive heart attack and was on life support for six days before he passed away. Six months later my brother died unexpectedly after surgery. Six months later my thirty year old nephew committed suicide, and three months after that, my sister-in-law (wife of brother who had passed away) died in her sleep. All of this in just over a year time. That was emotionally and physically exhausting.Overseers are good men who love the Lord and have given much sacrifice to ministry. Serving in an overseer role is not as glamourous as some may think it is. However, it is where the Lord has called many of us. Yes, the Lord has called many to serve in leadership roles. They carry the burden of the state as a pastor does his local church. I am in covenant with a group of overseers who have served as pastors for many years prior. I can tell you these men have the heart for those they serve. We share our burdens and our victories with other.Please don't judge these by the pictures on their Facebook pages. You don't know the circumstances or the sacrifices they make that no one else sees. Sadly, I stopped posting pictures of when we went home for this very reason. Not that I was ashamed or tried to cover up the time I was there. It was only because of the criticism that I heard about me and others.

[quote=2ndgeneration...First of all, there is no suggested amount of weeks any overseer should spend visiting churches....Thanks for allowing me to share a little here. Blessings to you![/quote]Thanks for the entire comment (that I did not quote to save paper!) anyone who has left home and family should understand the circumstances you note.( i.e. My dad passed away as my plane circled over Charlotte unable to land because of weather)Many men have answered the call but could not handle exactly what you have noted and returned to their homes, forcing the COG to 'replace' them. I can appreciate sacrifices of men who accept assignments 'uncomfortably' far from family. Many military men can relate to exactly what you said.I am sure you realize the OP is 'most likely' referring to the larger states. where the overseer's absence is seen during Camp Meeting times when he may be touring as a speaker. I remember when I was sort of a pastor, we 'preachers' liked to talk about the overseers absence. That he was working for a job 'up the line'. I think it was fair at times BUT NOT ALWAYS!I have admired your sacrifices as well as friends and family for their work for God and the kingdom Some facts but mostly just my [email protected]/

In S. Ga. the AB spends much time in our state. I am personally out of the loop but I am friends with him on FB. I see him fellow shipping with pastors on the districts.He and his team are currently traveling around the state going to local football games with pastors. More than enjoying local football games but spending valuable time with these pastors.BTW this is not a suck up. I currently do not pastor nor am I looking for a church. Just happy to see a good man at work.Thumbs up to Bishop Gary Lewis Recorded Sermons @ www.pastorwiley.com